It's an exciting month for Air-Trak! The long-awaited expansion of our tracking platforms is here, with beta testing now underway and full commercial release coming in a few weeks.

Two important announcements are being made today: first, Air-Trak location tracking for a broad range of Microsoft Windows devices, and second, Air-Trak's partnership with AirLink, bringing leading-edge broadband communications and tracking to our In-Vehicle lineup.

These announcements reaffirm our commitment to offering the widest range of platforms, with maximum flexibility and choice for our users. Please read on for more details.

— Greg White

The simple combination of Microsoft Windows, a GPS receiver, Internet access and Air-Trak service can now transform your mobile computing platform into an enterprise-class tracking solution.

Tracking of Windows XP laptops — Launching now!

Is your organization planning a field deployment of GPS-enabled laptops? Do you need a cost-effective way to acquire and analyze location tracking data for these units? Air-Trak makes it easy, by transforming your Windows laptop into a fully functional tracking platform.

The Air-Trak® on Windows platform uses your laptop's internal or external GPS receiver and any type of Internet access (cellular modem, Wi-Fi and/or physical connection) to deliver location tracking data to your Air-Trak account. And it's no problem to combine this with our Phone, BlackBerry and In-Vehicle platforms in your Air-Trak account - giving you the choice and flexibility you need for all of your mobile workers.

Launch status: Now accepting requests to participate in the beta test program.

Learn more about Air-Trak® on Windows

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Tracking of Windows Mobile 5.0 devices — Coming in March

In addition to our new platform for Windows laptops, Air-Trak has developed a solution for Windows Mobile 5.0 devices, offering Air-Trak customers a much broader choice of tracking devices and extending Air-Trak's industry-leading technology to a large new class of users.

If you're deploying field workforce solutions with GPS-enabled, Windows Mobile 5.0 devices (from Intermec, Symbol and others), you can take advantage of enterprise-class tracking services quickly and easily. Just load Air-Trak software and activate your Air-Trak account. Want to use your Windows Mobile 5.0 smartphone as a tracking solution? Just add a Bluetooth GPS receiver, data plan, and Air-Trak software to complete the solution.

Launch status: Now accepting demo requests. Windows Mobile 5.0 beta test program starts in March.

Air-Trak teams with AirLink for broadband in-vehicle communications and tracking

Air-Trak, Inc. is known for its powerful location and tracking solutions. AirLink Communications is renowned for intelligent, mobile data products offering broadband speeds and rugged reliability. Now these companies have teamed up to deliver the best of both worlds - a high-speed, high-performance communications and tracking platform.

AirLink's Pinpoint E and Pinpoint X in-vehicle modems, powered by ALEOS™, AirLink's industry leading embedded operating system, provide an always-on wireless broadband data connection and an integrated GPS receiver. The Air-Trak system has been deeply integrated with ALEOS™ to provide the ideal solution for fleets requiring high-performance data communications and tracking.

These AirLink products are the first modems of their kind available for use with a CDMA EV-DO (Rev A) high-speed wireless network, opening up a world of new possibilities for mobile applications.

If you've been waiting for broadband communications and high-performance tracking - the solution is here. Find out more!

Launch status: Now accepting demo requests. PinPoint E and Pinpoint X beta test program starts in February.

Air-Trak's new Engine Idle Report has already highlighted some astounding findings for our clients. How can it help you save money? Read on!

Air-Trak® In-Vehicle units can now report on both Engine Hours and Idling Time, enabling fleet managers to monitor and reduce fuel consumption and maintenance expenditures.

"Engine Idle" time is defined as "engine on and vehicle not moving" (loitering). This report highlights idle events of two minutes or more, color codes idle loiters of greater than 10, 20 and 30 minutes, and summarizes total daily idle times.

Heavy-duty trucks consume about .7 gallons of fuel per hour at 800 RPM. In addition, unnecessary idling reduces the time between required maintenance events.

Do you know how much time your vehicles spend idling - and costing you money? Contact Air-Trak sales for an idling reduction ROI worksheet.

Idle time reporting is available in the Air-Trak® Enterprise Display, Version 7.0.9 and beyond. Please contact support@air-trak.com to download the latest version today.

Antennas are critical components of your tracking system. In addition to supplying GPS data to the in-vehicle tracking units, they transmit data back and forth between your vehicles and the Air-Trak system. Properly installing and maintaining your antennas is vitally important for good overall performance.

GPS antennas are designed to be mounted on flat surfaces. Installing a GPS antenna on top of the vehicle guarantees an unobstructed line of sight to the sky. Covert antennas, however, are designed to capture a GPS signal even when concealed under the dash. In either case, any metal framings or objects above the antenna will prevent the GPS signal from reaching it.

Protect the antenna wires against accidental cuts. Make sure cables aren't located in a joint, or rubbing against sharp edges. And remember that antenna whips are designed with pre-defined lengths. Broken, bended or missing whips can also affect the quality of GPS data.

In vehicles with other radio frequency sources, like ambulances, the antenna shouldn't be installed near radio transmitters, since certain frequencies can interfere with normal data reception and transmission.

Correct antenna installation and regular maintenance will not only increase the life of your hardware but also assure the best performance of your Air-Trak tracking system.

Attend an online webinar to see a live demonstration of the Air-Trak system.

February webinar events are now posted on our web site. Mark your calendar and take advantage of this opportunity to learn more.

If you've found Real-Time Visibility™ useful, please forward to a colleague!