Vodafone M2M Chosen by Skypatrol for Tracking Service

11 August 2015 – Vodafone today announced it is working with Skypatrol, a leading supplier of integrated GPS tracking solutions, to bring reliable and efficient connectivity to their electronic-tracking services across nearly 1 million different devices installed in vehicles, construction equipment, and oil and mining operations worldwide. Skypatrol aims to use Vodafone’s global network to address customer demand in the US and in more than a dozen countries throughout Latin America including Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and Peru. Skypatrol plans to activate more than 10,000 new M2M SIMS per month.

Skypatrol provides turnkey risk mitigation and tracking solutions for the vehicle finance market, new car dealers, rental car companies and fleet managers globally. Skypatrol also provides GPS hardware bundled with Vodafone’s Global M2M SIM to telematics service providers around the world through an easily configurable Application Program Interface (API) that allows the service providers to quickly deploy any Skypatrol device.

For example:

• Companies that already have their own fleet or GPS tracking solution can use Skypatrol hardware pre-configured with a Vodafone Global M2M SIM that reduces both data consumption requirements and costs. Using a simple API interface, customers can quickly integrate and deploy GPS devices on their own platforms in a matter of days, allowing them to activate their solutions in new markets faster than ever before.
• Skypatrol provides solutions for motorcycle dealerships and new car lots in the Stolen Vehicle Recovery (SVR) space in addition to serving the vehicle finance market often referred to as “Buy Here Pay Here” (BHPH). These turnkey solutions can now be launched rapidly in any country supported by Vodafone’s Global M2M SIM.
• For companies managing fleets of any size, Skypatrol’s Fleet Command moves beyond traditional GPS tracking to fleet automation with data analytics.  Other award winning solutions like Defender 2.0 and PROTEKGPS allow companies to make informed decisions that improve fleet utilization and the bottom line.

Vodafone’s global network and the Vodafone Global M2M SIM means Skypatrol can provide these services around the world with confidence without being distracted with the task of country-by-country IT integration. Skypatrol can focus on its core business and on providing the best products and services to its customers.

Skypatrol’s CEO, Robert Rubin said, “Our goal is to provide our clients peace of mind with reliable products and services whether it is tracking a vehicle or valued cargo, or assuring the safety of a person by accurately knowing their location. Vodafone allows us to continue to provide these location-based services to our customers and supports our continued growth inside and outside of the United States.”

Vodafone Group’s Head of Machine-to-Machine for the Americas Andrew Morawski (above) said, “Our M2M technology supports all of Skypatrol US and international solutions, helping to provide reliable connectivity for their customers. The global nature of our SIM and our ability to provide a global M2M approach across a diverse range of products is what makes Skypatrol able to confidently communicate with their devices worldwide.”

About Vodafone Machine-to-Machine (M2M)
Vodafone Machine-to-Machine (M2M) connects previously isolated machines or devices to the internet, delivering new functionality and enhanced services without the need for human intervention. Supported by more than 1,300 dedicated employees, Vodafone’s global M2M platform makes it easy for global businesses to manage centrally M2M deployments across multiple territories, with greater control and at a lower cost than previously possible.

In 2014 Vodafone was named global M2M leader by Machina Research, for the third year in a row. For more information, please visit  https://m2m.vodafone.com/home/.

About Vodafone
Vodafone is one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies and provides a range of services including voice, messaging, data and fixed communications. Vodafone has mobile operations in 26 countries, partners with mobile networks in 55 more, and fixed broadband operations in 17 markets. As of 30 June 2015, Vodafone had 449 million mobile customers and 12 million fixed broadband customers. For more information, please visit: www.vodafone.com.

About Skypatrol
Skypatrol builds innovative software tools combined with proprietary GPS hardware and firmware to help businesses monitor, protect and optimize mobile assets. Skypatrol serves many markets including vehicle finance, fleet management, mobile asset tracking, automobile dealerships, outdoor sports and motor sports. Skypatrol is a global leader in integrated GPS tracking solutions on a wide variety of platforms including GSM and CDMA cellular networks and Iridium satellites. Skypatrol serves customers in the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit http://www.skypatrol.com.

Source: Vodafone

BulbThings Launches Next-Generation IOT Asset Management Solution

12 June 2015 – Bulb Software Ltd, an innovative UK registered software company today announced the launch of  BulbThings, a smart asset management solution that allows companies to manage from a single platform assets ranging from handheld devices and vehicles to diverse equipment used by their customers.

BulbThings includes the following smart features:

• Single tool to manage a broad range of assets. BulbThings allows customers to understand not only the overall cost of asset usage but also the cost attributed to an individual staff member using a specific asset. This encourages more economical use of assets.
• Simultaneous tracking and management of assets. Customers can follow orders, contracts, events, and departures/ returns of all assets. Additionally, BulbThings provides device-tracking real-time location and usage data.
• Smart Data. BulbThings nalyses data from multiple sources (including connected assets, suppliers’ invoices and asset users) and provides managers with the insight needed to optimise asset usage and cut costs.
• Collaboration. BulbThings is based on the latest web technologies. It can provide real-time notifications and alerts to asset managers, asset users and asset suppliers, enabling each stakeholder to optimise efficiency and minimise cost and stakeholder groups to collaborate in order to optimise efficiency.

“BulbThings enables the most efficient management of enterprises assets,” commented Leslie Depond, Bulb Software Chief Customer Officer (above). “We know from talking to our customers that the BulbThings approach of allowing management of all assets in one place makes it much easier to control everything while keeping down costs. Whether your business is big or small, BulbThings will connect your assets via a single, cloud-based solution. And as more things get connected in the enterprise, BulbThings will allow you to track and manage them all.”

Pricing
BulbThings contains a fully integrated lifecycle management and connected asset management solution. Pricing starts from as little as $2 per asset.

For more information please contact visit http://bulbthings.com.

About Bulb Software
Bulb Software Ltd., headquartered in London, UK, consists of a team of technology and business professionals with extensive digital and asset management industry experience. The company was started when founder Yann Depond realised that there was a growing need for companies to simplify asset management with a versatile solution that managed any type of asset. Using the latest web and emerging IoT technologies, Bulb Software created a new generation of solutions that maximise both efficiency and cost savings.

Contact Information
Email: hello@bulbthings.com

Twitter: @BulbThings

Tel: +44 (0)800 020 9656

Source: Bulb Software

Numerex Launches FASTrack PrePaid Tracking Solution

20 May 2015 – Numerex, a leading provider of interactive machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions enabling the Internet of Things (IoT), today announced the launch of FASTrack PrePaid – a new, low-cost, turnkey offering that combines advanced vehicle tracking, monitoring and recovery, and other desirable features into one, simple-to-use, economical solution.

Using FASTrack PrePaid, fleet managers and dealers can provide vehicle owners with a solution that offers driver-behavior monitoring as well as an economical tracking and recovery solution for their vehicles.

The easy-to-deploy offering is built on Numerex's award-winning, cloud-based platform and is coupled with the Numerex network. The offering is available as a bundled solution with options for 24 or 36 months of prepaid service.

Driver safety and security features provide the ability to monitor vehicle fluid levels, receive maintenance reminders and perform remote door unlocking. Driving behavior patterns including excessive speeding, braking and idle times are also automatically logged and can be used to identify opportunities to improve fuel efficiency and general road safety.

Vehicles can also be effectively monitored with user-defined "geo-fences" that trigger web portal, email, or text message alerts should the vehicles venture beyond pre-set boundaries or routes. In the event of theft, the vehicle starter can be remotely disabled, helping facilitate recovery. A viewable route history also helps monitor, track and trace vehicles as necessary.

"FASTrack PrePaid fills an important gap in the market and delivers an affordable, easy-to-use vehicle monitoring, tracking and recovery solution that enhances the security, safety and productivity of drivers and their vehicles," said Mike Lang, SVP and President of IoT Solutions at Numerex (above). "This new offering also provides great opportunities for car dealers to enhance their own accessory revenues when their customers are finalizing the purchase of a vehicle."

FASTrack PrePaid is compatible with a range of popular vehicle monitoring devices. The application is accessible from smart phones, tablets, laptops and desktop PCs.

About Numerex
Numerex Corp. (Nasdaq:NMRX ) is a leading provider of interactive and on-demand machine-to-machine (M2M) enterprise solutions enabling the Internet of Things (IoT). The Company provides its technology and services through its integrated M2M horizontal platforms, which are generally sold on a subscription basis. The Company offers Numerex DNA® solutions including hardware and smart Devices, cellular and satellite Network services, and software Applications utilizing Numerex solution technology. The Company also provides business services to enable the development of efficient, reliable, and secure solutions while accelerating deployment. Numerex is ISO 27001 information security-certified, highlighting the Company's focus on M2M data security, service reliability and around-the-clock support of its customers' M2M solutions. For additional information, please visit www.numerex.com.

Source: Numerex

ORBCOMM and Komatsu Renew Services Agreement

26 February 2015 – ORBCOMM Inc., a global provider of Machine-to-Machine (M2M) solutions, today announced that it has signed a multi-year services agreement with Komatsu to continue providing wireless data services for their heavy equipment telematics applications. The renewed agreement will build upon Komatsu’s long-time success with its KOMTRAX and VHMS on-board machine monitoring and communications systems, which utilize ORBCOMM’s global satellite network.

ORBCOMM enables Komatsu, the world’s second largest manufacturer and supplier of earthmoving equipment, to track and monitor the location, critical operating metrics, productivity, and performance of its heavy equipment assets around the globe. As part of the agreement, Komatsu will continue to deploy telematics systems on their equipment and leverage ORBCOMM’s satellite network services.

“We are extremely pleased to continue our 14-year relationship with Komatsu, which is one of our most important heavy equipment OEM customers, and provide significant operating efficiencies through greater visibility and control of their global equipment fleet,” said Marc Eisenberg, ORBCOMM’s Chief Executive Officer. “ORBCOMM has clearly established our leadership position in heavy equipment telematics, and we look forward to offering our customers significant benefits, such as improved network performance and coverage, through our new OG2 satellite constellation, which we expect to complete launching this summer.”

About ORBCOMM Inc.
ORBCOMM is a global provider of Machine-to-Machine (M2M) solutions. Its customers include Caterpillar Inc., Doosan Infracore America, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Hyundai Heavy Industries, I.D. Systems, Inc., Komatsu Ltd., Cartrack (Pty.) Ltd., and Volvo Construction Equipment, among other industry leaders.

By means of a global network of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites and accompanying ground infrastructure as well as our Tier One cellular partners, ORBCOMM’s low-cost and reliable two-way data communication services track, monitor and control mobile and fixed assets in our core markets: commercial transportation; heavy equipment; industrial fixed assets; marine; and homeland security.

ORBCOMM is also a leading provider of tracking, monitoring and control services for the transportation market. Under its ReeferTrak®, GenTrakTM, GlobalTrak®, and CargoWatch® brands, the company provides customers with the ability to proactively monitor, manage and remotely control their cold chain and dry transport assets. Additionally, ORBCOMM provides Automatic Identification System (AIS) data services for vessel tracking and to improve maritime safety to government and commercial customers worldwide. ORBCOMM is headquartered in Rochelle Park, New Jersey. For more information, visit www.orbcomm.com.