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Infotech’s core technical competence lies in the field of “Telemanagement”.
Telemanagement is defined as the remote, wireless monitoring and control of fixed assets, mobile assets/vehicles and (the monitoring only of) people.
Three components play a role in the typical telemanagement system:
Hardware
A field-installed hardware component is utilized to acquire data and send the data to a Command Center via a wireless network by way of an integrated, wireless modem. The hardware is also typically equipped to receive information from the Command Center and switch or control aspects of the equipment in the field that is being monitored.
In selected cases Infotech develops its own proprietary hardware. In cases where a third-party hardware item is available off the shelve, Infotech performs an integration (in collaboration with the supplier of the hardware) to allow the hardware to communicate via the Infotech Gateway to the Client-Server or Web Applications. This approach allows for a variety of customer solutions as each type of hardware typically has a different focus and is suited for unique conditions.
Telecommunications Network and associated components
The third-party wireless network (typically GSM or Satellite, but with trunk or proprietary radio frequency also utilized in specialized circumstances) carries the data messages from the hardware to the Command Center software. Gateway Software supplied by Infotech enables different hardware platforms to communicate seamlessly into a single database for access by either a Client Server or Web Application.
Infotech owns the IP to the Gateway Software and makes this component available to Business Partners in cases where Infotech has equity in a Joint Venture that utilizes the Gateway. In cases where no equity or profit share revenue model or other benefit exists for Infotech, a license fee is charged for use of the Gateway. Infotech closes escrow agreements with all Business Partners that own proprietary solutions which make use of the Gateway, thus mitigating the risk to the Business Partner, i.e. should Infotech not be in the best position to act as custodian for the Gateway, the source code will become available to all Business Partners (becomes freeware) and all clients/business partners can continue independently.
Command Center and Web Software
Messages sent from the field via the network gateway are accumulated in an application-specific database for access by users, either in a Command Center environment, or via the internet.
Each business solution is uniquely identified by the Client-Server and/or Web Server Applications that provide for the interface between the product(s) and the customer/users of the product. Therefore, although generic components may exist in the hardware and networking environment, a unique business tool exists for each market focus by way of an application that receives, stores, interprets and communicates data to and from the field hardware via the wireless network. The Command Center and/or Web Software can also communicate to and receive messages from handheld devices.
Two key types of applications exist for telemanagement technology:
System Characteristics
System Characteristics
