ROW Short Takes

Redline introduces WiMAX-based product familyRedline Communications has introduced its RedMAX family of WiMAX-compliant base stations, subscriber units and backhaul equipment. The Toronto-based company plans to present these products for WiMAX certification this July. The RedMAX line of products include: the AN-100U, serving as both a base station and backhaul equipment, the RedMAX SU-O subscriber unit, and the RedMAX NMS, a network management system. Majed Sifri, Redline’s president and CEO, said in a news release that the products can be used in either a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint network configuration. "In addition, operators worldwide have recognized Redline’s ability to deliver high-availability backhaul links under extremely hostile wireless conditions and they are pleased that we are pushing out our core products to deliver the benefits of our 3rd generation OFDM technology for their ‘last mile’ access networks," he said. Circuit-switched traffic over WiMAX demonstratedZarlink Semiconductor and Wavesat Inc. have successfully confirmed that circuit-switched traffic can be transmitted over a WiMAX connection. The tests carried E1 and T1 services across a WiMAX network, using Zarlink-developed CESoP technology. "Combining our WiMAX chipset and Zarlink’s ZL50120 CESoP processor will allow operators to carry circuit-switched voice and T1/E1 services over WiMAX IP networks – avoiding the need for a costly access line for legacy services," Wavesat president and CEO Michel Guay said in a news release. Zarlink’s technology allows operators to build out packet-based networks, delivering new revenue generating services, while at the same time supporting T1/E1 services for customers without requiring an expensive "fork-lift" upgrade of installed legacy equipment. DragonWave releases new AirPair productDragonWave Inc. has introduced the AirPair high-power wireless Ethernet platform, a new product that allows service providers to get up to a 30% expanded reach of their network. The new AirPair product operates in the 18 GHz to 26 GHz unlicensed bands. The platform can be deployed in both indoor and outdoor environments. SAMSys Technologies joins Oracle PartnerNetworkSAMSys Technologies Inc. has joined Oracle’s PartnerNetwork to make its readers available to Oracle partners implementing RFID systems. The Toronto-based company notes in a news release that its readers can be easily integrated into the Oracle e-business suite warehouse management software, as well as other Oracle offerings as part of a complete solution to meet RFID compliance initiatives or improve business processes. "Oracle has been aggressive in developing sensor edge solutions to support the rapidly growing RFID movement, and our acceptance into the Oracle PartnerNetwork will extend that effort by pointing solution providers and end users to a trusted source for RFID readers. At the same time, the network will function as a referral service that will broaden our reach in the marketplace with virtually no resource commitment," SAMSys chair, CEO and president Cliff Horwitz said in a news release. Intrinsyc Software signs $2 million in contractsVancouver-based Intrinsyc Software International Inc. recently won contracts valued at nearly $2 million. The contracts call for the supply of professional engineering services and software licensing. Intrinsyc notes in a news release that these multiple contract wins are key indicators of the increasing demand for the company’s mobile device design services and software. But more importantly, the company says, the customer wins further validate the value of Intrinsyc’s skills, experience and intellectual property to mobile device makers. Tailwind debuts two-way messaging serviceTailwind Management Systems Inc. has introduced new mobile dispatch software that allows for two-way messaging between dispatch centre and drivers using any email-capable cell phone. "There are many different things this form of messaging can accomplish. Dispatchers can do load-assignments with the click of a button and the software will send out a message to the driver by automatically filling in the blanks of a template with the location and pickup details pulled from the dispatch system," Keith Retallack, marketing manager for Tailwind, said in a news release. The company expects to soon introduce other enhancements to its dispatch software. Wireless Matrix sells telemetry business unitWireless Matrix has announced the divestiture of its telemetry business unit. The Calgary firm has sold the unit to a fellow Calgary company Universal Measurement Solutions Ltd. (UMS). Under terms of the agreement, UMS will acquire the assets and customers of the telemetry business and will hire a core base of staff which will be integrated into UMS’ existing operations. "The addition of their assets to the monitoring and control services we currently offer will allow us additional flexibility in the solutions we offer to the oil and gas industry," UMS president and CEO Tom Mueller said in a news release. BelAir receives awards for mesh network equipmentOttawa-based BelAir Networks has been honoured by two awards for its mesh network technology. In the United Kingdom, the Bristol StreetNet initiative, the largest outdoor wireless mesh deployment in the U.K. built on BelAir equipment, was awarded the Best Enterprise Deployment for the Public Sector at this year’s Wireless Broadband Innovation Awards. As well, the company was honoured with the Product of the Year awarded by the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation. MDSI reports solid financial results for first quarterMDSI Mobile Data Solutions Inc. has reported strong first quarter financial results. For the quarter ended, March 31, 2005, the Richmond BC company had $11.7 million in revenue, about $1 million lower than revenue recorded in the first quarter of last year. MDSI notes that the reason for the lower revenue was the completion of a major contract that generated significant revenue for last year’s Q1. MDSI had a gross margin of 54%, a six-point jump compared to last year’s Q1, and was primarily the result of the company’s cost-cutting efforts over the past year. "I’m pleased that we were able to beat our EPS (earnings per share) forecast. I’m also pleased that for the ninth straight quarter we continued to build cash," MDSI, president, CEO and chair Erik Dysthe said in a news release. UBS improves loss through restructuring effortsUnique Broadband Systems Inc. has reported second quarter financial results that show the company’s restructuring efforts are beginning to pay off. For the quarter ended Feb. 28, 2005, the company noted that the net loss for the quarter was $1.5 million compared to $1 million in last year’s second quarter. However, the net loss for the six-month period improved substantially from $8.4 million last year to $2.7 million in this year’s second quarter. Spectrum Signal posts healthy first quarter resultsBurnaby BC-based Spectrum Signal Processing Inc. has posted solid first quarter financial results. The quarter, which ended on March 31, 2005, saw the company post revenue of $4.1 million, a gross profit of $2.6 million, net operating expenses of $2.9 million, and a net loss of $352,000. The company had a cash balance of $3.9 million at the end of the quarter. "We have witnessed a significant change in our revenue composition over the past year. As anticipated, our packet-voice revenues have gradually declined while our wireless revenues have increased with the introduction of new products and services," company president and CEO Pascal Spothelfer said in a news release. AirIQ receives credit facility from Royal BankAirIQ Inc. has entered into a $10-million credit facility with the Royal Bank of Canada. The money will be used for general corporate purposes and to repay all amounts owing under the company’s current secured term loan debts, which total approximately $4.95 million. "Using the strength of our marginable assets is the appropriate next step in our financial strategy. The reduction in our cost of borrowing from 12% under our existing term loan debt to approximately 6.5% initially should also improve our net earnings performance during 2005," AirIQ CFO Mark Kohler said in a news release. Contec raises $800K for product commercializationContec Innovations Inc. is looking to raise up to $800,000 in a private placement. The money is to be used for product commercialization purposes.

ROW Short Takes

News | May 4, 2005

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