Navman Gets The Message

Media Release

17 August 2005

Navman Gets The Message

Navman's designers have linked two of the company's most successful GPS technologies to come up with Navman's first in-car navigation system combined with 2-way messaging capabilities.

The M-Nav seamlessly integrates dispatch styled cellular messaging of Fleet Manager service with Navman's highly successful iCN range (in car navigator).

With over 90% of all delivery or service calls being made within 80km of base, one of the elusive challenges for business with new drivers or constantly changing delivery points, is getting a mobile work force to the right place the first time.

According to Navman Wireless Data Group National Sales Manager Ian Daniels, the development came from customers needs to add a "guide me" capability to the already successful "locate and dispatch" functionality provided by Navman Wireless' fleet tracking and messaging products.

"Initial market reaction to the concept is very positive, and we see it adding real value, particularly in the service sector and also where new or experienced drivers have to come to grips quickly with unfamiliar destinations on a daily basis," he says.

"As well as full voice based turn by turn GPS navigation. M-Nav can also decipher a location-specific message sent embedded from the client's desktop application, by interpreting a simple right mouse click on the map as a pinpoint for the M-Nav unit to route the driver there.

"Mapping it out, we believe it will cut unnecessary mileage and negate the problems of unfamiliar routes for drivers. Drivers will be able to have all their jobs for the day set up (either by themselves, or via the client's desktop application) and use a multi-stop functionality to plan the best route to their jobs all day."

Adding messaging capabilities allows for receiving information on jobs, instructions, traffic and billing. It means more efficiency in actually carrying out the job and is more cost effective to send text data over the mobile network as opposed to making phone calls.

M-Nav was launched in New Zealand last month and will be introduced in the Australian market during August.

ENDS

About Navman

Navman is a recognised world leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of high reliability GPS products for the marine, personal GPS, fleet management and OEM markets. The company employs around over 600 people world-wide, has its head office in NZ and is part of US-based Brunswick New Technologies. www.navman.com

Q: Is the M-Nav technology the first in NZ?

A: Yes Navman Wireless is the first and only vehicle tracking company to be able to offer this solution in the NZ market.

Q: How does the M-Nav work exactly?

A: The M-Nav is a navigation and two-way text messaging terminal able to receive and send messages, as well as route users to a location. It uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to pinpoint the vehicles location and route the vehicle to its next destination.

An office based dispatcher selects a street on the map they want to route the driver/s to. A message box with the street name appears and extra text (e.g. job description) can be added to the message before sending it. The message can be sent to one or more vehicles. The M-Nav receives the message and the embedded location. The driver selects the 'Read' message button and the complete message appears on screen. If the driver wishes to accept the job, they select the 'Accept & Go' button, which sends a message to the client's desktop PC saying 'Accepted'. The M-Nav now routes the vehicle turn by turn via the shortest route to the destination and provides full voice based navigating instructions with a colourful 3D map.

Q: What makes the M-Nav different from other products?

A: This is a messaging and navigation terminal. Navman were able to combine two completely different products we manufactured to create one product that the Fleet Manager solution was able to include.

Q: Is this the start of a new suite of products?

A: Yes, the M-Nav is a first in a suite of products as Navman continues to research and develop the technology to include more features and functions to meet the requirements of our customers.

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