Instant Deployment of Video Surveillance for the Boston Marathon Enabled by Strix Systems Wireless Mesh Technology

Business Wire,  April 28, 2008  

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Strix Systems Integrated Wireless Video System Provided Wireless Video Surveillance For Public Safety Using Galaxy Internet's Brookline Wi-Fi Network

CALABASAS, Calif. -- Strix Systems today announced the deployment of Strix Integrated Wireless Video System for the Boston Marathon event held April 21st, 2008. Strix Access/One[R] Outdoor Wireless System (OWS) provided the foundation for the rapid temporary deployment of multiple Integrated Wireless Video Surveillance Systems (IWVS) which delivered high quality video surveillance to a number of state and local public safety agencies.

The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest, most prestigious and most widely viewed sporting event in the U.S.. The 26 mile course runs through Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline, and to the center of the City of Boston. This year the event attracted over 20,000 registered runners and more than one million spectators.

The magnitude of the event requires a dramatic increase in safety measures to provide event and crowd management as well as limit the potential for threats during large events in one of the Department of Homeland Security designated Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) regions.

Galaxy Internet Services, having successfully built and managed Brookline Massachusetts's border-to-border wireless mesh network and Boston's metropolitan WiFi network projects, provided secured access to video surveillance cameras utilized by law enforcement and public safety officials. Taking only minutes to deploy, install and operate, the Integrated Wireless Surveillance System (IWVS) powered by Strix Systems Edge[TM] wireless mesh network technology enabled "live" viewing and recording of multiple cameras during the event. In addition to feeding the video to various fixed and mobile command centers, Brookline's Emergency Operations Center served as host to several state and local public safety agencies.

The IWVS, a rapid deployment platform, supports 802.11a, 4.9GHz (DSRC-C), 802.11g and 99% of all available PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras. The IWVS radios are self-configuring and allow flexible radio assignment for any client/backhaul configuration desired with automatically secured/encrypted WiFi backhaul access to the wireless mesh network. IP video is switched at high-speed supported by Strix Virtual/One[TM] and Strix Priority/One [TM] capabilities providing high priority for video with Quality of Service preserved through the wireless mesh network. Live video and recording management is enabled by the IP video surveillance camera and/or client-server application of choice such as Milestone Systems xProtect server.

Connectronics of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a Strix Systems value added distributor specializing in custom integration of products and enclosures, incorporated Axis Communications PTZ video surveillance cameras into the deployed Integrated Wireless Video Surveillance Systems (IWVS). Galaxy installed the IWVS on light poles and routed the video traffic over its WiFi network. Securitas, a worldwide leader in security, provided the integration of the Milestone Systems xProtect server hosted by the Brookline Police Department.

"Strix's IWVS camera systems were a resounding success", said Officer Scott Wilder, Director of Technology for the Brookline Police Department, "this will revolutionize the way we will handle the marathon and other large events. We can quickly deploy these cameras for temporary use in key areas without the concerns that accompany other video surveillance solutions."

"The ability to easily and quickly deploy high quality video systems virtually anywhere within Brookline highlights the value and the capability of the network," said Sandy Bendremer, Vice President, Galaxy Internet Services.

"In the municipal, public safety and other markets we continue to see an increasing number of life saving and business-critical applications requiring robust high performance wireless broadband," said Martin Levetin, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Marketing for Strix Systems. "Strix Access/One is the industrial-strength platform for critical applications like video surveillance, voice and high-speed mobility. These are requirements that only Strix Systems Access/One can truly fill."

To find out more about the Integrated Wireless Video System powered by Strix Edge[TM], please contact Connectronics at 800-366-3780. For all other inquiries, go to http://www.strixsystems.com.

About Galaxy Internet Services

Galaxy Internet Services Inc. is a Massachusetts based Internet service provider which has been providing Internet and IT Solutions to the public, private enterprise and government municipalities since 1995. Galaxy's mission is to enable wireless broadband access coupled with intelligent Internet services everywhere through innovative joint partnerships with government municipalities and the private-sector. Galaxy's services include a wide range of Internet connectivity, hosting, wide area networking and professional services. Galaxy operates the border-to-border wireless service in Brookline, Massachusetts, servicing public safety, municipal, commercial, and residential users . Galaxy has also taken a prominent role in the Wi-Fi pilot projects undertaken by the City of Boston and the recently formed non-profit, tasked with building a wireless network for the City. For more information please visit www.gis.net , call 617-558-0900, or write to pr@gis.net.