McObject’s eXtremeDB High Availability Builds Fault Tolerance in Next-Generation Emergency Radio
March 16, 2004 — EFJ, Inc. (NASDAQ: EFJI), an industry-leading provider of wireless communications systems for homeland security and public safety agencies, announced today that its EFJohnson subsidiary will integrate McObject’s eXtremeDB™ High Availability (HA) in-memory embedded database as part of upgrades to enhance fault-tolerance in its Netelligent™ Infrastructure Systems Project 25 Conventional two-way radio infrastructure for first responders.
eXtremeDB HA will help the system become more fail-safe by enabling distribution (replication) of central database information, so each major system element has its own copy and is not dependent on links back to a single database server. Multiple, synchronized copies of McObject’s embedded database will reside within embedded controllers in Netelligent base station repeaters and other key devices.
“eXtremeDB’s ultra-small footprint (less than 110K code size) allows its use within Netelligent hardware where RAM and CPU constraints ruled out the use of other embedded databases,” according to Michael E. Jalbert, chairman and chief executive officer of EFJ, Inc. “eXtremeDB also stands out in terms of performance. Its streamlined design and in-memory deployment meet the near-zero-latency demands of real-time radio communications,” Jalbert said.
A critical requirement for a two-way radio system designed for public safety is reliability. Using a rugged, time-cognizant, two-phase commit protocol, eXtremeDB HA ensures that changes to a master database and identical standby databases succeed or fail together, enabling deployment of multiple fully synchronized eXtremeDB databases within the same hardware device or across multiple, widely-distributed systems. eXtremeDB’s two-phase commit protocol facilitates instantaneous fail-over, with zero replication-induced latency.
Project 25 (P25) is the Telecommunications Industry Association’s (TIA) standard for digital 2-way radio technology. P25 was originally created by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International (APCO) in cooperation with the National Association of State Telecommunications Directors (NASTD) and the U.S. government to insure interoperability between Federal, State, and local public safety agencies.
Jalbert said, “Increasingly, governments and other agencies demand P25 compatibility. EF Johnson’s Netelligent Infrastructure Systems targets the communications needs of public safety users at Federal and state/local levels, providing a secure, reliable and scalable Project 25 solution to support their activities.”
“EF Johnson’s Netelligent Infrastructure Systems fulfill the all-important communications task of knitting together federal, state and local agencies’ responses to emergencies. We are pleased by EF Johnson’s vote of confidence in choosing the eXtremeDB in-memory embedded database to enhance the Netelligent system’s fault-tolerance,” said Steve Graves, McObject co-founder and CEO.
“In emergencies, diverse agencies must be able to cooperate, and their communications systems must be reliable. EF Johnson’s leadership in Project 25-compliant technology, embodied in the Netelligent Infrastructure System, enhances police, fire, federal disaster and other forces’ ability to work together. Within EFJohnson products, eXtremeDB will contribute to reliability by allowing distribution and synchronization of system data stores, avoiding over-reliance on a single data management node,” Jalbert said.
About McObject
Founded by embedded database and real-time systems experts, McObject offers proven data management technology that makes intelligent devices smarter, more reliable and more cost-effective to develop and maintain. McObject counts among its customers industry leaders such as DaimlerChrysler, Tyco Thermal Controls, Genesis Microchip and Boeing. McObject, based in Issaquah, WA, is committed to providing innovative technology and first rate services to customers and partners. The company can be reached at +1-425-888-8505, or visit www.mcobject.com.
McObject is a registered trademark and eXtremeDB is a trademark of McObject LLC. All other company or product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
About EFJohnson
EFJohnson provides digital Project 25 compliant interoperable wireless communications systems solutions for federal, state and local agencies involved with homeland security and public safety. EFJohnson, founded in 1923, was one of the first developers of wireless communications products to be fully compliant with federal government interoperability specifications. The company designs, manufactures, and markets conventional and trunked radio systems, land mobile radio repeaters and mobile and portable radios. For more information, visit www.efjohnson.com.
About EFJ, Inc.
EFJ, Inc. is the holding company of industry-leading wireless telecommunications equipment and solutions businesses. EFJ, Inc. is home to the EFJohnson Company, one of the first developers of Project 25 mobile communications products compliant with federal government interoperability standards, and Transcrypt International, a leader in secure voice communication solutions. EFJ, Inc. has a team in place with experience in telecommunications and government sales. EFJohnson and Transcrypt International are wholly owned subsidiaries of EFJ, Inc. For more information, visit www.efji.com.
Certain matters discussed in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other matters, future sales forecast and anticipated sales growth. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed, suggested or implied by the forward-looking statements due to a number of risk factors including, but not limited to, the level of demand for the Company’s products and services, the timely procurement of necessary manufacturing components, dependence on continued funding of governmental agency programs, and other risks detailed in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.