IntelliWhere, a division of Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions (locally represented by Intergraph Systems Southern Africa) and Stockholm-based CoTraveller, a subsidiary of UK wireless applications firm mBlox, have announced that they are teaming up to deliver SMS-enabled (short message service) location-based services solutions for business-to-business-to-consumer use.

Walking directions on SMS is the first service resulting from this collaboration and was showcased at GeoSpatial World 2001, 18-20 June, in Atlanta, Georgia. IntelliWhere is a software and solutions infrastructure provider focused specifically on the wireless and location-based services (LBS) industries. CoTraveller develops and implements wireless solutions for enterprises deploying wireless services.

"This marks the beginning of a very exciting relationship between CoTraveller and IntelliWhere in the location-based services market space," said Lee Finniear, Managing Director of IntelliWhere. "SMS is the most widespread mobile data technology in the world. By combining our technologies and expertise, we can provide practical LBS solutions to millions of users on their existing phones - today."

"We expect LBS solutions to be part of most wireless services and we are very pleased to announce this partnership with IntelliWhere," said Oscar Werner, CEO of CoTraveller. "SMS is not only a commonly accepted technology for high volume services, it is also easy to combine with billing solutions giving service providers the opportunity to charge end users for the services. This effectively removes one of the major problems with fixed line Internet today - the inability to charge for the services."

Collaboration leverages solid technology

The innovative walking directions service provides users with directions between two addresses in the centre of European cities.The service is based on the IntelliWhere Genie solution which provides the necessary navigation logic, and CoTraveller's SMSReach, a product designed to help application providers deploy generic SMS-based services. Further, the service is prepared for mobile positioning. SMSReach handles Mobile Originated as well as Mobile Terminated SMS and also contains advanced functionality interpretation of SMS. SMSReach is also capable of sending SMS to any mobile phone across the entire GSM network.

The walking directions service is intuitive and easy to use. For example, a tourist using a mobile phone sends an SMS detailing their current position and their intended destination (Kingstreet 123 Restaurant Chinese) to CoTraveller and a reply with step-by-step directions to the closest Chinese restaurant is returned within 20 seconds. The service is currently available in Stockholm but can be used in any location where street and road network data and address information is available for geocoding. Examples of geocoding include converting a location description into an X,Y coordinate such as address matching or mile point along a highway.

IntelliWhere Genie is an enabling solution for workforce automation, B2B, and B2C location-based services and enables customers to provide realtime, location-based services and content. Using an architecture that builds on Intergraph's industry-proven GIS technology, GeoMedia, IntelliWhere Genie delivers device and data format independent solutions that are open, scalable, and proven in large-scale deployed applications.

About IntelliWhere

IntelliWhere ( www.intelliwhere.com) is a new division of Intergraph Corporation's Mapping and GIS Solutions vertical business, created explicitly to focus on the emerging market of location-based technology and services. The division combines over 30 years of experience in spatial and location-based technologies, with a global infrastructure and the ability to implement solutions around the world. IntelliWhere has representation in over 60 countries through Intergraph Corporation's wholly owned subsidiary companies and distributor network.

About CoTraveller

CoTraveller ( www.cotraveller.com) develops and implements wireless solutions. Based on the CoTraveller platform, Wireless-Reach, which consists of several independent software tools, enterprises can quickly and in a compelling manner deploy wireless services to increase productivity and drive revenues. CoTraveller SMS-Reach is a complete product helping companies to design and launch SMS-based services in short time and at a low cost. SMS-Reach handles both Mobile Originated (MO) and Mobile Terminated (MT) SMS. It also incorporates an SMS gateway that guarantees secure and timely delivery of SMS at the lowest possible cost. CoTraveller is a subsidiary of London-based mBlox.

Intergraph Systems Southern Africa

(011) 313 1222

rvolst@intergraph.co.za

www.intergraph.co.za