Vehicle tracking firm defies the credit crunch
Navman Wireless, the UK's largest manufacturer of tracking, messaging and navigation equipment, has seen a remarkable 35 per cent growth in employee numbers since the beginning of 2007, with a further 10 per cent increase expected by the end of 2008.
The revelation comes in the wake of the biggest increase in the official unemployment figure since 1991, taking the national total to 1.79 million. Economists have now predicted two million jobless by Christmas.
"These figures reflect an appreciation among UK fleet operators that vehicle tracking offers businesses a real competitive advantage by helping them reduce costs and boost productivity," said Executive Vice President, Tony Neill.
"They also underline Navman Wireless' strength in adapting and responding successfully in an increasingly uncertain financial climate."
The upbeat business announcement follows a significant restructuring of the company's financial, business development and sales departments.
The total number of Navman Wireless UK employees currently stands at 31 with the company due to employ a further seven members of staff in its office and sales support team before the end of the year. Its network of UK dealers has also substantially increased over the last 12 months.
Globally, Navman Wireless boasts more than 7,500 customers across 10 countries.
Vehicle Location Search, Navman Wireless's latest vehicle tracking application, enables fleet operators to determine - with the minimum of effort - exactly where vehicles have been and when they were there.
The fleet management tool allows users to highlight a location on an online map and search for vehicles that were there on any given date, at any given time. A report is immediately generated, detailing all requested information.
"This technology has been developed in response to customer feedback and will have a wide range of valuable uses," said Tony Neill, Navman Wireless Executive Vice President.
"Firms and their drivers, for example, are frequently accused of having been involved in road traffic incidents, or having driven on roads that they're prohibited from using, but have no easy way to validate or refute the allegations. With Vehicle Location Search they will be able to do so immediately.
"The software will also allow companies to deal quicker and more effectively with customer queries concerning service and goods deliveries."
Geofences - geographic boundaries created by the vehicle tracking software - that trigger automatic alerts when vehicles are nearing their destination are a key, and long standing, function of Navman Wireless's system. The ability to determine vehicle locations retrospectively however takes the technology to a new level.
This latest development is available to all Navman Wireless customers using the OnlineAVL2 vehicle tracking software system.
"Our R&D continues apace and this ongoing investment is reflected in our quarterly software updates," added Tony. "What's more, as a consequence of our regular consultations with fleet operators, all developments address the real needs of business."
Navman Wireless is a global leader in vehicle tracking supplying more than 7,500 businesses across 10 countries.