Sierra Wireless, a provider of mobile computing and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications products and solutions, announced a multi-purpose wireless gateway that defines next-generation intelligent M2M networking.

 The Sierra Wireless (News - Alert) AirLink GX400 gateway offers several features including cloud-based device management, extensive hardware and software enhancements, mil-spec ruggedness, Global Positioning System (GPS), and advanced configuration options, company officials said.

 The wireless gateway is flexible and powerful to meet the needs of a wide range of applications in the transportation, industrial M2M and enterprise markets. The AirLink (News - Alert) GX400 will make solution deployment faster and less expensive for mobile system operators, OEMs, application service providers and end customers.

“By combining the best features of our highly successful AirLink Raven and AirLink Pinpoint M2M gateways, the AirLink GX400 provides the most flexible, powerful and cost-effective solution available in the industry today,” said Emmanuel Walckenaer, senior vice president and general manager of solutions and services for Sierra Wireless, in a statemnet.

The AirLink Management Services (AMS), another product from Sierra Wireless, facilitates comprehensive cloud-based device management for the AirLink GX400, as well as other AirLink intelligent gateways and routers, according to company officials.

AMS is based on the Sierra Wireless AirVantage Platform. With this hosted device management service, small and large deployments can affordably take advantage of the comprehensive AMS management features from any location with Internet access.

“The AirLink GX400 is phenomenally easy to deploy and manage.

Integration with our existing routing platforms and robust enterprise network security capabilities was quick and seamless,” said Paresh Patel, CCIE, director of network solutions at Accel Networks (News - Alert), in a statement. 

The gateway offers a plug-and-play experience to offer a reliable connection to the network operator cloud. The advanced capabilities and PCI (News - Alert)-compliant features make the AirLink GX400 the ideal gateway for Accel Networks to deploy and manage thousands of 3G wireless endpoints annually.

In another recent announcement, Sierra Wireless said Ambient Corporation, which develops and markets smart grid communications equipment, selected Sierra Wireless AirPrime embedded modules to offer 3G wireless connectivity for Ambient's (News - Alert) X-series smart grid communications node.

Rajani Baburajan is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Rajani's articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Jennifer Russell