The current issue of the FutureTrak Times!!;
Inside This Issue
2 A Message from the President
3 Market Bits
4 Sales Corner
4 Technical Tips
FutureTrak Times
Volume 1 Issue 2 December 1997
BERNIE LITTLE CES
FutureTrak forms new alliance with Bernie Little of Miss Budweiser
FutureTrak has announced a new alliance with Mr. Bernie Little, owner of the Miss Budweiser Racing Team for 35 years, the world's most successful unlimited hydroplane racing team. FutureTrak will be joining Bernie at several promotional events throughout the year.
The FutureTrak Space Scanner was on display at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show aboard "The Starship", also owned by Bernie Little. The 143 foot yacht is the epitome of a floating resort having all the "toys" for both novices and experienced water sports enthusiasts. Along with the several water sport vehicles, a helicopter is kept on the stately bridge for fun and adventure. "The Starship" was the host of Good Morning America's crew as they did several location shots of the Boat Show, including an aerial view from the helicopter.
FutureTrak's relationship with Bernie Little and the Miss Budweiser Racing Team is an exciting combination to "track".
Note from the Editor...
Looking back on an extremely successful and fulfilling 1997, I can only dream of what 1998 will bring for us all. On behalf of FutureTrak International, Inc., I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone happy holidays and a successful and flourishing new year.
FutureTrak to have 20 x 20 display at CES show;
FutureTrak International, Inc. will have a 20' x 20' display at the 1998 International Consumer Electronics Show January 8 - 11 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show is in four locations throughout Las Vegas, including the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Sands Expo & Convention Center, Alexis Park and the Las Vegas Hilton. FutureTrak will be in the Las Vegas Convention Center in booth number 767.
Over 95,000 attendees are expected with more than 2,000 exhibitors. Many manufacturers and distributors will be debuting exciting new electronic products at this show.
A Message from the President
From the Desk of Steve Remondini
"This has been an exciting 1997. FutureTrak is very close to being a "break-even" company within its first 6 months of being a public corporation.
We have several goals for 1998 including manufacturing agreements with many Fortune 100 companies. By the first quarter of 1998, FutureTrak products will be manufactured here in the United States. The final design and proto-type for the underway tracking Space Scanner will be completed by the end of the first quarter. We also plan to have the final version of the Micro Planar flat array antenna at the CES show in January."
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM FUTURETRAK
FutureTrak Media Schedule
Recently, FutureTrak was mentioned in the following publications. For more information, or copies call the marketing department - 888-752-3474.
South Florida Business Journal September 19, 1997
Underwater Magazine New Product Roundup - Fall 1997 - Page 85
DBS Dish Web Site dbsdish.com - November 18, 1997
Yachting Electronics '98 - December 1997 - Page 64
HAVE YOU SEEN FUTURETRAK LATELY? LET US KNOW WHEN YOU SEE US IN A PUBLICATION, WE APPRECIATE THE FEEDBACK!
DON'T FORGET TO VISIT US ON THE WEB!!
futuretrak.com
Market Bits...
DIRECTV (R) Activates Three Millionth Subscriber; Milestone Achieved in 3 Years of Service
November 5, 1997 From: PRNewswire
DIRECTV (R) announced that earlier this week it activated its 3 millionth subscriber - a first for the DBS industry, DIRECTV, with more than 175 channels of digitally delivered programming, is now seen in one of every 33 television households in the United States. DIRECTV has activated one million subscribers per year since it began offering service nationwide in the fall of 1994.
AlphaStar Revived by Connecticut Company
December 1, 1997 From: SkyReport
U.S.-based operations for digital home satellite service AlphaStar, which filed for bankruptcy last August, will be revived by Connecticut-based Champion Holding. The company said that the U.S. bankruptcy Court in Delaware overseeing the AlphaStar proceeding had "approved the sale of substantially all of the assets of AlphaStar Television Network and its affiliate, Tee-Comm Distribution to Champion and selective assets of Tee-Comm Electronics Canada." The transaction will close in mid-December, according to the company, and that it "will be able to recommence operation, although the format and programming is still under consideration." The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association had pegged 60 % of AlphaStar's 51,000 customers in areas outside the continental United States, mainly in the Caribbean and Canada. Its president Mahmoud Wahba owns and operates several businesses in and outside of the United States. He began by purchasing an oil distribution company in 1983.
DISH Network Adds One Millionth Customer; Doubles Market Share in First Full Year of Service
December 16, 1997 From: Business Wire
EchoStar Communications Corporation today announced that DISH Network has activated its one millionth customer. For the 12 month period following EchoStar's first satellite launch, the DISH Network added more subscribers than any of its DTH competitors added in their first year. With the addition of 650,000 customers to date in 1997, DISH Network has doubled its market share from 17% of all subscribers added during 1996 to 35% in 1997, its first full year of service.
FutureTrak International, Inc.'s Space Scanner was well received at the largest Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show ever...
Pompano Beach, FL, November 1997: FutureTrak International, Inc.'s Space Scanner„ tracking system, for DBS Satellite TV on boats and RV's, experienced an enormous response at the Thirty-Eighth Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The show had the greatest attendance to date, experiencing a 25% increase. This boat show is the largest in the world and had an economic impact in the Broward County Community of over $250 Million. In addition to over 1,500 exhibiting companies, over 1,300 boats were on display.
The Space Scanner tracking system was seen by attendees at several locations throughout the show. As well as FutureTrak's "hi-tech" booth at the Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, several dealers were exhibiting the Space Scanner system at other locations. One FutureTrak dealer, Sea Technology Company based in Riviera Beach, FL, was the only live satellite feed that did not lose its signal during a sudden rain storm. The Space Scanner was also displayed aboard the "Starship" yacht owned by Bernie Little, who is the owner of the Miss Budweiser Racing Team. Having the Space Scanner displayed on this yacht resulted in a large number of inquiries.
FutureTrak's Distributor, Satellite Technology, Inc. (STI), also reported six new South Florida dealers joining the STI family. Additionally, SR Communications, the largest Primestar distributor on the West Coast of Florida, has committed to sell over 100 Space Scanner units per month and purchased its first 22 at the show. Satellite Technology also made over 400 individual quotes for installation during the show.
Sales Corner...
Distribution & Sales Continue to Grow
Dan Dyack, President of Satellite Technology, Inc. (STI) of Palm Beach Florida, continues to have great success at boat shows across the state. STI has committed to several more shows for 1998, as they are a great forum for signing new dealers and promoting industry awareness. STI originally started as FutureTrak's Exclusive South Florida Distributor, but after increased sales and interest, FutureTrak has expanded their territory to include the entire state of Florida.
Pacific Coast Satellite of Surrey BC, has recently become FutureTrak's West Coast Distributor, concentrating on the Pacific Northwest throughout Oregon, Washington, and the Van Couver area.
Our sales team is currently meeting with several national distributors to discuss their role in promoting the FutureTrak product throughout the rest of the country.
Programming for the Star Choice satellite in Canada has recently been completed, giving them a comprehensive product to distribute among their already extensive network of dealers. With the upcoming Canadian boat show season, Star Choice sales of the Space Scanner are expected to break records.
Reggie Soileau joins the FutureTrak team
FutureTrak is proud to welcome Reggie Soileau (pronounced swallow, like the bird) as their new Sales/Marketing Manager. Reggie comes to FutureTrak with over 13 years experience in the satellite industry. His most recent experience comes from Alpha Star Network/Tee-Comm Distribution. There he received top honors and exceeded all sales expectations. Reggie is well known in the satellite community as honest, friendly, with a high degree of integrity.
Reggie will be concentrating on Channel Partner development and Private Label Contracts at FutureTrak. He has already confirmed several important meetings with industry leaders at the CES show in
Las Vegas January 8 - 11.
Originally from Louisiana, Reggie brings a unique brand of Cajun personality and humor to the team. FutureTrak looks forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Reggie.
Welcome aboard Reggie!
Upcoming Events:
FutureTrak will be participating in the following industry show:
1998 International Consumer Electronics ShowJanuary 8 - 11, 1998 Las Vegas, NV
Technical Tips
Having trouble acquiring the Satellite signal? Here are two very important steps to remember when your location changes or if the Space Scanner is locking onto false signals.
Clearing the Space Scanner memory:
1. CLEAR SYSTEM SETTINGS:
ú Press "PROGRAM" - LED indicates "PR"
ú Press "PROGRAM" again and hold until LED flashes "CL", "CO"
ú The Scanner will now perform its clearing sequence and stop in the forward ready position.
2. SETTING SPACE SCANNER SENSITIVITY
ú Press "PROGRAM" then press the "UP" arrow to select sensitivity (L1, L2, L3 are the choices, with L3 being the most sensitive). Try setting at L2 first, then press "PROGRAM" again to store.
ú Press "MANUAL" to return to "ON"
ú Choose SAT and SCAN
Technical Tips are brought to you by our Distribution Manager, Mr. John Remondini. |
