Wireless network infrastructure expected to increase coverage, security and mobility for users
Detroit, MI — March 27, 2006 — Symbol Technologies Inc. today announced new wireless network infrastructure features for increased coverage, enhanced security and mobility — including Layer 3 roaming, mesh networking and wireless security with location-based services. The new features enable enterprises to operate more efficiently with increased security, and expand their wireless coverage area.
Symbol also announced the MC9090 family of rugged mobile computers for demanding environments.
Businesses with a growing number of mobile users continually need to address challenges in wireless coverage, network security and user mobility. Addressing these challenges requires the enterprise to implement mobility as a complete system — end-to-end, said Anthony Bartolo, vice president and general manager of Symbol's Wireless Infrastructure and RFID (radio frequency identification) Divisions. This means taking into account the users, devices, applications, network infrastructure and management. With this approach, customers should utilize their wireless infrastructure to optimize their mobile applications.
Symbol said its new wireless features are designed to optimize mobile applications in the enterprise, including solutions to extend wireless networks to previously cost-prohibitive or physically-challenged locations, provide persistent mobility, secure the wireless network, and add location-based services throughout the enterprise.
Symbol explained that its mesh networking solution is designed to provide the functionality to securely extend the perimeter of wireless coverage to locations previously too expensive or physically impossible to wire. This architecture provides a resilient system that is intuitive to deploy, self-healing and capable of supporting high-bandwidth voice, video and data applications on standards-based wireless devices. Symbol said businesses can now deploy an expansive wireless network beyond the main campus to support business-critical applications at the point of activity, avoiding the expensive requirement of installing traditional Ethernet cabling.
Symbol said its WS5100 wireless switch will soon feature Layer 3 roaming capabilities to enable enterprise mobility: mobile users can maintain connectivity as they roam throughout the enterprise and help ensure applications such as voice and video are available and connected as they move.
Finally, the provider's Wireless Intrusion Protection System (IPS) offers protection against unauthorized access and malicious attacks on a wireless network. The upcoming release of Wireless IPS will provide network managers with the ability to visualize and monitor the radio frequency (RF) domain and wireless network capacity, and ultimately, identify the source and location of a rogue attack. Essentially, businesses can extend location-based services throughout the enterprise, and locate devices in the wireless space and disarm potential threats.
Regarding the company's announcement of the MC9090 family of mobile computers, Symbol said they support current and next-generation applications to help maximize the efficiency and productivity of mobile workers inside and outside the four walls of environments such as manufacturing and warehouse floors, field sales and delivery.
In manufacturing environments, Symbol said the MC9090 mobile computer can be used to track parts, inventory and shipments, as well as arrange for just-in-time (JIT) delivery by connecting with suppliers worldwide. The MC9090 mobile computer can also help improve and accelerate assembly line and plant operations, and notify staff when inventories are running low before it is too late. Select MC9090 mobile computer models support reading of direct part markings (DPM) used in the manufacture of metal parts in industries such as automotive and aerospace, as well as push-to-talk walkie-talkie capability and integrated GPS (Global Positioning System) support built into the recently announced MC9097 mobile computer.
Additional Articles of Interest
- For more information on trends relating to radio frequency identification, follow this link for an extensive listing of SDCExec.com articles, featuring the latest research findings on the RFID, including adoption, return on investment and barriers to implementation.
