Company /

Marketplace

Location-based services (LBS) encompass a spectrum of consumer and commercial applications that utilize the knowledge of a user's geographic position. Location information can be entered by the user (e.g., a street address) or generated by a user's device (e.g. the latitude and longitude coordinates from a Global Positioning System ("GPS") receiver, cell phone, etc.). LBS applications are required to support a large number of users, mobile or stationary, in real-time. These services cover a broad range of applications, including:

• Simple generation of fluid maps
• Multi-point routing with turn-by-turn directions
• Real-time vehicle or pedestrian navigation and guidance
• Real-time traffic routing
• Emergency services and roadside assistance
• Vehicle and asset tracking
• Dispatching and routing for pickup and delivery

deCarta's platform supports these and many other LBS applications. It is anticipated that future LBS applications will include mobile commerce, location-based advertising and promotions, and location-based games.

The LBS market can be segmented into the wireless, telematics and Internet verticals.

Mobile LBS

Wireless LBS delivers location-specific content to cell phones, PDAs and other wireless devices. The Wireless LBS market is currently in a nascent stage. However, the deployment of 3G services will introduce handsets that are both mobile and location sensitive. As a result of 3G services, it is anticipated that the potential market for Wireless LBS may be the largest of all three LBS segments.

deCarta is poised to take advantage of this potential market opportunity through customers like Motorola Viamoto and Qualcomm, which will offer the first Wireless LBS services on a 3G network.

Enterprise LBS

With a number of high-profile customers, deCarta is well positioned to lead the Enterprise LBS market. deCarta supplies the platform for ATX Group, one of the premier telematics providers today. ATX provides services for several leading car manufacturers, including BMW, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz, USA.

Commercial LBS providers are beginning to offer important management applications. Automated vehicle location (AVL), fleet logistics and tracking, and driver productivity help manage small to large vehicle fleets and help ensure optimal usage of key assets. deCarta's platform supports these and other commercial LBS applications.

Internet LBS

The Internet LBS market customers consist of portals providing brand finder services and mapping and directions from their sites to both consumers and business users. deCarta's LBS platform currently powers the largest mapping and directions sites on a private-label basis: Ask.com, Google, Yahoo! and Rand McNally.

It is anticipated that the Internet LBS market will continue to grow as online companies leverage their strong brand presence to pursue fee-based premium LBS subscription services that are already standard in the telematics and wireless markets.