The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Year End Roundup: World Class Growth for ATX Technologies(R), Inc.

6 January 1999

Year End Roundup: World Class Growth for ATX Technologies(R), Inc. 
    SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 5 -- ATX Technologies, Inc., emerged in
1998 as the leader in the mayday industry with the largest dedicated Response
Center serving North America.  ATX Technologies is the developer and
manufacturer of the On-Guard Tracker(R) that uses satellite and wireless
technologies to pinpoint a vehicle's location, speed and direction and to
provide emergency and convenience services.  Alliances with other industry
leaders led to the expansion of a world-class, multi-lingual Response Center
offering mayday and convenience services to On-Guard customers.
    The year marked the opening of an office in Costa Mesa, CA, with Nichimen
America, Inc.; announcement of a partnership with Alpine Electronics of
America, Inc.; enhancement of Response Center services through agreements with
American Business Information and Navigation Technologies Corporation and an
exclusive contract with Aeris Communications, Inc. for use of its
MicroBurst(TM) technology.
    The new Costa Mesa, CA, office organized by ATX Technologies and Nichimen
America sells the On-Guard family of products to automotive and electronics
manufacturers who need mayday and navigation services.  The new operation
provides sales, sales support and technical services including a bilingual
(Japanese/English) services unit and On-Guard Ready(SM).  On-Guard Ready,
developed in the past year as ATX's full turnkey solution for electronics
manufacturers, offers licensing of the hardware and firmware for mayday
products serviced by ATX's world class On-Guard Response Center(SM).
    Other partnerships included an agreement with Alpine to provide technology
and communication services for a new Alpine product called Mobile MayDay
System(TM).  Mobile MayDay will be launched this month at the Consumer
Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV, and utilizes the Global Positioning System
and wireless communication to track vehicles for enhanced personal and
convenience services.  ATX's On-Guard Response Center will provide 24-hour
emergency and concierge services for the Alpine application.
    Alpine also marked its entrance into the telematics industry, or
intelligent transportation concepts, by making an equity investment in ATX
Technologies.  "Alpine's expertise, combined with ours, will expand the uses
of the GPS in the way we travel, at work or at play.  This is just the start
of the innovations we can offer to revolutionize the way we will use our
vehicles as the ultimate mobile communications device," said Steve Riebel,
president and CEO of ATX Technologies.
    The 24-hour, seven day a week service offered by the On-Guard Response
Center includes personal safety and vehicle security monitoring, roadside
assistance dispatch, theft recovery assistance and two-way communication.
Convenience services range from remote power-door unlock to turn-by-turn
directions to the nearest restaurant, gas station, hospital or any other
location requested.
    Agreements this year with American Business Information (ABI) and
Navigation Technologies Inc. (NavTech) have enhanced these On-Guard
convenience services.  ABI's business database, which includes up-to-date
information on more than 10 million U.S. businesses, makes it possible for the
On-Guard Response Center to provide customers with information like the
nearest restaurant, grocery store or shopping mall.  The NavTech database adds
precise turn-by-turn directions through its highly accurate representation of
the road network and detailed information on primary and alternate street
names, address ranges and driving rules (including one-way and turn
restrictions).
    Aeris Communications, Inc., and ATX Technologies, Inc. teamed together to
reach the growing market of consumer, automotive OEM and the leasing industry
with a need for large vehicle tracking and asset management.  This
international agreement expanded operations in the USA and Canada.  Aeris
Communications provides its trademarked MicroBurst technology, a low-cost and
reliable wireless data and message solution, to the On-Guard(R) Tracker.
Microburst is a seamless solution for providing information over the internet.
ATX will be significantly expanding internet services in 1999.
    Aeris Communications, Inc., headquartered in San Jose, California,
provides wireless connectivity for a broad array of short packet signaling and
messaging services using its proprietary MicroBurst utility.  MicroBurst
employs the control channel infrastructure of the cellular network as a
transmission medium to achieve low cost of service and total coverage.
Initial applications include vehicle position and condition reporting,
security and equipment monitoring and utility meter reading.
    ATX Technologies (http://www.track.com) is located in San Antonio, Texas and is
the leading provider of vehicle tracking, personal security services and
navigation assistance for the vehicle aftermarket.  ATX Technologies is the
only company of its kind in the industry with complete vertical integration
including design, manufacture, sales and operation of a 24 hour a day Response
Center.  Each member of the On-Guard family of products can be installed in
any vehicle to protect the owners against theft and other crimes, plus provide
tracking data or convenience services.  Information is available by calling
1-800-466-4827.