Discrete & Trimble update GPS products for vehicle fleets

Las Vegas & Atlanta, Jan. 5, 2005 -- (MobileVillage) -- Trimble and Discrete Wireless this week announced updated GPS products that are largely designed for vehicle fleets. Trimble has updated its TrimTrac GPS device for locating vehicles, and Discrete has released version 6 of its Marcus GPS based fleet management software.

Discrete's Marcus Fleet Management 6

Atlanta-based Discrete Wireless, Inc. released version 6 of its Marcus GPS Fleet Management Application for commercial use. The new Marcus 6 application is web-hosted and based on Microsoft's .NET Framework.

New components in version 6 include point to point routing with driving directions, dispatch and messaging, automated report delivery and vehicle maintenance. Improved features include new mapping, a user-defined location radius, route playback, new reports and additional real-time alerts.

The company did not provide pricing details; for more information see the Discrete Wireless web site.

Trimble TrimTrac

Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB) today announced a new version of its TrimTrac locator, for automatic position reporting for personal vehicle monitoring, security and theft recovery. The device can also support select roadside assistance and concierge services with application server and call center capabilities provided by third-party service providers.

The TrimTrac locator is an end-user device slightly larger than a white board eraser. It can operate on four AA alkaline batteries or be connected to vehicle power with an adapter module. The newest model has a water-resistant housing that weighs 7.2 ounces without batteries. Inside, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and tri-band Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) modem are integrated onto a single board and controlled by a common microprocessor.

The TrimTrac locator can be placed inside a vehicle passenger compartment, such as in a glove box, under the rear window package shelf, or similar discrete location. The device requires no external antennas or connections, unless the optional vehicle adapter module is used to connect to vehicle power. This flexibility greatly reduces or eliminates the need for expensive installations.

The TrimTrac supports the three major GSM frequency bands: 900, 1800 MHz (DCS) worldwide and 1900 MHz (PCS) in the U.S. To optimize the TrimTrac locator's battery life and provide secure low-cost data transmission, periodic position and status reports are sent as SMS (short messaging service) text messages over the GSM network.

For motion-based reporting, TrimTrac users can now poll the unit in real-time to request the device's current location on-demand or receive a regularly scheduled report. For instance, the unit can be configured to periodically log or report its current position, or the user may poll the device and it will compute a new position on-demand. If there has been no motion since the last position was logged, the device will immediately return its most recently logged position.

To eliminate the need to periodically change batteries, the TrimTrac locator can be connected to external power by using the optional Vehicle Adapter Module. This plug-in module replaces the standard battery pack and operates off vehicle power for permanent installations. It includes a stand-by, rechargeable battery for continued position reporting if vehicle power is disconnected.

In the event of vehicle theft, where disconnecting the vehicle's main battery often silences car alarms, the TrimTrac locator quickly sends a status message and continues to report its position.

The Vehicle Adapter Module will also allow the TrimTrac locator to monitor multiple external switch or contact closures and assign each one of three priority levels. For example, TrimTrac can monitor other on-board systems and devices, such as car alarms and driver-operated switches, to report status and modify its operation.

According to Trimble, the new TrimTrac locator has passed the PTCRB (PCS Type Certification Review Board) requirements governing the release of new GSM 1900 capable wireless communications products in the North American market. The device is expected to be Industry Canada certified in January 2005. Additionally, the device has passed all relevant GSM 900/1800 GCF (Global Certification Forum) conformance tests.

Trimble expects the new TrimTrac locator version to be available in January 2005 through its Component Technologies Division network. The company did not provide pricing.

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