WAN SYSTEMS & SERVICES Wireless Solution: InstantRF T he wireless data market has produced few success stories. Yet, there are a handful of companies working tirelessly to lay the foundation for future growth. Perhaps the most inspiring is start-up Nettech Systems, a wireless middleware provider first profiled in Network Computing more than two years ago ("Caught in the Middle," techweb.cmp.com/nc/602/602frezza.html). Nettech has spent the past eight years patiently crafting a comprehensive set of wireless-protocol building blocks and associated network-independent application programming interfaces (APIs) that take the misery out of mobility. Eschewing quick-and-dirty ports of bandwidth-hungry, overhead-challenged wireline stacks, Nettech has tuned its line of protocols and network server agents to achieve the highest possible performance in even the most adverse radio environments. Thanks to its flexibility, Nettech's InstantRF middleware suite is fast becoming the de facto industry standard. InstantRF is incorporated in more wireless solutions that operate over a wider variety of wireless data networks than all of its competitors combined. Networks supported include ARDIS, Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD), cGSM, circuit cellular, DataTAC, Enhanced Specialized Mobile Radio (ESMR), LAN, RAM Mobile Data (Mobitex), wireless LAN and wireline dial-up. When the wireless data industry finally hits its stride, you can be sure Nettech will be right in the middle of the fray. InstantRF , $395 to $795, Nettech Systems, (609) 683-0100, www.NettechRF.com Honorable Mentions: U.S. Robotics All Points Wireless PC Card , $499, U. S. Robotics, (800) LAPTOPS, www.usr.com/mo bileusr Ricochet wireless modem and Internet service , starts at $299 (modem), $29.95 per month (service), Metricom, (800) GO WIRELESS, www.ricochet.net Awards Table of Contents

Updated April 24, 1997