AVTECH Software & Firelock Announce PartnershipTwo Companies Combine More Than 40 Years Of Experience And Industry-Leading Technology To Offer The Ultimate Solution In IT And Data Center Environment Protection
by Fred Nevin
January 10, 2006 - In a move that gives organizations the ultimate products needed to protect IT data centers and computer rooms from environmental disasters, AVTECH Software, Inc. and Firelock, Inc. announce a partnership that will make their industry-leading products available in one powerful solution.
AVTECH Software (AVTECH), based in Newport, RI, develops and manufacturers the Room Alert line of IT environment monitoring products, while Firelock of Kutztown, PA, manufactures and installs modular fireproof server vault systems. "Our combined products present a natural fit for IT managers seeking the ultimate in protection for expensive equipment and valuable information," said Michael Sigourney, senior product specialist for AVTECH.
Hugh Smith, director of marketing for Firelock states, "Firelock Vaults have long been known for protecting the computer media once it reaches cartridge or disk format. With recent laws that severely punish CEO, CFO and IT Managers for failing to protect digital information assets, the Firelock Server Vault has moved to the forefront of the industry as a means to protect the server environment from intrusion, catastrophic fire and other natural disasters."
Room Alert from AVTECH is a hardware and software solution that allows easy remote monitoring of conditions in the computer room via a web browser. Once Room Alert detects an environment problem in a server rack or the computer room, it immediately notifies a manager or staff via email, page and other wireless methods. The primary environment conditions that Room Alert will monitor include:
Temperature and humidity changes
Power interruptions and failures
Flooding and water leakage
Smoke, fire and CO2
Intruders, motion and room entry
Dry contacts and any non-voltage switch sensor
Room Alert products compliment the environment protection that comes with Firelock’s modular vaults systems and both are sold on a worldwide basis. "Security is a top issue in the world right now," said Hugh Smith. "As a result, more pressure is being put on organizations to show management and their clients how they are protecting their data center and records. This is the ultimate way to keep important data and equipment protected and secure."
Compounding the need to merge IT environment monitoring and fireproof vault technologies is the heightened potential for fire and heat problems that IT environments face with new Blade Server and high density media devices. Firelock’s modular vaults can be built around the server room to create a safe haven for the data center. Fire in other parts of the building will not be able to affect the computer equipment that will be protected within a Class 125 Data Safe Chamber server vault so fire and/or heat problems are contained in that area. And unlike vaults made from concrete, Firelock’s modular vaults can be dismantled and moved if a company decides to relocate or enlarged if the server hardware needs expand.
Potential customers can view both products in a new modular vault showroom Firelock is building and installing at Record Management Archives (RMA) in Easton, PA. The showroom is scheduled to open in February 2006. Located at the base of the New England corridor, close to New York and Philadelphia, the showroom is conveniently located within easy travel distance for visitors from North America and abroad.
According to Ed Rossner, Director of IT and Operations for RMA, "Our goal is to offer clients the ultimate environment for data media storage and co-location. By providing a Firelock Vault Chamber, we protect our client’s vital information assets from fire, earthquake, magnetic fields and environmental damage. The key to proper data storage is to provide a very accurately controlled temperature and humidity-controlled environment. Holding the temperature in the Firelock vault at 68 degrees Fahrenheit - the same temperature our clients use in the data center - and 30 percent relative humidity with the elimination of magnetic interference, RMA will increase the life span of information assets in digital format by a factor of three lifetimes. This is critical to companies concerned about Sarbanes Oxley compliance."
"By monitoring this environment with AVTECH technology, we not only assure strict compliance, we provide proof to our clients on a minute-by-minute basis as they can view the vault conditions at any moment in time via their web browser. Our management team is also in communication via a cellular connection night and day," Rossner said, "This is unique to our company in Eastern Pennsylvania and will attract clients from New York and Philadelphia who want this type of compliance."
By installing Room Alert technology, managers have a powerful monitoring and alerting solution that will let them know immediately if environment conditions change, allowing them important time to respond before a disaster develops. "It’s a way to make sure the IT manager knows what is going on in their facility so they are always in control and can respond immediately to save valuable IT equipment & data," said Smith.
Under the partnership, Firelock will offer Room Alert as an upgrade option to customers who purchase a vault, which are custom made to fit a customer’s unique needs. AVTECH Software plans to promote and educate its thousands of customers about the benefits Firelock vault systems provide when used in tandem with Room Alert environment monitoring. Cooperative plans include the possibility of joint trade show and marketing event participation. AVTECH Software is also considering the use of the new showroom as a site for advanced training or educational seminars regarding IT environment monitoring.
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About AVTECH Software and Firelock
AVTECH Software of Newport, RI has almost 20 years of experience developing and manufacturing IT monitoring software and hardware for data centers of all sizes. Their customer base includes the White House, United Nations, over 80% of the Fortune 1000, almost all branches of the U.S. government and organizations of all types. Product information is available at www.AVTECH.com or by phone at 888-220-6700. Room Alert can be purchased through resellers, direct or online at www.EnvironmentMonitor.com.
Firelock of Kutztown, PA has more than 20 years of experience in manufacturing and installing fireproof vaults. Vaults are sold worldwide with installations in Europe, the UK, the Pacific Rim, Africa, South America and the U.S. Information on Firelock fireproof vaults is available at www.Firelock.com or by phone at 610-756-4440.
January 10, 2006 - In a move that gives organizations the ultimate products needed to protect IT data centers and computer rooms from environmental disasters, AVTECH Software, Inc. and Firelock, Inc. announce a partnership that will make their industry-leading products available in one powerful solution.
AVTECH Software, Inc.