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Helicomm and Venture Design Services Announced Text Messaging Mobile Communicator

Posted on: Thursday, 6 December 2007, 12:00 CST

Helicomm, Inc. and Venture Design Services Inc. (VDSI) today announced that another milestone in their joint product development for mine safety has been reached.

The Text Messaging Mobile Communicator (TMC), an integral part of MineTracer™, the ZigBee-based tracking, monitoring, and emergency messaging system, was approved by West Virginia's Office of Miners' Health, Safety & Training for communications and tracking devices as required by West Virginia Legislative Rule §56-4-8.

MineTracer™ is a fully integrated 2-way wireless communication and location tracking system designed to satisfy both local and federal regulations. The TMC enables all equipped miners to simultaneously maintain 2-way communications with the mine office where their location and messages are time-stamped and recorded. Unlike voice systems, every miner can communicate with the mine office in parallel, and the digital technology provides a history to include the who, what, where and when of every message sent or received.

"We believe it's important for every miner underground to be able to communicate to the surface -- especially during an emergency," said Ken Hill, director of sales, Helicomm. "This certification allows us to move forward with additional 2-way communication capability and continue our mission of improving mine safety."

MineTracer™ was included in the first group of approved products by the state's Office of Miners' Health, Safety & Training on June 6, 2007. West Virginia required mine operators to submit initial plans for communications and tracking systems under legislative rule Title 56 Series 4 during Q2 2007. Final plans are being approved to meet the requirements of the new rules.

"The key accomplishment with this approval is to provide a communication and tracking solution in a single system. There will be no restrictions for use of the TMC device in any hazardous areas of any mine," said Eric Pirttima, business development manager, VDSI. "This technology provides a safer environment for the miners and peace of mind for their families."

About Helicomm

Headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif., with wholly owned subsidiaries in Beijing, China, and Taipei, Taiwan, Helicomm is a leading provider of voice and data wireless networks to improve tracking, management and communication of assets by providing wireless networking solutions built upon the IEEE 802.15.4 (ZigBee) and IPv6 global standards for reliable, secure, low-power, cost-effective wireless networks. Helicomm's networking SOFTWARE and development tools provide customers the quickest and easiest way to integrate wireless networking into their products and systems. For more information about Helicomm, please visit www.helicomm.com.

About VDSI and Venture Corporation

With R&D facilities in Santa Rosa, CA and Liberty Lake, WA, Venture Design Services, Inc. (VDSI) develops wireless communications products and systems focusing on remote sensor networks and data collection. VDSI's parent company, Venture Corporation, Ltd., is a leading global electronics services company providing comprehensive manufacturing and engineering design services. Venture is a strategic partner with top Fortune 500 companies including Agilent Technologies, HP, IBM, and Intermec.

Source: Business Wire

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