Diginext

DigiNext (www.diginext.com) develop a connection manager application for the Win32 platform (Windows 2000, XP, Vista) named Iqonn (www.iqonn.com)

Iqonn provides a number of advanced features over and above those provided by the 'bundled' connection managers that ship with most USB or PC card 3G modem devices:

• Support for a wide range of cellular devices
• Automatic configuration of connection settings based on the SIM card detected
• Automatic toggling between available connection options, including LAN, WiFi and Cellular
• Data usage monitor
• SMS message manager
• SIM contact manager
• RSS feed reader
• Support for advanced wireless LAN encryption standards, such as WPA, EAP, LEAP and EAP-Fast

Iqonn is available in two 'flavours': Iqonn Pro and Iqonn Lite.

Iqonn Lite is freely available for download from the Iqonn web site. Iqonn Pro offers additional functionality to the enterprise customer such as the ability to 're-skin' the default interface with a corporate colour scheme and logo, as well as the ability to pre-populate LAN and WiFi connection settings as well as 'one-click' shortcut access to corporate applications such as a VPN client. All settings are stored in a separate XML configuration document (along with any logo images) meaning that the default application can be 're-skinned' quickly and easily provided that the required image and XML file is stored on the client device.

Installation

The installation on the Windows platform is quick and easy and launched from a single 24MB executable file:

Click Next. Read the license agreement and select the option to accept if you agree to the terms and conditions:

In order to use Iqonn for free, you must register for an account on the Iqonn web site. Registration is free and only requires that you enter a username and password of your choosing.

Select the connection types that you wish the Iqonn client to have access to. Click Next. Specify whether you want the software to automatically report problems back to DigiNext

Review your installation options

The installer will allow you to check for updated settings - including wireless hotspot and MNO 3G connection settings. Click Next, the application will now be installed. This may take a few minutes as both the required application files and device drivers are installed. Once complete, click Finish.

Usage and Configuration

An icon will have been added both to the desktop and the Start Menu:

The default Iqonn interface appears as shown below:

A list of available networks will be displayed, by default only the LAN and WiFi connections will be displayed. Select Connect to initiate a network connection and begin monitoring it:

The application shortcut buttons for the SMS Manager, Data Usage Manager and RSS Feed Manager will launch separate applications:

Cellular devices can be added manually or automatically simply by either inserting them into the PC, or selecting the driver from the Settings menu.

Support for the latest wireless encryption standards is provided for WiFi connections:

A full list of supported network operators can be located within the settings menu and the option to automatically determine settings can be enabled or disabled:

The software also features a Roaming Manager which allows the user (or the administrator) to specify which networks should be used in which foreign countries.
Further functionality is provided by an optional component called the 'HotSpot Manager', which provides the user with a constantly updated database on wireless hotspots available in their location.

Iqonn Pro also features a Download Manager application that enables users to pause and resume file downloads, as well as intelligently resuming downloads that are accidentally 'broken' from the last bit that was successfully downloaded without having to resume the entire download again.

As well as the desktop software, the Iqonn solution also features an optional server component. This component allows the administrator to 'push' configuration settings to a connected Iqonn client and also saves regular log and inventory information from the client which can be used to assist with troubleshooting issues and generate reports on the networks, hardware and software being used by your user base. (operating system, drivers, firmware version, connection settings, connection session durations, data transfer volumes etc).

All client-server communications are secured using SSL encryption.
A self-service portal can also be configured which allows users to specify those settings allowed by the administrator themselves - roaming settings, etc. This portal also provides 'nice to have' features such as the ability to upload Internet Explorer favourites to the Iqonn server so that should that user be issued a new laptop, those favourites can be imported quickly and easily.
If that wasn't enough, Iqonn can also be integrated into the "Follow-Me" GPS tracking service so that administrators can view where their users are currently, and also where they have been and when.

Iqonn is available in over 16 languages.

In short then, the Iqonn solution is very feature-rich. This is merely an overview of the features available within the product. If you wish to know more I recommend downloading the free trial or contacting Brightpoint on 0870 849 0225.