@Road Selects Sierra Wireless For High-Speed Data Communications

Vancouver, BC - Sierra Wireless recently announced that @Road, a Trimble Company and leading provider of end-to-end solutions for Mobile Resource Management (MRM), has selected the Sierra Wireless MC8775 embedded module for integration into the @Road's High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) solutions for MRM.

Designed for high-speed, high-capacity wireless data solutions supporting (3G) HSDPA wireless network standards, the Sierra Wireless MC8775 PCI Express Mini Card, which offers peak download data rates of 3.6 Mbps, is compatible with three HSDPA/UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) frequency bands (850, 1900, 2100 MHz) and four EDGE/GPRS bands (850, 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz) used worldwide – allowing seamless global roaming on the best available network.

With greater data transfer speeds, @Road HSDPA-based wireless communication solutions for MRM can help provide businesses with greater real-time visibility into vehicle status, as well as the locations of mobile workers and their work in the field. Field service technicians, drivers and other mobile workers in the field can also benefit from @Road HSDPA solutions for MRM by having high-speed, on-demand wireless connectivity to back-office enterprise applications. For instance, remote tasks such as opening and updating work orders, accessing e-mail, viewing customer records or large email attachments, updating inventory, placing orders or reviewing upcoming assignments can be accomplished quickly with broadband connectivity at the point of customer contact.

"We are excited to work with @Road and support their efforts to move to a high-speed HSDPA wireless product," said Mike Ardelan, vice president, Worldwide OEM Sales for Sierra Wireless. "Today it is mission-critical that fleet managers have enough real-time data and visibility to optimize fleet productivity and at the same time drive-down fuel and other operating costs while improving customer service."

General availability of an @Road HSDPA solution for MRM is expected in the fourth quarter of this year. @Road also offers customers an in-vehicle solution for MRM that features the Sierra Wireless MC5725 data communication module for high-speed EVDO Revision A wireless networks. Sierra Wireless embedded modules are designed to meet PCI Express Mini Card standards, providing OEM customers the flexibility to support different wireless technologies with a single platform design.

"Today's businesses want to equip mobile workers with secure, high-speed access to critical back-end enterprise information from inventory systems to email and from order-entry systems to training videos," said Ken Colby, @Road president and general manager. "The advanced Sierra Wireless HSDPA module can also enable @Road to deliver this important capability through innovative next-generation @Road MRM solutions. We look forward to bringing this important next-generation wireless capability to our customers worldwide."

For more information about the Sierra Wireless MC8775 PCI Express Mini Card, please visit http://www.sierrawireless.com/product/mc8775.aspx .

SOURCE: Sierra Wireless