|
|
SpatialNews Press Release
Trimble to Offer Location-Based Services Through Trimble Information Services, Inc
Jump to Website Here
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Apr 23, 2001 -- Trimble (Nasdaq: TRMB) announced today that it has formed Trimble Information Services, Inc. (TIS) to offer
Internet location-based services for the mobile workplace. The new capabilities allow Trimble to leverage its existing wireless business by offering complete end-to-end fleet
management solutions as well as address the emerging market for location-enabled phones and mobile devices.
"Our stated strategy has been to introduce a service capability to our fleet and asset management solutions," said Steven W. Berglund, Trimble's president and CEO. "With the
formation of TIS, we have taken the first steps towards providing a complete solution for our customers that includes hardware, software and service. This will create a source of
recurring revenue and accelerate sales of our hardware products."
TIS has an established data center infrastructure, wireless gateway platform and applications to provide both medium- and high-volume mobile asset management. The service
can also provide wireless carriers with branded Internet applications for their subscriber base that leverage emerging location-enabled wireless phones. Currently, TIS has a
base of customers that conduct more than one million wireless transactions daily. TIS was formed by assuming the business of GRID DATA, a privately-held Internet-based
location services company located in Chandler, Arizona.
TIS intends to offer products and services through Trimble's existing network of worldwide dealers, value-added resellers and direct sales force in fleet management, engineering
and construction, and agriculture. Trimble customers will be able to purchase fleet management devices that are connected to the Internet through a Trimble, or OEM partner
branded, Internet service.
TIS initially plans to offer location-based services with Trimble's CrossCheck(R) mobile communicator products for fleet management, which are available for operation on
multiple worldwide wireless networks. TIS' current platform will be adapted to be compatible with the existing CrossCheck GSM and AMPS products to leverage Internet access
for fleet management applications in the future. Additionally, Trimble intends to produce future CrossCheck products that operate on next generation 1xRTT CDMA and GPRS
standards.
In addition to Internet access for location-based services, fleet management customers requiring advanced wireless phone messaging services can immediately utilize TIS for
Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) and Short Messaging Service (SMS) connections, which are compatible with U.S. carrier networks and handsets.
Trimble Information Services' location aware wireless gateway platform is designed to connect location-enabled mobile devices to the Internet through multiple wireless
networks. All wireless transactions are archived on the platform to allow sophisticated data mining. The platform has an industry standard XML interface to allow application
development partners to quickly bring applications to market. The platform has been designed to serve millions of wireless subscribers with the scalability and reliability
demanded by wireless carriers. Users of platform application services only require a standard web browser, PC computer, and an Internet connection to run applications.
Internet applications that are currently available include 'mapping' to locate mobile workers and vehicles, 'messaging' to communicate with mobile workers, 'work order
management' to take customer orders and communicate those orders to mobile workers, and 'reporting' to determine business productivity, compliance and customer service
levels.
Trimble Information Services, Inc. will function as a wholly-owned subsidiary in Chandler, Arizona.
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the important factors that could
cause Trimble's actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements herein are the company's ability to guarantee the
acceptance and usage of location-based services to be offered by TIS, increased or unexpected competition, fluctuations in customer demand and other matters disclosed in
Trimble's filings with the SEC, including Form 10-K and Form 10-Q.
Trimble is a leading innovator 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 2,200 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/
Search GeoCommunity for Related Stories
Return to Today's News Index
|
|
Sponsored by:
For information
regarding
advertising rates
Click Here!
|
