CRANSTON – Electro Standards Laboratories, a data communications company, has found a greater demand for its disaster-recovery products. ESL developed an IP Addressable 10-BASE-T LAN Access data switch for a national bank’s telecommunications disaster recovery network. The switch lets multiple alternate-path switching to increase network survivability and reliability in the event of a disaster.
ESL is also seeing an increased interest in products that improve network security. The company developed a Keylock Video Conference Room Secure Switching System to satisfy a stringent government requirement. A built-in keylock mechanism provides an off-line position allowing conference room equipment to be completely isolated and protected from outside forces.
ESL is also developing products to withstand harsh environments, including military or industrial settings. The ESL Seismic-Proof AB Switch passed the seismic testing of the EPRI “SQURTS” Program. Passing the test qualifies it for use in any nuclear power plant in the country.
While ESL supplies many standard products, the focus for the 2005 marketing program is to increase sales in the specialty communication products market.
New Web site enhances oil company’s exposure
NORTH PROVIDENCE – Brennan Oil & Heating Inc., a regional fuel oil dealer, saw online customer sign-ups quintuple since the company overhauled its Web site in September. The Web site, designed by Providence-based advertising agency Read Tatulli & Purdy Advertising Inc., centered the concept, design and programming of the site around the theme, “We’re in Your Neighborhood.”
The Web site, www.brennanoil.com, allows residential customers to access information, ask technical questions and pay for heating oil online.
According to Brennan, a major objective at the planning stage was to position the company as an industry leader that combines technical excellence with responsive personal service.
Cumberland firm opens virtual cable storefront
CUMBERLAND – NetCablesPlus Inc. in January opened its Internet-based, discount cable superstore at www.netcablesplus.com. The online storefront serves both individual consumers purchasing a single cable for online gaming or digital cameras to businesses buying thousands of Ethernet cables to network new equipment.
Individuals and businesses are finding that purchasing the cabling to connect new equipment can be a costly proposition, the company said in a release. A new printer for a home PC can cost less than $60, but a 6-foot USB cable used to connect it may cost as much as $30. NetCablesPlus lists this same cable for $11.40, including all shipping and handling fees.
A business opening a new office or adding new employees or equipment to its existing facilities can expect to spend hundreds or even thousands in required cables and accessories. NetCablesPlus’ volume buyer pricing (500 cables or more per order) can reduce that total cost by 50 percent or more.
NetCablesPlus did an informal survey of retail electronics and office supply stores in the local area that showed an average price of more than $15 for a 14-foot Cat5e Ethernet cable. The company says it will deliver the same cable for $10.89, including shipping.
FarSounder to supply sonar for 220-foot yacht
PROVIDENCE – FarSounder Inc., a provider of 3-D Forward Looking Marine Sonar Systems, announced it signed an agreement with the ownership of Project Falcon to supply its FS-3DT navigation and obstacle avoidance sonar system for this 220-foot vessel.
The yacht is being built at Lurssen Shipyard in Bremen-Vegesack, Germany. Moran Yacht and Ship of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is heading the construction effort as the owner’s representative.
“Both the owner of the yacht and the project manager recognize the advantage that this advanced technology will bring to the operation and navigation capability of the yacht,” said FarSounder CEO Cheryl M. Zimmerman. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to include our unique sonar system into the advanced integrated bridge system planned for Project Falcon.”
FarSounder FS-3 sonars are used for obstacle avoidance and shallow water navigation. The sonar can generate a complete 3-D image of the seafloor and in-water objects at “navigationally significant” ranges with a single ping. The small, lightweight sonar can be installed on new-builds or retrofitted into existing vessels.
Providence firm widens credit union accounts
PROVIDENCE – Andera Inc., a firm that supplies online customer acquisition technologies for small- and medium-sized financial institutions, has contracted with six more credit unions.
The program, “New Accounts Online,” is a Web-based enrollment and account-opening service for the credit union market. American First FCU, Jax FCU, FAA Eastern Region FCU, Coasthills FCU, Communications Family FCU and General Mills FCU join a total of 20 institutions that use Andera’s technology.
Melody Hair, operations manager for General Mills FCU, said the credit union’s membership is distributed across the country, so the organization is “always trying to find innovative ways to make the account-opening process easier. Andera provides a streamlined solution that is entirely electronic, ensuring a much better experience to potential members and saving time and money for the credit union.”
Andera said in a release that while many credit unions offer their memberships sophisticated online services like home banking and bill payment, few offer an automated account-opening capability for new and existing members alike.
“New Accounts Online” includes built-in features like electronic signatures, online funding, integration with Chexsystems and the credit bureaus, cross-selling and regulatory compliance.
