SiGEM Inc., a leader in global wireless location and asset tracking, has announced the launch of ePiNG Emerald(TM), a mobile data terminal (MDT) that advances the integration of GPS and wireless technologies. Fleet managers can use ePiNG Emerald with ePiNG Enterprise(TM) to track vehicles via the GPS system and communicate with drivers on a screen that displays jobs and messages. When using ePiNG Emerald with ePiNG Enterprise or any fleet management system, managers will know exactly where each vehicle is and can automatically dispatch the vehicle that is closest to each call that comes in, according to Herb Woods, president and CEO of SiGEM. ePiNG Emerald features a compact design and can be installed near the driver, without interfering with airbag security systems, according to Woods. The large display and numeric keypad enables drivers to receive and send textual messages while they are in their vehicles. The product also includes three serial ports that allow for the addition of peripheral devices such as printers, credit card or smart card readers, and debit card pin pads. "With the introduction of ePiNG Emerald, SiGEM provides the most cost-effective integration of all the components of a mobile data terminal and a GPS receiver in one package," Woods said. "Because all of the components are made by SiGEM, we are able to offer ePiNG Emerald at a substantial cost saving compared to other MDTs on the market. This lower cost will enable a much larger number of fleet managers to obtain the proven benefits of GPS and data dispatch by putting MDTs into each of their vehicles -- we're already seeing a tremendous demand in the marketplace for this product." ePiNG Emerald and ePiNG Enterprise offer fleet managers a complete end-to-end solution for managing the traffic of taxis, limousines and transit vehicles, according to Woods. ePiNG Enterprise provides managers with a variety of features including automatic vehicle location using GPS technology and map displays for the most efficient fleet management; emergency tracking so that if there is a problem with one of the vehicles the manager is able to locate the vehicle and send help to a specific location; and back office features including billing, cash management and fleet maintenance systems. "With ePiNG Emerald and ePiNG Enterprise, managers have a much more efficient manner of getting jobs to drivers with the least amount of human intervention possible," Woods said. "The computer can automatically give the job to the nearest free vehicle and customers can be served much more quickly than in the past." ePiNG Emerald is 100 percent compatible with all of SiGEM's existing dispatch systems, according to Woods. This means that taxi fleet managers can install ePiNG Emerald, use it with the existing dispatch system, and upgrade to a GPS system at a later date. Currently, there are 29,000 SiGEM MDTs installed in vehicles around the world; SiGEM estimates that this represents 19% of the global market. ePiNG Enterprise is installed in 50 systems around the world, including an 8,000-vehicle fleet in Singapore. SiGEM offers a variety of training and support options for ePiNG Emerald and ePiNG Enterprise customers. The application training options that are available include training on the system that manages the calls and dispatches the drivers; on an address manager that keeps track of the various addresses in a city; on a fleet manager that keeps track of the fleet; on an account manager that profiles and manages the customer accounts; and more. The support options include system activation support; offsite support for a warranty period of one year; and more. A picture of ePiNG Emerald is available on the SiGEM web site at http://www.sigem.com/framesetpages/emerald.html. ePiNG Emerald is available to customers immediately, according to Woods. About SiGEM SiGEM, based in Kanata, Canada, with offices in Arizona and the United Kingdom, (www.sigem.com) develops and markets hardware, software and services for the global wireless location-tracking industry. Its patented products utilize GPS and wireless communications technologies for two-way location tracking and messaging. SiGEM provides its ePiNG tracking services for a range of applications over private networks and the open Internet.