ETL Launches Astus II - Next Version of Flagship Light Vehicle Management System
MONTREAL--Oct. 29, 2001--Sporting an Optional GPS, a 'Black Box' and More, Astus(R) II
Provides Even Greater Insight On Vehicle Travel Activity, While Maintaining Its Simplicity, Ease-of-Use and Economy to Fleet Owners
ETL Electronique Ltd. - the largest Canadian manufacturer of electronic protection products in the automobile after-sales market - announces the availability of Astus(R) II, the newest version of the company's light vehicle fleet management system for fleets of 4 - 50 light vehicles.
Based on a common sense approach that combines simplicity, ease-of-use and economy, Astus(R) is the only comprehensive light vehicle fleet management tool that is designed specifically for this market. It enables small-to-medium size businesses and providers of utility services to efficiently track and manage the key costs of running a light vehicle fleet with accurate information on driver habits and vehicle usage while on the road. Astus(R) II now features optional enhancements including a Global Positioning System (GPS) and a 'black box' to provide additional critical information on vehicle activity. Other enhancements include a keyboard and optic bar code reader in each vehicle.
"Running a light vehicle fleet without proper fleet management can drain the profits of many small-to-medium size businesses," said Eric Lapointe, Founder and President of ETL Electronique. "Astus(R) was specifically designed to provide the functionality, simplicity and pricing that makes sense for this market segment. Astus(R) II builds on the system's previous success, with additional capabilities that provide fleet owners with an even greater understanding of how their fleet vehicles are being used on the road."
Astus(R) II now features GPS, enabling light vehicle fleet owners to recreate each vehicle's travel trajectory on a daily basis. The information gathered can be used to validate travel routes, improve routing efficiency and enhance customer services. In addition, by enabling fleet owners to re-create a trajectory of vehicle travel, Astus(R) II offers an economical alternative to real-time location tracking which requires monthly communication fees.
A 'black box' in each vehicle is also now available with Astus(R) II. The 'black box' records vehicle operation during the last 10 minutes - to the precise second-prior to impact. Information gathered can then be used to verify, analyze and confirm reported conditions under which an accident has occurred. Other enhancements include a system keyboard now available on each vehicle enabling fleet drivers to electronically record work order information previously entered on paper service forms. In addition, Astus(R) II now offers an optic bar code reader within each vehicle to record equipment, parts or products that may be used on a service call. This further automates the gathering of information for inventory and billing purposes, while providing precise data on products and services rendered by driver on a daily basis.
More About Astus(R)
Astus(R) is a light vehicle fleet management system that empowers fleet owners with fast and easy access to precise vehicle operating costs and usage information to reduce costs, improve productivity and enhance customer services. The system records all details of vehicle operation and driver trips - such as driver time on the road, idle time, distance traveled, speed, fuel consumption, general maintenance, etc. - and reports the information on a simple, single page, for a few or as many as 50 vehicles. Using this information, fleet owners are then able to identify and alter inefficient routings, determine the impact of driver habits (speeds, stops, idling) on fuel consumption and maintenance, and obtain maximum value from time on the road. In addition to an on-board mini-computer and user-friendly Windows(R)-based software, Astus(R) includes an anti-theft/starter disabler device.
The system also includes an ID key to deactivate the anti-theft system and identify the driver, and another ID key with data gathering memory that enables the manager to stock the information and download it into the software on a daily or weekly basis depending on fleet operations. Astus(R) is ideally suited for companies operating in the business and/or utilities services such as plumbing, heating, pest control, cable TV, telephone, refrigeration, flower shops delivery, locksmiths, etc.
Pricing and Availability
Astus(R) II is available at an MSRP of $650.00 US per vehicle, plus installation. The fleet management system is available from distributors in North America, Europe and Mexico. For a complete list, contact ETL or visit the company web site at www.astusfms.com.
About ETL Electronique Ltd.
Founded in 1995, ETL Electronique Ltd. is the largest Canadian manufacturer of electronic protection products in the automobile after-sales market, with over 400,000 vehicle starter disabler units sold in Canada alone. The design and quality of ETL's vehicle starter disablers are world-renowned, and many insurance companies offer them free of charge to their clients, and provide attractive reductions in insurance premiums for vehicles equipped with such devices. Today, ETL has diversified its product offering with its new flagship Astus(R) light-fleet management system - the industry's first and only alternative to heavy truck management that is specifically designed to address the needs of light vehicle fleet owners with 4 to 50 vehicles. ETL markets its products via a network of distributors and insurance companies in Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information about ETL Electronique or its products, please contact the company at 2396 rue de la Province, Longueuil, Quebec, J4G 1G1, Tel: (450) 44-ASTUS, Fax: (450) 442-0605, E-mail: p.demers@astusfms.com, or visit the Astus(R) web site at www.astusfms.com.
Copyright (C)2001 ETL Electronique Ltd. All rights reserved. Astus is a registered trademark of ETL Electronique Ltd. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.