Comtech - a Brief History
Comtech is an early pioneer of machine-to-machine communication, enabling everyday business with innovative solutions that create phenomenal growth.
"Comtech is a leader in M2M and has been since the very early days" M2M Magazine.
Comtech is a North West based specialist in machine to machine technology that has developed extra… a pioneering breakthrough in Wireless Digital Signage. The extra… system can deliver important new advertising revenue opportunities to major brands, retailers and media companies.
Our most recent success in providing Wireless Digital Signage Solutions to companies such as Camelot, Nintendo and Newsquest is totally attributed to the technological expertise gained over the last 15 years. Digital signage is a significant application built upon Comtech's proven µWEAVE M2M communications platform.
With 40 employees and an annual turnover of £2.8m in just 15 years the company has grown to become one of the world’s leading experts in machine to machine technology, that has also introduced solutions to BT Redcare, Kraft and Bombardier Transportation.
Milestone history
Comtech is proud to bring innovative communication technology to everyday business by making it simple and easy to use.
- 1992 Comtech formed by Barry Lowe and Steve Davies.
- 1997 launched first OEM modem modules specifically designed for machine to machine communication.
- 1998 licensed OEM modem to Sony to provide telephone connectivity to digital TV set top boxes supporting the pay-per-view package. In excess of 700,000 units were shipped.
- 1998 licensed OEM modem to Grundig for a digital terrestrial television.
- 2000 launched µWEB – the first end to end infrastructure for monitoring and controlling any machine via the internet – 6 patents covering the system granted in the UK.
- 2002 launched µWEAVE which enabled businesses to easily integrate the µWEB system within their own data management systems via the Internet.
- 2002 partnership signed with Sony Ericsson to integrate GSM / GPRS technology into Comtech µWEAVE system enabling the technology to operate on a wire-free basis.
- 2002 Barry Lowe (MD) short listed for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the year award.
- 2003-2005 placed within the Deloitte North of England Technology FAST 50.
- 2005 launched the µWEAVE "out of the box" system – an off the shelf solution enabling the monitoring, reporting and management of data for machine to machine communication. The system has since been used in a host of industries including utilities, vending, manufacturing, retail, even national pub chains to remotely monitor stock and beer temperature levels and forms the basis of the extra… system.
- 2006 Selected into to the 2007 International M2M 100 directory for the 3rd year running.
- 2006 2,500 wireless digital signage displays rolled out across retail stores nationwide for Camelot. Managed remotely from head office the displays are updated with the latest jackpot totals in real-time for both Lotto and Euromillions, resulting in increased lottery ticket sales and an increased awareness of jackpot total levels.
- 2007 Over 300 (and rising) Generation 1 and Generation 2 digital posters rolled out across Game and Gamestation Stores for Nintendo. Initially used to promote the launch of the Wii, subsequently used to promote new games with an integrated ‘Countdown to Launch’ digital countdown timer.
- 2007 Comtech win Bronze place in the M2M Magazine Value Chain Awards for the Camelot M2M deployment.
- 2007 Comtech win a finalist position in the North West Region of the UK National Business Awards in the Orange "Best use of technology in Business" category.
- 2007 Following a successful 4 month trial with Lancashire Telegraph a contract has been signed giving Newsquest the opportunity to rollout extra… a wireless digital signage system that delivers headlines and important new revenue opportunities across the rest of the group.
- 2007 launched the extra... wireless digital signage system following successful adoption by Newsquest, Camelot and Nintendo.
- 2007 Selected into to the 2008 International M2M 100 directory for the 4th year running.
Comtech Overview
Comtech Products
Literature
- Company Profile (PDF)
- extra... Flyer (PDF)
- extra... Overview (PDF)
- Monitoring Remote Assets (PDF)
- Enabling Smart Services (PDF)
Further Information
Call Comtech on +44 (0) 1204 664333 for further information.
