Leaf Industries, the sole value-added distributor in Africa for Axis Communications, today announced that Axis Communications demonstrated at the recently held Networld+Interop, a new wireless solution that provides broadband access to the Internet and LANs for a wide range of emerging wireless devices. The Bluetooth Access Point from Axis represents the first view of a new family of innovative products and services, developed for the new world of mobile Internet applications. These offerings will support both voice and data services, extending the capabilities and usability of both wireless devices and fixed network resources. General availability is expected in the fourth quarter.
The Bluetooth Access Point will be used to create local "hot spots," areas where instant wireless broadband access to the Internet or a network is available to Bluetooth enabled devices, such as cell phones, PDAs, laptops and emerging Webpads. These hot spots will enable new and innovative services for a variety of user environments, in the office, home, hotels, retail establishments and other public places such as the airport.
In the hotel of the future, while you check into your room your laptop checks into the office, retrieves e-mail, voicemail and accesses Intranet services - all with broadband speed. Phone calls will be routed automatically via telephony services to your personal mobile phone, providing one number simplicity and lower-cost phone bills. The hotel will offer new conveniences: such as easy wireless faxing and printing from anywhere in the hotel to the business centre, poolside food service ordering and streamlined checkout payment all from your PDA.
IDC recently forecast that by the end of 2002, there will be more wireless subscribers capable of Internet access than wired Internet users. This will drive a fundamental shift in the thinking of the Web community and the IT industry on what kind of services will need to be offered.
"The proliferation of wireless devices will radically change not only how people will access the Internet, but also where and what they use it for," said Ross Orwin, Business Manager for Axis Communications products at Leaf Industries. "Axis` solutions will recognise these devices automatically and provide new broadband services that make them even more productive. These offerings are designed to address the needs of a wide range of participants in the value chain, including end users, ISP`s, telecommunication companies and major communications infrastructure players."
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Bluetooth Access Point from Axis
The Bluetooth Access Point from Axis is the first to support both data and voice services. The product platform is based on Axis` integrated system-on-a-chip technology and embedded Linux, which includes a Bluetooth stack for Linux developed by Axis and recently released under GNU General Public License (GPL) to the open source community.
The Bluetooth Access Point supports most popular network systems running TCP/IP and clients with support for Bluetooth Cordless Telephony Profile and Bluetooth LAN Access Profile. Future product offerings will encompass other wireless technologies.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth wireless technology provides a low-cost means for communication and networking between mobile phones and other portable devices, all in a very small form factor. The industry-led Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) estimates that by the end of 2001, Bluetooth wireless technology will be a standard feature in more than 100 million mobile phones, millions of PCs, laptop computers and other handheld devices.
Axis Communications
The Axis Communications Group with the parent company Axis AB is a leading company in network connectivity and emerging wireless Internet based services. The company is at the forefront of developing network appliance solutions that enable people and organisations to get easy and immediate access to devices and services. Axis is one of the global leaders in several key thin server and network device markets, such as printer, storage and video connectivity, and is doing pioneering work in the rapidly expanding markets of wireless and mobile communications.
Founded in 1984, Axis employs more than 500 people worldwide, including the subsidiary 50 percent owned Netch Technologies. Axis is headquartered in Lund, Sweden and has a total of 28 offices throughout North America, Asia and Europe. Information about Axis can be found at http://www.axis.com.
For further information, please contact Ross Orwin, Business Manager tel. (011) 326 1844; fax (011) 326 1852; e-mail rosso@leafindustries.com
Leaf Industries
Leaf Industries is the sole value added distributor in Africa for Axis Communications, and for the locally developed and manufactured range of Edge products for the GSM marketplace.