Cisco M2M Router Delivers Big Performance in Small Package

Cisco Systems is adding to its Integrated Services Router line with a small form-factor router that can withstand extreme weather conditions and enable machine-to-machine communication, at a size that can fit in the palm of your hand.

The ISR 819 Machine-to-Machine Gateway is a router that extends corporate 3G/4G wireless WAN network services into the field, facilitating service to “microbranch” offices as well as to devices in the field, enabling them to perform certain tasks automatically without human interaction.

“MtoM [is] automating a lot of the operational functions and capabilities to drive operational efficiencies,” said Inbar Lasser-Raab, senior director of Borderless Networks at Cisco. “We’re connecting non-IT devices that traditionally you wouldn’t think of connecting, such as ATM machines – when they reach their cash threshold [with this router] they can automatically alert the closest cash replenishment truck.”

The ISR 819 weighs only 2.3 pounds, and Lasser said is “smaller but a little thicker than the iPad 2.” It includes a 3G and GPS antenna to enable location-based services, and includes the same security, voice, WAN optimization and QOS features because it runs the same IOS code as other Cisco technologies, she said.

For Cisco partners, the ISR 819 presents a number of opportunities in vertical markets, she said. “There is a very clear definition of market opportunity. Transportation is the richest set of scenarios because of the logistics and scheduling involved, but government, utilities, gas and oil, smart grid, industrial automation all are potential areas of opportunity. If partners have a relationship in a vertical already this gives them another conversation opener and it also opens new markets,” she said.

The Cisco ISR 819 is slated for availability by the end of August 2011 at a price tag of $1,600.