Trimble Acquire ALK Technologies

[MaFt]

In a somewhat surprising press release Trimble yesterday acquired ALK Technologies "to Extend its Transportation and Logistics Solutions to Shippers and Transportation Providers". ALK, the company behind the long-standing and popular CoPilot navigation software, carry out a lot of business-to-business dealings with car-hire and logistics companies. It is this part of the business that Trimble will be utilising the most.

The question then has to be asked: if Trimble are primarily interested in ALK's business-to-business transportation and logistics portfolio then what will be the future of their consumer-orientated CoPilot software?


Press Release:

Trimble Acquires ALK Technologies to Extend its Transportation and Logistics Solutions to Shippers and Transportation Providers

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Jan. 3, 2013—Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) announced today that it has acquired privately-held ALK Technologies Inc. of Princeton, NJ, a global leader in routing, mapping, mileage and navigation technologies. ALK Technologies offers proprietary routing and international map-based solutions for transportation, logistics and mobile workforces. The addition of ALK® is expected to extend and complement Trimble?s Transportation and Logistics product portfolio, including TMW Systems' transportation management solutions, PeopleNet's integrated onboard computing and mobile communications systems and GEOTrac's fleet management and worker safety solutions for the oil and gas industry. Financial terms were not disclosed.

ALK software products include CoPilot® Live, which offers onboard GPS navigation for professional drivers; and PC*MILER®, a truck-specific mileage solution recognized as an industry standard for logistics, manufacturing, government and transportation operations. ALK offers a consistent data platform for operational planning activities, such as mileage and routing and in-cab navigation applications used by fleet drivers. ALK products are sold worldwide and feature extensive international map data. Approximately 64 percent of North American for-hire motor carriers use ALK solutions, including 98 of the top 100 largest for-hire carriers, 47 of the top 50 logistics companies and 77 of the top 100 private fleets.

"The addition of ALK Technologies expands the portfolio and scope of innovative solutions we can offer transportation providers, logistics companies and shippers," said David Wangler, president of TMW Systems, a Trimble Company. "The combination of ALK's routing, mapping, mileage and navigation capabilities with our enterprise transportation management software and the mobile communications solutions under the Trimble Transportation and Logistics umbrella supports our comprehensive and industry-focused technology approach."

"This is a significant milestone in ALK's long history in transportation," said Barry Glick, president of ALK Technologies, who will continue to lead the organization. "We are excited to join our well-known and respected partner TMW Systems under the global umbrella of Trimble. These organizations share our passion and vision for how location information can transform business and productivity."

ALK Technologies business will be reported as part of Trimble's Mobile Solutions segment.

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[Duddy]

Having dealt with trimble, in the past, don't expect an improvement in customer services but expect a price hike.

Hopefully they may sell on-the Sat Nav side of the system.
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HUAWEI P30 Pro (new edition) with Speedtrap Alert & alcatel1 for SatNav
CoPilot 10 with CamerAlert
RoadHawk in-car video
Reading glasses getting thicker as is my waist
Retired but want to go back to work for a rest.

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