Telcontar Releases Enhanced Version of Spatial Software Platform for LBS, Drill Down Server 3.1.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 2004

New release provides better map appearance and improved

functionality for routing, edits and address or POI lookups

Telcontar, the leading supplier of software and related services for location-based services (LBS) today announced the release of Drill Down Server(TM) 3.1, the newest version of the premier spatial software platform. DDS 3.1 provides flexible spatial, geocoding and routing for LBS applications for navigation, fleet tracking, trip planning, real-time traffic information, emergency roadside assistance and concierge services. Key specific enhancements include improved geocoding match rates and POI lookups, the ability to customize driving direction styles, a more powerful capability to customize map appearance, and the addition of a new Extract Plug-in module to support true off-board navigation applications.

"DDS 3.1 is all about helping LBS suppliers be more productive and making their applications more compelling," said Eric Carlson, President and CEO of Telcontar. "The Extract Plug-in enables a new class of off-board navigation applications that can download vector map data associated with any route in real-time to wireless devices such as cell phones, PDAs or car navigation systems. These off-board navigation applications promise to be less costly to maintain than embedded systems, can run on most modern cell phones or wireless PDAs, can navigate without a continuous connection, and can completely avoid the problem of obsolete map data by permitting updates from the server as needed. We are confident that most mobile navigation applications in the future will use off-board rather than embedded architectures."

There are a host of other enhancements also included in DDS 3.1. Lookup improvements permit more flexible lookups of highway names, points of interest and streets with multiple addresses or abbreviations as well as more accurate geocoding. DDS 3.1 now supports customizable maneuver lists for routing, permitting developers to optimize their route directions for the output device and style of the application. For example, directions sent to a cell phone and delivered to the consumer verbally should be short and direct, while printed directions delivered from a mapping portal for printing can be longer, may use a printed map for support, and must be complete. The Route Plug-in now allows for specifying way points when computing a route with the option of having DDS optimize the order. These are all features that are critical to an LBS provider because they permit creation of compelling LBS applications that consumers love to use and are willing to pay for because they have high value.

Said Michael Sheha, President of Networks In Motion, "The DDS 3.1 has greatly enhanced the quality of route planning and map rendering in our mobile workforce management products, such as Map Messenger and AtlasBook. Telcontar has worked alongside Networks In Motion to determine our needs and to help us provide a quality location-based solution to our customers. We look forward to working with Telcontar in the long term."

The Telcontar Drill Down Server enables a variety of location-based applications that can be accessed using Internet browsers, cell phones, call centers, Pocket PCs, PDAs and in-vehicle telematics units. Industry leaders such as Yahoo!, Pharos Science and Applications, Hutchison 3G, Rand McNally and ATX Technologies use the Drill Down Server to generate billions of routes and maps per month. The Drill Down Server is currently available for Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows NT, Sun Solaris, Linux, HP-UX and Free BSD. Standard map databases include DMTI Spatial, GDT, Navtech, Tele Atlas North America and Europe.

About Telcontar

Telcontar is a worldwide provider of the premier spatial software platform and services for LBS. Telcontar clients such as Yahoo!, Hutchison 3G, Criticom, Rand McNally and ATX Technologies use its Universal Telematics Server, Drill Down Server, Rich Map Engine and Traffic Manager products to offer end users asset or resource management, MSSC, real-time navigation and traffic, driving directions, roadside or emergency assistance and maps. Telcontar is privately held and headquartered in San Jose, California with field offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Detroit, Denver, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and the United Kingdom. For more information, please visit http://www.telcontar.com.

TRADEMARKS: Telcontar, Universal Telematics Server, Traffic Manager, Rich Map Engine Software Libraries and Drill Down Server are trademarks or registered trademarks of Telcontar. All other product or company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.