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    LatLon

    Posted

    February 27, 2018 at 7:54 pm

    The IoT on the Water

    According to  the US Department of Transportation, “In 2013 the U.S. transportation system moved a daily average of about 55 million tons of freight valued at more than $49.3 billion”.  Water transport accounted for 808 million tons in 2013, with projections to increase to 1,070 million tons by 2040.  This growth in Inland Marine Transport stresses the need for efficiency in freight transport, and IoT solutions offering safety, ROI, and ease of use are critical to make it happen.

    IoT statistics are astounding.  According to Vision Critical, “in 2015, there were about 15.4 billion connected devices. According to IHS, this number will grow to 30.7 billion in 2020, and 75.4 billion by 2025.” And Intel’s forecasted 200 billion connected devices by 2020.  B2B IoT devices will fundamentally transform the way organizations do business with other companies, and will impact every industry.

    What are the $’s?

    For 2016, spending around the world for IoT $737 billion. IDC predicts that by 2020, this number will reach $1.29 trillion, a compound annual growth rate of 15.6 percent. GE claims IoT will add $10-$15 TRILLION to GDP globally by 2030.

    According to General Electric, the IoT will add $10 to $15 trillion to worldwide GDP growth by 2030—the equivalent of China’s entire current

    Are you on Board?

    This year, 60 percent of global manufacturers will use analytics data recorded from connected devices to analyze processes and identify optimization possibilities, according to IDC and SAP.  One implementer, saw tangible efficiency almost immediately through easy installation of near real-time GPS.  Read More…

     

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    LatLon

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    February 13, 2018 at 6:14 pm

    Theft and Security Take A Second Seat In Telematics ROI

    Over the years it has become a stereotype that GPS monitoring solutions are mainly installed due to security issues or to play “Big Brother” on their employees. In reality, these requirements have shifted and security is low on the list of requirements if it’s a requirement at all.

    I have heard many reasons why companies are interested in starting a telematics program. Although the requirements differ from business to business, one thing is always a static reason to why they are calling. I often hear, through several ways, they have a business problem.

    These business problems usually start from the idea that companies can do better. Better at manufacturing, transporting, protecting the integrity and brand of their product. In each phase of a company there are key metrics in which that process can be measured. If there is a fleet of assets involved in a phase of moving their product, this is where fleet telematics will play a part, operational efficiency.

    As data analytics platforms grow smarter there also grows a need for smart hardware with the ability to drive data from the field in a frequent and accurate fashion. GPS tracking and monitoring is not just a dot on a map it’s what you add to the dot and how you use the info to transform it into dollars.

    A couple of my favorite phases I have heard from customers are “we don’t know what we don’t know” and “You can’t improve on what you don’t measure”. These are my favorite quotes because they indicate that this prospect is screaming for more data and they are screaming to buy our products even if they don’t know it yet.

    There are a few ways that telematics products have changed over the last 10 years. Devices and data have become cheaper. Devices have become faster and more accurate. Data analytic tools have because more accessible and cheaper.

    Many companies pursue the idea of monitoring their fleet only to have the project lose budget at the final phase of the decision. Why? Because until a few years ago, telematics monitoring solutions were looked at as almost a luxury item. They were not needed but nice to have and the data was not used like it is today. Since this new era of smarter, more accurate and affordable telematic solutions have emerged, the value of telematics data has become general knowledge to any fleet/logistics operations professional.

    Historically, telematics systems have been used for individual exception reports, or manual case by case security reporting.  Today, a broader picture is painted with big data in relation to operational KPI’s.  Sure, if you recover a stolen asset or catch an employee stealing company time it saves money. However, if you can accurately measure the length of a delivery based on geo-location and door sensor activity, and can quickly cross-reference this data to all the other data you have collected in the last year; you now have a powerful tool to highlight positive and negative trends. These trends can be acted upon for a better bottom line.

    Having location itself delivers a large portion of ROI to telematics projects, however where location data has been integrated makes the big impact. Integrating location into dispatching software is growing in the transportation space. More and more companies in different verticals like Rail, Service and Construction are using integrated location into 3rd party business software systems. Things like asset utilization, production, billing and inventory have all been subjects of discussion and business challenges where a telematics solution has added a tool set to measure what needs to be improved.

     

     

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    LatLon LoRa MTU

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    LatLon

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    December 1, 2017 at 11:15 pm

    Smaller Unit, More Messages for Less

    Lat-Lon is changing the cost and size of the tracking market, while offering more messages.  The new Micro Tracking Unit (MTU) is the smallest solar powered unit designed by Lat-Lon, measuring less than 4”x 4”x 2.5”.  The MTU eliminates the costly cellular data plan within typical telematics units.   The MTU transmits data via LoRa to a paired Gateway within a range of up to one mile or stores messages for later transmission.

    LoRa, a proprietary radio modulation technology, offers low power, low cost, long range wireless technology specifically designed for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Data is communicated to a network of Gateways that are connected to the Internet.  This is known as a Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN).  Communication is secure and bi-directional using frequency hopping and variable data rates.  LoRa is considered a compliment to M2M technology best used for low power operations.

    A LoRa Micro Tracking Unit (MTU) repackages the circuitry of the larger Solar Tracking Unit (STU) into a smaller, more focused, footprint.  It is intended for low-cost asset location applications such as construction equipment at a job site, tracking railcars within a yard, or creating delivery vehicle trips reports.  The Solar-Powered MTU is designed to collect solar energy from every sun angle.  It essentially receives a “fresh set of batteries” daily via direct or indirect sunlight, allowing for frequent messages without shortening the unit lifespan.

    LoRa communications has the benefits of no data costs between the MTUs and the back haul gateway and will suffer no cellular protocol sunsets such as 2G, 3G etc.  Your LoRa fleet, once purchased, will operate indefinitely.  Reports, summaries and graphs of the data are available through Lat-Lon’s powerful website.  Other data delivery options are available as needed.

    “LoRa vastly expands the market for GPS tracking and data collection by removing the recurring costs normally associated with such services.  Now, GPS tracking is a one-time capital acquisition instead of an operating expense.”  Notes Lat-Lon President David Baker.

    Lat-Lon is a member of the LoRa alliance to help promote understanding and consistency for success in IoT and M2M applications.  While not stepping away from traditionally real-time cellular tracking technology, Lat-Lon is pursuing additional options for lower operating cost for real-time yard operations and non-real-time data logging when out of Gateway range.  Learn more at: https://www.lora-alliance.org/

    About Lat-Lon: Lat-Lon, LLC was founded in 1999 in Denver, Colorado provides wireless GPS tracking and monitoring solutions for mobile or stationary assets.  Lat-Lon’s key products include a solar-powered GPS monitoring system (STU) for railcars and trailers and a locomotive monitoring unit (LMU) that allows fleet managers to know the condition and location of their assets at any given time.  For further information contact Lat-Lon at 877-300-6566 or visit www.lat-lon.com  Lat-Lon is owned by BSM Technologies Inc. (Toronto, ON) Stock Symbol: TSE:GPS.  For more information, please visit http://www.bsmtechnologies.com

     

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    Newsletter

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    December 1, 2017 at 10:51 pm

    Lat-Lon Dec 2017 Newsletter

    Get up to date with the latest Lat-Lon news. Including the release of our smallest solar-powered unit yet, the MTU. Learn more about LoRa, which is in our new MTU as well as our recently introduced LoRa-STU. LoRa significantly drops the reoccurring data fees typical of cellular units. Additional updates include BSM completing Mobi Acquisition along with Map and App updates for users.

    December 2017 Newsletter

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    BSM Technologies logo

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    LatLon

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    November 8, 2017 at 6:57 pm

    BSM Technologies Mobi Earn-Out and Changes

    Lat-Lon’s parent company, BSM Technologies, announces Mobi Earn-Out Agreement and Senior Officer Changes.

    TORONTO, October 16, 2017 – BSM Technologies Inc. (“BSM” or the “Company”) (TSX: GPS), a leading provider of real-time GPS fleet and asset management solutions, today announced that, further to its previously announced acquisition of substantially all of the assets of MBCR Dissolution Corp. (formerly Mobi Corp.) (the “Seller”) in October 2016 (the “Transaction”), the parties have reached an agreement (the “Agreement”) where, among other things, the Company, through its subsidiaries, will pay the Seller US$4,750,000 in lieu of any additional earn-out consideration the Seller may have been entitled to under the Transaction. Pursuant to the terms of the Transaction, the Company paid initial cash consideration of US$8,000,000 to the Seller and the Company made a subsequent payment of US$2,000,000 to the Seller for the achievement of its first earn-out target. Under the original terms of the Transaction, in addition to these payments, the Seller was eligible to receive additional earn-out payments worth up to an additional US$15,000,000 upon the completion of certain financial targets. By reaching this Agreement, the Company paid a total of US$14,750,000 before working capital adjustments pursuant to the Transaction and there will be no further payments required to complete the Transaction.

    “The certainty and added flexibility provided by finalizing the Mobi earn-out payment and post-closing obligations will, we believe, enable BSM to accelerate our software platform consolidation plans and allow us to enhance our cross-selling opportunities via improved organizational efficiency,” said Aly Rahemtulla, BSM’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “One year of ownership has confirmed our investment thesis as we have observed the teams at Mobi perform above expectations, reaffirmed the quality of the technology and received positive feedback from our customers on the Mobi solution. We anticipate that accelerating the Mobi software platform consolidation will expand our customer footprint and enable future customer growth.”

    Change in Senior Officers
    The Company also announced today that Mr. Lawrence (Larry) Juba will be retiring and leaving his position as Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) of the Company, effective immediately. The Company further announced today that Mr. Peter Callaghan will be leaving his position as Chief Sales Officer (“CSO”) of the Company, effective immediately.

    “On behalf of our employees, the senior management team and the board of directors, I want to thank Larry and Peter for their dedicated service to BSM and Webtech,” said Aly Rahemtulla, President and Chief Executive Officer of BSM. “We wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”

    “Working at BSM and Webtech has been a very rewarding experience,” said Mr. Juba. “I am very proud of all that we have accomplished during my tenure as COO. With a strong senior leadership team remaining, I am confident that BSM is well positioned for future growth.”

    The functions that were formerly the responsibility of the COO and the CSO will be assumed by the Company’s continuing senior management team.

    About BSM Technologies Inc. (bsmtechnologies.com)
    BSM Technologies Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a global top 20 commercial fleet telematics provider for automatic vehicle location (AVL) solutions that improve efficiency, accountability and reduce costs for fleet operators. BSM’s end-to-end solutions automate record keeping and regulatory compliance, reduce fuel burn and idling, mitigate risk, and keep drivers safe. BSM provides solutions for commercial and government divisions who manage and operate diverse assets and large fleets that utilize its integrated fleet tracking, fleet maintenance, and intelligent business engine which provides real time, web‐based tracking of mobile and fixed assets.

    For more information, please visit http://www.bsmtechnologies.com

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    This news release includes certain forward-looking statements or information under applicable Canadian, U.S. and other securities laws. Such forward-looking information and statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect” and “intend” and statements that an event or result “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, or “might” occur or be achieved and any other similar expressions. Such forward-looking information includes but is not limited to, statements with respect to the timing and scope of the Company’s software platform consolidation, the impact of Mobi software platform consolidation and the Company’s ability to capitalize on future customer opportunities. These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business and include, but are not limited to, the Company efficiently and successfully completing a software platform consolidation and developing an enhanced enterprise solution, and current and future customers reacting positively to the enhance enterprise solution leading to increased commercial growth. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable; however, some risks include, but are not limited to, failing to efficiently or successfully complete the software platform consolidation, failing to develop an enhanced enterprise solution and customer’s being unsatisfied with the software platform consolidation or the enhance enterprise solution. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information. Some of these risks, uncertainties and other factors are described under the heading “Risk Factors” in BSM’s most recent annual information form available at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements or information are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, BSM does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking information. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

    SOURCE BSM Technologies Inc.
    Aly Rahemtulla
    President & CEO
    BSM Technologies Inc.
    (416) 675-1201
    aly.rahemtulla@bsmtechnologies.com

    Marc Lakmaaker
    Investor Relations
    NATIONAL Equicom
    (416) 848-1397
    mlakmaaker@national.ca

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    LatLon

    Posted

    August 1, 2017 at 6:08 pm

    Lat-Lon Reduces the Cost of IoT

    August 1st, 2017 Denver, CO: Lat-Lon announces that it has eliminated the monthly cellular service charge on its new version of Solar Tracking Unit.  Lat-Lon has replaced the standard cellular modem with a LoRa data modem.  The LoRa data modem can off load the data collected during a trip to a Gateway for no charge.

    LoRa is an acronym for Long Range Radio.  LoRa is a proprietary radio modulation technology.  It is a low power, low cost, long range wireless technology specifically designed for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Data is communicated to a network of Gateways that are connected to the Internet.  This is known as a Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN).

    LPWAN differs from a wireless WAN in that the LPWAN requires less power and has a low bit rate, ideal for small packet transmission of “things.”  LPWAN can be used to create a private network rather than “leasing” an existing network via modems with monthly/annual operating costs.  Communication is secure and bi-directional using frequency hopping and variable data rates.  LoRa is considered a compliment to M2M technology best used for low power operations.

    The new LoRa Solar Tracking Unit (LoRa-STU) has all of the capabilities of its cellular based product including, but not limited to, impact detection and temperature monitoring.  With the LoRa-STU, fleet owners can significantly lower operating cost.  The same robust Lat-Lon website is used to review data, graphs, and photos.

    “LoRa vastly expands the market for GPS tracking and data collection by removing the recurring costs normally associated with such services.  Now, GPS tracking is a one-time capital acquisition instead of an operating expense.”  Notes Lat-Lon President David Baker.

    Lat-Lon has joined the LoRa alliance to help promote understanding and consistency for success in IoT and M2M applications.  While not stepping away from traditionally real-time cellular tracking technology, Lat-Lon is pursuing additional options for lower operating cost for real-time yard operations and non-real-time data logging when out of Gateway range.  Learn more at: https://www.lora-alliance.org/

    About Lat-Lon: Lat-Lon, LLC was founded in 1999 in Denver, Colorado provides wireless GPS tracking and monitoring solutions for mobile or stationary assets.  Lat-Lon’s key products include a solar-powered GPS monitoring system (STU) for railcars and trailers and a locomotive monitoring unit (LMU) that allows fleet managers to know the condition and location of their assets at any given time.  For further information contact Lat-Lon at 877-300-6566 or visit www.lat-lon.com  Lat-Lon is owned by BSM Technologies Inc. (Toronto, ON) Stock Symbol: TSE:GPS.  For more information, please visit http://www.bsmwireless.com

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    Newsletter

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    July 27, 2017 at 10:50 pm

    Lat-Lon July 2017 Newsletter

    Learn what is new at Lat-Lon with the July 2017 newsletter. We joined the LoRa alliance to allow us to pusrue additional options to provide our customers an option for lower operating cost. Map changes will be visible soon to customers, providing better speed and visibility. Also, a new trip report can be added to customer accounts to help with asset optimization.

    July 2017 Newsletter

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    Newsletter

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    March 12, 2017 at 12:44 pm

    Lat-Lon March 2017 Newsletter

    The latest Lat-Lon news. We created an additional way of viewing impacts on customer accounts. The impact filtering tool removes “noise” or vibrations, and helps visualize the relationship between acceleration and delta velocity. Also on customer accounts, there has been some enhancements in creating geo-items along with toggling between map layers. Another feature in the newsletter is information on the evolution of M2M (machine to machine).

    March 2017 Newsletter

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    M2M Technology

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    LatLon

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    March 2, 2017 at 4:25 pm

    M2M: An Evolving Technology

    In today’s fast paced world, technology is ever-changing and innovations such as autonomous cars and drone delivery services are just around the corner. Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication is among those technologies gaining popularity and expanding in more industries than ever before- although M2M has been around for quite some time. As an article in Computer Weekly stated, “Machine-to-machine (M2M) communications is transforming the world into one where everything and everyone is networked.”

    What Is M2M?

    M2M communication is the ability of network-enabled devices to openly “talk” or exchange data between one another. M2M devices use sensors, RFID, and usually Wi-Fi, cellular or satellite connectivity to transmit data to a software application that interprets the data. This type of communication is used in industries such as healthcare, traffic control, security, supply chain management, and fleet management. The application possibilities with M2M are endless- from dryers that send your mobile device a message when clothes are dry, to sensor-enabled traffic control devices that monitor variables such as traffic volume and speed, there is a use-case for this technology in almost every industry and market.

    Network Connectivity in M2M Devices

    Just as M2M is rapidly expanding, so are the networks that support the communication and connectivity of these devices. In order for M2M devices to transmit data between one another, they need to be connected to a network.  There is an extensive list of the types of networks that can connect M2M devices, but we will touch on some of the most common.

    Cellular

    Cellular networks are provided by mobile service carriers and transmit and receive data using land-based cell towers. Cellular communication has evolved through many generations of technology known as 2G, 3G, 4G, and LTE.  With each new generation of cellular technology comes faster data transmission speeds and expanded areas of network coverage. Customers who use cellular networks have to pay for it based on the amount of data they use.

    Satellite

    Satellite networks send signals to devices via a satellite orbiting the Earth. Because of this, Satellite networks have wide communication coverage. Satellite networks do not rely on towers, making them especially useful in remote areas, such as the ocean. The downside to Satellite coverage is that it is very expensive- both to acquire the devices and to use the networks.

    Upcoming Network Technologies

    5G is the next generation of cellular technology to emerge and will bring extreme data speeds and lower latency than the older generations. This is especially attractive to smartphone users who are being promised that 5G will enable downloading, uploading, and streaming in the blink of an eye. Testing and development is going on currently, but this technology is said to be quite a way out in the future.

    Another emerging network technology is known as Low-Power Wide-Area Networks. These networks offer a mix of long range, low power wireless communications and secure data transmission. These networks are attractive in the M2M space because of lower cost of ownership, extended coverage, and longer battery life.

    What’s Next?

    The long-term of M2M is buried in interpretation, but far beyond the paradigm shift SMART phones brought us not all that long ago.  The communication networks will only accelerate the pace of possibilities and the innovation is far from complete.

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    Geo-Fencing

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    LatLon

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    February 2, 2017 at 4:29 pm

    Geo-Fencing: Definition and Uses

    Geo-FencingWhat is Geo-Fencing?

    Geo-fencing is a term used in location-based technology and uses global positioning (GPS) to create a virtual boundary around a geographic location. Geo-fences are often used to track when a person, object, or vehicle leaves or enters a specific area. In order to enable a geo-fence, an administrative user sets parameters and coordinates for a certain location. When an object or person carrying a GPS tracker enters or leaves the designated geo-fence, an alert in the form of a text or email can be generated. Geo-fences are used for both personal and business use in variety of applications and industries such as law enforcement, healthcare, fleet management, and more.

    Real World Applications in Fleet & Asset Management in the Transportation Industry

    Geo-fences are often useful for Fleet Management and the Transportation industry and are usually paired with hardware devices as an added feature. Oftentimes, a geo-fence can be imported as a field into dispatch and route optimization systems as well or for query use. Commonly, a GPS tracking unit is placed on an asset such as a rail car, container, or truck, and an administrative user is then able to set up and receive notifications when those devices enter or leave a designated geo-fence.

    There are two types of geo-fences: active and passive. Active geo-fences are used in an open application on a device such as a computer or phone and allow the user to see location and receive alerts related to that geo-fence. In contrast, a passive geo-fence only works in the background, uses low power consumption, and reports all data to back-end software. Passive geo-fences do not use GPS, so the user is not getting updates as they happen.

    Monitor Shipment Arrival Time

    A trucking company, for example, uses Lat-Lon’s geo-fencing capabilities to be notified of shipment arrival time. As soon as a driver enters the geo-fence, an alert triggers to assist in the prompt loading and unloading of cargo. This saves time and increases the efficiency of delivery operations where employees previously wouldn’t start the unloading or loading process until the shipment actually pulled into the facility.  With some software, the same capability exists with a virtual “trip wire.”

    Avoid Costly Detention Fees

    Another one of Lat-Lon’s customers regularly uses geo-fences to avoid costly detention fees. As soon as one of a rail car enters the drop off facility, the system is alerted. Detention fees are charged to carriers when they are stopped at the pickup or delivery location longer than the allotted time. Just as the previous example explained, the geo-fence minimizes detention fees by pre-announcing arrival in enough time for the customer to properly prepare for delivery and loading/unloading.

    Adaptive Device Configuration & Geo-fencing

    Lat-Lon has developed a technology called Adaptive Device Configuration that is able to analyze the data collected from GPS tracking units, and change reporting based on real-time input. This technology is especially useful when using geo-fences.

    For example, one of Lat-Lon’s rail customers has a geo-fence placed around a manufacturing facility that they know is secure and that may only require data reports and updates once an hour. As soon as the train car with an ADC monitoring device leaves the plant, the tracking unit automatically updates its reporting to every 10 minutes, in order to improve security.

    Similarly, other rail customers use such smart tracking technology in coordination with an accelerometer to determine when a train car is entering a yard and is likely to experience impacts. This way, the monitoring device increases the parameter of impact detection in the rail yard and decreases it once the device senses that the car has left the yard.

    To find out if geo-fences could be a useful in tracking your assets or shipments, call 877-300-6566 or email us at support@www.lat-lon.com.

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