Close WindowLas Vegas, NV. PRNewswire | Oct. 16, 2002 —Beacon Wireless Solutions introduced the GSM version of its wireless personal boat monitoring system, the HarborMaster Mark II, at CTIA's Wireless I.T. & Internet 2002. The HarborMaster Mark II's GSM version integrates the Sony Ericsson GM47/48 GSM/GPRS cellular communication unit and is the first of a series of GSM-based personal monitoring products Beacon Wireless plans to introduce in the next few years.
Beacon Wireless' GSM HarborMaster will offer additional benefits to boaters such as more frequent and detailed statistical information, added flexibility with SMS remote commands and Internet accessibility.
According to David Lash, President of Beacon Wireless Solutions Inc., "Beacon is excited to be in a position to take advantage of the accelerated roll out of the GSM networks. The HarborMaster GSM product enables us to provide boaters with an exceptional wireless monitoring product with more and more benefits including higher speed Internet access on board vessels - a service boaters have been demanding for some time."
Through its affiliate Beacon Marine Europe, the company is launching a European GSM version of the HarborMaster Mark II in early 2003 and plans to introduce its North American version to the boating market by spring 2003.
Beacon's first personal monitoring product introduction was the HarborMaster Mark II, which uses Aeris.net's MicroBurst® Network and was launched to the recreational boating community at the beginning of 2002. Specifically designed for the boating community, the HarborMaster has 12 sensors that monitor for low battery, high water, bilge pump activity, unauthorized entry, ignition use and theft, among other key vital components. If a vital system is not functioning properly, a wireless message is sent from the HarborMaster to notify boaters immediately by phone, pager or e-mail, thereby protecting their vessels 24-hours-a-day.
Beacon Wireless Solutions' website— www.harborstore.com —serves as the HarborMaster's central control and acts as a gateway to all statistical data and information generated by installed HarborMaster units. The HarborMaster's two-way remote command system allows owners to get information on demand or activate their on board systems remotely. Boat owners can request their vessel's GPS location or turn on their boat's battery charger, bilge pumps, heaters or air conditioning from anywhere using the website. The site also allows HarborMaster subscribers to view and update their account, as well as pay their bills. Beacon Wireless plans to continue working with Aeris.net when the company rolls out its GSM service in the future.
Still to be priced, the GSM HarborMaster will be available by spring 2003. The HarborMaster Mark II, MicroBurst® version is available at select marine retail stores across the United States and is priced at $899, with monthly monitoring costs of $25 to $35.
Innovators of wireless to web solutions for the boating community, Beacon Wireless Solutions was established in October, 1998 and is based in Toronto, Canada. The company's flagship product is the HarborMaster Mark II, a remote wireless monitoring and security system with complete web integration, designed specifically for the marine environment. The HarborMaster uses patented technology and operates on the Aeris MicroBurst® Network.
Aeris.net, headquartered in San Jose, Calif., provides web-to-wireless connectivity and control for a broad array of fixed and mobile telemetry applications using its proprietary MicroBurst® technology. MicroBurst employs the control channel infrastructure of cellular networks as a robust transmission medium to achieve low cost and ubiquitous data coverage. Aeris.net deploys MicroBurst technology across cellular service areas in the United States, Mexico, Canada and much of South America. Initial applications include vehicle tracking and alarm reporting, security and equipment monitoring, and utility meter reading. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.aeris.net or call 1-888-GO-AERIS within the United States.
MicroBurst® and VBurst™ are trademarks of Aeris.net, Inc. Aeris is a registered trademark of Aeris.net. All other company or product names are trademarks of their respective holders.
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