ATX Group Honored With Frost & Sullivan's 2004 Telematics & Voice Recognition-Based Automotive Solutions Product Leadership of the Year Award

LAS VEGAS--Sept. 22, 2004--At tonight's Excellence in Mobile Communications Awards Banquet, Frost & Sullivan will present ATX Group with the 2004 Product Leadership of the Year Award for its vision and excellence in integrating telematics and voice recognition-based solutions for the automotive sector.

Frost & Sullivan presents this Award to a company that pioneers the development and introduction of an innovative product into the market, which effectively meets customer requirements within its industry. Such innovation is expected to contribute significantly to the industry in terms of market acceptance.

"ATX has an excellent track record in telematics technology development and has now included applied voice recognition solutions to specifically cater to the needs of the automotive sector and enhance the value of its telematics product line," says Frost & Sullivan research analyst Joseph Constance.

With the assistance of speech recognition technologies from ScanSoft, Inc. and IBM Corporation, ATX achieves accuracies in excess of 95 percent as proven by audio recordings of real user experiences.

"ATX delivers a consistent, increasingly intuitive, and seamless interface between the telematics system and the driver to set its services apart from those of competitors," notes Constance.

ATX has also been extremely proactive in improving on earlier versions of the technology. The ultimate goal is to provide interactive systems incorporating high-end acoustics with the ability to filter repetitive prompts and discern commands from among multiple voices within the vehicle.

With ATX's voice recognition system, the driver can establish a direct connection to the dealership through a simple voice command. This is extremely beneficial for the driver -- in terms of scheduling services or seeking immediate information -- and for the dealer -- with regard to the ability to offer enhanced customer services.

ATX's interactive voice recognition technology enhances its telematics services by facilitating easy access and safe use while driving. For example, the electronic vehicle owner's manual has the potential to deliver hands-free access to automated voice responses for frequently asked questions. It also allows immediate access to a specialized operator for the more detailed questions.

Cost-effective solutions are at the core of ATX's successful product development strategies. For instance, by modifying its server applications, ATX allows customers to avail new services with the existing hardware, and thereby eliminates the need to purchase costly retrofit programs.

ATX systems use an open architecture design that is compatible with a wide range of in-vehicle hardware and wireless communications technologies. Additionally, a flexible client/server environment reduces the expense and complexity of the in-vehicle hardware.

"ATX unique technology management approach helps the company successfully compete in a market characterized by rapid technological change, frequent system enhancements, evolving standards, and changing client requirements," concludes Constance.

Held in Las Vegas, Frost & Sullivan's 2004 Excellence in Mobile Communications Awards Banquet honors world-class companies for outstanding performance and achievements in wireless and mobile strategy, technology, platforms, and services. An annual event, the banquet recognizes the quality and merit of distinguished individuals and companies.

About ATX

Based in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, area and Dusseldorf, Germany, ATX Group is the world's second largest provider of telematics services for the automobile industry, serving both North America and Europe. ATX telematics services are designed to provide enhanced safety, security and driving convenience to vehicle owners. These services include location-specific emergency and roadside assistance, automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle recovery, remote diagnostics and real-time traffic and navigation assistance. ATX, the largest independent telematics provider not owned by an automobile manufacturer or telecommunications firm, also provides telematics services designed to help automobile manufacturers and their affiliated dealerships to use telematics data to reduce costs, enhance vehicle servicing, and more closely manage customer relationships. ATX services are provided to vehicle owners through the brand names of its customers -- Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Maybach, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. For more information, visit www.atxg.com.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company founded in 1961, partners with clients to create value through innovative growth strategies. The foundation of this partnership approach is our Growth Partnership Services platform, whereby we provide industry research, marketing strategies, consulting and training to our clients to help grow their business. A key benefit that Frost & Sullivan brings to its clients is a global perspective on a broad range of industries, markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. With a client list that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, as well as the investment community, Frost & Sullivan has evolved into one of the premier growth consulting companies in the world.