VASCO Data Security Inc. announced the availability of its upgraded aXsGUARD® Gatekeeper. aXsGUARD Gatekeeper is VASCO’s remote access solution offering a total solution for secure network connectivity. The core operating system of aXsGUARD has been upgraded, further improving its robustness and performance. In addition, a number of initiatives have been taken to enhance support and improve the reseller channel.

aXsGUARD Gatekeeper is available in two standard packages:
aXsGUARD Gatekeeper Basic Remote Access Solution: This bundle includes firewall with DMZ and IPS, VPN, monitoring and logging and directory service integration.
aXsGUARD Gatekeeper Enterprise Remote Access Solution: This bundle offers on top of the basic edition, application firewall, SSL VPN-webportal, public DNS, bandwidth management and support of multiple redundant Internet lines.

Additional content scanning user licenses can be purchased, securing the network against viruses, spyware, phishing and spam. On top of that, it enables a mail server with mailboxes for each user, including webmail.

Until now, support for aXsGUARD Gatekeeper was solely provided by VASCO: interventions included amongst others swapping of appliances and restoring data. With aXsGUARD being sold internationally, VASCO has expanded the support for aXsGUARD Gatekeeper, empowering its reseller channel through a spare unit concept. Resellers can acquire spare units of the aXsGUARD Gatekeeper, allowing them to provide the same onsite support as VASCO within a limited timeframe. Resellers are now able to negotiate Service Level Agreements (SLA) with their customers including backup and restore services on spare units and appliance swap, thus limiting intervention time and downtime.

Factory default reset has been added to the new version. Resellers now are able to start with a clean installation after having used the appliance for test or demo. Furthermore after several years, the set up of the aXsGUARD Gatekeeper might have changed. The factory default reset option allows administrators to clean up old configuration data through reinstallation. Outdated configuration may endanger the security; through a clean reinstallation security is further enhanced.

Three new hardware models have been added to the aXsGUARD Gatekeeper range, now offering 4 models: AG3443, AG3604, AG5506 and AG7500. These four hardware models allow companies to choose the solution which is best adapted in terms of performance to their needs. The performance VASCO will advise is calculated upon the number of users and the number of operational modules. The AG3443 hardware model is suited for maximum 50 users. The AG7500 is suited for enterprises up to 2000 users, or companies who expect full redundancy in their appliances. It has 10 x 1Gb Ethernet ports, two 500GB hot swappable hard disks in RAID 1 and hot swappable redundant power supply. Performance warning has also been added to the new version of aXsGUARD Gatekeeper. If new users or functionality is added, the performance is impacted. The warning system now forewarns resellers and customers that a performance upgrade is required.

Additional functionality has been added to the aXsGUARD Gatekeeper statistics: for instance administrators now can see that unauthorized websites are being visited, without being able to identify the user visiting the website. Thanks to this aXsGUARD Gatekeeper complies with privacy regulation in certain countries.

“When employees use their PC, they want to read e-mail, use software and documents, access files on the corporate network, work with applications and access websites. With the workforce becoming more mobile, the employees want to do all this anywhere and anytime. It is the IT administrator’s role to ensure it is done in a secure way. SME’s are typically looking for budget friendly total network connectivity solutions. aXsGUARD Gatekeeper provides an answer to that specific need. aXsGUARD Gatekeeper is available through VASCO’s reseller network. With this new version we are further empowering our channel in terms of support,” says Jan Valcke, President and COO at VASCO Data Security.

Source: VASCO Data Security Inc.


Pen sized portable scanner

Pen-Sized Color Scanner Scans in Seconds, Stores 100’s of Pages of Text, Graphics & Pictures

Planon Systems Solutions, Inc., a leading provider of scanning hardware and software, debuted its new DocuPen RC805, a full-featured document color scanner that allows users to scan 100’s pages into onboard memory.

DPEN RC805

The DocuPen RC805 is the latest in handheld document scanning equipment, capable of scanning full page documents in one of three different scanning modes: 24 bit color, 12 bit color, or monochrome. Weighing just 2 oz, the tiny scanner is perfect for mobile professionals and students, and boasts an 8 MB on-board Flash memory—as well as a memory slot that allows users to add additional Transflash memory cards for endless scanning capacity.

The DocuPen RC805 features a dual-roller guiding system and optical registration technology to enhance the user experience by creating a smoother, more accurate scanning operation. The dual-roller guiding system includes strategically placed rollers around the scanner lens to distribute operator’s pressure evenly for smooth and easy scans. Using optical registration technology, the DocuPen RC805 can create a highly accurate scan using its optical timing and registration system.

Powered by a rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery, the DocuPen RC805 can be recharged via a USB port, and comes complete with a refined leather case, USB cable, Scansoft Paperport SE and Twain Drivers software, allowing users to convert scanned material into an editable and searchable format without needing to retype or reformat.

The DocuPen RC805 is available online from www.planon.com for a MSRP of $299.99.

System Requirements

Windows 98/2000/ME/XP, Mac OSX, CD/ROM drive, 128 MB RAM, 60 MB hard drive space, USB port.


SolarVoice 908 is the first solar-powered Bluetooth headset to feature noise reduction for clear calls

Innovative ear buds eliminate feeling of deafness and fatigue

i.Tech Dynamic introduced the solar-powered SolarVoice 908, a Bluetooth headset that lets users go green while maintaining their productivity and listening to their favorite tunes.

SolarVoice 908

“Our new SolarVoice 908 taps into the power of the sun to charge, making it perfect for consumers who are trying to be environmentally conscious,” said Stephen Ngan, Deputy Managing Director of i.Tech Dynamic Ltd. “SolarVoice stays charged as long as it’s exposed to sunlight, so busy people have two less things to worry about: keeping their Bluetooth headset charged and reducing their carbon footprint.”

First Solar Headset to Feature Noise Reduction for Clear Calls

Sleek and stylish, the eco-friendly SolarVoice 908 is the first solar- powered Bluetooth headset with background noise reduction for clear phone calls. The unit employs an advanced suite of digital signal processing software to reduce background noise and distortion. The noise reduction technology improves the sound quality of a signal by adaptively removing noise or hiding it from the listener through low-latency, low distortion, multi-band signal processing and psycho-acoustic masking.

A2DP Bluetooth Profile for Streaming Multimedia Audio

SolarVoice features Bluetooth’s Advanced Audio Distribution Profile, or A2DP, which lets users stream songs from Bluetooth mobile phones or music devices with A2DP. The headset also lets users hear audio content from videos they’re watching on A2DP-compatible multimedia devices and smartphones, such as the iPhone 3GS and the second generation iPod touch (3.0 software required), or from YouTube and other Web sites (Wi-Fi connection required).

Innovative Ear Buds Eliminate Deafness and Fatigue

SolarVoice’s innovative ear buds are specifically designed to allow air to reach the ear canal, which eliminates the feeling of deafness and fatigue users may experience during extended use of other ear buds. Designed for superior comfort and fit, SolarVoice’s ear buds come in four sizes and hold the headset firmly in place, so an ear hook is not necessary. (For those who prefer to use one, an ear hook comes standard with the headset.)

Many Other User-Friendly Features

A flashing green light indicates when the unit is solar charging, and an elegant headset cradle designed for desktop and in-car use perfectly positions SolarVoice to absorb maximum sunlight.

SolarVoice gives users up to five hours of talk time, infinite standby time while in optimum sunlight and up to 140 hours of standby time without sunlight.

The unit also has an internal lithium-ion battery, so it can be charged via A/C power and a computer USB port (travel adapter and cable included). SolarVoice fully charges in three hours via A/C power or USB connection.

Headset functions include voice dialing (mobile phone dependent), last- number redial, call reject, call transfer (from headset to mobile phone and vice-versa), auto re-link (which re-establishes the Bluetooth connection when the user returns to within range of a device), call waiting and call swap.

Other features and specifications include:
– Bluetooth Version 2.1 + EDR Class 2
– Headset and hands-free Bluetooth profiles
– Multipoint technology, which lets the headset connect simultaneously to two cell phones
– Charging status indicators
– Volume adjust, call transfer and call reject button
– Range: up to 33 feet
– Dimensions: 54.5 (L) x .17 (W) x 11.3 (T) mm
– Weight: .13.1g

Pricing and Availability

Available now at retail stores, SolarVoice 908 has a suggested retail price of HK$588 (approx. US$74.99).

Source: i.Tech Dynamic Ltd.