Intrado, Ford and the Greater Harris County, Texas, 9-1-1 Emergency Network Join Forces to Deploy Nation's First 9-1-1 Integrated Telematics System
BOULDER, Colo.--Sept. 3, 2002--Intrado Plays Critical Role in Implementing and Deploying Public Safety-Focused Enhanced Telematics System in 500 Police Cars in the
Houston Metropolitan Area
Intrado Inc., , the nation's leading provider of solutions that manage and deliver mission-critical information for telecommunications providers and public safety organizations, today announced it has teamed with the Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network (the Network) and leading vendors, including Ford Motor Company, to install telematics -- integrated telecommunications and information processing for vehicle systems -- in police cars in the Houston area. Combining Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite tracking and wireless communications, the new telematics system will offer an automated post-collision notification system that is integrated into the county's current 9-1-1 emergency network.
In the event of a collision, the onboard system immediately transmits an alert -- along with details, such as location, magnitude and number of passengers involved -- to an emergency response center operated by Cross Country Automotive Services. Intrado utilizes the vehicle's location to help route the voice and enhanced telematics collision data sent by the onboard system to the appropriate public safety answering point (PSAP) in the Houston area via the existing 9-1-1 system. Since the telematics system was launched in June 2002, it has been deployed in 31 of the 42 PSAPs located in the Network and in approximately 100 police cars. By completion, Intrado expects to deploy its telematics system in all 42 PSAPs in the Network and in 500 police cars.
"With Intrado's heritage in public safety technology, we have been able to integrate a system with our complex 9-1-1 public safety network, which is no small feat," said John Melcher, deputy director of the Network. "The implementation allows response agencies in the Network's territory to quickly and effectively respond to accidents involving their police officers while gathering data that will be valuable in deploying large-scale versions of the technology to the public."
Intrado is not only managing the complex project, but is also providing several technology components that are fundamental in bridging the telematics and 9-1-1 systems. Intrado's Emergency Call Relay Center (ECRC) ensures that vital post-collision information is received and relayed quickly and efficiently, while its Coordinate Routing Database (CRDB) and Intrado Positioning Server (IPS) help determine the appropriate PSAP and provide routing instructions. Intrado's Automatic Location Identification (ALI) is also deployed to provide the 9-1-1 caller's name, location and emergency responder information to the PSAP.
"Telematics has enormous potential for saving lives and improving public safety, but will fall short of its promise without the critical link Intrado provides to existing 9-1-1 networks," said Dan Hoskins, vice president and general manager of Intrado's Wireless Business Unit. "Our work with the Network in Greater Harris County has proven that together we can extend the benefits of 9-1-1 that people have grown to rely on to their vehicles and make the future success of telematics a reality."
In addition to teaming with the Network and Ford, Intrado is working closely with leading technology vendors, Cross Country Automotive Services, Veridian and Plant Equipment, Inc. (PEI), as well as SBC on the project.
About Intrado
Founded in 1979, Intrado Inc. is pioneering the technology of Informed Response(TM) by providing telecommunications companies and public safety organizations with accurate, efficiently delivered, mission-critical information -- enabling them to respond effectively, anywhere and anytime, regardless of location, device or protocol.
The company's unparalleled industry knowledge in data management, network transactions, call handling and notification technology reduces the effort, cost, time and complexity associated with providing reliable communications information for 9-1-1, safety and commercial applications. Intrado recently received International Organization of Standardization (ISO) 9001-2000 certification. To receive Intrado press releases and company updates via e-mail, please register at the company's Web site: www.intrado.com.
About Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network
Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network (the Network), in Houston, Texas, operates one of the most technologically advanced emergency communications systems in the nation. The Network, which serves the Houston area, is a leader in implementing the latest public safety technology for wireline and wireless callers to 9-1-1 in its area. It is the largest 9-1-1 administering agency in Texas and the third-largest in the U.S., serving two counties (Harris and Fort Bend), nearly 50 cities, and 156 law, fire and EMS agencies.
About Ford
Ford Motor Company is the second-largest automotive manufacturer in the world, and produces passenger cars, trucks, engines, transmissions, castings and forgings, and metal stampings of all kinds at 113 wholly-owned, equity-owned, and joint venture plants. Ford's manufacturing facilities are located in 29 countries on six continents. Ford Motor Company includes eight automotive brands: Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda, Volvo, Jaguar, Aston Martin and Land Rover, and the company sells its products at more than 20,000 dealerships worldwide.
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995
This announcement contains expectations and other forward-looking statements regarding Intrado's future financial performance and the ability to deploy its telematics system into PSAPs and police cars in the Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network. Readers are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this release as a result of certain factors, including: unforeseen problems and delays in the implementation or market acceptance of Intrado's telematics system, the amount and timing of expenditures necessary to deploy the system, and other factors identified from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
Moreover, Intrado's future financial results may vary significantly from Intrado's expectations based on a number of factors, including: (1) Intrado's reliance on large contracts from a limited number of significant customers and their ability to pay for Intrado's services, (2) whether Intrado's investments in research and development will expand service offerings and prove to be economically viable, (3) the rate of adoption of enhanced 9-1-1 technology by telecommunications carriers and other potential customers, (4) continuing technological and regulatory changes in the telecommunications industry that may affect both Intrado and its customers, (5) service and price competition from entities with substantially greater resources than us, (6) technical difficulties and network downtime, including that caused by sabotage or unauthorized access to Intrado's systems, and (7) fluctuations in quarterly operating results that are due to factors beyond Intrado's control, including adverse trends in the telecommunications industry as a whole, and (8) additional factors described in Intrado's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 and in other SEC filings.
Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Intrado undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances, or otherwise.