SiGEM Inc., a specialist in global positioning satellite (GPS) based vehicle location tracking systems, announced on March 7 it has entered into an agreement with Tyco Electronics to co-produce and market advanced GPS components on a cost effective basis. Tyco Electronics will manufacture SiGEM's ePiNG modules at its advanced electronics manufacturing facilities in Hungary, while the two companies will also work together to design, produce, and co-market an advanced GPS module to be available later this year. SiGEM will provide applications software to Tyco Electronics and its customers. "This partnership with one of the world's leading manufacturers should provide us with three important benefits," said Herb Woods, president and CEO of SiGEM. "First, we believe Tyco Electronics has the capability of producing our existing ePING systems on a very cost effective basis. Second, Tyco Electronics' strong association with the automotive and security industries is expected to help us reach new customers in two of our most important target markets. Third, by pooling our knowledge, we expect our improved module to set new benchmarks for price and performance." According to Woods, the new module to be developed jointly by SiGEM and Tyco Electronics will achieve significant reductions in size and cost - two key factors that will further stimulate market demand -- using "chip on board" (COB) production techniques. Woods said Tyco Electronics is one of the leading manufacturers in the world with COB capability, which is a method of attaching the chips powering the module directly to the board. Traditionally, the chip is encased in plastic, which is then soldered to the board, creating extra cost and size. The new module will also boast reduced power requirements and enhanced programmability that will allow customers to easily develop new applications and add functionality in the field, according to Dr. Hans-Dirk Löwe, vice president of the Electronic Modules group at Tyco Electronics. "By combining SiGEM's extensive experience with embedded system software for GPS solutions with our advanced and efficient manufacturing capabilities, we can deliver a truly cutting edge, low cost GPS product," Dr. Löwe said. "The size reductions and other performance improvements dramatically increase the potential applications for GPS-based systems with our large customer base." SiGEM's GPS-enabled ePiNG modules are sold to systems integrators and original equipment manufacturers for a variety of telematics and fleet management applications. SiGEM also uses this technology extensively throughout its ePiNG family of in-vehicle devices for public transportation and commercial fleet management. About Tyco Tyco Electronics is one of the major business units of Tyco International Ltd. Headquartered in Harrisburg, Pa., Tyco Electronics is the world's largest passive electronic components manufacturer, and specializes in cutting-edge wireless technologies, fiber optic active components, and complete power systems. The company has facilities located in 56 countries serving customers in the aerospace, automotive, computer, communications, consumer electronics, industrial and power industries. About SiGEM SiGEM (www.sigem.com), based in Ottawa, Canada, with offices in the U.S. and the U.K., develops and markets hardware, software and services for a variety of wireless location tracking applications. The company's mission is to provide fleet management and telematics systems and services using wireless location tracking technology. Its products utilize GPS and wireless communications technologies for cost effective, energy efficient, two-way location tracking and messaging. SiGEM provides its ePiNG tracking services for public transportation and commercial fleets, as well as telematics service providers.