Important Utility Computing News 2003 Served as a Banner Year for Itronix Utility Customer Deployments Customers, such as Florida Power & Light (FPL), KeySpan, ONCOR, PG&E, Missouri Gas Energy, and NICOR Gas, either deployed Itronix wireless, rugged mobile computing products and/or renewed existing service and warranty contracts in 2003. Itronix Serves the Utility Industry Since mid-1997, Itronix has served the utility industry with the deployment and service of wireless, rugged computing solutions. Currently, Itronix holds 60% of the market share of field service computers for large utilities.* * From an independent study by Venture Development Corporation. Utility/Energy Overview Itronix wireless, rugged computers have been used for years in the roughest field conditions imaginable. Rain, snow, dust, dirt, heat and cold–from the top of a windy 100’ transmission tower to the wet, muddy depths of a utility trench, nothing affects the computing performance of the GoBook series. Gregory Wilson, Line Locator for Southwest Gas Corporation says, “This (Itronix) computer is great. You can see everything in detail, in color, and it’s much easier to read. You can zoom in and out and get better detail.” GIS data is extremely valuable in servicing utility problems. The GoBook series of computers hosts powerful, integrated wireless technology that relays dispatch and GIS information anywhere–from a remote vehicle to an underground utility tunnel. And with its shielded radio performance, EFMs will not interfere so the communication always gets through. Why are Itronix Computers Such a Great Tool for Utility/Energy Workers? Applications in the utility industry make challenging demands on mobile computing devices, often requiring 24/7 performance in a variety of extreme environments where speed and safety is critical. Itronix' arsenal of wireless and secure rugged hardware and application software products meet and exceed these challenging application needs. Itronix currently provides wireless, rugged solutions for a wide-variety of utility /energy applications. An expanding trend is for customers to use wireless, rugged computing platforms beyond the realm of field service. Itronix customers are increasingly using the technology across different work groups, such as construction, pipe and pole inspections, meter shop, locating, substation and plant maintenance and other departments to improve productivity and cut costs. Key partnerships: Partnering with industry-leaders like MDSI, Itron, Intergraph, and SYCLO Worksuite (formerly Severn Trent), provide applications that automate the work order life cycle and provides dispatch, job scheduling, wireless, staff scheduling, vehicle tracking, material usage, asset management, decision support and time reporting functionalities. With an average hardware life cycle of 6 years (yes, you read that right), Itronix customers such as Pacific Gas & Electric, Peoples Energy, Progress Energy, Southwest Gas Corporation, and Transco, have experienced years of improved performance from Itronix wireless, rugged computers. Wireless: Over 90% of Itronix Utility customers are wirelessly enabled, and over 50% have deployed multiple wireless technologies, such as 802.11b (wireless LAN); Bluetooth; and wireless WAN technologies, such as CDMA 1xRTT, CDPD, and GPRS or private radio. Itronix computing solutions enable these customers to make the most of their wireless investment with our innovative wireless performance features like CRMA® and Mobility XE™. Wireless Upgradability: Itronix computers feature Common Radio Module Technology (CRMA) which enable users to easily and cost-effectively upgrade to new wireless technologies as they become available. These upgrades can easily be performed in the field, so there is no need to send the units back for service. Keeping your mobile workers functioning at all times is the key to improving your service and productivity–Itronix innovations makes that happen for the utility/energy industry. Services Expertise: Itronix provides in-field support provided by a network of Field Service Managers whose expertise focuses on specific vertical applications and industries. Strategically located to provide nationwide support, they can provide both first level and escalated customer support. In addition, the Field Managers perform regular site visits to receive feedback on customer satisfaction, training or individualized support needs, product performance and future value-add post-installation support needs to support anticipated changes in the customer environment and user community or profile, as well as to garner input on future product designs.