SiGEM Announces Launch of ePiNG(TM) Echo
6 November 2000
SiGEM Announces Launch of ePiNG(TM) Echo
KANATA, ONTARIO, CANADA, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -
Echo, a product that can provide
integrated GPS and two-way data communications to monitor vehicles over the
Internet. This new product is the first in the ePiNG family of mobile devices,
a line of products SiGEM is designing to provide a range of wireless location
tracking applications to consumers and enterprises.
ePiNG Echo is a high-performance in-vehicle location and telematics
platform that comes in two main configurations: an integrated version that
combines SiGEM's 12-channel GPS engine and application platform with an
internal wireless radio modem; and a standalone version that is designed to
work with a range of external radio modems on systems such as the MPT1327
trunked radio standard.
ePiNG Echo will significantly enhance mobile worker productivity and
asset utilization by enabling managers to view, manage and geographically
track their assets in real-time on SiGEM's ePiNG web server. These managers
can log onto the Internet to monitor the location of their vehicles; generate
productivity reports for information on vehicle location, travel time and
speed; and give vehicle drivers access to a panic button that can be
programmed to alert certain paging devices and PCS phones once it is
activated. Drivers can also lock down their vehicles so that if a vehicle
moves after it is parked, the driver and fleet manager are notified
immediately.
"The launch of our ePiNG family of mobile devices represents a
breakthrough in price, performance and flexibility for wireless location
solutions and we're seeing tremendous interest in the world marketplace for
these products," said Herb Woods, President and CEO of SiGEM. "We're currently
working with a number of major VARs, system integrators and end users who are
excited to support and deploy this new suite of location services in large
numbers in 2001."
ePiNG Echo is designed to work on a variety of wireless networks and will
first work on the Cellemetry(R) Data Service and on GSM in Europe. The
Cellemetry Data Service has the largest wireless communications footprint in
North America, serving the continental United States, Canada and Mexico, while
GSM serves Europe, Asia and, increasingly, North America and South America.
SiGEM is currently working to make the product available on a wider range of
networks, such as CDPD.
Customers who use ePiNG Echo will have access to the ePiNG web-hosted
application service which presents location information in a graphical map-
based format or in a digital report. Customers are given access to a password-
protected site that is customized so that they can log on and view only the
vehicles or assets they need to see. ePiNG Echo also works in a traditional
client-server environment, meaning that companies can use a call center to
monitor mobile assets and respond to emergency situations in real-time.
The launch of ePiNG Echo is a major step forward in SiGEM's effort to
develop a miniature personal and asset tracking ePiNG device that will be
available to individual users from wireless carriers. Integral to this effort
is the support of a development program with the Bell Wireless Alliance/TELUS
Mobility/CANARIE wireless investment consortium. In January, SiGEM was chosen
as one of nine innovative emerging Canadian companies to benefit from
contracts under phase one of the Wireless Telecommunications R&D Investment
Program.
"This is a major milestone in the development of cost-effective products
to track assets and people," said Jean Barrette, Director of Research and
Development for Bell Mobility. "We are excited about the potential for the
ePiNG Family of Products within the emerging telematics market, which will
bring peace of mind to fleet and mobile asset managers in the near term, and
to groups like parents and the elderly in the future. Bell Mobility is proud
to be involved with a company like SiGEM that is using Canadian talent and
innovation to further initiatives in the wireless domain."
About SiGEM
SiGEM, based in Kanata, Ontario, Canada, (http://www.sigem.com) develops and
markets hardware, software and services for the global wireless location-
tracking industry. Its patented products utilize GPS and wireless
communications technologies for cost effective, low power, two-way location
tracking and messaging. SiGEM provides its ePiNG tracking services for a range
of applications over private networks and the open Internet. The company's
mission is to improve the productivity and security of its customers and
business partners. The common shares of SiGEM trade on the Toronto Stock
Exchange under the trading symbol "GPS" and on the Canadian Dealing Network
under the trading symbol "SGEM", with 34,778,966 common shares outstanding.
(TM) ePiNG is a trademark of SiGEM Inc.
(R) Cellemetry is a registered trademark of Cellemetry LLC.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These
statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause
actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-
looking statements.