Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
Iridium® Plays Key Role in Recovering Stolen Vehicles Using Geotrac's Asset Tracking and Mapping Technology
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BETHESDA, Md. - June 19, 2007 - Alberta-based GEOTrac International, an Iridium® value-added reseller, is working with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to apply advanced GPS, mapping and satellite communications technology to facilitate recovery of stolen vehicles and equipment. GEOTrac's solution uses Iridium satellites to transmit location data from small GPS modules attached to the vehicles. The RCMP uses the GEOTrac system to find and recover stolen vehicles and heavy equipment.
"Theft is a serious problem in Alberta and British Columbia, especially in the oilfields, where trucks, construction machines and other mobile assets are scattered across a large remote region," said Tim Hodge, CEO of GEOTrac International. "This has driven many companies to equip their fleets of vehicles with our GPS devices, which can transmit their real-time position back to the dispatch center."
"Iridium's ubiquitous gap-free coverage across Canada, excellent network quality and reliable near-real-time data links provide an ideal medium for this automatic vehicle location application," said Greg Ewert, executive vice president of Iridium Satellite. "More than 20,000 Iridium-based asset tracking devices are currently deployed worldwide, and the number of activations for short burst data has increased 317 percent over last year."
"GEOTrac's customers operate in areas where there is no cellular wireless service, so satellites are the only viable alternative for data links," said Hodge. "Only Iridium could provide the level of coverage and dependable connectivity that we need."
GEOTrac's unique hybrid mapping technology combines satellite imagery and customized digital roadmaps. This permits a vehicle's location and movements to be superimposed onto satellite imagery, providing a constantly updated view of vehicles moving through the terrain.
"Our hybrid maps have enabled us to direct RCMP ground teams building-by-building and road-by-road to the site of the stolen vehicle, playing a major role in breaking up several large theft rings," added Hodge.
In addition to theft protection, GEOTrac's system provides a wide range of features for managing assets and controlling operating costs. For instance, the system's geofencing function provides automatic alerts whenever a vehicle enters or leaves a pre-specified area. This is a useful tool for location-based billing for oilfield service companies, notifying dispatchers automatically when a vehicle enters and leaves the service area.
About Iridium Satellite
Iridium Satellite LLC (www.iridium.com) is the only provider of truly global satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the earth (including oceans, airways and Polar Regions). Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available. The Iridium constellation consists of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites and has multiple in-orbit spares. The constellation operates as a fully meshed network and is the largest commercial satellite constellation in the world. The Iridium service is ideally suited for industries such as maritime, aviation, government/military, emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil and gas, heavy equipment, transportation and utilities. Iridium provides service to the U.S. Department of Defense. The company also designs, builds and sells its services, products and solutions through a worldwide network of more than 150 partners.
About GEOTrac International
GEOTrac International (www.geotracinternational.com) is a global provider of global positioning, mapping and communication systems for the oil and gas, transportation and logistics sectors. GEOTrac offers solutions that improve productivity, save money, enhance safety and save time. The company is headquartered in Calgary.
Liz DeCastro
Iridium Satellite LLC
+ 1 (301) 571-6257
liz.decastro@iridium.com
Jim Rhodes
Rhodes Communications
+1 (757) 451-0602
jrhodes@rhodescomm.com
