In the fall of 2003, I received a call from a WAV wireless channel partner working on a U.S Military project.  Their request was for recommendations for a secure and robust wireless encryption solution for a US military distribution center.  The customer had deployed an Intermec 5023 – Windows CE based handheld solution and was using static WEP for wireless security that was no longer adequate.

Chuck Bolvin & I researched multiple Windows CE based wireless security solutions compatible with the Intermec 5023 before evaluating Certicom’s movian VPN solution.  Certicom offered a strong & stable VPN client solution that supported the Windows CE platform utilized by the Intermec 5023s and was also interoperable with the planned deployment of a Cisco 3030 VPN concentrator. 

WAV’s Technical Support team promptly engaged with the Channel Partner’s technical team for a complete review of the technical requirements & review of the Certicom movian VPN solution.  Our collaboration resulted with the WAV team crafting a thorough Statement of Work for replacement of WEP.   

The SOW documented the pre-installation technical services WAV would provide for compatibility testing of the Intermec/Certicom/Cisco solution.  These technical services would be completed in our technical lab in Aurora, IL.  Once configured with the Certicom movian VPN client, an Intermec 5023 would be tested with the Cisco 3030 concentrator.  When the solution proved to be fully compatible, WAV’s Francisco Mendez traveled to the military base for onsite configuration of additional Intermec 5023s as well as for final testing & training on the integrated solution.    

Specifically, WAV’s Statement of Work included: 

• WAV acquired the Certicom movian VPN client and installed & configured it on an Intermec 5023.  The testing process focused on application software compatibility & performance testing.
• WAV tested the Intermec/Certicom solution for interoperability with the host server & Cisco 3030 concentrator.
• WAV’s Francisco Mendez traveled to the military base for a 4-day on-site implementation of the tested solution including the configuration of 50 Intermec 5023s and re-testing of the interpretability with the Cisco gateway.
• Francisco completed the project with an eight-hour end user orientation/training session on the Intermec solution and followed with a thorough review of the Certicom Deployment Manager needed to manage the Intermec devices on the network.

In summary, the WAV Channel Partner’s wireless security opportunity provided an excellent case in point of the value-added technical services available from WAV and our contribution to the successful deployment of a highly secure wireless solution that our channel partners may have otherwise passed on.  WAV’s technical team demonstrated expertise in three tier one OEM solutions:  Intermec data collectors, Cisco VP concentrators & Certicom’s movian software.  Collectively, WAV and our Channel Partner delivered an integrated & highly secure wireless solution that exceeded the business & technical requirements of the end user.