Catapult Public Relations

INOVONICS AND OPTEX SELECTED BY AQUA WATER SUPPLY TO PROVIDE A PERIMETER SECURITY SOLUTION FOR WATER TREATMENT FACILITY

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:13:40 +0000

INOVONICS AND OPTEX SELECTED BY AQUA WATER SUPPLY TO PROVIDE A PERIMETER SECURITY SOLUTION FOR WATER TREATMENT FACILITY

Latest installment demonstrates increasing demand and proven success of integrated wireless perimeter security system for municipal and commercial applications

LAS VEGAS (ISC West, Booth #8035), April 6, 2011 - Inovonics (http://www.inovonics.com), the industry leader in high-performance wireless sensor networks for commercial and life safety applications, together with Optex (http://www.optexamerica.com/), the world leader in outdoor perimeter security, continue to gain traction in the security market with the implementation of a wireless security system for a water treatment facility in Bastrop, Texas. The facility is owned by Aqua Water Supply, a non-profit water provider.

This latest wireless perimeter security installation demonstrates continued success of the combined Inovonics and Optex offering. In addition to the Aqua Water Supply implementation, Inovonics and Optex also announced today how Shumate Constructors, Inc., and Albuquerque's Armed Response Team are using the system to protect the property and assets of educational facilities throughout the state of New Mexico (See Release: Shumate Constructors Taps Inovonics and Optex for Wireless Security Perimeter Solutions). The companies partnered last year to embed Inovonics' EchoStream EN1941 radio frequency module transmitter into Optex PIR and photoelectric detector product lines.

For the Aqua Water Supply installation, Turnkey Security integrated Inovonics RF module transmitters with the Optex iSeries outdoor motion detectors for comprehensive and real-time perimeter protection. The combined Optex iSeries and Inovonics perimeter protection system provides around the clock perimeter monitoring to prevent theft, vandalism and crime in commercial and industrial settings. Additionally, Inovonics universal transmitters provide tank hatch monitoring to stop potential unauthorized access to water storage tanks.

"When Inovonics asked Turnkey Security to participate as the installer in the Bastrop facility bid, we jumped on board," explained Richard Martinez, president of Turnkey Security. "The integrated solution of Optex and Inovonics is an ideal perimeter security solution and trumps other options, such as a hard-wired system, because of its reliability and flexibility. The combined solution of Optex and Inovonics has proven to excel in commercial and industrial settings like this. It has the ability to handle a variety of different environments with the same successful, fail-proof outcome."

Aqua Water Supply was looking to improve the security system at its water treatment facility in Bastrop to avoid the expense and extra time associated with theft and vandalism. While researching the varying solutions for perimeter protection, it discovered Inovonics' universal transmitters and inquired about using the products to secure the tank hatches. Additionally, Aqua Water Supply was introduced to the integrated solution of Inovonics and Optex that provides a complete wireless secure perimeter around the water treatment facility and is incorporated into their existing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.

"We feel the wireless perimeter security solution is ideal because of the fast installation and reliable products that ensure a secure facility," said Bill Loven, GM of Aqua Water Supply. "The seamless integration with our existing SCADA system made implementation very easy. We are confident that this top-notch security solution is the best match for protecting our water treatment plant."

Inovonics' universal transmitters provide unique flexibility because they can be used with any control panel, allowing installers and end users to select their security panel of preference. It delivers superior reliability, range and battery life that meets the security industry's needs. Optex outdoor products offer security dealers and distributors a unique solution for enabling the industry's most reliable and trusted security perimeter system. It comes fully equipped with a sensor, battery and transmitter and can be installed within minutes, thereby saving time and labor costs.

"By implementing the Optex/Inovonics solution, Aqua Water Supply tapped a growing trend in performance and cost savings that is enabled by wireless technologies," said Mark Jarman president of Inovonics. "We are confident that our solutions at the water treatment facility in Bastrop provide unmatched perimeter security protection, and will continue to do so for years to come."

For more information about the wireless outdoor perimeter solution, please call 1-800-966-7839 or visit Optex' website at (www.optexamerica.com). For more information on Inovonics, please visit (www.inovonics.com) or join the conversation at (www.twitter.com/inovonics).

About Inovonics Wireless Corporation
Inovonics is the industry leader in high-performance wireless sensor networks for commercial and life safety applications. Founded in 1986, the company pioneered the use of 900 MHz wireless technology to deliver the most reliable, cost-effective and flexible solutions for critical wireless applications. A leader in security and senior care markets, and the standard for multi-family submetering solutions, the Inovonics family of transmitters, receivers and control modules provides the wireless backbone for many of the world's most widely used wireless systems. Renowned for exceptional performance and reliability, more than 6.5 million Inovonics wireless systems have been deployed in the most challenging of commercial environments, where structural limitations and multiple wireless networks can prove disruptive to lower quality systems. Working with leading OEMs and service provider partners, Inovonics provides network design and system engineering support to continuously advance the use of wireless technologies for corporate, industrial, government and educational applications. For more information contact Inovonics at (www.inovonics.com), or call 800-782-2709.

About Optex

Optex Solutions and Systems Division, part of Optex, Inc., and the Optex CO., LTD. group of global companies, specializes in selling passive and active infrared and laser detection technology products for high-end security perimeter and critical infrastructure applications.

Optex, Inc. of North and South America markets products manufactured by the Optex Company Limited in Otsu, Japan. The company specializes in passive and active infrared technology solutions, control systems, and CCTV products for security, automatic door controls, and factory automation applications. (www.optexamerica.com)

Contact:

Christie Denniston

Catapult PR-IR

Office: 303-581-7760, ext. 13

Mobile: 303-827-5164

cdenniston@catapultpr-ir.com

SHUMATE CONSTRUCTORS TAPS INOVONICS AND OPTEX FOR WIRELESS SECURITY PERIMETER SOLUTIONS

SHUMATE CONSTRUCTORS TAPS INOVONICS AND OPTEX FOR WIRELESS SECURITY PERIMETER SOLUTIONS

Integrated outdoor perimeter security solution protects construction sites from theft, vandalism

LAS VEGAS (ISC West, Booth #8035), April 6, 2011 - Inovonics (http://www.inovonics.com), the industry leader in high-performance wireless sensor networks for commercial and life safety applications, together with Optex (http://www.optexamerica.com/), the world leader in outdoor perimeter security, have become the wireless security system of choice for Armed Response Team and Shumate Constructors, Inc., an Albuquerque, N.M.-based construction company that builds educational facilities in the Albuquerque area.

Inovonics' wireless sensors are embedded in Optex' outdoor security solutions and provide perimeter monitoring and protection. Integrated by Albuquerque's Armed Response Team (www.armedresponseteam.com), this combined solution has become Shumate's go-to choice for protecting project sites from vandalism, theft and unauthorized access. The solution not only has successfully protected several construction sites, but also has saved the company thousands of dollars in expenses that typically would go toward damaged and stolen equipment or customized materials from the sites.

"Between the perimeter technology by Inovonics and Optex, and the Armed Response Team's follow-up, we have seen zero thefts for all projects since installation. With the integrated wireless solution, the construction sites are monitored on a real-time basis and immediately notify the Armed Response Team upon unauthorized access," said Mark Shumate, president of Shumate Constructors. "We look at the perimeter security solution as a great investment. Annually, the cost of manpower, replacement of lost or stolen items and damage repairs could easily cost three times more than we spend on Armed Response Teams' services with the Optex and Inovonics solution."

Prior to installation of the Optex and Inovonics combined solution, Shumate secured its sites with temporary fences. Standard fencing, a common choice to secure a construction perimeter, has no way to detect when an unauthorized party enters a site and no system for notifying authorities when the perimeter is breeched. Looking for a more effective solution, Shumate approached the Armed Response Team and asked for its help in selecting a reliable perimeter security network.

"When Shumate came to us for a solution we knew that Optex perimeter security systems enabled with Inovonics wireless sensors were flexible enough to handle the constantly changing and ruggedized environment of a construction zone. We also were very familiar with the integrated solution's long track record of success," explained Dave Meurer president of the Armed Response Team. "Optex enabled by Inovonics is reliable and immune to signal loss. Essentially, it is the never sleeping, non-blinking eye for perimeter protection."

Shumate's construction sites need a perimeter security solution that can reliably operate in a standalone environment where sensors do not have access to a power source. The solution also must have the ability to communicate long distances and handle a wide range of environmental factors, from dust and wind to extreme temperatures. The combined Inovonics and Optex perimeter security solution could easily meet these needs. By using the 900MHz spectrum, Inovonics sensors are resilient to signal interference in highly congested areas, ensuring accurate, dependable data transmission. Additionally, the perimeter security solution has been successful at reducing the amount of false-positive alerts, prompting the Armed Response Team to respond only when there is a legitimate perimeter break.

"We strive to offer the most flexible and reliable wireless sensor networks for life-safety and security applications that can be trusted to transmit critical data," said Mark Jarman, president of Inovonics. "The blended offering of Optex and Inovonics for perimeter security solutions has been successfully implemented in a variety of industries. Today, Shumate Construction can rest assured that its project sites are secure and not vulnerable to theft."

About Optex

Contact:

Christie Denniston

Catapult PR-IR

Office: 303-581-7760, ext. 13

Mobile: 303-827-5164

cdenniston@catapultpr-ir.com

Implementing an Emergency Mass Notification/Location System

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 19:50:40 +0000

Implementing an Emergency Mass Notification/Location System

Things to consider prior to purchasing an MNS solution

By Mark Jarman, President of Inovoics

To view the full article on SecurityInfo Watch.com, please click here: http://www.securityinfowatch.com/implementing-emergency-mass-notificationlocation-system

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In today's world of increasing concerns over safety, security and protection of lives and valuable assets, the need for developing and implementing a comprehensive mobile duress, situational awareness and mass notification system has become not just nice to have, but rather a mission critical requirement.

An increasing number of organizations are turning to integrated intelligent security systems that incorporate location, situational awareness and emergency mass notification capabilities to help protect their premises and human resources. These types of systems not only can help notify security personnel when an event occurs-anything from a fire to unwanted temperature increases to an injured person-but also pinpoint where it occurred. It also integrates emergency mass notification capabilities so that a security director or facilities manager can notify appropriate personnel and get people out of harm's way quickly and safely.

There are several considerations prior to purchasing a wireless location/situational awareness and emergency mass notification system:

1) Basic System Needs: Specifying any security system begins with understanding the basics, such as premises size and layout, as well as who will interact with the system. How large is the overall site? Does it consist of one building or is it a large multiple-building campus? Who needs to access the site, how frequently and during what times of day/week? Who will be responding to events when they occur?

2) Construction or Environment: Since wireless systems offer much more flexibility and allow you to easily move sensors, repeaters and transmitters where needed, strong consideration should be given to utilizing these technologies. Installing a hardwired system is much less forgiving and can cost more without offering greater security or reliability. Robust wireless technology with a repeater network can overcome most potential obstructions and ensure complete coverage of the site.

3) Location Capabilities: Historically, wireless duress alarms required multiple technologies in order to pinpoint location. Although 900MHz wireless devices are the standard for duress and have been for many years, they have not been effective at pinpointing location. This can be overcome by adding supplemental technology, such as RFID tags, infrared sensors or ultrasonic sensors, as examples. While effective at achieving location, the system cost goes up significantly each time another technology is added, as does the overall system complexity. Newer IP-based wireless duress solutions now use the same long-range wireless to both summon help and reliably pinpoint location, which greatly reduces the system's overall cost and complexity.

4) Multiple Application Support: Another important element to consider is whether the system will support the integration of other devices and systems. For instance, it should support standard intrusion sensors, such as door contacts and motion sensors, as well as a wide range of unique sensors, such as outdoor photo beams, fire extinguisher monitors and carbon monoxide sensors, as well as duress pendants. The system should take alerts from any of these devices, as well as information from other in-building systems, like intrusion, access control and fire panels, and integrate them into a single notification engine. Rather than just looking for a system that only offers mobile duress, look for a system that leverages your existing investments into a single platform at greater value and similar price.

5) IP-Based System: An IP-based system is a necessity, particularly with the emergence of the Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) concept. It quickly is becoming the next standard for all security devices and systems so it is important that what you buy meets these requirements to help guarantee a sound investment for the future. There are numerous functions such a system can monitor to offer you a way to derive business information as an added benefit. Such systems can serve as an excellent perimeter protection solution. Other items, like fire extinguishers and all the different kinds of sensors that can be employed-whether they are analog output or contact types of sensors-can be tracked. Monitoring critical temperatures or processes also is possible and can provide a measurable payback. All of this information can be put onto the network to then generate information which can be correlated and presented to management to help them better manage the business and increase their efficiency.

6) Simplicity is Key: Simplicity of a system is a very critical component in determining the best solution that fits your needs. The system should be something that is 1) easy to install and deploy 2) easily integrated with existing systems, and 3) easy to maintain and modify as your needs change.

7) Outbound Communication Options: An emergency mass notification system needs to offer a variety of ways to get the word out fast to the people who need to know. At the basic level, there is the need to know incident information, risk/hazard locations and resource locations. Each role, from security personnel to security director to dispatcher to command and control, requires access to information. These information requirements are role-specific and vary in degrees of urgency.

In addition, the mass notification system should deploy several ways of notifying key emergency personnel when needed with escalation capabilities if confirmation is not received. Managed alerts can be simple text messages, e-mails and phone calls and may be directed to mobile responders. You want to ensure the solution fits your internal response and workflow methodology so that you send managed alerts to the proper authorized people based on the time and day of the week.

There are a number of technologies available in the market today that can meet the needs of security directors and integrators. Emerging new wireless systems are one possible effective solution because they are easy to install, highly reliable, offer situational awareness capabilities and are also able to pinpoint the mobile location of a call for help so that responders know where assistance is needed. They also can easily interface with mass notification systems that are simple and easy to understand, such as text, e-mail and text-to-speech messages to reach mobile responders. In addition, wireless systems can easily connect with other existing in-building protection solutions, such as fire alarms, access control and environmental monitoring systems. For these reasons, when evaluating emergency mass notification and location systems, wireless is one of the most appealing choices to consider.

Mark Jarman is president of Inovonics (www.inovonics.com). He has served in the security and wireless industries for more than two decades and can be reached at mjarman@inovonics.com

INOVONICS SELECTED AS FINALIST FOR SECURITY TECHNOLOGY EXECUTIVE MAGAZINE’S INNOVATION AWARDS

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:53:59 +0000

INOVONICS SELECTED AS FINALIST FOR SECURITY TECHNOLOGY EXECUTIVE MAGAZINE'S INNOVATION AWARDS

Company partnered with Homeland Security Group to provide a best-in-class security solution for Aluma that protected valuable building metal and yielded an ROI in two months

LOUISVILLE, Colo., Aug. 25, 2010 - Inovonics (http://www.inovonics.com), the industry leader in high-performance wireless sensor networks for commercial and life safety applications, today announced it has been selected as a finalist for Security Technology Executive magazine's prestigious annual Security Innovation Award.

The Sixth Annual Security Innovation Awards, presented by Security Technology Executive (STE) magazine (http://www.securityinfowatch.com/files/ste/2010/ste_2010_innovation_award.pdf), is the only program that honors the best and most unique security technology applications in the industry. STE is honoring the most innovative technologies, design strategies and facility applications in the United States. Organizations are selected based on tackling a challenging security application and providing a successful solution. The winner and finalists will be announced in STE's September issue.

Inovonics' award submission centered on the joint work it did with security provider Homeland Security Group (HSG), a division of Easter Security (http://www.easterslock.com), to create a perimeter security solution for Aluma Energy (http://www.aluma.com/) that would keep intruders out of its outdoor metal scrap yard that contained valuable aluminum and steel metal. Together, Inovonics and HSG quickly determined a solution, installed the security system within 40 hours and not only helped Aluma alleviate the theft that was taking place on its premises, but saved it money in the process over its previous security system. Within just two months, Aluma realized a return on its investment.

"We are honored to be selected as a finalist for this well-respected industry award," said Mark Jarman, president of Inovonics. "It is gratifying for Inovonics and our partner, HSG, to be recognized as a top innovator in the industry. A cost-effective, reliable and proven system, and top-notch customer service were the key elements in what was a very successful joint implementation for Aluma and most likely the driving force behind our selection as a finalist."

For more information about Inovonics' products and services, visit www.inovonics.com

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Contact:
Christie Denniston
Catapult PR-IR
Office: 303-581-7760, ext. 13
Mobile: 303-827-5164
cdenniston@catapultpr-ir.com

FREEWAVE TECHNOLOGIES EXPANDS EMBEDDED RADIO SYSTEMS WITH NEW GOVERNMENT FREQUENCIES OF 1.3 GHZ AND UHF BANDS

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:57:26 +0000

Newest frequencies offer ideal platforms for use in sensors, UAVs, UGVs or anywhere small size, light weight and high-performance are critical
BOULDER, Colo., April 8, 2009 - FreeWave Technologies, (http://www.freewave.com), the largest independent provider of high performance spread spectrum and licensed radio products and services, today announced the release of two new additions to its MM2 family of high-performance, tiny form factor radios: the MM2-M13 and the MM2-MU. The MM2-M13 product line operates in the 1.3 GHz band and the MM2-MU operates in the UHF band. The new radios complement FreeWave's earlier MM2 family of products that operate in the 900 MHz band with both serial and Ethernet interfaces. The two newest additions to the MM2 family offer government and military OEMs the ability to tap the MM2's tiny footprint and high-performance for space and weight critical applications, such as sensors, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs).
The new products were developed based on customer input. "Our customers told us they were looking for a small form factor radio with the performance of the larger FreeWave radios in the same 1.3 GHz and UHF government frequencies," explained Harold Christopher, product manager for FreeWave's MM2 Systems. "Our customers wanted a radio that was robust and reliable enough to fly the whole mission while being compatible with existing, deployed systems. FreeWave has come through with the introduction of the MM2-M13 and MM2-MU families of 1.3 GHz and UHF radios."
While small in size, the radios provide the same features and functionality as FreeWave's full-size military/government band radios. The MM2-M13 family of radios is backwards compatible with FreeWave's P Series family of radios and the MM2-MU family is backwards compatible with the company's F series wideband family of radios. This allows customers to replace their existing radios with a much smaller footprint in unmanned vehicles together with a standard size or enclosed radio at the base station or use the same base station with new UAVs. "Backwards compatibility is a key FreeWave hallmark," Christopher explained. "Our customers can use the new radios in aircraft or vehicles without modifying their ground control equipment that currently uses the full size FreeWave radios." Both radios also can fit into small handheld controllers, he added.
With their light weight and small size, the new radios are the ideal communications platform for the control and monitoring of UAVs and UGVs as well as other unmanned vehicles used throughout the world. Other applications include: guided parachutes, sensor networks and many others. Light weight and small size are key factors in allowing UAVs to fly longer missions. Longer missions equate to more intelligence from the UAV - saving lives on the ground.
Features include:

A full 2 watt (1W for the MM2-M13) transmitter power extends the range of the radio to more than 60 miles.
Increased operating voltage to 8-32 VDC to provide broader compatibility with various unmanned systems. 5 VDC versions also are available.
The ability to operate as a slave/repeater further extending network range and coverage.
Receive sensitivity of - 107 dBm for BER 10-4 extending its range for longer missions and better intelligence.
RS232/485 or TTL interface is available for easy adaptation to existing and new unmanned systems. Ethernet versions of these radios also are available providing Ethernet connectivity and two RS232 ports.
230.4 kbps max throughput for transferring critical data back to ground troops fast.
50.8mm X 50.8mm and 21 g.

Availability
FreeWave is currently accepting orders for both the MM2-MU and the MM2-M13. FreeWave's new MM2-M13 and MM2-MU radios will be available for shipment later in the second quarter. For more information, click on:
http://www.freewave.com/products/military-radios.html
About FreeWave Technologies
Founded in 1993, FreeWave Technologies is a world leader in the innovative design and manufacture of license-free spread spectrum and licensed band radios and wireless data solutions that are trusted for mission critical applications around the world. Based in Boulder, Colorado, the company offers network design, path studies and pre-installation engineering services to enable reliable, error free data-flow in even the most challenging conditions and in environments. FreeWave is the only long term radio provider with in-family 100 percent backward compatibility with fully integrated, best-in-class engineered products. For additional information, contact FreeWave directly at 866.399.4930 or at newsinfo@freewave.com. Visit the company's website at www.freewave.com.
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Press Contact:
Terri Douglas
Catapult PR-IR
303.581.7760, ext. 18 (office)
303.808.6820 (cell)
tdouglas@catapultpr-ir.com