Asset Tracking Device provides trailer and freight tracking.
Share:
Press Release Summary:
Pre-configured, self-powered Fleet-Link(TM) remotely monitors and manages truck trailers, freight containers, and other mobile assets from central command center. Offering solar-powered option, device communicates using MicroBurst® cellular network, which provides seamless coverage throughout North America. Fleet-Link can monitor and report on cargo that has been opened during transit, excess vehicle speeds, door alarms that have been activated, and distance traveled.
Original Press Release:
CSI Wireless Now Shipping Fleet-Link(TM) Trailer and Freight Tracking Product
Pre-configured, self-powered unit ideal for truck trailer and container applications
Las Vegas, Nevada - Oct. 4, 2004 - (TSX:CSY): CSI Wireless Inc., a designer and manufacturer of advanced wireless and GPS products used in more than 50 countries, today announced that its Fleet-Link(tm) asset-tracking product is now being shipped to application service providers, OEMs and other customers. Fleet-Link is a self-powered asset-tracking product to remotely monitor and manage truck trailers, freight containers and other mobile assets from a central command centre.
Fleet-Link cost-effectively addresses shippers' growing need to constantly track the locations of their goods. The first model of Fleet-Link - including a solar-powered option that is generating substantial interest from potential purchasers - is ideal for trucking companies and other overland shippers in the Americas. It communicates using the low-cost MicroBurst® cellular network, developed by Aeris.net, which provides seamless coverage throughout North America.
CSI Wireless will soon introduce a second model of Fleet-Link for the global marketplace - to serve trucking companies and other overland shippers, plus container ships and other ocean-traveling vessels. This version will communicate using the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) cellular technology that is employed by almost three quarters of the world's wireless subscribers and networks.
More than 90 per cent of all goods transported internationally are carried in freight containers. In the wake of increasing terrorism activity worldwide, there is growing public concern that freight containers could be used to smuggle terrorists and/or their weapons. Fleet-Link is designed to improve logistics and security - benefiting both the shipper and security personnel. It features sufficient battery life to continue operating at the conclusion of ocean transits, which average 20 days.
Fleet-Link's competitive advantages include:
Installation in 15 minutes or less
Self-powered - featuring its own battery that can be recharged from the truck's battery or from an optional solar panel when the trailer is not connected to the truck
Efficiently powered - featuring a sophisticated power-management system and motion-sensing to maximize battery life; plus essentially unlimited power using the optional solar panel
Affordable, rugged and self-contained
Pre-configured to accommodate a wide variety of telematics and fleet or freight-tracking applications, but also well-suited to customized applications
"Fleet-Link will 'future-proof' our customers because it can be easily upgraded to digital from analog, and to 3.0G from 2.5G," said Stephen Verhoeff, CSI Wireless' President and CEO. "Our initial release is designed for analog MicroBurst use, but it can be easily upgraded to digital MicroBurst or other available technologies as customer needs evolve. We also plan to offer versions incorporating IXRTT and WiFi technologies."
Examples of conditions that Fleet-Link can monitor and report on include:
Cargo that has been opened during transit
Cargo that has stopped outside of its origin or destination for a longer-than-required time
Vehicle speeds in excess of prescribed limits
Vehicles that divert from prescribed routes
Engine use or idling time is in excess of prescribed limits
Refrigerated load temperatures that are outside of prescribed limits
Door alarms that have been activated
Distance-traveled reports, including driver hour logs
Use and location of leased assets
Fleet-Link's initial customers include Robertson Group, the Nashville, Tennessee-based application service provider and long-haul trucking company whose Best Online Tracking or "BOLT" (http://www.boltsystem.com/) Internet-based fleet management system is designed for small and mid-sized trucking firms, with fewer than 500 trucks.
"Fleet-Link is feature-rich and yet very affordable and easy to use," said Robertson Group co-owner Jerry Robertson. "It is helping BOLT to generate a lot of industry interest. People like the Fleet-Link's compact size. It's so small that it can be installed without anyone knowing it is there, which protects it from being stolen or compromised. People also like Fleet-Link's solar-powered capability. It's a big plus."
"We are delighted to partner with CSI Wireless in offering Fleet-Link to the transportation industry," said Melanie Stone, Aeris.net's Director of Marketing Communications. "The Microburst® network's use of other cellular networks' control channel will ensure that Fleet-Link provides affordable, dependable, seamless wireless coverage for monitoring truck trailers, container units and other assets."
Fleet-Link is a trailer/container-oriented extension of CSI Wireless' family of innovative and cost-effective fleet-tracking and telematics products that includes the Microburst/analog-capable Asset-Link 100, and Asset-Link 200, and the GSM/digital-capable Asset-Link 400. The entire product line features CSI Wireless' proven GPS and wireless technology.
About CSI Wireless
With offices in Calgary, Silicon Valley, and Phoenix, CSI Wireless designs and manufactures innovative, cost-effective, wireless and GPS products for mobile and fixed applications in the agriculture, marine, automotive and other markets. CSI is a leader in several emerging high-growth markets including Precision Guidance in Agriculture, Consumer Telematics and Fixed Wireless Telephones. The Company owns numerous patents and intellectual property relating to wireless and GPS technologies. It has licensed its cellular technology to GPS, cellular handset, and chipset manufacturers. The company's common shares trade on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "CSY", with approximately 33 million outstanding. For more information, go to www.csi-wireless.com.
For more information, please contact:
Stephen Verhoeff
President & CEO
CSI Wireless Inc.
403-259-3311
sverhoeff@csi-wireless.com
Jeff Adams
Public Relations Manager
CSI Wireless Inc.
403-259-3311/615-8747 (cell)
jadams@csi-wireless.com
