Qualcomm Announces Availability of ETA and Out of Route Software Product for OmniTRACS® Customers

Qualcomm Incorporated announces the availability of its new OnTRACS™/400 ETA/OoR (Estimated Time of Arrival/Out of Route) Tracking System, a powerful new software tool for use with the Company's OmniTRACS mobile communications software system.

This real-time, exception-based monitoring and alert system, which has initially been developed for the IBM® AS/400 platform, is scheduled for release in April and will be introduced to the trucking industry at the Interstate Truck Carriers Conference in Las Vegas this week. It is designed to provide more accurate ETAs, allowing for a pro-active response to potential late arrivals, and to help reduce out-of-route miles.

The OnTRACS software uses ALK Associates' PC*MILER®, one of the most highly regarded routing and mileage software products in the industry. ALK was selected by Qualcomm because the company was the first to be able to place a latitude/longitude coordinate directly on a routing and mileage network, a capability that was deemed critical to the product.

"On-time service is the most critical measurement of a motor carrier's performance, so the importance of monitoring ETAs cannot be overstated," said Tom Doyle, director of OmniTRACS Marketing for Qualcomm. "From a cost standpoint, the OnTRACS system is a powerful tool with the potential to provide our customers with immediate and substantial paybacks. Just one half percent (0.5%) reduction in out-of-route mileage for a carrier with 100 trucks can translate into an annual savings of up to $25,000 (assuming 100,000 annual miles per truck and $0.50 in variable operating costs per mile)."

The OnTRACS system is one of the many highly integrated business solutions being developed by Qualcomm today. In a continuous process, the OnTRACS software extracts key information from dispatch software and sends it, along with each OmniTRACS position report, to ALK's PC*MILER software residing on a side-engine processor. This side-engine processor then determines the appropriate route of travel, plots vehicle positions, updates ETAs and returns information to the host platform for easy viewing. The accuracy of the product is enhanced by considering driver hours of service, stops and via points, specified routes and established speed limits.

"Mobile communications is the most significant trend in the trucking industry, and ALK, with its ownership of routing and mapping software, is uniquely positioned to play an integral part of this activity," said Andrew Gomory, director of product development at ALK. "Our synergistic relationship with Qualcomm allows us to further expand our efforts as a 'transportation software solutions provider' to give companies the tools they need to leverage their investments in mobile communications."

Qualcomm's family of OmniTRACS products include the OmniTRACS mobile communications and position reporting system; value-added applications to enhance business systems; and the OmniLogistech™ information systems. Qualcomm has sold more than 145,000 OmniTRACS units worldwide, with systems operating in the United States, Canada, Europe, Brazil, Mexico, Japan and Malaysia.

ALK Associates, Inc. is a pioneer in developing computer software and decision support systems for the transportation and logistics industry. ALK's clients include more than 7,500 motor carriers, shippers, railroads and ocean carriers. Founded in 1979 and based in Princeton, N.J., ALK is one of North America's largest technology development companies serving the world's logistics needs.

Headquartered in San Diego, Qualcomm develops, manufactures, markets, licenses and operates advanced communications systems and products based on its proprietary digital wireless technologies. The company's primary product areas include the OmniTRACS system (a geostationary satellite-based mobile communications system providing two-way data and position reporting services), CDMA wireless communications systems and products and, in conjunction with others, the development of the Globalstar™ low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite communications system. Other company products include the Eudora Pro™ electronic mail software, VLSI components, and communications equipment and systems for government and commercial customers worldwide.

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