Cirencester, Gloucestershire-based Sonix Communications Ltd has announced a new offering that is intended to tie remote users into the central local area network over ISDN lines: the new product is essentially a stripped-down version of the company’s Arpeggio product for branch office users, with which it is used, and it enables a single user to dial into the central local network for access to local network-based services. The product is differentiated from competing offerings, says Sonix, by the fact that it dials into the central site only when the connection is needed (while still enabling the user to remain logged on to the server), rather than maintaining the link constantly. The new Arpeggio PC dials in to the local network-connected Arpeggio unit, the user logs in, and can then use the full range of local network-based services as though he or she is a local user. Arpeggio PC can be set to dial in at regular intervals, for example to check for electronic mail messages, and the central Arpeggio unit can also be set to dial up the remote user automatically to deliver such messages, says Sonix. Currently Sonix is concentrating its marketing efforts on the UK, although it says that it has already been granted approval to sell the product in Germany, and is to apply for approval in France. Arpeggio PC, which is available immediately, will be priced at 1,100 in the UK, with Arpeggio being priced in the region of 3,000.
