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SiGEM Introduces ePiNG Emerald(TM) To Global Transportation Sector

29 November 2000

SiGEM Introduces ePiNG Emerald(TM) To Global Transportation Sector

    Mobile data terminal to provide fleet managers with integrated accurate
    and automatic vehicle location tracking

    KANATA, ONTARIO, CANADA, Nov. 29 - SiGEM, a mobile data terminal (MDT) 
that advances the integration of GPS and wireless technologies. Fleet 
managers can use ePiNG Emerald with ePiNG Enterprise(TM) to track vehicles 
via the GPS system and communicate with drivers on a screen that displays 
jobs and messages.
    When using ePiNG Emerald with ePiNG Enterprise or any fleet management
system, managers will know exactly where each vehicle is and can automatically
dispatch the vehicle that is closest to each call that comes in. ePiNG Emerald
features a streamlined compact design and can be installed near the driver,
without interfering with airbag security systems. The large display and
numeric keypad enables drivers to receive and send textual messages while they
are in their vehicles. The product also includes three serial ports that allow
for the addition of peripheral devices such as printers, credit card or smart
card readers, and debit card pin pads.
    "With the introduction of ePiNG Emerald, SiGEM provides the most cost-
effective integration of all the components of a mobile data terminal and a
GPS receiver in one package," said Herb Woods, President and CEO of SiGEM.
"Because all of the components are made by SiGEM, we are able to offer ePiNG
Emerald at a substantial cost saving compared to other MDTs on the market.
This lower cost will enable a much larger number of fleet managers to obtain
the proven benefits of GPS and data dispatch by putting MDTs into each of
their vehicles - we're already seeing a tremendous demand in the marketplace
for this product."
    ePiNG Emerald and ePiNG Enterprise offer fleet managers a complete end-to-
end solution for managing the traffic of taxis, limousines and transit
vehicles. ePiNG Enterprise provides managers with a variety of features
including automatic vehicle location using GPS technology and map displays for
the most efficient fleet management; emergency tracking so that if there is a
problem with one of the vehicles the manager is able to locate the vehicle and
send help to a specific location; and back office features including billing,
cash management and fleet maintenance systems.
    "Without this technology it can be difficult and time-consuming for
managers of large fleets to assign jobs to drivers," said Mr. Woods. "With
ePiNG Emerald and ePiNG Enterprise, managers have a much more efficient manner
of getting jobs to drivers with the least amount of human intervention
possible. The computer can automatically give the job to the nearest free
vehicle and customers can be served much more quickly than in the past."
    ePiNG Emerald is 100% compatible with all of SiGEM's existing dispatch
systems. This means that taxi fleet managers can install ePiNG Emerald, use it
with the existing dispatch system, and upgrade to a GPS system at a later
date. Currently, there are 29,000 SiGEM MDTs installed in vehicles around the
world; SiGEM estimates that this represents 19% of the global market. ePiNG
Enterprise is installed in 50 systems around the world, including an 8,000-
vehicle fleet in Singapore.
    As part of this complete solution, SiGEM offers a variety of training and
support options for ePiNG Emerald and ePiNG Enterprise customers. The
application training options that are available include training on the system
that manages the calls and dispatches the drivers; on an address manager that
keeps track of the various addresses in a city; on a fleet manager that keeps
track of the fleet; on an account manager that profiles and manages the
customer accounts; and more. The support options include system activation
support; offsite support for a warranty period of one year; and more.