TomTom Automotive Selects Sierra Wireless Embedded Modules for New Connected Navigation Solutions

TomTom's connected in-car navigation technology, including TomTom LIVE Services, will also be offered by Mazda as an option on its new Mazda5 in Europe. The embedded wireless module inside the navigation system enables drivers to receive up-to-date information, including the location of speed cameras and accurate reports on traffic jams. In addition to the navigation service, the system offers a full infotainment solution.

"The skill sets of our two companies are very complementary, and we are delighted to work alongside TomTom in this exciting space," said Didier Dutronc, Senior Vice President and General Manager, M2M Embedded Solutions for Sierra Wireless. "We are confident that drivers across Europe will appreciate and enjoy the new features of their connected navigation systems."

About TomTom
TomTom is the world's leading provider of location and navigation solutions. Headquartered in The Netherlands, TomTom has over 3,000 employees worldwide.

About Sierra Wireless
Sierra Wireless offers industry-leading mobile computing and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications products and solutions that connect people, devices, and applications over cellular networks.

Source: Sierra Wireless, Inc.

Verizon Business Is Quality Security Assessor for Hypercom’s ‘SmartPayments Wynid’ Hosted Electronic Payment Platform

Global payment technology leader Hypercom has worked with Verizon Business to help ensure that Hypercom's SmartPayments Wynid hosted electronic payment platform complies with PCI DSS international payment card industry data-security standards.

Hypercom provides card payment solutions and services to financial institutions, large retailers and independent merchants in more than 130 countries.  Its card and PIN payment terminals and systems enable millions of electronic transactions to be conducted quickly and securely every day.

Verizon Business' professional security services team has provided a range of audit, management and implementation services that have helped Hypercom achieve and maintain Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) certification.

T.K. Cheung, vice president, global quality and security, Hypercom Corporation, said: "We deliver the most effective security solutions through continuous innovation and a singular focus on our customers.  Achieving certification of our SmartPayments Wynid hosted payment platform further protects retailers and cardholders and fortifies our position in the marketplace.  SmartPayments Wynid is our premier integrated payment solution, a hosted platform that can be widely used by retailers to help safeguard the integrity of their transactions.  We were pleased to team with Verizon Business on this effort."

The inaugural "Verizon Payment Card Industry Compliance Report," issued in October, examined the state of compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), which was created in 2006 to protect cardholder data and reduce credit card fraud.  Company investigators found that organizations that have suffered a breach are 50 percent less likely to be PCI compliant and that only 22 percent of organizations were PCI compliant at the time of their initial examination.  However, the report also showed that compliance can dramatically reduce credit card data breaches.

About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications a global leader in communications and IT solutions.

Hypercom and Wynid are registered trademarks of Hypercom Corporation.  SmartPayments is a trademark of Hypercom Corporation.

SOURCE Verizon Business

Elecsys Corporation Reports Second Quarter Financial Results

Sales for the quarter were $5,479,000, an increase of 37%, or $1,478,000, from $4,001,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2010.  Total sales year-to-date increased 40%, or $3,041,000, to $10,661,000.  The increases were the result of both growth in bookings and backlog in custom electronic assemblies and an overall increase in sales of its proprietary products and services as compared to the prior year.

Total backlog as of October 31, 2010 grew by 63% to $8,080,000, an increase of $3,128,000 from a total backlog of $4,952,000 from one year earlier, and an increase of 30%, or $1,885,000, from July 31, 2010.  This increase in backlog was largely due to increased orders from existing customers combined with the addition of several new customers during the current and preceding quarters.

Gross margin was approximately 32% of sales, or $1,729,000, for the three-month period ended October 31, 2010, compared to 31% of sales, or $1,239,000, for the prior year period. 

Income before taxes for the quarter was $179,000, compared to a loss before taxes of $523,000 for the same quarter in the prior year.  For the first six months of fiscal 2011, income before taxes grew to $341,000 from a loss before taxes of $1,160,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2010.

Karl B. Gemperli, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased to announce second quarter results that reflect substantial growth in sales, an expanding order backlog, enhanced gross margins, and significantly improved bottom-line performance compared to the previous year.  Demand for our proprietary products continued to grow while business with both new and established OEM partners strengthened during the quarter.  We continued our investments in new product development during the quarter and are encouraged by the enthusiastic market acceptance of our recently introduced products, such as the Watchdog P2S-AC remote monitor, the Radix FW950 handheld computer, and the Director Series of communication products. 

Gemperli continued, "With both next generation system solutions currently in development and additional products, such as the Watchdog VIP and secure industrial communication products, being introduced, we anticipate the expansion of our M2M solutions business to accelerate.  In order to maximize our opportunities for growth in the rapidly expanding market sectors we are targeting, we will maintain our commitment to both new product development and investment in international sales and marketing initiatives.  Although global economic conditions still present challenges, based on orders in backlog, new business opportunities, and our focus on continuously improving operations, we expect the positive trends in both revenues and earnings to continue during the coming quarters."

About Elecsys Corporation
Elecsys Corporation provides innovative machine to machine (M2M) communication technology solutions and custom electronic equipment for critical industrial applications worldwide.   Elecsys develops, markets, and supports proprietary technology and products under the Pipeline Watchdog, Radix, eXtremeTAG, SensorCast, Director, and DCI brand names.

Source: Elecsys Corporation

RS TechMedic Uses Sierra Wireless Modules for Clinical Data

The latest feature of Dyna-Vision™ is to accurately predict critical medical conditions of patients, such as cardiac arrest, up to six hours before they occur. By early intervention by medical staff, it is now possible to prevent the patient's condition from deteriorating. This feature helps healthcare providers reduce complications, patient injuries and length of hospital stays. Using the highly integrated Sierra Wireless AirPrime Q2687 wireless module, the Dyna-Vision™ device transmits data in real time to a doctor's office via a cellular network, enabling extensive remote diagnostics in cardiology, pulmonology and neurology.

"The AirPrime Q2687 provides the perfect connectivity solution for the Dyna-Vision™," said Rutger Brest van Kempen, CEO of RS TechMedic. "An advanced integrated TCP/IP stack, small module size and low current consumption were essential criteria for us, since our product is carried around by the patient and is running on an internal battery. The fact that the module is fully certified for European and US markets made the certification of the Dyna-Vision™ itself fast and easy for us. Last but not least, the professional integration support we received from our Sierra Wireless distributor, Alcom Netherlands, was of great help in creating a robust and efficient telemedicine solution which responds to patients' and practitioners' needs."  

The Dyna-Vision™ transmits measurements automatically with no intervention from the patient, and patients can be monitored for long periods of time without having to come back to the practice. Patients experiencing symptoms or other events can use the unit to alert the physician, who can simply log in to the server to monitor the actual streaming parameters and take action as required. The Dyna-Vision™ unit is part of a turn-key offer, which includes a server solution and PC software in addition to the monitoring device.

Didier Dutronc, Senior Vice President and General Manager, M2M Embedded Solutions for Sierra Wireless, added: "Wireless healthcare or telemedicine is one of the most exciting applications of machine-to-machine communication technology today, and we are very pleased to be working with some of the pioneers in this space. The Dyna-Vision™ device is a wonderful example of how wireless technology can help improve people's lives."

About RS TechMedic
RS TechMedic B.V. is a Dutch based developer of innovative and high-quality medical technology. The products, software and services are mainly focused on telemedicine, remote patient monitoring and remote medical diagnostics.

Dyna-Vision™ is built with state-of-the-art electronics. The unique and patented features provide the health care industry with an effective, affordable and comfortable product. It is proven that Telemedicine is only successful when the products are actually supporting the health care provider. Many products in the market today however create additional workload for the health care provider. Also, the patient is an active part in the process. Many patients are not able to cope with the telemedicine equipment and requirements. For that reason we developed a fully automatic solution that needs no intervention from the patient.

About Sierra Wireless
Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR - TSX: SW) offers industry-leading mobile computing and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications products and solutions that connect people, devices, and applications over cellular networks. Wireless service providers, equipment manufacturers, enterprises and government organizations around the world depend on us for reliable wireless technology. We offer 2G, 3G and 4G wireless modems, routers and gateways as well as a comprehensive suite of software, tools, and services that ensure our customers can successfully bring wireless applications to market.

AT&T and Elster Announce Agreement to Deliver Wireless Smart Grid Solutions to Utilities

Agreement Strengthens Portfolio of Standards-Based Smart Grid Offerings for Customers

AT&T* and Elster, a global leader in advanced metering technology and Smart Grid solutions, today announced that they have signed a new agreement that will enable comprehensive end-to-end wireless solutions for utilities.

The combined offering enables utilities to integrate distribution area networking from AT&T's high speed, cellular data network with Elster's EnergyAxis® advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) solution. Utilities will now have access to an open and multi-technology smart grid platform that optimizes efficiency and reliability, while reducing the operational costs of having to manage proprietary networks. Based on open-standards and high security protocols, critical information on energy consumption and usage from the end-user is collected and managed in real time by Elster's EnergyAxis-enabled smart meters and two-way, standards-based communications network. This information is then aggregated and transported securely over AT&T's high speed networks.

"Momentum within smart grid has been picking up at a rapid pace for us," said Chris Hill, Vice President, Advanced Enterprise Mobility Solutions, AT&T Business Solutions. "With this agreement with Elster, we are excited about the potential to expand our Smart Grid offerings beyond North America."

"Elster has strong history of working with utilities to create operational efficiencies and one of the main reasons for this success is our ability to seamlessly integrate our EnergyAxis solution into an existing IT infrastructure or geography," said Mark Munday, CEO of Elster Solutions. "With this new agreement with AT&T, Elster is expanding the industry's most comprehensive suite of Smart Grid solutions to meet the specific needs of our customers."

Using Elster's EnergyAxis Smart Grid technology, utilities across the globe are realizing operational improvements that translate into reduced energy costs, improved customer service and the conservation of environmental and economic resources. A field-proven, interoperable solution with more than 4.5 million endpoints and 80 complete systems deployed worldwide, Elster's EnergyAxis provides the full spectrum of critical components for Smart Grid success, including communications networking, meter data management and utility-specific applications.

AT&T's suite of M2M pricing plans designed specifically for the Smart Grid makes this solution an economical choice for utilities. In addition, AT&T offers a range of strategic mobility products and services to the utility industry, including wireless solutions for field service workers, outage detection and remote monitoring for automated metering infrastructure. AT&T's dedicated team of industry specialists understands the business process from end-to-end and translates technical solutions into meaningful business value for customers.

In a recent Current Analysis report, "Machine to Machine Services Market: Competition Heats Up," AT&T's strength in M2M implementation strategy and mobility services organization was highlighted. Analyst Kathryn Weldon wrote that AT&T "stands out as having one of the most comprehensive M2M services portfolio, with a strategy likely to succeed in the market." 

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine. 

About Elster
Elster is one of the world's largest electricity, gas and water measurement and control providers.  Elster's products and solutions are widely used by utilities in the traditional and emerging Smart Grid markets. 

SOURCE AT&T Inc.

IEEE: On a Mission to Make Healthcare Personal, Again

"Healthcare is undergoing major changes enabled by the rapid technology developments at all informatics levels.  For example, we've seen the revolutionary impact of imaging technologies on radiology and medicine, and we are seeing that computer and mobile technologies are modernizing the way healthcare is delivered and managed," said Dr. Zhi-Pei Liang, IEEE fellow and 2011 President of IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.  "It is through better acquisition of image data, the ubiquitous deployment of microchips, computers and sensors, critical achievements in systems biology research and intelligent mining of electronic patient records that we can deliver more effective, personalized medical diagnostics and therapeutics – profound enough to change our lives and our society."

IEEE members are transforming the future of medicine and healthcare.  From formalized mathematical theory through experimental science, and from technological development to practical clinical applications, IEEE members have applied concepts and methods of the physical and engineering sciences to progress modern healthcare.  Examples of technological innovation to improve the quality of patient care include: designing the electrical circuits that make a pacemaker work; developing the transport technologies that allow patients and doctors to communicate over long distances; delivering new electronic and mobile health (eHealth/mHealth) applications that digitize and automate healthcare knowledge to better understand the relationship between symptoms/conditions, diseases, medications/treatments and outcomes.

Dr. Liang continued, "IEEE members provide a critical link between engineering and life and health sciences; their work and accomplishments have made healthcare more effective, more efficient and more assessable."

IEEE fosters integrative efforts that accelerate knowledge discovery, and contributions towards advances in research and the practice of healthcare.  Today, IEEE members globally are putting those advances to work in:

• mHealth
• Medical Access Cards
• Telehealth
• Robotics in Healthcare

The integration of scientific, technological, and educational activities can be seen through a number of IEEE healthcare standards initiatives, society actions, and global conferences from the 2011 IEEE International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging: From Nano to Micro to the 2011 Healthcare Informatics, Imaging, and Systems Biology (HISB) event.  Additionally, IEEE.tv  and IEEE Spectrum offers numerous videos on the cross-section of technology and modern medicine to aid in personal healthcare, such as: Surgeons Got Game, The Rocket-Powered Prosthetic Arm, Biomedical Engineering at the Mayo Clinic, Feeding the Machine: The World's Most Sophisticated Artificial Stomach, and Tapping the Computing Power of the Unconscious Brain, among others.

About IEEE
IEEE, the world's largest technical professional association, is dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.  Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. 

Source: IEEE

Elecsys Announces Watchdog VIP Remote Monitoring Product

For corrosion protection monitoring applications, Watchdog VIP units ship from the factory pre-configured to measure volts, amps, and pipe-to-soil voltage potential, and to detect the presence of AC power.  The new product provides reliable wireless remote monitoring of cathodic protection rectifiers used to protect transmission and distribution pipelines, storage tanks, oil and natural gas well casings, bridge decks, piers, and other critical infrastructure assets from corrosion.  Operators can improve structure integrity and extend asset operational life with reliable measurement reporting, timely event alarms, and data trend analysis.

Elecsys recently deployed a variant of the Watchdog VIP, specifically designed for international markets, for field testing trials on pipeline, bulk storage, and offshore platform sites in the Middle East.  These field trials are part of a pilot program for a future project in the Persian Gulf region.

Karl B. Gemperli, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Corrosion of ageing infrastructure assets is a growing concern throughout the world with pipeline ruptures and structural failures becoming more common.  We believe the Watchdog VIP is an ideal solution for the corrosion control professional's need for a simple, reliable, and cost effective cathodic protection remote monitoring system."  Gemperli added, "This is the first product introduced by Elecsys based on our third generation Watchdog Flex platform.  The modular design of the Watchdog Flex system allows for the rapid development of innovative new product applications for specific remote monitoring requirements of diverse assets in extreme environments."

About Elecsys Corporation
Elecsys Corporation provides innovative machine to machine (M2M) communication technology solutions and custom electronic equipment for critical industrial applications worldwide. Elecsys develops, markets, and supports proprietary technology and products under the Pipeline Watchdog, Radix, eXtremeTAG, SensorCast, Director, and DCI brand names.   

SOURCE Elecsys Corporation

Elecsys Announces Watchdog VIP Remote Monitoring Product

For corrosion protection monitoring applications, Watchdog VIP units ship from the factory pre-configured to measure volts, amps, and pipe-to-soil voltage potential, and to detect the presence of AC power.  The new product provides reliable wireless remote monitoring of cathodic protection rectifiers used to protect transmission and distribution pipelines, storage tanks, oil and natural gas well casings, bridge decks, piers, and other critical infrastructure assets from corrosion.  Operators can improve structure integrity and extend asset operational life with reliable measurement reporting, timely event alarms, and data trend analysis.

Elecsys recently deployed a variant of the Watchdog VIP, specifically designed for international markets, for field testing trials on pipeline, bulk storage, and offshore platform sites in the Middle East.  These field trials are part of a pilot program for a future project in the Persian Gulf region.

Karl B. Gemperli, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Corrosion of ageing infrastructure assets is a growing concern throughout the world with pipeline ruptures and structural failures becoming more common.  We believe the Watchdog VIP is an ideal solution for the corrosion control professional's need for a simple, reliable, and cost effective cathodic protection remote monitoring system."  Gemperli added, "This is the first product introduced by Elecsys based on our third generation Watchdog Flex platform.  The modular design of the Watchdog Flex system allows for the rapid development of innovative new product applications for specific remote monitoring requirements of diverse assets in extreme environments."

About Elecsys Corporation
Elecsys Corporation provides innovative machine to machine (M2M) communication technology solutions and custom electronic equipment for critical industrial applications worldwide. Elecsys develops, markets, and supports proprietary technology and products under the Pipeline Watchdog, Radix, eXtremeTAG, SensorCast, Director, and DCI brand names.   

SOURCE Elecsys Corporation

Novatel Wireless Completes Enfora Acquisition

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 1, 2010  Novatel Wireless, Inc. a leading provider of wireless broadband solutions, has completed the previously-announced acquisition of Enfora, Inc., a privately-held, Texas-based provider of intelligent asset-management solutions utilizing wireless technology and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications. The effective date was the close of business on November 30.

Novatel Wireless is a leader in the design and development of innovative wireless broadband access solutions based on 3G and 4G wireless technologies.  Novatel Wireless' Intelligent Mobile Hotspot products, software, USB modems and embedded modules enable high-speed wireless Internet access on leading wireless data networks. The Company delivers specialized wireless solutions to carriers, distributors, OEMs and vertical markets worldwide. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Novatel Wireless is listed on NASDAQ: NVTL.

About Enfora
Enfora is a leading provider of intelligent wireless asset management solutions, enabling enterprises to access, analyze and leverage information from their geographically dispersed assets using location-based monitoring and control and asset management applications. Enfora's solutions, consisting of embedded wireless software, network edge wireless platforms, and enterprise software, are based on its distributed intelligent architecture that provides a link between an enterprise and its remote assets.  Enfora primarily serves the transportation, security, energy and medical market segments. 

SOURCE Novatel Wireless, Inc.

AzQtel Selects Prodea to Deliver the First Connected Home Services to Azerbaijan

Leveraging Their WiMAX Network, AzQtel Will Deliver a Suite of New and Exciting Applications and Services to the TV, PC, Mobile and More

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 23, 2010 - AzQtel, Azerbaijan's leading WiMAX based service provider today announced a partnership with Prodea Systems to enhance their broadband service offering with an app-store of new content experiences and connected life services.

AzQtel's broadband service, known as "Sazz", brings to the people of Azerbaijan an unprecedented Internet experience using their state of the art WiMAX technologies. The service is readily available to over 4 million people in Baku and the surrounding areas, with additional coverage to be announced shortly.

Prodea Systems' breakthrough solution provides a simple interactive experience, requiring no personal computer or technology expertise. This revolutionary approach to the connected home provides consumers of all ages and technical abilities a simple, user-friendly solution to enjoy a host of multimedia experiences and services, ranging from premium video-on-demand, personal media and Internet applications, to video conferencing, home security, smart home, eHealth and eLearning services.

AzQtel intends to continue to complement its broadband Internet with an ever increasing bundle of new applications and value-add service utilizing Prodea's platform and to deliver these experiences in a cost effective manner across a variety of devices, including TV, PC, mobile and tablets.

"Prodea Systems' a market-leading connected life solution is an innovative new way for consumers to experience broadband powered services," commented Jayhun Mollazade, CEO of AzQtel. "Our goal is to equip our subscribers with not just another Internet browsing experience, but to provide them with a completely new way to experience the power of the Internet and a connected lifestyle, powered by WiMAX and cutting edge solutions like that which Prodea has created."

"As a provider of broadband powered solution, we are excited to partner with AzQtel and demonstrate the combined power of the Sazz WiMAX service and our unique approach to the digital home" said Anousheh Ansari, CEO of Prodea Systems. "The coupling of these two cutting-edge technologies will usher in a new era of services for the people of Azerbaijan."

About Azqtel LLC
AZQTEL is a telecommunications company based in Baku, Azerbaijan founded in December 2005 to provide High Speed Broadband Internet and other Value Added Services throughout the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Company is organized as a joint venture company between foreign investors and Transkaspian Telecom LLC of Baku, Azerbaijan.

About Prodea Systems
Prodea Systems, based in Plano Texas, is a privately held company formed by the Ansari family, inventors and proven entrepreneurs with a history of building companies based on industry-changing technologies. Prodea Systems is their latest endeavor to address the challenges of today's increasingly complex digital home and connected small business environment and combine state of the art technology and simplicity in a single command center for the everyday consumer.

Source: Prodea Systems