La Jolla, Calif. Sept. 18, 2002 - Newbury Networks Inc., the first and only supplier of 802.11-based Location-Enabled Network solutions (LENs), today announced here at DEMOmobile 2002 LocaleServer 3.0, a software platform that enables IT professionals at universities, museums, hospitality sites and other organizations to manage wireless local-area networks (WLANs) by location.
LocaleServer 3.0, which is currently deployed at select customer sites, provisions, manages and monitors network and application services by location capabilities only Newbury is delivering to its customers in a variety of industries and markets.
The company also announced three new packaged applications: LENs Digital Concierge-Docent™, Hotspot Management™ and Mobile Monitoring and Analysis™. These three applications deliver immediate benefits to customers running location-enabled networks.
LocaleServer 3.0 is the first of its kind application management platform for enabling a new breed of applications that leverage locations and services available to those running on 802.11-based WLANs. The set of new applications are targeted near term at vertical markets such as educational campuses, hospitality sites and museums, while laying the groundwork for the nascent markets of corporate campuses, healthcare and "big-box" retail.
"Wireless LANs are one of the lone bright spots in today's tough economy because they offer so much promise and benefits to the corporate and home user alike", said Michael Maggio, CEO and president, Newbury Networks. However, as this adoption grows, it will become clear that one of the key missing components is location. Until we introduced LENs, organizations were viewing wireless LANs as simply an extension to traditional LANs. In order to demonstrate the enormous potential of WLANs beyond simple connectivity, we have created a set of powerful applications layered on top of a new release of our groundbreaking location-enabled network server, LocaleServer 3.0.
LocaleServer 3.0 provides the following unique application and network functionality and benefits:
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Content and Network Provisioning
LocaleServer pushes or provisions Web-based content based on a user's location while also providing the network manager or system administrator the ability to manage network access and usage based on location. For example, an organization could provide general Internet access to its guests in the common areas of the office (reception area, lobby, meeting rooms, etc.). LocaleServer also includes usage management capabilities for "turning off specific locations, performing troubleshooting, etc. It also allows the IT professional to deliver proximity access to the closest peripherals such as a printer, fax machine, projector, etc.
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Location Tracking and Monitoring
LocaleServer provides a unique "Three Factor Authentication for unprecedented network monitoring and security capabilities. Unlike traditional WLAN network management tools, LocaleServer's location-enabled network can detect all 802.11 traffic within range of the network, not just on the network. LocaleServer also tracks all 802.11 devices and equipment for monitoring large numbers of users and safeguarding against the loss of valuable equipment and peripherals.
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Logging and Analysis
LocaleServer delivers valuable logging information such as property usage, network traffic, usage patterns and network activity. This information becomes critical for determining optimal placement of access points and identifying patterns that ultimately help the network run with greater efficiency and performance. LocaleServer also tracks all 802.11-enabled devices or equipment. MIT is using LocaleServer to provision content to an application at the Sloan School. "Provisioning content or services in a location-aware environment will become an essential element to our everyday work habits and business processes within the university setting", said Al Essa, CIO, MIT Sloan School. "We chose LocaleServer since we're convinced it will ultimately enable the 'learning' enterprise and empower our students, faculty, staff and alumni. Newbury's pioneering solutions offer a strong foundation on which we expect to build the next generation of wireless-based learning aids, applications and services." Packaged Applications for the Location-Enabled Network Using LocaleServer, Newbury has developed three applications designed to deliver immediate benefits to customers running LENs:
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LENs Digital Concierge-Docent™ Utilizing the LocaleServer application and content push features, it delivers Web-based content to locations for art, exhibit or campus tours, and facility services availability
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LENs Hotspot Management™ Layered on top of LocaleServer's Internet and network services provisioning, this application delivers powerful control over wireless network access based on location including:
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LENs Mobile Monitoring and Analysis™ Utilizing LocaleServer's location tracking and logging features, this solution provides information on user traffic, property usage and asset tracking by location.
"Because the wireless LAN market is growing so rapidly with widespread appeal in hotels, museums and college and enterprise campuses, it's important to showcase solution providers that will make a real impact on this market in the months and years to come," said Chris Shipley, executive producer of DEMOmobile 2002. "Newbury Networks' LocaleServer 3.0 platform, through its location-based provisioning and monitoring capabilities, has an opportunity to make a significant impact in this promising new market."
LocaleServer 3.0 will be available October 1, 2002 with pricing starting at $20,000. The LENs Digital Concierge-Docent, Hotspot Management and Mobile Monitoring and Analysis applications will be available in the fourth quarter of 2002 at prices starting at $5,000 per application.
Newbury Networks (www.newburynetworks.com) is the first and only supplier of Location-Enabled Networks™, which enable IT professionals at universities, museums, hospitality sites and other organizations to manage wireless local area network (WLAN)s by location. Newbury's LocaleServer is a software platform for enabling wireless Location-Enabled Networks that provides a superior user experience, allows for better management of WLAN space and enhances revenue opportunities. LocaleServer also includes packaged applications for organizations to rapidly build location-based applications for digital tours, hotspot management, user tracking and analysis.
Unlike traditional network management solutions, LocaleServer provides capabilities for managing WLANs ultimately resulting in better system performance and security. And unlike other location-based offerings, its server-based approach enables content and network provisioning, tracking, monitoring, logging and analysis. Newbury Networks was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Boston.
