November 3, 2004 – ASTi today announced the latest addition to their range of network communications products. This new line of Windows-based DIS radio/communication products and tools—named PC’ver—is a significant departure from their existing range of solutions. PC’ver is designed to be hosted on a customer-furnished Windows work station, whereas existing ASTi platforms are strictly stand-alone, end-to-end solutions that combine the application software with what is essentially a proprietary hardware platform.

"This new Windows approach has both benefits and disadvantages for the customer," says Patrick Gaffney, ASTi's Director of Engineering and one of the company's founders. "The primary advantage is that it is now very easy to add DIS communications capability onto any trainer position which already employs a Windows-based workstation.

"The down side for the customer is that he is now responsible for ensuring that there are sufficient processing resources available on his platform. This need to guarantee adequate processing capability is why we have always insisted upon a dedicated processing platform for our Model Builder and Telestra products. This also allows us to optimize performance and provide relatively trouble-free installations for the customer on those platforms.

"We feel that this has been a core contributor to our success, since it allows us to guarantee a solution to the customer and assume unqualified responsibility for any problems that may occur.

"Until now, we have always avoided being 'yet-another-Windows-app' because we felt that we would have to chose between building in an exorbitant fee for support, or abandoning the customer to sort out the various Windows compatibility issues themselves.

"We think PC’ver represents a clever solution to this dilemma. Because it is shipped with an ASTi-designed sound card in the form of a USB-based module (which also serves as a PTT switch), and an ASTi-selected headset, we can guarantee the customer that the system will work right out of the box.

"Furthermore, we can be pretty sure that any audio issues they may encounter are due to other loading or compatibility problems on their side of the fence."

In its base configuration, PC’ver provides two intercoms and two DIS radios, one USB PTT module, and headset for $999. It also includes a range of sophisticated debugging and diagnostic tools. Application upgrades are also available, including the capability for configuration of multiple stations from a central position, control of the application from a separate host interface, and additional DIS radios and intercoms.

It should be noted, however, that because PC’ver will be sold as a shrinkwrap product for the customer to incorporate into their system, ASTi application engineers will not be involved in pre- or post-sales evaluation of the customer's problem, or in proposing a PC’ver-based solution. It will be entirely up to the customer to evaluate whether the product can meet their needs.

To assist in that product evaluation process, trial CDs are available for a shipping and handling fee, and product returns are accepted within 30 days of shipment for a small restocking charge.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.astipcver.com/