10 September 2003 Lake Success, NY Lightwave-- For establishing a dependable wireless Gigabit Ethernet connection between two buildings at Atlanta-based law firm Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy LLP (PGF&M), the verdict was in: they opted to employ the unique flexibility and security of free-space optics (FSO). PGF&M recently installed the Canobeam DT-55 optical beam transceiver from Canon U.S.A., a subsidiary of Canon, for a dependable high-bandwidth connection.
"Canobeam was the only system that fit the bill," said Brad Sidwell, chief technology officer of PGF&M. "We have two sites in Atlanta a block away from each other, and the 100-Mbit/sec connection from our local telecom provider wasn't enough. We wanted a gigabit, but we felt the price of having that from [the telecom provider] was too high, while the Canobeam gave us a 10-month R-O-I [return-on-investment] scenario."
Canobeam system's ease of use made for an instant upgrade in data rates for the firm's 350 attorneys and 650 total employees. "From a logistical standpoint, things could not be better," Sidwell confirms. "Setup of the Canobeam system literally took five minutes, with one unit in an office window on the 16th floor, and the other in a window on the 11th floor. The Canobeam system took very little time to configure, we immediately switched it over to be our main connection, and we have had no connectivity issues since - even with nasty weather, there have been no problems."
Built exclusively Gigabit Ethernet transmission, the DT-55 optical beam transceiver features an Auto-Tracking System and constant footprint function. With constant footprint, the DT-55 system adjusts the beam according to the distance it must travel, maintaining beam focus and signal strength over its entire 100 to 1,000-m range. Secure operation comes from the system's extremely tight, "untappable" beam, making signal interception impossible from street level.
Canobeam's versatility helped PGF&M avoid roof rights issues that can make other wireless solutions impossible. "A criterion for our data connection was that we needed something moveable as we relocate, and Canobeam can do that," said Sidwell. "We also had a restriction from our building standpoint that we couldn't put anything on the roof, so Canobeam's ability to pass through the windows of our sites is key."
The Canon reputation for excellence, reliability, and solid support was a major factor in PGF&M's Canobeam purchase decision. "We are extremely reliant on our LAN to do our work and would not have bought the same technology from an unknown company - the fact that it was a Canon product was definitely a plus," Sidwell said.
Optelligence, an optical sales force representing Canobeam in a number of states throughout the United States, made the sale.