With the trend in the marketplace to go wireless for connectivity instead of running physical cables, Opto Africa has developed a retail application to meet retailers' requirements in this arena.
Wireless connectivity offers the advantages of rapid, lower-cost deployment, as well as allows for flexibility when it comes to moving the positions of retail check-out points, or simply expanding on existing store infrastructures.
Various wireless connectivity options exist, including Bluetooth and wireless Ethernet. Either can be selected to meet specific requirements, or mixed and matched as required. With wireless encryption and authentication protocols, as well as various other security features available, the company says that in a correctly configured wireless environment hacking is nearly impossible.
Opto Africa's wireless Bluetooth devices feature point-to-point connectivity in the case of Parani10 to Parani10, or point-to-multipoint connectivity in the case of Parani10 to Parani100. Parani10 is a serial RS232 to Bluetooth converter, while the Parani100 is a Bluetooth to Ethernet switch supporting up to seven Parani10 units simultaneously. Ranges of between 100 metres to 1,2 km are supported, depending on the antennas used.
The company's LS100W wireless serial to Ethernet (802.11b) converter, by comparison, is able to connect as many as 20 units (LS100W) to a single wireless access point (WAP), at a range of up to 100 metres using a regular antenna. This can be extended over 100 m when using directional antennas.
Opto Africa also provides the more traditional wireless connectivity, using cellular GPRS (General Packet Radio Service - or cellular data carrier) to connect, country-wide, more distant field units to one another or to a central server/data repository.
Some other application areas include: RFID tag reader networks; cellphone connectivity; scale connectivity; medical equipment connectivity.
Alongside the wireless networking products, the company also offers various Serial-to-Ethernet conversion products, Serial Terminal Servers, and digital and analog I/O units. The units feature a 5-year warranty, backed with local and international support.
For more information contact Opto Africa, +27 (0)11 792 4886, [email protected]
| Email: | [email protected] |
| www: | www.opto.africa |
| Articles: | More information and articles about Opto Africa Holdings |
© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved
printer friendly version