SOURCE: Xora

December 08, 2008 12:58 ET

Xora and AT&T Deliver Savings to Business Customers With New In-Vehicle GPS Solution for Managing Mobile Assets

Software-as-a-Service Application Helps Lower Fuel Cost and Improve Productivity

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA--(Marketwire - December 8, 2008) - Xora, the market and technology leader in on-demand location-based mobile resource management, today announced the availability of GPS TimeTrack In-Vehicle, a new Software-as-a-Service application that combines hardware and software to help AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) enterprise customers lower fuel costs and improve the productivity of field operations. By offering Xora GPS TimeTrack In-Vehicle on an AT&T bill for software, hardware, mobility applications consulting and deployment, AT&T, Xora, and their partners are reducing time-to-value, providing enterprise-grade solutions for businesses and government agencies of all sizes.

GPS TimeTrack In-Vehicle, which can be used alone or with the award-winning mobile phone-based Xora GPS TimeTrack solution, leverages professionally installed GPS modems to provide businesses with up-to-the-minute location, speed and stop information for vehicles and other mobile assets. AT&T customers can track field personnel and activities from a single password-protected website.

Businesses with mobile workers and mobile assets typically do not have visibility into the locations of their drivers or the status of their deliveries. It is therefore difficult to provide accurate ETAs to customers, dispatch a vehicle closest to a customer requirement, or gain control of miles driven and fuel costs. With GPS TimeTrack In-Vehicle, managers have Web-based access to real-time vehicle and mobile asset locations, so drivers can be routed more effectively. Managers also can be notified via email or text message as important events occur, such as when a vehicle is speeding or has been stopped too long, or if a vehicle has crossed a designated geographic area. Engine idling alerts can help businesses reduce fuel consumption, engine wear and tear and avoid fines while making them environmentally responsible citizens. By monitoring these activities, businesses can better utilize mobile resources, reduce fuel consumption, improve productivity, and lower operational costs.

"GPS TimeTrack In-Vehicle will help our business customers save money and be more productive -- both of which are crucial in this tough economy," said Igor Glubochansky, Director, Industry Solutions, AT&T Business Solutions. "Because installing the GPS modems and activating the Xora service is quick and easy, customers can begin realizing the time and cost savings almost immediately. In addition to the obvious bottom-line savings to AT&T customers, organizations utilizing GPS TimeTrack In-Vehicle from AT&T can also benefit from improved vehicle monitoring, utilization and security."

"GPS TimeTrack In-Vehicle is easy to use, inexpensive and invaluable as a tool for lowering costs and improving the productivity of field operations," said Ananth Rani, senior vice president, products and services, Xora. "Businesses that rely on mobile resources spend an inordinate amount of time tracking and managing their activities. GPS TimeTrack for the mobile phone and GPS TimeTrack In-Vehicle make managing field operations easier, so businesses can spend less time thinking about the location and activities of their people and trucks, and more time focusing on customers."

GPS TimeTrack In-Vehicle Features

--  Location tracking via Google Maps API Premier lets companies use the
    familiar Google Maps interface to view locations of their mobile assets.
    With an international roaming enabled AT&T data plan, Google Maps also
    allows mobile assets to be seamlessly tracked as they cross the border into
    Mexico or Canada.
--  Geo-fencing enables companies to track movement in and out of
    designated areas.
--  Alerts for speeding, stops, engine idling, and geo-fence breaks
    provided unexpected business intelligence updates.
--  Store and forward support helps ensure that data is not lost when
    vehicles travel out of wireless coverage.
--  Detailed mileage and breadcrumb reports help companies measure driver
    and vehicle productivity.
--  A single Web interface lets users view data from In-Vehicle GPS modems
    and GPS-enabled handsets.
--  Monitoring of up to four digital switches (e.g.: door open, lights
    on/off) helps prevent against excess vehicle maintenance.
    

Xora GPS TimeTrack handset edition is currently available via wireless download for the BlackBerry® Bold™, BlackBerry 8800, BlackBerry 8820, BlackBerry Pearl™ 8110 and BlackBerry Curve™ 8310 handsets, as well as the AT&T Tilt™, BlackJack™ II and MOTO Q™ 9h global smartphones, which use the largest wireless data network in the U.S. Xora GPS TimeTrack solutions are used by tens of thousands of mobile workers in the U.S. and Australia. Xora was recognized for excellence in mobile workforce management by research firm Frost & Sullivan.

Pricing and Availability

Xora GPS TimeTrack In-Vehicle service is $21.99/month per unit with a $25.00/unit activation fee. The hardware costs an additional $399.00/unit, which includes standard installation and a one-year warranty; sensor installation is extra. An appropriate AT&T data plan and activation fee are required. For more information regarding Xora GPS TimeTrack In-Vehicle, call 866-9ATT-B2B (866-928-8222) or visit www.att.com/fleet.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine's World's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list and No. 1 on America's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.

© 2008 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.

About Xora

Xora is a global provider of on-demand mobile resource management solutions that enable businesses to easily locate and manage mobile workers, vehicles and assets. Founded in 1999, Xora has raised more than $11 million in venture capital and is privately funded; the lead investor is Dawntreader Ventures. Xora partners include AT&T, Sprint, Telstra, Google, Motorola, RIM, Garmin, Oracle and Sun. For more information on Xora, visit http://www.xora.com.