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Firm Says Virtually any Device can be Monitored Online
From: InfoSec News <isn () C4I ORG>
Date: Sun, 28 May 2000 04:36:24 -0500
As if securing computer networks wasn't enough... http://www.currents.net/news/00/05/25/news6.html By: Sherman Fridman, Newsbytes May 25, 2000 Dallas-based Critical Devices, Inc. says a partnership agreement announced Wednesday with World Wireless Communications, Inc. [AMEX:XWC], will give corporate, commercial and consumer users complete Internet-based services to remotely access, control, monitor and track virtually any device. Some types of devices specifically mentioned by Critical Devices were heating and air conditioning units, gas meters, vending machines, ovens, hand-irons and swimming pools. Critical Devices, Inc., is a privately held company that provides Internet-based asset inventory tracking and monitoring services. World Wireless Communications, Inc. is a distributor of remote monitoring and control systems that operate through using the Internet. The monitoring and control services are available now and are based on Critical Devices' Asset Services Management (ASM) technologies along with a device known as "X-Node." X-traWeb, Inc., a Denver-based wholly owned subsidiary of World Wireless Communications, developed the X-Node. Hogsed explained to Newsbytes that ASM electronically tracks and monitors performance, usage, and location of any device with an IP (Internet protocol) address, and then reports that information online, from a central hub. X-Node is a miniaturized, 1-inch-square Web server that attaches to various devices and collects the data that is transmitted to the central hub. "Remote control and monitoring of devices - 24 hours a day, seven days a week, using the Internet--is here today," Roy Hogsed, president and CEO of Critical Devices said. He also stressed that ASM is particularly valuable for companies with a large number of remote locations. Hogsed said that a national fast-food restaurant chain, whose name he couldn't mention because the chain requested confidentiality, is piloting ASM by attaching X-Nodes to its heating and air conditioning units, ovens, fryers and freezers. This way, he said, supervisors can know in seconds if a fryer or oven was accidentally left on after hours, or if a freezer compressor is about to fail. "By knowing and responding quickly, they can prevent a fire, call in service personnel, or remind managers to turn down the A/C thermostats before leaving for the night," he said. Hogsed also said that Critical Devices and X-traWeb envision extending such services to the consumer market. "The busy consumer now has a way to check in with any device in their home," he said, asking, "How many times have you left home and ten minutes later panicked that the iron was left on? Right there, in your mini-van, you can connect using a PalmPilot and call up the smart iron. One click, and the iron is off." Although the monitoring services are available now, the average consumer won't be able to go out and purchase an X-Node and attach it to a household appliance. The system needs to be set up and installed, Hogsed said. The pricing of the system and monitoring services will vary depending on the type and number of embedded devices used. Pricing is generally subscription-based at a set amount per month, per device. More information from Critical Devices, Inc. is available at http://www.criticaldevices.com World Wireless Communications, Inc.'s Web site is located at http://www.worldwireless.com ISN is sponsored by SecurityFocus.com --- To unsubscribe email LISTSERV () SecurityFocus com with a message body of "SIGNOFF ISN".
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