MapInfo and Northwood Announce Release of deciBel Planner 2.0
Powerful New Functionality and CDMA Module for Effective Wireless Network Planning
biz.yahoo.com
You realize they held these for introduction at the CITA Wireless show in New Orleans. Think the MMs knew when would be a good time to shake the tree?
Happily Long MAPS,
Duke
(full story follows)
-------------------------------------------------
Monday February 28, 8:29 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
MapInfo and Northwood Announce Release of deciBel Planner 2.0
Powerful New Functionality and CDMA Module for Effective Wireless Network Planning
NEW ORLEANS, La.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 28, 2000--MapInfo Corporation (Nasdaq:MAPS - news) and Northwood Geoscience Ltd. today announced the release of deciBel Planner© 2.0 for MapInfo, the latest version of their innovative wireless network planning solution. New features and enhanced functionality in deciBel Planner 2.0 optimize engineering workflow, provide a streamlined and intuitive user interface and offer full support for Oracle8i. In addition, a new Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) module for network planning is now available. The CDMA module and new features in deciBel Planner 2.0 will be demonstrated at the CTIA Wireless 2000 show, in MapInfo's booth #1974 and Northwood's booth #7907, being held in New Orleans February 27 through March 2, 2000.
``deciBel Planner's accuracy and high-quality maps have enabled us to strategically build and maintain complex wireless networks,' said Mark Pack, Southwestern Bell Wireless' regional manager, RF operations. ``This product has been a fundamental part of efficiently expanding our network, offering superior customer service, and planning future growth.'
``In the wireless industry, effective network planning is critical to delivering top-notch service and increasing customer retention,' said Aileen Heal, MapInfo's telecommunications market director. ``Network planning and design process is one of the most crucial pieces of the wireless business, as the network defines where a provider can deliver services and what services can be sold to whom. Working with our partner Northwood, deciBel Planner's interface has been adapted and a CDMA module has been developed in order to meet the dynamic networking demands of wireless carriers. In recognition of the incredible pace at which the wireless industry is growing, MapInfo continues to develop technologies to help our customers charge ahead of the competition.'
The new CDMA module for deciBel Planner 2.0 enables engineers to determine the optimal balance of system parameters for complex CDMA networks, providing customers with clear, high quality calls. The new module is compliant with IS-95A and IS-95B standards. In addition, it provides flexible modeling to accommodate the rapidly advancing requirements of next-generation subscribers. Some of the unique features of the CDMA module include allowance for different local attenuations at each receiver location (e.g., in-building vs. mobile subscribers), comprehensive optimization capabilities (referencing call density distributions), and the accommodation of many different types of receivers.
CDMA is one of the fastest growing wireless technologies in the world, and CDMA networks are used by virtually all major wireless carriers in North America, Latin America and Asia.
``This latest version of deciBel Planner is the result of months of close cooperation with a number of key wireless carriers,' said Phil Wyatt, vice president of technology at Northwood. ``It emphasizes the workflow of the RF engineer, providing a streamlined interface that is highly intuitive for new users while experienced RF engineers will appreciate the enhanced network analysis capabilities. The CDMA module, in particular, allows engineers to troubleshoot existing networks and more accurately predict performance of new networks.'
About deciBel Planner
deciBel Planner is a Windows-based wireless network design software application fully integrated with MapInfo Professional©. deciBel Planner 2.0 seamlessly combines RF prediction capabilities and spatial analysis, enabling wireless companies to efficiently build and optimize complex wireless networks. Wireless engineers can now quickly pull together various types of data, such as terrain and clutter maps, streets, towers and demographic boundaries, in order to accurately design networks and achieve optimal coverage at the lowest cost.
Pricing and Availability
deciBel Planner 2.0 will be available in March 2000 at a cost of $18,995. The CDMA module will also be available in March at a cost of $9,995. Upgrade pricing is available for current users from deciBel Planner 1.5 to 2.0. A fixed wireless module and additional frequency planning tools will be available early summer.
About Northwood (www.northwoodgeo.com)
Northwood Geoscience Ltd. is a leading developer and provider of specialized spatial information management (SIM) software products that are distributed in over 45 countries by more than 200 accredited partners. The company also sources, builds and markets geospatial data sets that enhance the capabilities of its grid-based SIM technology. Northwood is a Strategic Partner of MapInfo Corporation and the 1999 MapInfo Canadian Partner of the Year.
About MapInfo
MapInfo Corporation enables customers to use location to transform information into business advantage. A global company and technology leader, MapInfo provides business intelligence solutions that are deployed across organizations to help them better understand their markets and customers. MapInfo solutions are available in 21 languages through a network of strategic partners and distribution channels in 58 countries. Headquartered in Troy, NY, MapInfo Corporation is on the World Wide Web at www.mapinfo.com.
MapInfo, MapInfo Professional, MapInfo logo, MapInfo MapX, MapInfo MapXsite, MapInfo MapXtreme, MapInfo StreetPro, MapInfo TargetPro and MapInfo SpatialWare are registered trademarks, and Coverage Locator, CallingAreaInfo, and ExchangeInfoPlus are trademarks of MapInfo Corporation in the United States. Other products named herein may be trademarks of their respective manufacturers and are hereby recognized.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:
MapInfo Corporation
Barbara Pilliod or Debbie Sgroi Geraci
(518) 285-6000
barbara_pilliod@mapinfo.com
debbie_geraci@mapinfo.com
or
Schwartz Communications
Lauren Arnold or Laura Sexton
(781) 684-0770
lauras@schwartz-pr.com
or
Northwood Geoscience Ltd.
Jane Frarey Wark
(613) 224-2020 x331
jfrareywark@northwoodgeo.com |
