HUNTINGDON, United Kingdom, Jan. 19, 2005 -- UK-based Brand Communications Ltd., specialists in mobile data and remote access solutions, announced that United Utilities, the country's largest multi-utility supplying electricity, water and wastewater services to millions of people, has selected Brand's Apollo solution to be installed into its corporate network, equipping mobile engineers out in the field with real-time mobile data technology.
United Utilities was keen to implement a reliable, secure and user-friendly mobile data solution, to further improve its customer service by enhancing productivity and communications. The adoption of Brands Apollo "Anywhere" solution will provide its field workforce with access to job critical applications using GPRS.
Brand's Apollo Anywhere system is an innovative mobile data client/server solution. It makes mobile data a reality for business critical data applications using seamless roaming. It removes the uncertainty of using a wireless network to transfer vital information by transparently integrating GSM, GPRS, 3G and WLAN (802.11b) or WiMAX (802.16) networking with consumer or Enterprise LAN environments. The system also optimizes the TCP/IP traffic to enhance the user experience and at the same time secures the data with a military grade AES encrypted VPN which removes some of the concerns about deploying Enterprise data over public bearers such as DSL, WLAN or GPRS. Additionally, the Brand Apollo Anywhere solution has an integrated GPS capability which is essential for field asset tracking to optimize the remote field force and secondly to comply with health and safety regulations relating to lone worker operation.
United Utilities field workforce, provide an essential service to the company and its customers, working around the clock to provide water, wastewater, and electricity. It was vital that a solution was deployed whereby field-based workers could access mission critical data anywhere and at anytime.
By selecting Brands 'Apollo' solution and deploying it into its corporate network, its remote employees will be provided with fast and reliable access to mission critical applications such as maintenance work records, plans, maps, customer information, corporate databases, email and internet.
Brand's technology offers United Utilities secure dynamic switching across public bearer networks. For example, the mobile engineer could be using a GPRS connection out in the field but loses coverage. The Brand client automatically roams onto a switched circuit network (GSM), securely and seamlessly with no interruption to the applications or reconfiguration from the user.
Angela Sadler, mobile solutions project manager at United Utilities, explained, "We needed a solution which is flexible, scaleable, resilient and manageable. Brand's technology does that and enables us to deliver an improved service in a more efficient and effective way."
Brands managing director Martin Kendrick commented, "United Utilities is continually striving for the competitive edge and focusing on the ever increasingly need to provide a safe, reliable and constant service for all customers. With Brands previous experience in providing mission critical mobile data solutions to Utility companies across the globe, United Utilities turned to Brand to enhance their service provision by implementing a secure, reliable and future proofed solution and we are delighted to be involved with such a prestigious project."
About Brand Communications
Brand Communications (www.brandcomms.com) is a global leader in mobile data and remote access solutions. The Brand Apollo mobile data solution is designed to manage and take care of many of the unique characteristics of mobile data and wireless networking and to deliver clear and unquestionable business benefit to the business community.
About United Utilities
United Utilities (www.unitedutilities.com) is one of the UK's leading multi-utility companies, supplying electricity, water, gas and telecom services to millions of people. It is the UK's largest operator of water and wastewater systems and a leading provider of customer management outsourcing services. The company employs more than 17,000 people.
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