DALLAS, Oct. 26, 1999 - HighwayMaster Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: HWYM), the leading provider of wireless voice and data communications services to the commercial trucking and service vehicle industries, today announced that its HighwayMaster Corporation subsidiary has introduced TrackWareTM , a low-cost, mobile asset tracking product that enables trucking companies to manage their trailers more cost effectively.
"TrackWare resulted from our company's strong emphasis on developing new products and lines of business that utilize our proven intelligent mobile communications capabilities," said Jana Bell, president and chief executive officer. "We believe that TrackWare's entry into the mobile asset tracking marketplace should provide the company with significant potential for growing future sales and earnings."
The easy-to-install TrackWare Remote Unit (TRU) can be attached to the exterior of a loaded or unloaded trailer by one person in about 30 minutes, with no special tools required. The unit is powered by a rechargeable battery that can continue operating when untethered for 30 to 60 days and automatically recharges when connected to a tractor. The hardware cost is about $500 per unit, with a base service fee of $4.99 to $14.99 per month, depending upon the level of service the customer requires. Each TRU includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite receiver, a Cellemetry®-enabled cellular transceiver, microprocessor, antenna, battery and cables.
Customers can configure each unit to report back to them as often as four times a day or as infrequently as once a week. They may also elect to receive "trailer event" information, such as when the trailer is connected to or disconnected from a tractor. A combination of scheduled timed reports and event reports can be configured which allows dispatchers to access precise information when it is received.
"This solution answers one of the long-time, critical needs of the trucking industry to have greater control of their trailers," said Mike Evans, market segment director, Mobile Asset Tracking. "Companies should very quickly begin to realize the benefits of this system on their bottom lines as they increase the utilization of their trailers. In addition, they can refocus employees on other activities, such as enhancing customer service, instead of endlessly searching for missing trailers."
Along with the TRU, the system includes a host software application. Using standard Windows features, it displays location details and status information from the unit to the customer. The users will be able to leverage this desktop application on a PC, or if they prefer integrate it into their current fleet management software. The TrackWare host also integrates with ProMiles® 99, a mapping software from ProMiles Software Development Corporation (PSDC) that enables the customer to view trailer locations with street-level detail and to print maps for drivers dispatched to locate specific trailers.
HighwayMaster is the leading nationwide mobile communications system provider of voice and data communications, combined with GPS vehicle location technology, for the trucking and service vehicle industries. Through strategic alliances, HighwayMaster has created one of the largest enhanced-cellular networks in existence today, providing seamless wireless services in more than 99 percent of the available cellular coverage areas in the United States and 100 percent of the A-side cellular coverage areas in Canada. HighwayMaster sells and markets its system, which is currently covered by 23 issued U.S. Patents and other U.S. and international patents pending, throughout the United States and Canada.
Cellemetry LLC is a joint venture owned 60 percent by NumereX (NASDAQ: NMRX) and 40 percent by BellSouth Corp. By linking remote equipment to central monitoring facilities anywhere cellular coverage exists, Cellemetry® Data Service provides a worldwide information transport technology. Through partnerships with cellular carriers, Cellemetry® provides low-cost, two-way wireless data messaging for a variety of purposes. NumereX is a communications company that develops and markets a wide range of information transport services. These services enable customers around the globe to monitor and move information for a variety of applications ranging from home and business security to distance learning networks. Through its three major business units, NumereX offers products and services in wireless communications (Cellemetry), broadband communications (fiber optics and EDCOMM) and wireline (Derived Channel Systems). Additionally, the company provides networked management systems to operating telephone companies. For more information, please visit the company's Web site at www.cellemetry.com.
ProMiles Software Development Corporation was founded by a unique combination of professional programmers, tax auditors, ICC practitioners and truck drivers who began working together in 1980. PSDC, with offices in Bridge City, Texas, Las Cruces, N.M., and Ontario, Canada, has developed FHWA, IFTA and IRP-compliant software used by over 5,800 customers in the U.S. and Canada, including over 70 percent of the Canadian Provinces, the majority of U. S. states/DOT auditors, and large corporations like Con-Way, General Motors, Hewlett-Packard, Penske Logistics, Ryder Logistics and Wal-Mart. PSDC also develops other quality desktop and online products, such as ProMiles Fuel Tax and ProMilesOnline. For more information, please visit the company's Web site at www.promiles.com.
HighwayMaster® is a federally registered trademark and service mark of HighwayMaster Communications, Inc. TrackWare® is a trademark of HighwayMaster Communications, Inc. Cellemetry® is a registered service mark of Cellemetry LLC. ProMiles® 99 is a federally registered trademark of Road Legal, Inc. and PSDC.
Certain matters discussed in this press release are "forward-looking statements" intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because the context of the statement will include words such as the Company "expects," "anticipates" or words of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements generally involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other facts which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following: general economic and business conditions; competition; success of operating initiatives; development and operating costs; market conditions; advertising and promotional efforts; brand awareness; adverse publicity; acceptance of new product offerings; consumer trial and frequency; changes in business strategy or development plans; quality of management; availability, terms and development of capital; business abilities and judgment of personnel; availability of qualified personnel; labor and employee benefit costs; changes in, or the failure to comply with government regulations. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to continue implementing its strategy of leveraging its intelligent mobile communications capabilities to develop new products and services or that this strategy will permit the Company to maintain or continue sales and earnings growth. For a listing of risks applicable to the future prospects of the Company, please refer to the reports filed with the SEC, such as recent 10-K and 10-Q Reports.
For more information, contact:
Todd Felker
Senior Vice President
Marketing and Sales
HighwayMaster Corporation
(972) 301-2024
www.highwaymaster.com
Tony Stroncheck
President
ProMiles Software
Development Corporation
US Corporate Office
(800) 324-8588
www.promiles.com
United States: 1-800-324-8588