SMC Connects Cadets in West Points Wireless Classrooms

SMC Networks today announced that its 802.11a wireless networking products have been purchased by the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for its wireless classrooms project. SMC2755W EZ Connect 802.11a Wireless Access Points and SMC2735W EZ Connect 802.11a Wireless CardBus Adapters are being used to connect students and faculty campus-wide.

SMC Connects Cadets in West Points Wireless Classrooms
U.S. Military Academy at West Point takes next step in high-tech teaching, putting cadets and instructors on-line in classrooms with SMC 802.11a-outfitted laptops and SMC access points

IRVINE, CA -- February 13, 2003 -- SMC Networks (www.smc.com), the company that takes the work out of networks with high-performance, easy-to-use connectivity products for business and home, today announced that its 802.11a wireless networking products have been purchased by the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for its wireless classrooms project. SMC2755W EZ Connect 802.11a Wireless Access Points and SMC2735W EZ Connect 802.11a Wireless CardBus Adapters are being used to connect students and faculty campus-wide.

Currently in pilot phase, West Point has installed access points in more than 350 classrooms and labs, and has approximately 450 participants in Mathematics and English classes connecting to the network using notebook computers in classrooms. Beginning next semester, the entire incoming freshman class of 2007 will be issued notebook computers outfitted with 802.11a adapters for wireless network access in classrooms. Class of 2006 students will have the option to upgrade their notebook computers with SMC2735W EZ Connect 802.11a Wireless CardBus Adapters sold at the campus bookstore.

Col. Donald J. Welch, West Points Associate Dean for Information and Educational Technology, says that 802.11a matched their requirements for a wireless solution in security, range and speed. Since were using this as an active part of classroom learning, we need bandwidth. One thousand cadets starting English classes at 7:30 each morning will all connect at the same time to access the same activities and information from multiple classrooms," said Welch. 802.11a provides more bandwidth per access than 802.11b, and its shorter range means that we can effectively divide access, roughly by classroom. Theres less overlap."

West Point evaluated 802.11a wireless networking products from vendors in a series of tests that looked at bandwidth, latency and signal propagation. After the testing phase, West Point determined that SMCs products met the Military Academys requirements.

West Point is literally blazing the trail when it comes to leveraging technology in education, and this wireless classroom network project is not the first example," said Tom Rizol, SMC Networks Vice President of Sales and Marketing. They networked classroom computers, wired dorms and installed Broadband connections in the 1980s. Were extremely proud to have our products chosen by such a sophisticated, leading-edge organization for this project, and look forward to more opportunities in the future."

SMC's products offer customers great price/performance," said Max Peterson, VP of federal sales for CDW-G the reseller that sold the wireless access points and network cards to the academy. By working with wireless specialists at SMC and CDW-G, West Point is establishing a wireless infrastructure that extends the learning environment throughout the campus. In the future, students will be better prepared both in the classroom, and on the battle field, as wireless technologies become more pervasive."

SMC works closely with resellers in its strong network of Authorized Government Sales Partners on projects for Federal, State and Local government clients, including the West Point wireless classroom project and numerous others.

About SMC Networks
SMC takes the work out of networks, with high-performance, easy-to-use connectivity products for businesses and homes. Leveraging its more than 30 years market and technology experience with strong attention to end-user and reseller feedback, SMC Networks has set the standards for quality, reliability, ease-of-use, and affordability in network solutions and components. The company continues to bring to market a host of affordable, high-performance products that benefit from the combination of its strong internal R&D resources, global manufacturing resources and strategic relationships with technology innovators. From basic to leading-edge, SMC Networks portfolio of products provides solutions for small-to-medium sized businesses, corporate workgroups, branch offices, and home and small office environments.

The companys commitment to providing unsurpassed service with a personal touch is backed-up by limited lifetime warranties and 24/7 technical support for all of SMCs products. Headquartered in Irvine, California, U.S.A, SMC Networks supports its worldwide market through regional offices located throughout the United States and 20 other countries. For more information about SMC Networks or its products, visit www.smc.com, or call 800-SMC-4You (800-762-4968).

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