Industrial and commercial communications specialist Metacom has introduced two new GSM routers to its stable of robust, low-cost communications devices for connecting remote equipment to core industrial and commercial networks.
Metacom Managing Director R'ean van Niekerk says the MC402E and MC402X are designed to serve the needs of remote banking and telemetry applications in particular. "We realised there was a need for a streamlined, lower-cost version of our flagship MC604 Intelligent Router for more simple installations," he says. "These are for clients who want a quick way to connect equipment to the head office network, with limited routing functionality."
The MC402E and MC402X Remote Routers utilise the latest processor and HSPA+ communication technology for maximum throughput and low current consumption. This enables the use of global 3G coverage and will seamlessly fall back to Class 12 GPRS/EDGE when 3G is not available.
All Metacom routers are designed with dual SIM capability, with optional plastic or state-of-the-art chip SIM technology.
Metacom devices are widely used in financial transaction processing, especially for connecting remote ATMs and card payment terminals, and for infrastructure networks where they are used, for example, in Eskom's national electricity distribution network to facilitate remote monitoring and control of electricity transmission and distribution.
The MC402E comes with a single Ethernet port to connect to any device that needs to send data across the GSM network.
The MC402X comes with one Ethernet port, two serial ports, two digital inputs and two digital outputs. It also has a built-in GPS system, says Van Niekerk, "not only to give accurate location information, but also extremely accurate satellite-based time synchronisation for automated control systems and time stamping of data packets."
The majority of our customers prefer to use the Metacom VPN in conjunction with our specialised routers. "We have built an extremely secure and reliable virtual private network, incorporating all communications technologies for seamless connectivity between GSM, satellite, radio and all fixed-line communication methodologies," says Van Niekerk. "Multiple backup and redundant systems are available for optimal reliability. Our goal is to ensure communications are never interrupted, no matter what happens to individual networks."
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