Many of us have come to take the weather for granted, needing only to know if gloves or an umbrella are needed before venturing outdoors, but a multitude of businesses depend on accurate weather forecasting to plan the day and even the week ahead.

Take for example a firm that delivers heating oil. Automatic deliveries are based upon a degree day calculation, which correlates to average daily temperatures. Those firms rely on accurate weather information to make sure their customers' oil tanks don't run dry. Landscaping and construction firms need the same kind of information too, because weather directly affects job scheduling. With that in mind, Lacrosse Technology has launched Weather Direct -- an Internet-connected device that uses satellite-assisted forecasting to delivery highly accurate local weather forecasts, automatically.

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There are several different Weather Direct Models and add on accessories. For most users the WD-3209U four day wireless forecast station which retails for $149.00, is a good starting point. The WD-3209U comes as a bundle, which includes a wireless transmitter, remote temperature sensors and the wireless LCD forecast station. The wireless components are operative over a 915Mhz radio frequency, preventing interference with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other wireless technologies. Additional sensors and displays can be added as needed to the system.

Solution providers shouldn’t expect to get rich selling Weather Direct components and systems, the items are all relatively low cost and easy to setup. The idea for solution providers here is to offer Weather Direct products as peripherals and then extend the integration to include automated weather alerts (via text messaging or email), automated voice alerts, severe weather warnings and so on. In other words, a Weather Direct system can be a nifty add-on to a networking project.