Neptune to use remote power solution at Internet kiosks

PARAMUS, NJ-Technology from Dataprobe is about to help Neptune Networks Inc. give its kiosks the boot.

The reboot, that is.

Neptune, which operates Internet kiosks inside major U.S. airports, announced today they are employing Dataprobe's iBoot remote power solutions, according to Business Wire.

The technology will enable Neptune to reboot machines from a remote location, saving the company time and other resources that would otherwise go to on-location visits from technicians and also providing increased up-time.

Neptune Networks provides high-speed broadband Internet access to travelers within airport departure gates through their 200-plus Internet access kiosks at some of the nation's busiest airports. Commuters can check email and get up-to-the-minute news from Neptune's patented private communications stations using their own laptops and handheld computers or Neptune's state-of-the-art workstations.

Like any computerized workstation, Neptune's kiosks occasionally experience system lock ups where a simple reboot is the simplest and most effective solution to this failure. Instead of dispatching technicians where expensive service calls can eat away at profits for a simple reboot, Neptune has deployed an iBoot at each location.

Not only does iBoot save Neptune money associated with outsourcing maintenance, but the device also provides a convenient and quick solution to these system lock ups. A single outlet switch, iBoot allows Neptune's IT staff to reboot any or all of their remote Internet kiosks from any computer connected to an Internet browser. The iBoot can also automatically detect a system malfunction with the computer system and be set to automatically reboot the system when it has become unresponsive.

According to Todd White, founder and Chief Operating Officer at Neptune Networks, iBoot goes a long way towards controlling company costs. "While we typically only have to reboot a handful of terminals across the country on any given day, the costs of dispatching technicians just to re-power our systems by the on/off switch can mount quickly," White said. "With iBoot, our Operations team can access the network from their offices and cycle power to any of our kiosks, managing the problem within minutes. It's a great little insurance policy."

David Weiss, president of Dataprobe, said the company stands to enjoy more rapid growth in the near future as the kiosk and wireless hot spot markets continue to increase.

"Visionary companies like Neptune Networks are capitalizing on consumer expectations for 'anytime, anywhere' communications," Weiss said. "As these companies expand their geographic footprints, cost-effective remote operation becomes increasingly vital to profitability. Something as seemingly simple as controlling power switches remotely can free businesses to grow more rapidly and secure market leadership."

As technology strives to keep up with consumer demand for ubiquitous communications, consumers will continue to see more and more remote workstations replacing human operated systems. iBoot empowers businesses to aggressively build out remote terminal models while keeping tight controls on management, maintenance and overall costs.