Industrial telecommunications provider Metacom has developed a low-cost satellite communications solution ideal for low usage industrial and commercial applications in remote areas of Southern Africa.

“In many parts of Southern Africa there is no GSM or terrestrial communication services, or it is heavily congested or prohibitively expensive,” says Metacom MD Réan van Niekerk. “We’ve rolled out a unique satellite solution that is quick and easy to install, without the need for costly site surveys. The device is about the size of a notebook computer and it does not include a large external dish with costly installation requirements. It contains all the intelligence it needs to send data securely and reliably into our managed virtual private network (VPN) and back to the customer, or alternatively for internet and email access.”

Van Niekerk cites a recent experience to illustrate how the satellite solution can solve remote communication problems: “A client came to us who was having huge problems getting connectivity to ATM machines in rural areas. He took a sample device out to a remote site and set it up himself that morning. With satellite, as long as you can see the sky you have guaranteed access. And our solution is far more cost-effective than larger installations.”

Metacom’s satellite solution is best suited to low-bandwidth applications such as point of sale transactions, EFT fail over or machine to machine communication, Van Niekerk says. “It is extremely cost effective for bandwidth usage up to about 100-150MB per month. After that other solutions may be more appropriate; we always recommend the solution that is best suited to our clients’ needs.”

Metacom’s devices are all remotely monitored and managed from its South African based International Operations Centre to ensure maximum uptime. Every satellite device also contains GSM SIM cards where GSM coverage is available, to serve as a backup management connection, or to enable a switchover to GSM communications if the customers’ primary means of communication fail. The unique hardware configuration allows for remote management of the solution and the wide input voltage range with hardware watchdog ensures optimal reliability and effective power management.

“Even if your primary communication is via Diginet, you still need a failover solution,” says Van Niekerk. ”Satellite is excellent for that so long as you can do it cost-effectively. Our clients who failover to satellite know that even if the terrestrial networks are unavailable, their critical data will still go through. A retail store, for example, could still process credit card transactions.”

The new device is already installed in Southern African countries in which Metacom operates. “It’s a unique, low-cost, low-bandwidth satellite option that’s easy to install and provides seamless connectivity through Metacom’s network,” says Van Niekerk.

Industrial telecommunications provider Metacom has announced the release of its MC401 Intelligent Modem, a new wireless communications device that offers uniquely robust, reliable connectivity for industrial and commercial applications.

“We’ve distilled all the lessons learned over the past seven years in the field into this device,” says MD Réan van Niekerk. “The most important innovation is that we’ve included onboard intelligence so the modem can restart itself if there’s a problem. All modems hang up occasionally – it’s just one of those things that happens – but now there will be no need to send out a technician just to turn it off and on again.”

Van Niekerk says the MC401 includes both hardware and software watchdogs: “We’ve built in enough intelligence that the modem can think for itself and deal with most error conditions automatically.”

The MC401 Intelligent Modem also comes with dual chip SIM and dual standard SIM capability, for a total of four SIMs to provide extremely reliable connectivity as well as fraud prevention capacity.

“The chip SIMs alone provide some protection from fraud, but we have also added numerous other fraud prevention features for clients who use our SIM cards or Virtual Private Network (VPN) service,” adds Van Niekerk.

The MC401 also has full GPS capability so that each modem can be precisely located at all times, and can be configured to send an alarm or stop working if it is moved more than a certain distance from its designated point of installation.

Metacom’s key clients include utilities such as Eskom, which uses wireless modems extensively throughout its distribution network, as well as municipalities, banks, retailers and other industrial, commercial and financial transaction processing clients.

“The MC401 Intelligent Modem is ideal for use in any large, geographically distributed system that needs to be constantly monitored,” says Van Niekerk. “That includes traffic control, oil pipelines, railways, water reticulation, telecommunications networks and more.”

“SIM card theft has been a problem for years,” says Rean van Niekerk, MD of cellular technology and communications integration company Metacom. “Many utilities, municipalities and companies around the world use the GSM networks and SMS messaging technology to monitor and control remote devices. There are SIM cards in everything from water meters to traffic lights to ATMs and electrical substations.”

Unfortunately, continues Van Niekerk, “a SIM card is as good as cash and an irresistible target for thieves. Cracking the security on a SIM card is trivial – and once you’ve done it you can make thousands of rands an hour selling stolen airtime.”

Metacom often indemnifies its clients against the costs arising from these thefts, says Van Niekerk, but adds: “The cost is not just financial. These systems wouldn’t have SIM cards in them in the first place if the ability to communicate with or monitor them in real time wasn’t important. Our clients can’t afford to lose business-critical communications, often to the detriment of entire communities.”

The solution, Van Niekerk says, is to get rid of the SIM card entirely. “New technology has been developed which makes it possible to build the SIM functionality directly into the circuitry of our devices. This makes a huge difference: with no SIM card, there is nothing to steal.”

Metacom has completed its testing of SIM-less GSM modems and routers and has already put the new technology into production, says Van Niekerk. “Our strategy has always been to bring the most innovative technology to market first, and in this case the benefit to both our customers and ourselves is huge. We believe this will go a long way towards eliminating device tampering and SIM theft.”

Metacom’s new SIM-less GSM modems and routers are just the latest in a long list of security measures. “We have developed major computer systems that connect directly into the cellular network providers’ servers every hour and download usage data. This means we can stop fraud very quickly – but a lot of money can be stolen in that hour, let alone the cost of replacing or repairing damaged communication devices.”

Metacom also has the ability to tailor SIM packages to provide both optimal use of the service and minimal opportunity for fraudsters.“We can, for example, disable the sending or receiving of SMS messages on our SIM packages. That’s especially useful for stopping fraudulent content subscriptions, among other things.”

“We have multiple layers of protection for our customers,” concludes Van Niekerk. “Our new SIM-less devices are just the latest of many interventions, and we will continue to scour the technology landscape for new ways to prevent fraud.”

With a growing customer base as diverse as Eskom and PEP, Metacom dominates a distinctively African niche: The provision of managed robust, reliable, affordable communications wherever needed. “We can manage connectivity to anything, from anywhere, far more cost-effectively than competitive solutions – and we’ve proved it,” says Metacom’s founder and MD Rean van Niekerk.

Metacom began by providing SMS-based industrial communication services over the cellular operators’ GSM networks. It has since evolved into a telecommunications provider in its own right, offering its blue chip clients an end-to-end managed virtual private network communications solutions, integrating all connectivity media, from physical connectivity to satellite.

“Our clients are utilities, retailers and banks for whom robust, reliable communications are absolutely critical,” says Van Niekerk. “We started by building SIM-card based devices for communicating between machinery in the field and central process control systems, but soon realised that the devices alone weren’t enough. We needed to offer our clients completely secure managed virtual private networks that would deliver the data directly where it was needed, reliably and consistently. Most of our virtual private network communication solutions now allows for failover between any number of technologies, including ADSL, GSM, Satellite or Diginet, ensuring maximum uptime for all our customers”

Today, Metacom connects thousands of electricity distribution nodes, retail points of sale and ATMs throughout South and southern Africa. “We believe we have at least one device that’s connected into our network in every single town in South Africa, as well as on many farms and in remote rural areas,” says Van Niekerk.

The company invests heavily in research and development and is always working on five or six new product or technology applications at once, says Van Niekerk. “Most recently we’ve developed a shoebox-sized satellite solution that can literally be installed in an hour once we reach the site. Getting to the site can take a while, though – we’ve recently been deploying this technology in Angola.”

Metacom’s move into Africa has followed customer demand. “We started with some tentative single points in some of the more accessible countries,” says Van Niekerk. “Today we supply seamless connectivity for our customers in nine African countries, and in most of our deployment sites we are the only option available. Yet we can still connect our customers at extremely competitive rates.”

The core of Metacom’s business is its Cape Town-based International Operations Centre (IOC), which monitors and pro-actively supports both its devices in the field and its networks around the clock. “Our goal is to ensure that our devices are online and operational 24 x 7 in order to give our customers peace of mind that their systems are continuously operational,” says Van Niekerk. “We take complete ownership of the entire communications chain.”

Until recently, explains Pepkor IT Director Conrad Reinke, cash was the only tender type in PEP – but customers are now increasingly using debit and credit cards. “Standalone” devices are very cumbersome and slow for our customers, so PEP embarked on a project to put integrated EFT Pinpads into all our stores. That meant we also needed a data network to process transactions online.”

PEP approached Metacom to create the physical infrastructure needed for a new national Wide Area Network. “GSM was the best choice for PEP. ADSL fixed-line connections aren’t available in many of the places we operate, and dedicated lines are very costly. Some of our small rural stores have only a few tills – we needed a cost-efficient network.”, says Reinke.

Working in partnership with eCentric switch for financial transaction processing, Metacom supplied GSM Ethernet routers to all PEP’s South African stores in mid-2010. These routers provide seamless communication between the stores, switching partner and corporate head office, through the use of an MPLS backbone and optimised last mile connectivity.

“We installed high-gain antennas in a handful of stores that didn’t have a strong enough cellular signal, and the system is working well everywhere now,” says Metacom Executive, Marius Visser. “Our most remote installation required 1,000km travel from the nearest main centre.”

“We’re very happy with both the speed and the reliability of the network,” says Reinke. “For each transaction it typically takes about three to five seconds from the time the card is swiped to finalise the transaction, which we’re very happy with. It’s a huge improvement over the previous system.”

PEP’s Metacom network has replaced all its previous modems and telephone lines. “We’re bringing in all our trading and back office data including our end of day reports via those routers on the Metacom network and it’s proved extremely reliable,” says Reinke.

Not only do the speed and reliability of the Metacom infrastructure rival that of fixed-line networks, the cost is far lower. “It is definitely more cost-effective than any of the alternatives,” says Reinke.

“We’ve built our network to ensure 99% uptime,” says Metacom’s Visser. “There’s a lot of redundancy built in all the way through, from multiple APN’s, dual SIM cards in our routers through to redundant radius and VPN servers. All steps are taken to ensure that there are no single points of failure, with complete redundant paths throughout the communication network. Our International Operations Centre constantly monitors the Wide Area Network and pro-actively resolves any downtime directly with the stores, typically before the customer even becomes aware of failure. The robust infrastructure allows for rapid response. As an example, a recent patch was downloaded and executed to every point of sale in 1200 stores in just 20 minutes.”

“You have to have a little bit of guts to do it this way,” says Reinke. “But the Metacom GSM route has definitely worked out for us. We’re now putting the devices in our stores in Namibia, Botswana and Lesotho as well. Even in our most remote Namibian store on the Angolan border.”

“Despite having excellent UHF infrastructure in place there are certain limitations with our current network, the most obvious being that it does not allow one to use remote monitoring,” says Allan Roberts of Eskom. “For this reason we decided to look for a partner who could integrate with our systems and where necessary help plug the gaps.”

Metacom’s GPRS technology leverages of its MC402 router linking to the company’s various communication networks. Through the dual port router, Eskom for the first time is able to access both telecontrol and remote engineering.

According to Roberts, this enables the engineers to monitor information in real time regardless of location. “In theory you could be an engineer monitoring power supply in Pretoria from your office in Pietermaritzburg, no more driving between offices. By having access to this information we move from a reactionary to a preventive model, where the engineer can track potential faults before they
occur.”

“GPRS technology allows for remote, reliable, secure, affordable and wide spread coverage. Best of all through our routers we can integrate with Eskom’s current UHF system, filling the role of a primary, complimentary or redundant system,” says Metacom’s Jako Winter.

“Until recently having remote access to power supply systems has been somewhat of a luxury. This however has all changed with the development of various alternatives. Depending on your needs you can switch to GPRS, ADSL or satellite, you simply use the network most relevant to your needs,” says Roberts.

Roberts adds that with a number of different technologies to choose from, they can now provide world class industrial communication services in real time, preventing network downtime and power outages, ensuring maximum productivity.

We deal with a number of companies across a variety of industries including; utilities, traffic financial and retail. All these areas rely on having access to accurate, real time data, to reduce and in most instances prevent downtime all together.

To ensure that this occurs you need a supplier with access to various communication technologies who understands the whole supply chain process from design of hardware through to the product solution.

Most companies are involved in one part of the process and rely on an outside supplier for other services such as design, installation or even infrastructure. This creates a number of potential problems, firstly if a fault occurs, logistically it becomes difficult to fix as you need to track down the relevant supplier, which can become very time consuming. Secondly if the one part of the network goes down then there is no backup system in place; it can sometimes take up to a day to fix.

By having a supplier with a solid infrastructure network, who deals with the entire process, the customer is provided with an integrated technology solution, which is easy to manage.

Certain industries can afford limited downtime but for others, downtime is not an option and having a backup system in place is imperative. Depending on locations and the conditions in the area of operation; GSM, satellite, ADSL, radio or even a combination of all four might be ideal.

“I like the universality of a GPRS router,” says Allen Roberts of ESKOM Eastern Region. “With GPRS technology you can communicate around the country, its available just about everywhere.”

A distribution automation network was recently installed in the farming area of Rawsonville. It proved its worth during the peak of fruit harvesting season when a line fault briefly affected power supply to farms and packing houses in the area. Supply was restored to 75% of these customers in 90 seconds.

Eskom wanted a reliable and cost effective communication system to monitor and control their electricity distribution network, based on those requirements we created a GSM/GPRS network. For clients in the financial or retail sector, fixed line infrastructure might prove more effective. When it comes to these technologies it’s not a case of which one is best, but which one is best suited to your specific needs.

To allow for maxim productivity suppliers need to be involved with the client at each stage of the supply chain developing a unique solution tailored to their exact needs, reducing wastage and improving efficiency levels.

Metacom (PTY) Ltd will be exhibiting our existing reliable and vast technological communication devices and systems. We will also introduce new scalable and flexible industrial products and a communication platform spanning multiple access technologies.

We welcome you to visit this exciting and extraordinary exhibition that takes place 22 – 25 Feb 2010, see link for further information: www.african-utility-week.com

“We provided hospitality staff for around eight different marquees operating at the Durban July,” says Innstaff Contracts Manager Carrie-Ann Howse. “We needed a single access point where staff could clock in and out, and where we could issue uniforms and equipment and perform security checks.” One access point for multiple sites, ensures all employees working at the same event, are monitored effectively by Invisinet.

Instaff approached Invisinet, whose wireless access control has previously been deployed everywhere from remote rural construction sites to urban offices.

“Our access control solution is completely wireless, portable and can be deployed at very short notice,” says Invisinet’s Clint Mason. “At the Durban July we didn’t even need a plug point — we ran the entire system off batteries for the day.” Mason further adds that “the simplicity of the infrastructure ensures portability, easy set up and usage on the day, allowing our clients to focus on what they do best.”

Invisinet scanned Innstaff employees’ ID documents at entrance and exit, eliminating the need to issue access control cards or capture biometric information such as fingerprints. “The system was incredibly quick to set up and easy to use,” says Howse.

Innstaff General Manager Lynne Van Loggerenberg adds that, “We received reports within minutes of commencement of the shift, and knew exactly how many staff we had on site and the allocation per cost centre. It also saved valuable time and eliminated the human error factor as the time sheets were imported directly into our payroll system.”

“Invisinet took the whole burden of staff time and attendance monitoring off our hands,” says Howse. “We were able to concentrate on making sure that we delivered a great service to our clients instead of spending all our time on admin such as documentation and time management. It’s definitely something we’ll use at future events.”

Metacom designs, develops, manufactures, installs, maintains and supports wireless communications devices and network infrastructure that can act as either primary or back-up communication for business-critical functions. So far there are thousands of devices deployed in the field, performing a wide range of functions:

• Traffic monitoring: Metacom provides the communication that allows drivers on major highways to see real-time displays of traffic conditions.
• Electricity distribution network monitoring: Eskom and other utilities are using Metacom infrastructure to monitor the health of their distribution network, right down to individual mini-substations and farm kiosks in remote areas.
• Financial transactions: Thousands of ATMs and hand-held credit card machines around the country communicate via Metacom’s infrastructure.
• Retail transactions: Retailers including Massmart, Pepkor and others across Southern Africa use Metacom infrastructure and devices for primary or backup communications with their head offices.

Metacom has built its own virtual private network integrating the major cellular networks, fixed-line infrastructure and even satellite for maximum reliability.  As CTO Jako Winter says: “Everything WILL fail eventually – for mission critical communications you must have at least one backup system in place, and in some cases two.”

Metacom devices are used for primary or backup communication where:

• There is no existing fixed-line infrastructure
• The existing infrastructure is unreliable
• The cost of installing eg a Diginet line would be too great
• Backup communication is needed for mission critical applications.

The technology is entirely developed and manufactured in South Africa and can be extensively adapted to local requirements, whether that includes heatproofing, rainproofing or integration of legacy equipment into IP networks.