New models leverage industry-leading Quatech ThinQ™ serial device servers to provide 802.11b connectivity for flexible wireless networking solutions

Hudson OH, April 30, 2004 -- Quatech, Inc., one of the world's leading suppliers of serial connectivity solutions, today announced the release of a new line of wireless serial device servers. These serial device servers connect RS-232 and RS-422/485 serial devices to local and wide-area networks without routing Ethernet cables. The new devices integrate either Linksys® or Cisco® Aironet® wireless engines with Quatech's already best-in-class ThinQ™ serial device servers to provide the best-performing, most flexible wireless Ethernet-to-Serial servers on the market.

"We are excited to add ThinQ wireless serial device servers to the best-performing product line in the industry," said Steve Runkel, Quatech President and CEO. "Our customers tell us they need to leverage their investment in existing serial equipment while increasing accessibility. These new units will deliver the robust connectivity our customers require and the reliable performance they expect from Quatech."

Serial communication is at the heart of many I/O intensive applications in a broad variety of industries, from banking to manufacturing to building automation monitoring and control. From the bar code scanners at POS stations, to card readers in ATMs, cash drawers at teller stations, CNC machines on production lines, access control gates and warehouse inventory systems, serial communication is the interface of choice because it is a reliable, robust, and time-tested solution.

Quatech wireless ThinQ models make network-enabling serial devices even easier. They have excellent range and network performance characteristics, and are completely compatible with IEEE 802.11b access points, bridges, switches and routers.

For great performance on just about any wireless network, Quatech offers the SSEW "L" series, equipped with Linksys® wireless connectivity. The SSEW "L" series single port models are available for either RS-232 (SSEW-100L) or RS-422/RS-485 (SSEW-200/300L) applications. Depending on location and signal strength, these units dynamically shift between 11, 5.5, 2 and 1 Mbps network speeds for consistent performance, availability and flexibility. They are interoperable with most IEEE 802.11b-compliant, 2.4 GHz DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) access points, and provide support for 128-bit WEP security protocols. The SSEW "L" models also include a high-powered, built-in antenna.

For dedicated Cisco® Aironet® networks, Quatech also offers the SSEW "C" series. These industry-leading products install seamlessly into any centralized security protocol (including EAP) used on existing Cisco Aironet 350 Series access points and bridges. The "C" series single port models are also available for RS-232 (SSEW-100C) or RS-422/RS-485 (SSEW-200/300C) applications. With a full 100-milliwatt (mW) of transmit power and the best receive sensitivity in the industry, the SSEW "C" models provide the longest range and best reliability available anywhere. These models include a standard RP-TNC connector for the maximum flexibility in selecting the best antenna for each application. A powerful 5.5 dBi Rubber Duck antenna is available as an option.

All SSEW models offer the industry-leading features found on Quatech's standard line, including a dual CPU design based on Motorola® digital dna™ technology. They feature a PowerPC® core with an on-board RISC communications processor, an auto-sensing 10/100 Ethernet interface, and Quatech's proven high-speed, 921k-baud serial technology.

As does the entire ThinQ line, the SSEW models come with a unique, easy-to-use Installation wizard that typically gets the system up and running in less than 10 minutes. Quatech's "virtual" COM drivers and the Installation Wizard are available for Windows NT4/2000/XP and Linux. For successful deployment in almost any other OS environment, including Unix, ThinQ products are also addressable via Raw TCP (socket) mode or Quatech's exclusive IntelliSock™ mode. IntelliSock is a flexible and powerful TCP socket service for custom applications that provides capabilities beyond that of Raw TCP mode, such as re-configuring the serial port parameters in the packet header sent with each data transfer. A free Software Developer's Kit (SDK) explains more about this unique feature.

Quatech's SSEW line is available now. List pricing is as follows:

• SSEW-100L: One Port RS-232 Linksys--$599
• SSEW-200/300L: One Port RS-422/485 Linksys--$599
• SSEW-100C: One Port RS-232 Cisco Aironet--$999
• SSEW-200/300C: One Port RS-422/485 Cisco Aironet--$999

Detailed specifications on the wireless SSEW models, and Quatech's entire ThinQ line of serial device servers is available online at www.quatech.com. For more information see Quatech's website, e-mail sales@quatech.com, or call 800-553-1170.

About Quatech
Quatech delivers the industry's most reliable data connectivity solutions. Through quality design, superior manufacturing and world-class support, Quatech maintains the highest levels of reliability that our customers need to achieve lower total cost of ownership. Customers include Fortune 500 and SMB companies as well as OEMs, VARs and System Integrators in industries such as financial services, retail, industrial process control, security, aerospace, and hospitality. Quatech is the number one provider of serial connectivity to financial institutions, serving five of the top 10 U.S. banks. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Hudson, Ohio, Quatech sells and supports its solutions both direct and through a global network of distributors. www.quatech.com.

ThinQ™ is a trademark of Quatech, Inc.
PowerPC® is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation.
Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
digital dna™ is a trademark of Motorola.
Motorola® is a registered trademark of Motorola.
Cisco® is a registered trademark of Cisco Systems.
Aironet® is a registered trademark of Cisco Systems.
Linksys® is a registered trademark of The Linksys Group, Inc.
WiFi® is a registered trademark of the The WiFi Alliance

Specifications for Quatech Wireless Serial Device Servers:

RS-232 Wireless Serial Device Servers
1 Port ThinQ Serial Device Servers

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Download a ThinQ Wireless SDS Data Sheet (RS-232)

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Learn about how Quatech's ThinQ Line of Serial Device Servers Beat the Competition.