Cerulean Technology's PacketCluster Patrol 4.0 arms police with faster, more flexible information retrieval.MARLBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 10, 1997-- Newest version enhances ease of use, provides seamless access to end-user programs, allows connectivity to in-house applications via terminal emulation Using software in a desktop machine to make it perform like a hardware terminal. The emulated terminal is typically in the VT100-500 family, designed originally by Digital Equipment. Cerulean ce·ru·le·an adj. Azure; sky-blue. [From Latin caeruleus, dark blue; akin to caelum, sky.] Noun 1. Technology, Inc. today enabled officers to access more information from their cruisers easier than ever before with PacketCluster Patrol 4.0. The latest version of its wireless mobile information software features an easy-to-navigate Windows 95 interface The user interface first introduced in Windows 95 and then in subsequent versions (98, ME, NT 4, 2000). See Windows 95 and Windows. ; rapid, one-click access to regularly used software programs; and connectivity with applications through terminal emulation over cellular digital packet data (communications, protocol) Cellular Digital Packet Data - (CDPD) A wireless standard providing two-way, 19.2 kbps packet data transmission over exisiting cellular telephone channels. (CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data) A low-speed, digital, wireless data network that is an enhancement to an existing analog cellular network. Based on IBM's CelluPlan II, CDPD provides a packet overlay onto the AMPS network and moves data at 19. ) networks. Through a fully functional toolbar A row or column of on-screen buttons used to activate functions in the application. Many toolbars are customizable, letting you add and delete buttons as required. Toolbars may be fixed in position or may float, which means they can be dragged to a more convenient location in the and friendly graphical user interface graphical user interface (GUI) Computer display format that allows the user to select commands, call up files, start programs, and do other routine tasks by using a mouse to point to pictorial symbols (icons) or lists of menu choices on the screen as opposed to having to (GUI (Graphical User Interface) A graphics-based user interface that incorporates movable windows, icons and a mouse. The ability to resize application windows and change style and size of fonts are the significant advantages of a GUI vs. a character-based interface. ), officers in the field can now more easily take advantage of PacketCluster Patrol's enhanced information-gathering and communication features. A simple click on a toolbar icon automatically invokes a redesigned, user-friendly GUI for most PacketCluster Patrol features, such as e-mail and real-time, system-wide messaging. Since PacketCluster Patrol 4.0 builds on previous versions, existing customers will not need to relearn Verb 1. relearn - learn something again, as after having forgotten or neglected it; "After the accident, he could not walk for months and had to relearn how to walk down stairs" the software. All functions can also be accessed through user-definable keyboard shortcuts. Easily configurable tool buttons directly connect officers to their regularly used PC applications, such as word processing word processing, use of a computer program or a dedicated hardware and software package to write, edit, format, and print a document. Text is most commonly entered using a keyboard similar to a typewriter's, although handwritten input (see pen-based computer) and , report writing and mapping programs. Officers can launch these applications from within PacketCluster Patrol, allowing for powerful, user friendly multitasking multitasking Mode of computer operation in which the computer works on multiple tasks at the same time. A task is a computer program (or part of a program) that can be run as a separate entity. . PacketCluster Patrol 4.0 utilizes best-in-class technologies from a variety of sources. For example, through Cerulean's relationship with market-leading connectivity software developer WRQ (WRQ, Inc., Seattle, WA, www.wrq.com) A software company that specialized in terminal emulation and NT-Unix integration products. Founded in 1981 as Walker Richer and Quinn, Inc., a consulting firm in minicomputer and mainframe applications, it introduced an HP terminal emulator for the , Inc. of Seattle, PacketCluster Patrol 4.0 provides terminal emulation. This technology links officers with headquarters-based databases and law enforcement applications, further increasing the spectrum of information available to officers in their cruisers. PacketCluster Patrol is an open architecture, Windows 95-based application that uses wireless technology to give officers instant access to local, state and national law enforcement and motor vehicle databases from laptop computers in patrol cars. In addition to empowering officers to make on-the-spot vehicle and warrant checks, PacketCluster Patrol lets them communicate confidentially and silently with each other when sharing sensitive information. "We chose PacketCluster Patrol because it had the most power of any law enforcement system," said Columbus, Indiana Columbus (IPA: [kəˈlʌm.bəs]) is the county seat of Bartholomew County, Indiana. The population was 39,059 at the 2000 census. The current mayor is Fred Armstrong. Police Department Sergeant Jeffrey Williams
Jeffrey Nels Williams (born 18 January 1958) is an American astronaut and veteran of two space flights. . "The system is user-friendly; officers don't have to remember complicated codes and commands so they can stay focused on their job. The system's functionality with other programs, like report writing and in-house databases, makes it indispensable. In the time it once took officers to get air time on our radio channel, they can now get back a wealth of critical information or start writing a report." New emulation capabilities Available initially over CDPD networks, this newest version of PacketCluster Patrol better enables officers to operate their own departments' applications remotely from their cruisers. In addition to the instant local, state and federal database access offered in previous versions, PacketCluster Patrol now supports terminal emulation. The software provides patrol officers with access to applications or databases residing at police headquarters. This connection is vital since many departments use in-house record keeping systems. Users will now have application access from their vehicles as if they were locally connected in the station. This technology allows officers to access new information without tying up dispatchers. "Reflection, our market-leading terminal emulation solution, lets patrol officers use in-house applications and databases never before accessible from patrol cars," said WRQ, Inc. Channel Territory Manager Katie Boissoneault. "By teaming Reflection with the powerful PacketCluster Patrol mobile information software, we're helping arm officers with knowledge. PacketCluster Patrol lets officers stay in the community, where they make a difference." Anticipating future technologies, recognizing present needs PacketCluster Patrol 4.0's open architecture also lets law enforcement agencies A law enforcement agency (LEA) is a term used to describe any agency which enforces the law. This may be a local or state police, federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). take advantage of new technologies and resources as they become available. For example, using PacketCluster Patrol, officers will be able to connect to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC NCIC National Crime Information Center NCIC National Cancer Institute of Canada NCIC North Carolina Industrial Commission NCIC National Cartographic Information Center NCIC National Cancer Information Center (American Cancer Society) ) 2000 network, scheduled to become available over the next five years. They will be able to scan fingerprints from crime scenes into the FBI's network to make a match, and receive mug shots over the wireless communications wireless communications System using radio-frequency, infrared, microwave, or other types of electromagnetic or acoustic waves in place of wires, cables, or fibre optics to transmit signals or data. network in less than a minute. Cerulean Technology is already renowned for its front-line experience in the law enforcement field. "A key factor in our choosing PacketCluster Patrol was the flexibility not only of the system but of Cerulean itself. They understand our needs and are receptive to incorporating our input in future releases of the product," Williams said. Because this version builds on PacketCluster Patrol's established features, officers can operate the software via function keys, text commands, and pull-down menus in addition to using the new toolbar. "Cerulean is committed to providing leading-edge technology that anticipates the future needs of our customers while helping them build on established information systems. Our Windows 95 products reflects our commitment to making PacketCluster Patrol the most flexible law enforcement technology available," said Cerulean President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. Robert P. Badavas. "We want our customers to be able to adapt our advanced wireless information system to best serve their unique environments. By offering the most comprehensive features available, PacketCluster Patrol will lead the technological assault on crime well into the 21st century." Availability and pricing PacketCluster Patrol 4.0 is available immediately, with pricing for a basic system including all required third-party hardware starting at under $25,000. About PacketCluster Patrol PacketCluster Patrol is an open, standards-based wireless information system that provides public safety officers in the field with direct access to motor vehicle and criminal records within seconds, reducing risk in potentially dangerous situations. Instead of relying on two-way radio A voice network that provides an always-on connection enabling the user to just "push the button and talk." Also called "dispatch radio," two-way radio has traditionally been used by police, fire, taxi and other mobile fleets. calls to busy dispatchers for limited information, officers can tap into a wireless computer network from laptop computers in their cruisers to get a complete motor vehicle and criminal history in seconds. PacketCluster Patrol also improves officer and public safety by enabling real-time silent communication between police headquarters and mobile units for quick back-up. PacketCluster is an intelligent, best-in-class client/server application that gives power to users. This unique multi-support wireless information system is reliable and easily adaptable, making it ideal for a variety of public safety applications, including fire rescue and emergency medical team use. Its flexibility to work with other software programs and easily develop new capabilities makes PacketCluster highly leveragable since it offers a low cost of ownership and a high return on investment. PacketCluster Patrol won the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association's 1996 APPY award for best end-user software application. About Cerulean Technology, Inc. Founded in 1992, privately held Cerulean Technology, Inc. is a rapidly-growing developer of innovative, client/server software applications for public and private wireless networks. The company's PacketCluster Patrol software has been chosen by police departments in more than 30 states. The Marlborough, Mass.-based company is the market leader in wireless mobile information software for law enforcement and public safety. Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Reflection is a registered trademark of WRQ, Inc. CONTACT: Beaupre & Co. Public Relations public relations, activities and policies used to create public interest in a person, idea, product, institution, or business establishment. By its nature, public relations is devoted to serving particular interests by presenting them to the public in the most Peter Gorman (603) 436-6690 pgorman@beaupre.com or Cerulean Technology, Inc. Stephanie Smith (508) 460-4000 ssmith@cerulean.com |
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