|
|
November 2000
|
Trimble Launches GPS and GSM Wireless Communications Device for Fleet Management
Trimble announced the launch of its CrossCheck® GSM mobile communicator for fleet management. The CrossCheck GSM provides fleet managers an easy, cost-effective solution to improve operations, efficiency and security through location and wireless communications. The announcement was made at the 7th World Congress on Intelligent Transportation Systems.
``Fleet and asset management is a strategic business focus for Trimble,'' said Michael Lesyna, vice president of the Company's Mobile Positioning and Communications Division. ``The potential for combining location, wireless communications and information technology is growing rapidly. We intend to be at the forefront of the market by providing innovative solutions that utilize a variety of wireless standards worldwide. The CrossCheck GSM mobile communicator extends our product family, and is yet another step to drive mass market acceptance for commercial and consumer mobile positioning applications.''
The CrossCheck GSM builds on the technological breakthrough of Trimble's first CrossCheck product introduced in 1998 for the North and South American markets. It was the first device to combine GPS, cellular communications and computing technologies onto a single circuit board. The CrossCheck GSM mobile communicator is a tightly integrated device that combines a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technology and IQEvent Engine(TM) (IQEE) firmware in a single module. In addition, the size and power consumption of the GPS components are significantly reduced through the use of Trimble's new FirstGPS(TM) technology. The move to this single, wireless, positioning and communications unit brings increased reliability as well as a reduction in cost and installation time to operators.
Trimble's CrossCheck GSM operates over the standard wireless GSM network. It sends GPS data and messages from the mobile unit to a base station running Trimble's FleetVision® software. The CrossCheck GSM can be used in a standalone mode or interfaced to external accessories and sensors to operate as part of an on-board system. These include a Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) that forms the interface with the driver enabling the exchange of messages, the generation of manual event reports and an (optional) telephone handset (hands-free or handheld) for voice communications.
Because of the CrossCheck GSM's flexibility, it can be adapted to virtually all fleet applications -- from armored car transport to limousine service and from utility fleets to construction equipment. The system's IQEE firmware supports intelligent, automated monitoring and reporting of vehicle activity and status. An alert report, for example, automatically sends the vehicle's location and status to the operations center when specific events occur. This status report can cause the operations center to respond by remotely activating the vehicle's security systems, such as door locks, ignition lockout, sirens, lights or take other appropriate actions.
``CrossCheck GSM is an on-the-road asset manager and security system. It meets two fundamental needs of fleet managers-protecting their drivers and increasing productivity. It also offers fleet operators a more economical asset and route management tool,'' commented Julian Grant, Trimble's European sales manager for the Mobile Positioning and Communications Division. ``When interfaced with our FleetVision software, Trimble can provide the total asset management solution, including event and alarm reporting, data handling as well as map displays giving the ability for the positions of mobile assets to be viewed in real-time or replayed for analysis.''
More information available at http://www.trimble.com and http://www.spectraprecision.com
|
|
|
|
|
