Monday, February 11, 2008
Artilium Acquires Location-Based Software Innovator Trisent Communications
More accurate than Google, up to 25 times cheaper than GPS, Trisent Software with Artilium’s Platform Enables Operators to Monetize Location-Aware Services
London, UK and Barcelona, Spain – 11 February 2008 – Artilium plc (LSE/AIM: ARTA), a European leader in advanced telecommunications software is pleased to announce the acquisition of Trisent Communications, a specialist in Location-Based Services (LBS) technology that enables mobile network operators to deliver services to subscribing customers based on the geographic location of their mobile phone.
Trisent’s technology complements Artilium’s ARTA Service Delivery Platform to allow operators to rate, charge and deliver an array of intelligent differentiated services combining location, presence (Ie, availability), commerce and social networks, among other criteria. Applications include resource tracking i.e. taxis, fleet scheduling; business directory, weather, traffic; and proximity-based notification i.e. targeted advertising, buddy list, profile matching (dating).
“Mobile presence is the most innovative revenue generating opportunity for network operators today. By combining location with presence and status consumers can see the availability of the people they want to reach, mobile network operators can provide contextually aware services, and brands can better personalize mobile experiences,” said Robert Marcus, CEO of Artilium. “Add commerce to the mix and the vision and monetization of location-based services is truly realized.”
According to research from Gartner Group, the total number of subscriptions to Location-Based Services in Western Europe, North America, Asia / Pacific and Japan is expected to grow from 7m in 2006 to 298m in 2011.* According to Strategy Analytics, in North America alone, end-user spending on location-aware mobile services is expected to grow from $110m end of 2006 to $2.2bn by end of 2011.**
Trisent currently has a licensing agreement with Max Telecom, a fixed and wireless telecommunications operator in Bulgaria. The Trisent technology is being used for workforce management and fleet tracking at present and will expand to offer mobile customers location-aware services including personal security, lone worker protection and services industry employee deployment.
“In our initial roll-out of Trisent technology in the business-to-business market, we’ve realized a cost savings of up to 25 times compared with GPS fleet tracking equivalents,” stated Krassimir Stoitcheff, CEO of Max Telecom. “We’re very pleased with the Trisent technology and have hugely satisfied customers using the technology. We are excited about the opportunities for future services, revenues and growth ahead.”
“Although many players are in the location-based services space, Trisent’s technology is definitely unique in providing a low-cost software-only solution to determine continuous location. Google’s My Location provides spot location presented on the phone as a map, whereas Trisent offers a sophisticated alternative with automatic continuous location,” said Professor Stephen McLaughlin, University of Edinburgh.
The Trisent technology, the Tri-Cell Intelligent Location System, offers real-time tracking service like GPS (Global Positioning System), but does not use satellites or require equipment to be installed on the network. The technology works by using standard phone handsets and offers several advantages over GPS, including significant cost savings, lower battery requirements, increased indoor coverage (an advantage for social networking) and ‘always on’ status (GPS can be turned off).
Based in Dunfermline, Scotland, Trisent was founded by Gordon Povey PhD, inventor of the Tri-Cell Intelligent Location System. Previously, Dr. Povey was a founder and managing director of Elektrobit (UK) Ltd., a subsidiary of Elektrobit Corporation based in Finland. There are currently two patents filed for the Trisent technology.
About Artilium:
Artilium develops software in the heart of the telecoms network. ARTA, the company’s IMS-compliant service delivery platform, first converges and then intelligently controls networks to enable fast, efficient deployment and monetization of innovative, differentiated mobile unified communications solutions for operators.
Founded in 1995 and recognised for its engineering talent and unique combination of IT and telecom expertise, Artilium has completed more than 40 installations serving tens of millions of end-users in 11 countries. The company is a Microsoft Gold-Certified Partner. Artilium plc is a publicly listed company on AIM: the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange (LSE/AIM: ARTA). For more information, please visit: www.artilium.com
About Trisent
Trisent Communications Limited creates software products that enable mobile network operators to deliver services to subscribing customers based on the geographic location of their mobile phone or device connected to the cellular network.
Trisent has created unique software technology that provides automatic continuous location monitoring and requires no specialist equipment or modifications to the mobile phone or the network equipment. The Tri-Cell Intelligent Location System offers a low-cost alternative to satellite GPS and creates a platform on which mobile network operators can provide a range of location-aware services to business customers and consumers. The company obtained investment capital from Sigma Technology Group plc to bring the product to market.
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Contact:
Artilium at Mobile World Congress: with Dialogic on Level 1 of Hall 2 - 2.1 B81; and in the Mobile Innovation Zone in Hall 7, Stand IZ23.
info@artilium.com
www.artilium.com
*Gartner Group Dataquest Insight: Location- Based Services Subscriber and Revenue Forecast, 2006-2011 29 January 2008
** Strategy Analytics: North America Consumer Location Based Services (LBS) Forecast. 3 August 2007