Leading Midwest Damage Prevention Company Chooses Nexterna's Wireless Data Solutions to Improve Productivity

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Wireless Developer Network - Daily News

Leading Midwest Damage Prevention Company Chooses Nexterna's Wireless Data Solutions to Improve Productivity

URL(s): www.nexterna.com

OMAHA, Neb., April 18, 2001-- Integrated software, hardware and ASP services expected to increase productivity of mobile workers and fleets, speed service time

Nexterna Inc., announced it has signed an agreement to provide Nexterna GoWare(TM), including software, wireless middleware, hardware, professional and support services, and application hosting services, for the mobile workers and service fleet of more than 400 vehicles operated by Great Plains Locating Service Inc. (GPLS).

A pilot implementation of 40 trucks has been successfully completed.

GPLS is a one-call utility locating and damage prevention service company that serves a 12,000-mile-radius area spanning seven states in the Midwest. GPLS provides a critical and time-sensitive locating function to prevent damage to underground facilities of utilities and private firms.

"Nexterna's wireless data communications and location tracking systems help us to offer our clients a better value by utilizing our resources more effectively," said Todd Foje, president of GPLS. "We have been able to respond to emergency service calls more efficiently and we've experienced increased productivity."

The Nexterna GoWare solution will give GPLS mobile technicians and its central dispatch personnel new capabilities such as two-way data communications and vehicle tracking information. Ruggedized NT-based computers mounted in each fleet vehicle are used to deploy the Nexterna GoWare suite of applications that enable wireless mobile computing. GPLS's Nexterna GoWare solution includes wireless middleware that provides continuous coverage using least-cost routing, real-time GPS tracking information that documents vehicle utilization and location, and two-way messaging.

"The Nexterna GoWare product suite is designed for companies with medium to large fleets that need to manage mobile workers and vehicles in the field service industries," said Mike Hedge, senior vice president of Sales and Marketing for Nexterna. "The productivity gains our customers have achieved after implementing Nexterna's software are exciting. We are pleased to work with a forward-looking company like GPLS that is embracing technology to revolutionize their business."

The Nexterna GoWare solution implemented at GPLS includes the following:

OptiPath(TM) connects multiple applications over multiple wireless networks, concurrently. This middleware product is messaging software that selects the best path according to cost, availability, and message priority, finding the most cost-effective wireless network for each message. OptiPath provides for continuous wireless coverage.

OptiTrac(TM) is an advanced mobile resource management tool that allows GPLS to gather detailed information about the location, utilization and operation of each service truck. It integrates GPS and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies with wireless data communication technology to track and monitor vehicle data, which is captured and transmitted via Nexterna's equipment. Real-time and historical information is presented in graphical maps and reports accessible via the Web.

OptiMessage(TM) is a two-way text messaging application that provides data communications between mobile technicians and the central office. This application is web-enabled and allows universal access. Not only does it work across the laptop platform, but it can migrate to other devices such as a personal digital assistant (PDA).

In addition, Nexterna will host and monitor the applications for GPLS, including providing 24-hour, seven-day support. The application service provider (ASP) model lowers up-front capital investment and IT staffing needs.

Nexterna Inc., based in Omaha, Neb., has more than a decade of experience in connecting customers to mobile resources - their people, data, and vehicles, anywhere. Nexterna pioneered Mobile Resource Management (MRM) systems that include a suite of software products with in-vehicle technologies to help companies wirelessly extend the power and capabilities of information systems to mobile workers. The results are more effective resource utilization and better decision support data, directly impacting the bottom line of its customer companies. GE Transportation Systems and GE Harris Railway Technologies LLC selected Nexterna as their exclusive provider of specific advanced product and service offerings for the locomotive market in North America. The company currently serves clients in the field service, transportation and rail industries across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Nexterna is a part of Fenix, a technology holding company formed by Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). For more information, visit www.nexterna.com.

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