SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 25, 2002 -- Continuing to make fleet management more cost effective for a broader range of operators, Trimble launched GPRS service in the U.S. and Canada for its Telvisant™ Mobile Resource Management (MRM) System.
With GPRS' 'always- on' and high capacity service, Trimble's Telvisant system provides large and small businesses affordable, real-time asset tracking and monitoring.
Unlike other fleet management services based on analog technology, Trimble's Telvisant GPRS service features:
-- Economical service plans ranging from $19.95 to $49.95 a month
-- Up-to-the-minute position updates versus 15 minute update delays on similar competitive plans
-- 365 day historical data availability versus only 14 days offered by competitors
-- Vehicle path playback with 60 position updates per hour versus 4 position updates per hour on similar competitive plans
-- Optional messaging capability for $9.95 a month versus $14.99 on similar competitive plans
"Our strategy is to provide new mobile devices and services for next generation wireless communications standards. With the introduction of Telvisant GPRS service, Trimble brings a new level of functionality to the market," said Michael Lesyna, vice president and general manager of Trimble's Mobile Solutions Division.
"Competitors offering service on the older analog networks can't approach our up-to-the-minute position updates at the same price points. In the past, monthly service fees have been a barrier to entry for many dispatch-oriented businesses that require real-time position reporting. Telvisant GPRS service breaks the barrier and provides cost- effective, real-time mobile resource management."
Trimble's Telvisant system is designed for a broad range of users, including: ready-mix concrete producers, refuse haulers, utilities and telecommunications fleets, government, rental fleet owners, heavy machinery operators, transportation and logistics providers, and specialty fleets such as field service and repair companies.
The system offers customers a complete solution that connects vehicles and mobile workers to the enterprise for fleet and workforce management, telematics and vehicle security.
Telvisant makes the complex job of managing mobile resources -- anywhere, anytime -- simple. Trimble's solution provides the in-vehicle hardware, wireless gateway, applications for mobile asset management, a secure data center infrastructure and wireless service.
Telvisant uses Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to locate a vehicle or mobile worker, wireless technology to transmit the information to Trimble's data center and the Internet to provide complete mobile resource management from a user's PC. Trimble also offers a range of vehicle mounted sensors to record mission critical business events.
By gaining in-depth, real- time data -- including location, speed, time-of-arrival, time of departure, duration of stay, event reporting and many other types of information -- customers can gain significant improvements in efficiencies and profitability from their mobile assets.
The system offers a variety of hosted applications including sophisticated mapping, location and event reporting, messaging, reporting and work order management. Trimble also offers the Telvisant Software Developer's Kit (SDK) for integrating custom vertical applications or enterprise systems. In addition, the service can provide wireless carriers, telematics providers, and vehicle manufacturers, with branded Internet applications for their subscribers.
Users can choose from a variety of vehicle-mounted GPS products from Trimble's CrossCheck® family of mobile devices; Telvisant supports GPRS and Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD).
In addition, Telvisant provides text-messaging capability with Trimble's EchoLDX™ mobile message terminal in the vehicle, or any smart mobile device such as a PDA or wireless phone for workers in the field, that supports the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) and Short Messaging Service (SMS).
Telvisant GPRS service is available now through Trimble's Mobile Solutions Division distribution network. For more information about Trimble's Telvisant system, visit: http://www.telvisant.com .
About GPRS
GPRS is an exciting new wireless technology standard that supports fast point-to-point communication through devices that enable an "always on" Internet connection. An over-the-air system for transmitting data on GSM networks, GPRS technology converts wireless data into standard Internet packets, enabling interoperability between the Internet and the GSM network. It is expected to enable data speeds up to 115 kbps-up to ten times faster than current GSM networks, and up to four times faster than wireline local- loop telephone networks.
The GPRS method of transporting data optimizes network capacity by using bandwidth only when it is needed. In addition, several data transmissions from different users can share the same channel. The end result is next-generation technology that allows end-users to cost-effectively remain connected constantly, and to send and receive data much faster.
About Trimble's Mobile Solutions Division
Trimble's Mobile Solutions Division offers complete solutions for location-based services (LBS) and mobile resource management (MRM), that include location-aware mobile devices, software, Internet location-based services and wireless operator relationships. The division focuses on advanced wireless applications for fleet and workforce management, telematics, theft recovery and public safety.
About Trimble
Trimble is a provider of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. In addition to providing advanced GPS components, Trimble augments GPS with other positioning technologies as well as wireless communications and software to create complete customer solutions.
Trimble's worldwide presence and unique capabilities position the Company for growth in emerging applications including surveying, automobile navigation, machine guidance, asset tracking, wireless platforms, and telecommunications infrastructure. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Trimble has more than 2,000 employees in more than 20 countries worldwide.
For an interactive look at company news and products, visit Trimble's Web site at http://www.trimble.com .
Source: Trimble
