INSTEP AND BC TEL MOBILITY JOIN FORCES TO TEST MARKET A NEW SERVICE;
WIRELESS INTERNET AND SMARTPHONES COULD REVOLUTIONIZE MOBILE
WORKER OPERATIONS
VANCOUVER, March 17 /CNW/ - InStep Mobile Communications in collaboration
with BC TEL Mobility, Mitsubishi Wireless Communications Inc, and Samsung
Telecommunications have entered into a ''proof of concept'' trial of an
innovative Wireless Internet Dispatching solution. This new bundled service
is being offered to a select group of pilot customers in the Vancouver area on
a limited trial basis. Should the trial prove successful, BC TEL Mobility and
InStep will launch the service on a commercial basis.
Putting Advanced Services Within Reach
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''Over the last decade, wireless data dispatch systems have been adopted
by large corporations such as IBM, Federal Express and United Parcel Service
as a way to improve the way they manage and support their mobile workers,''
said Thomas Touhey, President of InStep. ''System implementation up to now
has been complicated and expensive, so adoption of the technology has been
limited to larger companies. But with the development of an Internet based
Dispatch Service, small and medium companies can now take advantage of the
significant operational benefits of wireless data without the large capital
outlay.''
Using Internet Dispatch, company dispatchers are able to enter
information into a computer and, using the Internet and BC TEL Mobility's
Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) network, send that information directly to
mobile workers in the field. The information is received on a mobile worker's
cellular Smartphone, where it is displayed on the phone's screen. Not only can
the mobile worker receive data, they can send status and retrieve information
regarding their jobs via the Smartphone. A Smartphone integrates the
functions of a regular cellular phone with the ability to send and receive
data. Just as cellular phones revolutionized voice communication for mobile
workers, Smartphones promise to revolutionize data communications as well.
''Using the power of the Internet and new, data-ready ''Smartphones,'' BC
TEL Mobility will be able to provide the full range of features of an
automated dispatch system to its customers at a low, predictable cost,' said
Greg Cooke-Dallin, Business Development Manager for BC TEL Mobility. ''We're
hopeful that our upcoming trial of this service will prove this concept and
enable us to offer service to the hundreds of B.C. companies that require
improved communications and information access with their mobile workers.''
Other partners in the Internet Dispatch trial include Smartphone
providers Mitsubishi Wireless Communications Inc. and Samsung
Telecommunications.
Founded in 1991, InStep Mobile Communications Inc develops real time
wireless dispatch solutions for taxi, paratransit, messenger and courier
applications around the world with installations in Canada, the US, Europe,
Mexico, and Asia. Instep's family of products include: TaxiCAD, CourierCAD
and eDispatch wireless data dispatch and resource management systems.
www.instepmobile.com
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BC TEL Mobility offers the full spectrum of wireless communications in
the province from Digital PCS and wireless data to cellular and satellite
service. The company has over half a million wireless customers in British
Columbia.
www.bctm.com
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The Personal Mobile Communications (PMC) Division, established by
Mitsubishi Wireless Communications, Inc. (MWCI), develops, manufactures and
markets wireless integrated voice/data telecommunications products and
advanced mobile communications applications and services. The PMC Division
licensed application infrastructure technology from Unwired Planet, enabling
users to access information on a company network or the Internet.
www.mobileaccessphone.com
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For further information: Media Inquiries: John Mitchell, Director,
Business Development, InStep Mobile Communications (604) 320-2108 or Richard
Ostler, Media/Public Affairs Manager, BC TEL Mobility (604) 268-2638 or Joy
Maguire, Senior Manager, Mitsubishi Wireless Communications, INC.
(408) 523-6872 |
