Case Study: GATR Technologies®

Problem: Providing high-bandwidth (SATCOM) communications and videoconferencing to first responders, tele-medical practitioners, military personnel, and scientists in remote regions is difficult. Getting the SATCOM equipment deployed, set up, and a link established is difficult enough, but having to include equipment for videoconferencing adds extra weight, equipment, and wires to the logistical nightmare.

Solution: GATR and VSee provide a "Lean and Mean" solution for Video Communications via SATCOM links in remote locations.

GATR is the manufacturer of the world's first inflatable satellite communication terminal for first-in and back-up communications, broadcast television, and other communications in remote environments. GATR's patented, inflatable design enables large aperture satellite terminals to be transported in two airline-checkable cases, making it ideal for contingency scenarios where space is limited and time is of the essence (such as disaster response). GATR's primary markets include the Military, Broadcasting, and Public Safety.

GATR (and their customers) are in need of high-bandwidth satellite links (in remote areas) for data transfer and Internet access. They also need collaborative solutions that can provide data streaming, high quality video and audio communication, file sharing, and file collaboration while gracefully sharing the bandwidth with other traffic on the link. Systems such as Polycom and Tandberg saturate networks and require special equipment. In contrast, VSee senses network congestion and slows itself down so that other traffic can proceed. It is also a software client requiring no additional equipment but for a webcam, meaning no additional weight during travel or wiring during deployment.Another breakthrough is that VSee provides video quality on par with Skype with less than 40% of the bandwidth. During the recent Haiti disaster, the bandwidth savings enabled GATR to hold a staff meeting with one GATR engineer in Haiti, another in Afghanistan, and a third in Texas-simultaneously-without disrupting other data transfer and communications. Likewise, systems such as WebEx are aimed at scheduled meetings, leaving last-minute onsite work difficult. VSee allowed GATR's engineers to support each other and receive support from the home office without setting up a meeting. VSee is the one-stop communication solution for these types of deployments.

VSee was used by GATR in Haiti and the Dominican Republic to aid in the relief efforts after the January 12, 2010, earthquake. They had set up a 1.5 Mbps signal pipeline to enable doctors in the US to communicate with doctors and aid workers in Haiti, make diagnoses, and oversee care.

"The speed of getting things done is critical for my customers. I love the speed and simplicity of VSee's user interface: one click application sharing, one drag to transfer a file, and one click video conferencing." - Paul Gierow, President of GATR Technologies

To find more on GATR Technologies, the GATR Antenna System, and GATR news, please visit www.gatr.com.