The new EzGas 3000 system, which is currently under development, will feature advanced features including Ethernet communication enabling LAN (Local Area Network) capability, said Paul Harrison, Simtars’ Occupational Hygiene, Environment and Chemistry Centre manager.

“The unit will be extremely reliable and the advanced design will minimise disruption to monitoring during servicing,” he said.

Harrison foreshadowed some advanced features including the possibility for self-generating email reports and access to the gas chromatograph through virtual private networks over the internet. This feature will appeal to security conscious IT managers since it avoids the need for a direct dial in to the system – a potential back door access for hackers to the corporate intranet.

EzGas 3000 will feature full 32bit software, which enables seamless integration with many of the current Microsoft applications and compatibility with the latest Microsoft operating systems

“Simtars is exploring all possibilities for system enhancements and is interested in hearing ideas from users of the system,” he said.

Simtars’ gas monitoring systems are used in used at underground coal mines throughout Australia, USA and India, and Simtars expects to introduce the system to China early this year. The system delivers accurate results on mine atmospheric conditions to assist with safe mining operations.

Most recently Safegas and Segas Pro were installed at BHP Billiton’s San Juan longwall mine in New Mexico.