Dynix formed a strategic alliance with Bluesocket, Inc. (Burlington, Mass.), a leading manufacturer of systems to control and secure wireless local area networks around the world. Through the alliance, Dynix will immediately launch Horizon Wireless Gateway, a comprehensive high-speed wireless networking solution for libraries that uses Bluesocket equipment and technology.

Horizon Wireless Gateway offers wireless network connectivity to any 802.11-equipped device, including laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and cell phones. Providing a comprehensive wireless solution for libraries, Horizon Wireless Gateway comes with tools for patron authentication and encryption, bandwidth management, regulatory compliance, network scheduling, Web-based network management, and centralized status and usage reporting.

"With the proliferation of laptop computers and wireless PDAs, libraries must meet users' growing expectations of having connectivity anywhere in the library," said Dynix President and CEO Jack Blount. "And libraries themselves are learning that wireless technology can save money and increase the efficiency of staff members. By providing Horizon Wireless Gateway, we will help libraries to quickly and easily create the wireless infrastructures necessary to meet patron demand and enhance the work of librarians."

For library users, Horizon Wireless Gateway provides ubiquitous Internet connectivity for notebook computers and Web-enabled PDAs, providing access to the library's resources and databases from anywhere in the library with the same speed available on desktop PCs. Through the convenience of wireless network access, users enjoy working unfettered by the time limits imposed on most public workstations.

Libraries installing Horizon Wireless Gateway will make better use of their space by providing online access throughout the library instead of limiting connectivity to particular locations where hard-wired connections exist. By enabling an increased number of users to simultaneously access the library catalog and online databases from within the building, libraries will effectively maximize the return received on their investments in electronic media and other Web-based resources.

Horizon Wireless Gateway also provides cost savings for libraries who install the service as an alternative to rewiring old buildings in order to increase connectivity and bandwidth. Additionally, staff working in wireless environments will find increased time efficiency by more speedily performing many library tasks through the use of mobile computing devices, such as tablet PCs. Providing a wireless network for users also reduces the amount of money libraries are required to invest in supplying and maintaining public access computers.

While Horizon Wireless Gateway provides an affordable and practical solution for single site libraries, it offers unlimited scalability and can meet the bandwidth demands of the largest library consortium. In either environment, user-based policy management allows system administrators to set policies based on a user's role in the library. For example, different levels of network bandwidth can be assigned to library staff, adult library users, and juvenile library users.

The Dynix-Bluesocket partnership is facilitated by a local alliance with NLE (Orem, Utah), a Bluesocket Premiere Service Partner and provider of wireless networking services to corporate, health care, education, and government institutions. "We are pleased to be working with Dynix, the world's leading provider of library technology, in order to share our expertise and experience in helping to offer this valuable service to library customers," said NLE President and CEO Eric Winegar.

"We are pleased with the range of features provided by this service, which deserves a second look from busy system administrators who need to provide a wireless environment but want to avoid the potential hassles and hazards of providing such access," said Jim Rosaschi, manager of technical services for Sonoma County Library (Santa Rosa, Calif.), who worked with Dynix and Bluesocket in developing Horizon Wireless Gateway. "Individual and group profiles let us establish the kinds and levels of resources available to each authenticated user, including per-user bandwidth restrictions, protocol limiting, robust security, real-time authentication with our Dynix system, and more."

Horizon Wireless Gateway's Web-based authentication requires no client software and uses library cards to identify and authenticate users. The product uses existing back-end authentication servers where possible, including LDAP, Active Directory, and NT Domain.

Horizon Wireless Gateway is now available from Dynix. Libraries interested in purchase information or in seeing a product demonstration should contact their Dynix sales consultant or call 800-288-8020.