FROST & SULLIVAN HONOURS MICROLISE WITH 2006 INNOVATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF THE YEAR AWARD

Frost & Sullivan presents the 2006 Innovation and Advancement of the Year Award in the automotive telematics and infotainment industry to Microlise Ltd.

Significant advancements for transparent tracking and monitoring of commercial vehicles and transported goods have been realised through the introduction of the Microlise radio frequency identification (RFID) Trailer Portal.

As a leading provider of innovative telematics and logistic management solutions, the Microlises product portfolio includes both systems and services that provide cost-effective benefits in terms of increased customer service, load & driver safety, maximised vehicle utilisation and lowered operator costs. To complement this portfolio, the Microlise RFID Trailer Portal now offers combined vehicle & load tracking, hands free checking of loading & unloading together with automated POD. Crucially this is achieved without impacting on operational throughput or incurring large infrastructure costs.

"This is not only an innovative use of RFID technology, but also represents the world's first mobile RFID solution using UHF components - commonly used throughout dispatch and delivery points such as manufacturing plants, warehouses and retail outlets," notes Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Andrew Lee. "This allows customers to utilise the unique benefits of a mobile RFID solution, while maintaining its integration with static elements of the supply chain."

As the most recent addition to Microlise's product range, the RFID Trailer Portal uses RFID as a form of auto identification. RFID tags are wireless in design, offering a covert and a unique format that monitors and updates information without the need for operator intervention. It is superior to current solutions such as bar-coding that require a line of sight before information can be obtained, are easily damaged or duplicated and therefore pose considerable security risks.

"The Microlise core competency for track and trace solutions with the added value of the RFID Trailer Portal provides customers with comprehensive visibility of their vehicles and goods in transit for effective and accurate asset management," says Mr. Lee. "This innovation in utilising RFID technology in a mobile environment for asset & consignment management allows customers to securely transport goods, prevent loading and unloading errors and automate proof of delivery."

"With an exceptionally broad range of products based on modular hardware and scaleable services, Microlise has minimised the threat of a competition that is unable to offer the same level of adaptable, comprehensive & cost-effective solutions," comments Mr. Lee. "Innovative modular-based telematics, mobile data and Transport Planning & Management solutions allows Microlise customers to select desired functionality and grow their Supply Chain Execution content over a period of time, achieve cost savings on a prioritised basis and upgrade as the operation demands."

At the same time, effective product and marketing strategies coupled with industry education and comprehensive information dissemination initiatives have underpinned the continued success of the Microlise RFID Trailer Portal. Exhibitions, nationwide road shows, live demonstrations, publicly accessible product information & case studies available on the company website have further boosted awareness about the advantages of adopting the Microlise RFID Trailer Portal.

Frost & Sullivan's Industry Innovation and Advancement of the Year Award is bestowed upon a company that has proven to be a leader through its pioneering technology, sound business strategy, superior customer relations with ongoing educational efforts and has been consistently successful in driving the industry forward. Its excellence in the field has extended beyond its technical development with the award recognising the company for its broader and more comprehensive participation towards advancing the commercial vehicle telematics industry.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.