Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation Agency Uses nGenius to Assure Tracking
Data and Streaming Video from New Security and GPS Technologies
WESTFORD, Mass., March 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
NetScout Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTCT), a leading provider of network
performance management solutions, today announced that Tri-County Metropolitan
Transit Agency (TriMet), a nationally recognized provider of public
transportation in the Portland, Oregon area, is using NetScout's nGenius(R)
Performance Management System. Through the nGenius solution, TriMet is
managing the performance of its mission-critical network and the advanced
applications that track and ensure the operation and safety of transit
services for more than 300,000 passengers a day, across 600 square miles of
urban territory.
TriMet operates a fleet of more than 700 trains and buses across the three
counties it serves. By continually turning to new technologies and
applications, the agency stays ahead of its goals and responds quickly to any
problem. TriMet's network supports data, voice and video traffic from a
sophisticated array of real-time systems that monitor the health of its rail
systems, the geographical locations of trains and buses en-route to
passengers, as well as the physical security of its trains and boarding
stations. The network transmits all of this real time data to multiple access
points used by TriMet operations, government agencies, law enforcement and the
public. In addition, the network supports a regular stream of new Web- and
phone-based services that improve conveniences for traveling citizens.
Among the new technologies TriMet has deployed is a Global Positioning
System (GPS) that tracks bus route movement. The information is integrated
with other tracking data for TriMet's Transit Tracker, a real-time arrival
notification system, which displays the arrival time of the next bus or train
for customers. The agency is also expanding its Networked Video Surveillance
system and has plans to pass that traffic throughout its networks.
"As we add new technologies, such as those increasing security under the
Homeland Security Act, our overall management challenge increases. We need to
make sure that all of our new technologies perform well, without impacting
other systems," says Rick Jacobi, network engineer for TriMet. "To stabilize
and ensure the success of each initiative, we keep tight control over network
and applications performance."
"The nGenius solution provides us the control we need, with specific
attention to any or all of the networked initiatives that we see as
important," says Ron White, TriMet's network communications manager. "The
nGenius Probes work like a pair of 'eyes' on our network, constantly
monitoring everything that happens and exposing performance problems before
they magnify. The solution helps us tackle our performance management
challenges head on, with insight and ease."
Networked Surveillance Systems Watch Railway Performance and Passenger
Safety
To enable faster resolution of technical faults in the rail system and to
respond to increased mandates for physical security under the Homeland
Security Act, TriMet is installing 24x7 CTTV cameras at geographic points
along its rail system. TriMet currently has stand-alone surveillance cameras,
but has plans to implement networked digital surveillance cameras in railway
passenger cars, buses and boarding stations. The cameras will stream the live
video onto TriMet's wide-area-network, where both agency and local law
enforcement personnel can see and react quickly to threats or emergencies.
The availability and performance of the streaming video will be monitored and
protected by the nGenius solution, to provide early warning of any performance
issues occurring on the network.
GPS Technology Keeps Passengers Informed and Transit Systems Running
Smoothly
TriMet's state-of-the-art Transit Tracker system gives customers up-to-
the-minute information on the departures and arrivals of trains and buses,
using data generated by TriMet's new satellite-based GPS for buses and from
data generated by ground sensors located along the train rails for trains.
The system collects signals emitted from beacons aboard every train and bus,
which are then sent via the network to TriMet's boarding platforms, phone- and
web-based information systems. NetScout's nGenius solution monitors this
time-sensitive information so it can be efficiently and successfully routed
throughout the network to TriMet's real-time information systems.
nGenius Assures Smooth Deployment via Performance Feedback
Behind the successful deployment of new technologies is a thorough
understanding of network resources and activity. TriMet uses the in-depth
data generated by the nGenius solution to better plan for and justify new IT
investments. Once a new technology has been purchased, TriMet uses the
nGenius solution to monitor its impact on the network and other applications.
TriMet is currently developing a custom on-line mapping application so
customers can locate and view their rail and bus locations in actual pictorial
topological views. NetScout is monitoring the performance of this application
as it is being prepared for full deployment.
"Like many of today's most progressive organizations, TriMet is actively
putting its network to work behind critical initiatives. It's imperative to
stay in front of managing new technologies to ensure that services run
efficiently and securely," said Jim Frey, vice president of marketing for
NetScout. "We are pleased that our nGenius solution helps TriMet better
understand and control its IT resources and most importantly, ensure that its
passengers are safe and on time."
About TriMet
TriMet is a municipal corporation that provides public transportation for
much of the three counties in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. TriMet
operates a 38-mile MZS light rail line, 100 bus routes, service for seniors
and people with disabilities, and has developed partnerships to provide
innovative service.
About NetScout Systems, Inc.
NetScout Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTCT) is a market leader and pioneer of
integrated network performance management solutions for leading companies and
service providers worldwide. NetScout's offerings are based upon its
nGenius(R) Performance Management System, an integrated solution of advanced
monitoring and reporting applications that draw on the rich performance data
generated by NetScout's real-time, application-aware probes, advanced
intelligent software agents and other network devices. The nGenius System
helps organizations increase their return on infrastructure investments by
optimizing the performance of their network and applications. NetScout is
headquartered in Westford, Massachusetts and has offices in North America,
Europe and Asia. Further information on the company is available on the World
Wide Web at http://www.netscout.com.
All rights reserved worldwide. NetScout, nGenius, and the NetScout logo,
are registered trademarks. "Because the network is the business" and CDM
technology are trademarks of NetScout Systems, Inc. NetScout, reserves the
right, at its sole discretion, to make changes at any time, in its technical
information, specifications, service and support programs.
For Further Information:
Peggy Flynn Dawn Sullivan or Erin Del Llano
NetScout Systems Schwartz Communications
(978) 614-4162 (781) 684-0770
flynnp@netscout.com netscout@schwartz-pr.com
SOURCE NetScout Systems, Inc.