Nexterna's Wireless Data Solution Improves Locomotive Productivity for Belt Railway Company of Chicago.

Business Editors

OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 13, 2000

Integrated software, hardware, ASP services keep locomotives

on the right track, on the right time

Nexterna has announced installation of a complete wireless data solution, including hardware, middleware, software and application hosting services for Belt Railway Company of Chicago (BRC), which operates a key switching terminal railroad in Chicago, North America's railroad hub.

The Nexterna solution enables real-time data communications between BRC's central dispatch personnel and its fleet of industry locomotives, which services 60 industries over 35 miles of mainline of track. A standard Communications Management Unit (CMU) - a ruggedized on-board computer, called an ARC - is mounted in each locomotive and used to capture real-time GPS tracking information, which documents locomotive utilization and location. This data is then transmitted back to the Nexterna host data center, where it can be easily accessed via the Internet, providing BRC a management tool for more informed decision-making. BRC supervision is thus able to carefully monitor each locomotive to proactively manage and optimize locomotive assignments.

"The average utilization time of a locomotive in North America is only about 60 percent," said Sean Slattery, Nexterna's vice president of sales. "With these valuable locomotive assets, it's essential for BRC to minimize their idle time as much as possible. That's where Nexterna can really provide assistance."

"We have been pleased with Nexterna's expertise in helping us transition to mobile data communications," said Tom Shurstad, president of BRC. "We anticipate enhanced productivity from this technology."

The integrated system elements includes the following:

OptiPath(TM) is mobile data communications software that manages the wireless applications and networks to provide a seamless data communication link between an organization's host business application server and its geographically dispersed mobile network force. The data communication link can use a single wireless network or multiple wireless networks. In environments where the coverage of a single wireless network is insufficient, the middleware evaluates the immediate conditions affecting a message transmission and selects the most desirable network "least cost" path available using a set of configurable messaging rules.

OptiTrac(TM) is an advanced mobile resource management tool, which allows BRC to gather detailed information about a singular locomotive's idle-time and/or utilization statistics about a fleet of locomotives. It integrates Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies with wireless data communication technology to automatically collect locomotive tracking data, which is captured and transmitted via Nexterna's equipment. This tracking system also provides rail line maps for the locomotives.

ASP Services. Rather than manage an in-house network operations center, BRC relies on Nexterna to host and monitor the applications, ensure uptime and provide support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The turnkey application service provider (ASP) model lowers upfront capital investment and IT staffing needs by offering integration of software, wireless messaging and computer hardware, consolidated airtime and financing. Applications are hosted from Nexterna's 24 x 7 wireless data center in Omaha.

These software solutions are deployed via Nexterna's ruggedized mobile communications platform, a Pentium-based computer mounted in the vehicle featuring Microsoft's NT Embedded (NTE) operating system, built-in wireless modems and a GPS receiver.

About Nexterna

Nexterna, based in Omaha, Neb., has more than a decade of experience in developing telecommunications and wireless data technologies. The company architects, builds and manages Web-enabled wireless data solutions. Nexterna pioneered Mobile Resource Management (MRM) systems that include a suite of software products with in-vehicle technologies to help companies wirelessly extend the power and capabilities of information systems to mobile workers. The results are cost savings and improved productivity, directly impacting the bottom line of its customer companies. The company currently serves clients across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Nexterna is a part of Fenix, a technology holding company formed by Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). For more information, visit www.nexterna.com.