teleguy
Enthusiast
Jun 21, 2005, 10:35 AM
Post #1 of 1
(788 views)
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Nextel, a leader in GPS tracking service, is forging still ahead while other carriers hold back.
Nextel's business customer base will use this greater than any other carrier's , but still you gotta wonder, is nobody gonna compete?
What do you think about this as an employer? As an employee who could be tracked?
Does your company use GPS already?
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Nextel, ALK Technologies and Motorola Launch PC*MILER|Mobile: The First Spoken, Truck-Specific GPS Navigation Solution for Mobile PhonesSolution to Run on Nextel's Nationwide Digital Network and Deliver Time Saving Information to Drivers and Real-Time Tracking to Fleet Managers
RESTON, Va. & PRINCETON, N.J. & PLANTATION, Fla., Jun 14, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Nextel Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:NXTL), ALK Technologies and Motorola Inc. (NYSE:MOT) today announced the launch of ALK(R)'s PC*MILER(R)|Mobile, a break-through service available, with a subscription, on select Nextel Java(TM)- and GPS-enabled handsets that provide spoken turn-by-turn, street-level, truck-specific routing information, such as avoiding roads with height restrictions. The service also provides fleets and customers a real-time view of truck and shipment locations - delivering a cost-effective tool to improve operational efficiency. The GPS solution is delivered via select Nextel handsets powered by Motorola's VIAMOTO(TM) technology.
Using ALK's PC*MILER|Mobile on Nextel Communications' guaranteed all-digital network, truck drivers can now access truck-legal directions through the same select Nextel handsets they use for calls, Direct Connect(R) walkie-talkie communication and messaging. These Java(TM)- and assisted GPS-enabled phones also can provide fleet managers with truck location, speed and heading information on a secure website.
"PC*MILER|Mobile is the first and only truck-specific navigation product of this kind. It's a major development in the convergence of transportation technologies and mobile phones," said Craig Fiander, director, marketing, for ALK Technologies. "PC*MILER|Mobile combines routing and mapping with state-of-the-art communications and off-the-shelf hardware to deliver a solution that will quickly pay for itself in operational efficiencies and customer satisfaction."
PC*MILER|Mobile is easily mounted in the truck cab for completely hands-free operation. A driver will hear spoken turn-by-turn directions on the phone's speaker and is routed on truck-safe roads and away from low overpasses. Users can also select routes compliant with hazardous materials and 53'/102" trailer restrictions.
If the driver misses a turn, PC*MILER|Mobile immediately recalculates the route to provide directions from the new location to the selected destination. Destinations can be entered using the handset keypad, by selecting a previously entered address on the handset, by searching a directory of businesses and other points-of-interest, or simply by selecting destinations from the Address Book that have been entered by dispatchers on the PC*MILER|Mobile website at www.pcmilermobile.com. PC*MILER|Mobile also includes eight categories of truck-specific points-of-interest, such as truck stops, weigh stations and rest areas.
"Nextel continues to be a leader in providing wireless business solutions to the transportation industry, and the PC*MILER|Mobile solution compliments our growing list of mobile options for this highly competitive business. It's the kind of innovative and practical product that can assist our customers to lower costs and increase efficiencies without a large, upfront investment. The benefits become apparent right away," said Henry Popplewell, vice president of transportation and distribution sales for Nextel.
"We're excited about PC*MILER|Mobile powered by VIAMOTO technology on Nextel GPS- and Java-enabled handsets. PC*MILER|Mobile offers value at both ends of the spectrum. The customer can track their driver, whether in the truck or at a customer location. At the other end, the driver gets truck-specific directions plus all the benefits of a rugged, cost-effective Nextel handset, manufactured by Motorola," said Mike Bordelon, corporate vice president, Seamless Mobility, Motorola.
ALK's PC*MILER|Mobile is available to Nextel customers over the Motorola iDEN(R) network. The service currently runs on Motorola i58, i88, i605 and i860 phones. It will soon be available for i355, i265 and i275 models.
To use PC*MILER|Mobile, customers must subscribe to a Nextel voice service plan, have a compatible Java- and GPS-enabled Motorola phone and a Nextel data service plan. ALK's PC*MILER|Mobile navigation service begins at $25 per month per driver/truck. Volume discounts apply for larger fleets.
About ALK Technologies
ALK Technologies, Inc., Princeton, NJ, was founded in 1979 by Princeton University professor Dr. Alain Kornhauser, who still provides strategic leadership. ALK recognized the power of information technology early and has consistently developed inventive, practical transportation applications that provide customers a competitive edge, increased efficiency and bottom line benefits. ALK helps companies and individuals understand and harness the relentlessly evolving technologies reshaping the competitive transportation landscape.
More than 20,000 companies use ALK's PC*MILER(R) Solutions including ninety-five of the "Top 100" motor carriers, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the General Services Administration (GSA), and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). ALK provides consulting, customized information systems and packaged software solutions. For more information on ALK visit www.alk.com.
About Nextel Communications
Nextel Communications, a FORTUNE 200 company based in Reston, Va., is a leading provider of fully integrated wireless communications services and has built the largest guaranteed all-digital wireless network in the country covering thousands of communities across the United States. Today 95 percent of FORTUNE 500(R) companies are Nextel customers. Nextel and Nextel Partners, Inc. currently serve 297 of the top 300 U.S. markets where approximately 263 million people live or work. For more information: www.nextel.com.
About Motorola
Motorola is a Fortune 100 global communications leader that provides seamless mobility products and solutions across broadband, embedded systems and wireless networks. In your home, auto, workplace and all spaces in between, seamless mobility means you can reach the people, things and information you need, on the go. Seamless mobility harnesses the power of technology convergence and enables smarter, faster, cost-effective and flexible communication. Motorola had sales of US $31.3 billion in 2004. For more information: www.motorola.com.
SOURCE: Nextel Communications Inc.
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