Opto 22 snaps up Nokia's wireless M2M

24 Sep 2002 at 06:56 GMT Timo Poropudas

California-based Opto 22, a manufacturer of products for remote monitoring and enterprise data acquisition, will be enhancing it products with GSM/GPRS communications from Nokia.

The combination of Opto 22's Snap-IT product line with Nokia's M2M (machine-to—machine) creates a complete package for wirelessly delivering real world data using GSM/GPRS networks to enterprise applications and databases over standard, Internet-based architectures.

Opto 22’s Snap-IT connects to, remotely monitors, and captures operational data from new or legacy line-of-business systems, devices and equipment. Nokia’s M2M platform, which includes the Nokia 31 connectivity terminal and the Nokia M2M Gateway, provides the wireless hardware and software necessary to communicate with Opto 22’s Snap-IT.

Devices and equipment such as manufacturing machinery, telecommunications gear, storage tanks, generators, and other remote systems are examples of key business assets to which wireless connectivity can be added to provide a communications link even where a dedicated line is unavailable.

Once connected, organizations can capture real-time data from these assets, deliver operational data to databases and business applications, manage building facility systems, provide access control and security, and perform remote equipment control, diagnostics, and other extended enterprise activities.

The Snap-IT and M2M products set facilitates such enterprise initiatives such as supply chain execution, energy management, and regulatory compliance in manufacturing, utility, energy, retail, telecom, service, and government markets and industries.

“In meeting our customers’ remote monitoring and data acquisition requirements, establishing the communication to a remote asset has always presented a challenge,” says Opto 22 vice president, Bob Sheffres. “Now, through our collaboration, Opto 22 and Nokia have revolutionized the way organizations can remotely monitor and manage their external business assets by making it quicker, simpler, and less expensive than ever before.”

Comdex, new website

To promote their joint solution, Opto 22 and Nokia will be offering demonstrations at major IT and networking events including the upcoming Comdex trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, November 18th through 22nd. The two companies are also collaborating on a new, soon to be announced Website illustrating the offering and providing information on how to get started monitoring and managing the entire extended enterprise.

Opto 22 was founded in 1974. There are over 75 million Opto 22-connected devices deployed worldwide.