AggreGate:

• Provides simultaneous remote configuration, controlling, and monitoring of a large number of geographically distributed and disparate devices over the Internet.
• Solves the problems associated with controlling devices that have unstable or periodic connections.
• Reduces the cost of maintaining a connection to each device by eliminating the need for real static IP addresses and firewall reconfiguration for each node.
• Uses a central server for data aggregation.

Examples of devices and machines which can be controlled using AggreGate:

• Building and site security devices such as access control panels,
• Safety devices such as fire alarm panels,
• Building automation devices, such as HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) controllers,
• Vending machines,
• Remotely controlled vehicle monitoring systems,
• Remotely controlled data acquisition systems such as weather stations,
• Stationary data entry and collection devices such as factory floor automation terminals and time recorders,
• Mobile data collection devices such as hand-held warehouse data terminals, credit card terminals, and order data processing terminals,
• Network devices, such as rourers and different types of servers.

In AggreGate, the server works as a central coordinating element, as well as a central depository of data. In contrast with prior solutions that either require repetitive individual configuration of each device, or rely on proprietary closed systems designed to support specific devices whose hardware and firmware must match exactly what the central server software expects, AggreGate offers a unifying platform that allows the user to combine devices of different types into a single system without extensive programming or development.

The server and client portions of the system are implemented as JAVA software running under any Java-enabled operating system, such as Microsoft Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, etc. The list of potentially supported platforms for the Client is even wider and includes PDAs and smartphones.