Global Tier, a Division of Restaurant Technologies, needed a non-intrusive way to network devices and sensors within restaurants and convenience stores. “Our customers wanted us to monitor assets like freezers, fryers, coffee equipment, building control systems, and heating bins to enhance visibility and measurement of store performance,” said Dave Barczak, General Manager of Global Tier. Using Drop-in Networking, it was easy for the company to deploy monitoring and data collection networks into existing sites without running cables and wires and without disturbing the existing network.

According to Digi International, a developer of device networking products, many technology developers and application service providers (ASPs) have welcomed the Drop-in Networking system as a new way to connect to and communicate with remote devices to manage their remote assets.

These systems provide end-to-end wireless access to electronic devices in isolated, hard-to-reach locations using a comprehensive and easy-to-apply set of networking products.

Cellular service providers have picked up on this technology. The ConnectPort WAN product family, from Digi, is certified by 18 of the world’s largest carriers. The ConnectPort X8 has already passed PTCRB certification for operability on GSM networks and is expected to be certified by such wireless carriers as AT&T/Cingular, Sprint, and Verizon, in the third calendar quarter of 2007.

Drop-in Networks span a range of wireless technologies, including ZigBee, Wi-Fi, cellular, and 900MHz RF.

Potential markets include energy management/utilities, building control/automation, manufacturing/industrial, security/public/safety, gaming, supply chain management, and government/municipal.

Digi International
www.digi.com

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Filed Under: Sensors (position + other)

 

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