IBM eServer, DB2, Tarantella and Linux Provide Secure Link to Real-Time Information Helping Local Police Ensure Homeland Security
ARMONK, NY – IBM today announced the successful initial deployment of the Mississippi Automated System Project (ASP), a mobile data infrastructure that links local law enforcement and public safety agencies in a single database. When complete, this project will provide mobile units with real-time access to all available public safety information including mug shots, arrest warrants, criminal intelligence, hazardous materials data and medical emergency protocols enhancing their ability to prevent and respond to incidents that pose a danger to the public.
“It is critical that all of our first responders have instant access to the critical information that can save lives, speed arrests and ensure public safety,” said Major Julian Allen, Ph.D., director of the Automated System Project. “IBM and Tarantella have delivered a secure and robust server/software solution that provides this secure remote access capability without any single point of failure.”
Through the efforts of US Senators Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Trent Lott (R-MS), Federal funding was secured for this pilot project that could eventually become a national model for linking more states together using a centralized software applications model.
The initial deployment of the Mississippi Automated System Project (ASP) will support all law enforcement, fire department and emergency medical services within Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties. The complete ASP system will be rolled out in three distinct phases. The first phase, which was completed in February of 2004, provided a single point of access to the existing jail management system of three county jails. The second phase, initiated in June 2004, allows integrated records management and computer aided dispatch for fire and law enforcement. The third and final phase of the project, which is expected to be deployed in October 2004, will implement the mobile data infrastructure — connecting laptops in all police, fire and emergency vehicles to multiple databases.
“The realities of today’s world have made local fire and police departments the front line of defense,” said Mark Shearer, Vice President, Marketing and Strategy — Systems, IBM Systems and Technology Group. “The Automated System Project builds upon the reliability power of IBM eServer systems and the security and reliability of IBM DB2 and Linux software, to provide local public safety teams with instant access to the most up-to-date information available.”
Each centralized datacenter network will consist of one IBM eServer iSeries 825 and two eServer xSeries 445 systems running Tarantella Secure Global Desktop Enterprise Edition remote access software, Novell’s SUSE LINUX and IBM DB2. This datacenter will be linked to an identical datacenter at separate location to provide redundancy and guarantee that there is no single point of failure. As the ASP system expands, these networks will be linked together to join multiple jurisdictions into a single centralized information source.
“Tarantella Secure Global Desktop Enterprise Edition is the platform of choice for delivering highly secure remote access to Linux-based applications across any network to virtually any device,” said Frank Wilde, CEO of Tarantella. “This combination of IBM eServer, Enterprise Edition and Novell’s SUSE LINUX will offer law enforcement and safety personnel unmatched capabilities to secure the safety of our nation.”
The initial project deployment is being funded by $14 million in Federal grants to The University of Southern Mississippi in support of the Automated System Project.
About Tarantella, Inc.
Tarantella, Inc. (OTC: TTLA) is a leading provider of secure remote access software to nearly 12,000 customers’ sites worldwide. Tarantella enables organizations to access and manage information, data and applications across all platforms, networks and devices. Tarantella bridges the gap between vendors, ensuring that customers have complete access to business-critical information. Using Tarantella’s software, customers realize the benefits of secure corporate data, maximizing return on existing IT assets and improved productivity. The company markets its products over the Internet, through key industry partnerships and via a worldwide network of consultants and resellers. Tarantella is headquartered in Santa Cruz, California. For more information, please visit the Tarantella web site at www.tarantella.com.
About IBM
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