|
Application
COSMOS connectivity
Convergent Communications’ proprietary technology, COSMOS,
helps organisations connect mobile kiosks, ATMs and point-of-sale terminals
to a central server, says Abhinav Singh
 Playwin had
set up lottery terminals across the country and wanted to connect these terminals
to its central lottery server. However, serial data generated by these terminals
could not be sent to the central server over IP-based CDMA and GPRS systems.
Moreover, confidential data had to travel over a public network and it was a
challenge to ensure a high level of security.
Convergent Communications approached the company with an indigenously developed
product named COSMOS. This solution has the capability to convert serial data
into IP and vice-versa and can transport data through a secure VPN tunnel.
Data communication
Chidambara, senior manager-Business Development, Convergent Communications explains,
“This technology can help lightweight data reach its destination quickly
even while it is being transmitted through a relatively slow CDMA or GPRS network.
COSMOS is well-suited for set ups where data access is not too frequent.”
That said, the technology is yet to be tested in data intensive environments
at the outlets.
ATMs are going mobile
Bank of India is already using COSMOS for its mobile ATMs and IDBI Bank has
successfully piloted the technology in its mobile ATMs. Mobile ATMs need to
connect to the central server and to do this they use several mediums such as
VSAT, ISDN, leased line or their own private network. Using a public network
can be quite cost effective for a bank that needs to send out mobile ATMs into
the field. Chidambara says, “Many organisations have traditional legacy
systems that generate serial-based data and these systems need to be connected
to new systems installed at a central site. Our technology can help connect
any legacy system to a brand new system as it converts serial data into IP and
vice versa.”
Next stop: Utilities
Convergent Communications aims to conduct pilots of its COSMOS
technology in the utility segment, especially in electricity departments. Electric
transformers have an electronic device that generates alerts, which are then
manually passed on to a sub station in case there is a fault. Chidambara says,
“All this can be automated using COSMOS technology. If COSMOS boxes can
be connected with these electronic devices, the alert can be automatically passed
on to a sub-station via a public network and the electricity department will
not require additional staff near each and every transformer.” The company
believes that its technology can help electricity departments save on manpower.
| COSMOS-G is a cost-effective technology that connects
devices across wireless networks. It uses GPRS or CDMA technology to transmit
data using a VPN tunnel making it a secure solution for establishing communication
between point-of-sales terminals (ATMs, kiosks and mobile reservation counters)
and a central server. Legacy terminals with serial outputs can be connected
over IP using COSMOS technology with the added functionality of VPN tunnelling
and IPSec. |
| Although mission-critical networks require high availability
and reliability, there is a need for a parallel communication infrastructure
for each vital link.
Organisations are faced with a high capex while deploying
a VSAT or leased line link for connecting, say, an ATM. Banks in particular
are facing considerable expense on this account. COSMOS can be an inexpensive
alternative.
Legacy serial devices do not have a built-in capability
to connect to an Ethernet network. This technology can hook up legacy
serial equipment to a modern Ethernet LAN using public mobile networks
in place of expensive WAN links.
|
abhinav@expresscomputeronline.com
|
