Sunnyvale, Calif., March 29, 2006 — Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB) announced today it will launch its new Trimble® VRS Now™ service for Great Britain in May. The commercial service provides surveyors, civil engineers and geospatial professionals with instant access to real-time kinematic (RTK) Global Positioning System (GPS) corrections without the need for a base station.
Using data from OS Net, the nationwide GPS network operated by Great Britain’s mapping agency Ordnance Survey, the Trimble service delivers centimetre-level RTK positioning customized for each GPS receiver’s exact location anywhere in the network. The Trimble VRS Now service will supply fast and accurate GPS positioning for a variety of applications including surveying, urban planning, urban and rural construction, environmental monitoring, resource and territory management, disaster prevention and relief, and scientific research.
The announcement was made at the World of Geomatics 2006, the United Kingdom’s largest exhibition showcasing measuring, mapping and managing geospatial information technologies.
Neil Ackroyd, Ordnance Survey’s Director of Data Collection and Management said, “The Trimble VRS Now service is a prime example of OS Net being an enabler to support commercial GPS applications across the country. While Ordnance Survey will maintain the accuracy and quality of geodetic calculation within the network, we are delighted that Trimble will use their expertise and resources to derive added value for their customers through the new service.”
“Trimble VRS Now is the first commercial GPS infrastructure service offering from Trimble and represents an important milestone for our Connected Survey Site model,” said Jürgen Kliem, general manager for Trimble’s Survey Division. “Our goal is to streamline the work of surveying businesses and increase productivity by enhancing the synergies among tools, techniques, services and relationships, which build a Connected Survey Site.”
For more than two years, Ordnance Survey has exclusively used Trimble VRS™ software to operate its GPS network, which covers approximately 229,957 square kilometers (142,888 square miles). Users will connect into the system using a wireless connection; the software acknowledges the users’ field positions and allows them to operate as though there is a reference station—a virtual reference station—right next to their rover.
Utilizing this system, surveyors and civil engineers can tap into centimetre-level or differential GPS (DGPS) corrections anytime, anywhere within the RTK network. Trimble VRS Now represents a major advance in precision surveying productivity. No longer dependant on a field base station, precision GPS surveys can be up and running in minutes. And without the need for base station hardware, the user’s GPS receivers can now work independently as rovers—saving time and money.
A subscription to Trimble VRS Now and a GPS rover is all a user needs to begin surveying or collecting data with Trimble precision. Surveyors and other users can switch on their receiver and real-time corrections will be available in seconds. In most cases, no further GPS investment is necessary. Trimble VRS Now works with nearly all GPS and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) survey instruments from a variety of manufacturers. For more information visit: www.trimble.com/VRSNow.shtml.
The Connected Survey Site
Trimble’s Connected Survey Site model creates seamless working relationships among all Trimble products, technologies and services through support, infrastructure and partnerships. Taking Integrated Surveying™ to the next level, the Connected Survey Site enables surveyors to choose from a broad range of options; including surveying techniques, communications channels and facilitating services such as GPS infrastructure in one fully-integrated and interoperable surveying solution. Surveyors benefit from complete data compatibility with all Trimble field and office software; increased flexibility in employing the best tools and techniques for the job at hand; the adaptation of specialized technologies to fit the ideal workflow of surveyors; and the localization of surveying solutions to address specific market needs throughout the world.
About Trimble’s Engineering and Construction Business
Trimble, a world leader in GPS, construction lasers, robotic total stations and machine control solutions, is creating a broad range of innovative solutions that changes the way construction work is done. The Engineering and Construction business of Trimble is focusing on the development of technology and solutions in the core areas of surveying, construction and infrastructure. From concept to completion, Trimble’s integrated systems streamline jobs and improve productivity.
About Trimble
Trimble is a leading innovator of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. In addition to providing advanced GPS components, Trimble augments GPS with other positioning technologies as well as wireless communications and software to create complete customer solutions. Trimble’s worldwide presence and unique capabilities position the Company for growth in emerging applications including surveying, agriculture, machine guidance, fleet and asset management, wireless platforms, and telecommunications infrastructure. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Trimble has more than 2,000 employees in more than 20 countries worldwide.
For more information, visit: www.trimble.com.
Certain statements made in this press release are forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual events and results may differ materially from those described in this press release. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: the launch date and commercial availability of Trimble VRS Now service in Great Britain; continued access to OS Net data on commercially acceptable terms; interoperability of the service with third party instruments; and the general performance and market acceptance of the service. More information about potential factors which could affect Trimble’s business and financial results is set forth in reports filed with the SEC, including Trimble’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its annual report on Form 10-K. All forward looking statements are based on information available to Trimble as of the date hereof, and Trimble assumes no obligation to update such statements.