Trakm8 set to accelerate the convergence of the Telematics Industry
21 June 2005
21st June 2005
Trakm8 set to Accelerate the Convergence of the Telematics Industry
Shaftesbury, UK – trakm8 is set to accelerate convergence in the telematics industry as multiple uses for telematics converge on a single box.
Trakm8 today announced the completion of its product portfolio with the launch of its new SOLO
and T4 hardware (“black box”) and firmware platforms for the world wide Telematics industry.
The platforms build on the success of its T2002 as used in tens of thousands of vehicles the
world over and is set to accelerate the convergence of the industry.
The current telemetry marketplace is fragmented with each GPS telematics application such as
navigation, road tolling, congestion charging and pay-as-you-go insurance requiring a separate
GPS box. With commercial, security and legislative drivers such as the UK’s proposed “Pay-as-
you-go” Road Charge Plan, the need for market and technology convergence is understandable.
New requirements for telematics applications are increasingly demanding multiple uses on a
single box to ensure the commercial or political case adds up. trakm8 believes its adaptability and
flexibility enables many users to reuse the same hardware thereby enabling the rate of
convergence to accelerate.
Strategic Markets
Strategic
Value
29,000,000 Full Road Tolling Legislative 2010
2004
2004
2005
2007
Year
100,000 Fleet Tracking Commercial
250,000
Security
(After theft device) Reduced Insurance
1,000,000
Insurance
(pay as you drive) Reduced Insurance
2,000,000
Congestion Charge & Road Tolling
UK trial Legislative
UK Volume 2006 Strategic Value Driver
Strategic Market Readiness as forecasted by
Tim Evans, sales and marketing director of trakm8.
With trakm8 allowing many simultaneous uses, all from the same piece of hardware, a stranded
motorist can press a button to speak to the roadside recovery services who in turn can ‘see’ the
motorist’s exact location whilst being able to potentially use the device for congestion charging
schemes or national road taxation as well as traditional uses such as fleet management and
navigation. Additional applications such as concierge services can enable a local hotel or nearest
petrol station to be found – all initiated by the press of a button.
The SOLO is a world first that dramatically extends the telematics market, being ideally suited to
very small companies and large corporations alike. Immediate ‘cigarette lighter socket’
installation is possible and the user experience is simplicity itself. Suitable for integration with
back office and web-based tracking systems, it is also ideal as a ‘stand-alone’ product which
provides email reporting as well as allowing interrogation of location via a standard mobile
phone. Even voice communication, panic button and business/personal mileage reporting
facilities have been incorporated to provide a highly specified yet low cost unit as well as being a
potential solution to the high administration cost of congestion schemes.
The T4 is an all-in-one vehicle telematics solution suitable for large and small scale installation
with GPS antenna, GSM/GPRS modem, RFID reader and CAN BUS Interface. Voice, data calls,
SMS and GPRS communication are available together with numerous input and output interfaces
enabling the integration of movement detectors, door / window contact switches, alarms and
other monitoring or activation requirements.
Cary Knapton, chief executive of trakm8 stated, “We are proud to be able to provide the key
hardware, firmware and software platforms that will now enable convergence in the market. Our
work with OEMs such as the vehicle manufacturers is more important than ever with the
proposed Road Charge Plan – the UK being the first country in the world to consider these plans
on such a large scale.”
Since its foundation, trakm8 has experienced strong growth and has been a key enabler to the
Telematics industry allowing service providers to differentiate themselves and to concentrate on
market segmentation according to their specialities. The resulting economies of scale are passed
onto customers in order to provide cost efficient vehicle tracking solutions with a fast,
demonstrable Return On Investment (ROI). Other advantages that the SOLO and T4 platforms provide to service providers and end customers include low support costs, integration with
existing business systems and future proofing with over-the-air upgrade facilities.
- Ends –
About trakm8
trakm8 is a leading technology provider to the international vehicle tracking and security market
enabling companies to efficiently and effectively track fleets of vehicles and drivers as well as
tracking stolen vehicles with an accuracy of up to 5 metres. Based in Dorset in the UK, it has an
established network of partners, distributors and value added resellers in over 24 countries.
For more information visit www.trakm8.com
For further information contact:
Karen Knapton
trakm8 Ltd
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Tel: +44 (0) 8703 800531
Mob:+44 (0) 7843 026196