Sequoia sets up wireless business group

Sequoia Wireless is a new business set up to extend the benefits of wireless technology across a broad range of applications including vending machines.

Sequoia Wireless is a new business set up to extend the benefits of wireless technology across a broad range of applications including vending machines.

It combines the Sequoia's technical expertise with new and existing product lines, to create new integrated solutions that will open these technologies to nontechnical businesses, ranging from telemetry and remote monitoring through tracking to data collection.

Core competencies include using the ubiquitous GSM and GPRS standard to transmit voice, data, short message services and faxes via the same cellular networks used for mobile phones.

Complementing this is a wealth of expertise and real-world experience in applying the Global Positioning System (GPS) standard to provide precision location data for equipment out in the field.

Typically GSM and GPRS are used to transmit data from the vending machine back to base, for example telling the provider when stock levels are low or maintenance is required.

Other uses - not confined to vending machines - could include transmission of daily reports, alarms and secure transaction processing.

The technology is all the more powerful when combined with GPS for positioning.

Based on taking a fix from three or more orbiting satellites, a GPS location system can tell the owner where a machine is within a few metres.

Thus it not only identifies the machine uniquely, but also can detect whether it has been moved or stolen, and guide the field service engineer or delivery operator to its precise whereabouts.

Such complex technologies have hitherto been the preserve of technical specialists; most notably of electronics engineers versed in radio frequency and datacommunications disciplines.

Sequoia Wireless aims to break the market free of these barriers.

It will offer GSM, GPRS and GPS technologies in 'plug and play' modules, which can be readily applied by nontechnical businesses that lack in-house engineering capabilities.

For customers demanding higher levels of customisation, Sequoia Wireless will offer the focussed design-in support for which Sequoia is well known.

These solutions are backed by Sequoia's own software development tools and design kits, GSM and GPS starter kits, which are allied to training courses and technical support packages tailored to support the customer at their level of technical expertise.

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