October 12, 2004

Sensicast Launches OEM Development Kit

Adds New Sales VP to Drive OEM Efforts

New System Enables OEMs To Rapidly Develop and Deploy End-to-End Sensor Network Solutions

NEEDHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 12, 2004-- Sensicast Systems, provider of wireless sensor networking products and solutions, today announced the availability of its OEM Development Kit and that technology sales veteran David Yager has joined the company as vice president of sales. Yager, who will spearhead Sensicast's OEM efforts, spent 10 years at Echelon as a director of sales and possesses over 20 years of technology sales experience, having led successful sales teams at companies including Advanced Micro Devices, NetSilicon, and MIPS Technologies.

"The sensor networking market is expanding rapidly. OEMs are seeking ways to integrate these technologies into their products quickly and effectively," said David Yager, Sensicast's vice president of sales. "Sensicast appeals to me because despite the number of players showing up in this space, Sensicast has a clear long-term vision, the unique value proposition of providing complete solutions, and the public reputation of delivering the best products in the industry. I don't mind saying that this demonstrated excellence will make my job a little easier."

"The market for wireless networking in industrial monitoring and building automation is ripe for rapid growth. We share Sensicast's vision that the catalyst for that growth will be the availability of robust end-to-end solutions that enable OEMs to rapidly develop and deploy mesh-networked products for the real world," said John Petze, president and CEO of Tridium. "David Yager's years of domain expertise in these markets coupled with Sensicast's highly regarded technology will help catapult Sensicast to be a leading provider of technology to OEMs in these industries."

The complete OEM Development Kit enables OEMs to design, build and test sensor network products with ease. Initially based on the SensiNet(TM) protocol, with ZigBee networking support available in early 2005, the OEM Development Kit includes:

OEM100 and OEM200 Sensor I/O Modules

These modules deliver the most reliable radio connectivity in the industry because they include the industry's most robust protocol, Sensicast's SensiNet(TM) networking protocol, which is specifically designed for the crowded and harsh radio environments encountered in the real world, not just in sterile testing laboratories.

The SensiNet protocol provides the self-healing, self-configuring, multi-hop, bi-directional power-managed mesh networking features typically found in most mesh networking protocols. SensiNet extends these common mesh networking capabilities dramatically through its use of frequency diversity, amplification, and its patent-pending Distributed Frequency Spread Spectrum (DFSS) technology, resulting in enhanced radio signal connectivity in even the harshest and busiest RF environments.

The OEM100 wireless integration module is a 900MHz radio and microcontroller module that can be easily integrated with new or existing products; the OEM200 is a 2.4GHz, IEEE 802.15.4, ZigBee-ready product. Sensicast's I/O module interface specification is compatible with both OEM100 and OEM200 modules, enabling OEMs and system integrators to design and program custom-designed I/O modules by using the interface specifications.

APIs for Platform Access

Extremely powerful APIs help developers build sensor applications without worrying about incorporating proprietary code into their own programs. There is a very short learning curve and the comprehensive API specification provides all of the elements necessary to enable the deployment of complete mesh networking solutions - from sensor to enterprise application integration. Adding programmatic access to most portions of the platform architecture can be done in just minutes.

SensiMesh Gateway Software

OEMs can be assured of seamless integration with existing building and industrial protocols, and ultimately a wide range of mesh networking protocols, with Sensicast's Gateways and SensiMesh gateway software. Combined, they provide the monitoring, maintenance and integration functions for an end-to-end mesh network.

"Many of our OEM and System Integrator customers have been reluctant to begin offering their own sensor networking solutions because of the myriad vendors one must deal with in order to develop a complete solution," said Don Wiencek, president of B&B Electronics, an early distributor of mesh networking systems and developer of IEEE 802.15.4 conversion products. "We decided to partner with Sensicast not only because they have extremely robust networking technology for the industrial market, but they also are one of only a few vendors that offer a complete design and development solution."

The OEM Development Kit will be available in December in a complete kit form, which includes Sensicast OEM modules, I/O modules, SensiMesh-based viewing, installation and configuration applications and a development framework, as well as the full API specification. This brings all of the necessary hardware, software and documentation together for developing complete mesh networking applications. Sensicast is accepting orders for the kit immediately via telephone at 781-453-2555.

About Sensicast

Founded in 2002, Sensicast (www.sensicast.com) provides complete wireless sensor networks to a wide range of industries. At the core of Sensicast's sensing solutions is the comprehensive Sensicast Sensor Network Platform. Sensicast's Platform provides the simplest, most cost-effective way to develop and deploy whole network solutions for intelligent wireless monitoring and control - bringing together multiple remote devices, sensors and networks into one integrated management platform. Sensicast is focused on providing complete solutions for system integrators and a development platform for original equipment manufacturers. Sensicast is a privately held company with Ardesta, LLC as its primary investor.

Contact:

Sensicast
Peter Stein, 781-453-2555 x202
or
fama PR
Anthony Citrano, 617-758-4140