AST Networks win Inmarsat Certified Applications Partner (CAP) approval for IRIS*, a data and asset management application which supports location based services (LBS) and terminal management (TM) functionality through the BGAN M2M API.
Investing in over two year’s software development by Applied Satellite Technology Systems Ltd (AST Systems), part of AST Networks, IRIS is a state of the art asset management system with situation awareness features such as geo-fencing and panic alerting amongst its many features. It is built with full cyber safety precautions and encryption (to AES256 standard) and can be purchased as a stand-alone product giving corporate and government users the ability to host in their own secure environment.
Companies specialising in the provision of M2M services now have the perfect solution for a satellite-based service, IRIS seamlessly becoming part of their product portfolio. M2M requirements are often unique to a particular requirement, as an ‘in house’ developed product AST Systems can offer a ‘customisation service’ to meet those specific needs; Pauline Truckle, MD of AST Systems commented: “AST Networks has reached a new milestone with this development, and we are able to truly provide the customer with the precise solution to suit their needs”.
The terminal manager enables remote performance monitoring of the Inmarsat BGAN M2M terminal, with firmware upgrades and reboots initiated remotely. An essential capability for any M2M application is that it can be located in an ‘unmanned’ location, without IRIS TM it would require a ‘call-out’ for an operator to attend the site in the event of an unexpected terminal malfunction. IRIS TM is the first commercially available application to fully utilise the functionality of the Inmarsat M2M API no longer needing to rely on SMS to communicate with the terminal and enabling added control functionality.
Gregory Darling, Managing Director of AST Networks commented; “I am very proud of our IRIS development which was as a result of customer demand for a secure system for asset management that adds terminal management to Inmarsat’s average network availability of 99.99 %.”
Paul Gudonis, President, Inmarsat Enterprise said; “satellite communications will play an increasingly important part of the new ‘Internet of Things’ world we live in. Inmarsat provides global coverage through geostationary satellites with exceptional reliability, and we are delighted when companies such as AST Networks develop solutions that enable expansion of the applications that can utilise the service.”
AST offers 24 x 7 x 365 Global Customer Support, with a fully trained dedicated team in the Network Operations Centre, able to monitor the operational devices and provide personal support to IRIS users. Sean Gillings, Technical Support Manager, AST Networks commented; “M2M devices monitor assets 24 hours a day, AST Networks needs to provide a service level to match these needs and be available to help our customers at all times. We consider ourselves the last link in the provision of an IRIS driven, Inmarsat M2M service, making it truly world-class”.
NB: *IRIS in this press release is not related to the Iris Service Evolution programme; an ESA-back consortium, led by Inmarsat, to develop a technical, commercial and operational roadmap that meets Europe’s long-term requirements for enhanced air traffic communications.
