EZTag Supports Three Major Wireless Real-Time Communication Technologies

PLATTSBURG, N.Y. October 26, 2004 – EZTag, a full service mobile computing and wireless parking enforcement solutions provider, today announced that they are now in the forefront of fashioning technology that links wireless communications together with personal, local, and wide area communications for seamless mobile connectivity. EZTag now supports three major wireless data communication technologies, which include Bluetooth, IrDA & WiFi. These, local-area, or short-range, wireless technologies are already here and are likely to become more common and vital in coming years. They offer long-awaited benefits of mobility to the field and streamlined network management in the office. While no one technology has emerged as the dominant market leader, each has a strong support base in terms of technology enhancement as well as product availability.

IrDA (infrared) devices transmit and receive data via infrared light pulses - the same technology that operates a television set's remote control. Most laptops and handheld computers have an infrared port built in for this type of data communications. Typical data rates for IrDA communications are around 4 Mbps, with a range for infrared communications right around three feet. This is effective when transmitting data from a handheld computer to a mobile printer. Some of the poignant features of IrDA are that it is a low cost, low power, point-to-point user communications transmission medium – simple and easy to use.

Bluetooth, a radio-based technology, appears in a wide variety of devices, such as cell phones, PDAs, laptops, and printers. Two Bluetooth devices can automatically communicate when they come within range of each other – one does not have to point and click in order to communicate, making this technology convenient and easy to use. The transmission rate for Bluetooth is a maximum of 1 Mbps and a range of 30 feet.

The WiFi wireless standard, also known as 802.11b, has become a very popular medium as more manufacturers release higher-quality products at reasonable prices. Typical implementations for 802.11b wireless networking include connecting field operated computers. The popularity of WiFi is such that, major public "hot-spot" are emerging within major city centers. When a handheld computer, equipped with a WiFi, comes within range of a WiFi access point (i.e. hot-spots) it can access information with the same kind of broadband performance as a hard-wired broadband network. WiFi would not be recommended for time-critical applications. However, with a transmission distance of around 300 feet and a throughput rate that tops out at 11 Mbps, WiFi provides amble throughput for most wireless applications such as mobile printing and end-of-shift communications.

The City of Buffalo, an EZTag customer, which recently updated their enforcement system, is currently enjoying the benefits of Wi-Fi technology. "With the use of this wireless technology and proven software, an enforcement officer can quickly and reliably enter data from the field, eliminating data collection errors, while also providing timely field information to the backend staff," states Len Sciolino, City of Buffalo’s Director of Parking Violations. “By putting state-of-the-art information technology into the hands of our officers, it has improved productivity. Tickets will no longer be lost and go unpaid.”

Today's municipalities are leveraging existing technology infrastructure and applications to take costs out of their operations, to drive their goals in revenue growth and to build increased business flexibility. By automating their parking enforcement systems, organizations can ultimately do more with less. And in doing so, they are creating advantages that include operational efficiency, business flexibility, revenue growth, and most of all, an increase overall enterprise productivity. EZTag’s support of major wireless communication technologies is great example of the commitment they have in helping their customers achieve their goals.

About EZTag

EZTag delivers innovative and reliable automated parking management systems and services for colleges, universities, and municipalities. We provide a complete solution - enterprise software, hardware, support services, and consulting. As a leader in providing wireless computing and printing solutions, EZTag has extensive experience working with its customers to create systems that deliver business value. Contact us to see how to take advantage of the latest mobile innovations to improve revenue and increase efficiency.