In Motion Technology Makes 4G Mobile Broadband a Reality for Mission Critical Fleets

In Motion Technology today announced that the onBoard Mobile Gateway has been certified to provide mission critical fleets reliable, secure access to Clearwire’s 4G network in dozens of cities nationwide.

Now police, medics, utility workers and other personnel in the field can access multiple high-bandwidth applications, including video, voice, and telemedicine technologies over Clearwire’s 4G network, and seamlessly switch to 3G and other networks outside of the 4G footprint.

"The ability of first responders and other fleet operators to access true 4G mobile broadband connectivity while performing their daily work is another key advancement made possible by the Clearwire 4G network," said Jim Ryder, Senior Vice President of Sales for Clearwire . "Clearwire and In Motion Technology unite one of the nation’s fastest wireless networks with the most reliable, secure mobile hotspot technology to ensure connectivity for the nation’s most demanding organizations."

Engineered for the demands of mission critical organizations, the Gateway is used today in more than 275 first responder, utility and transit fleets. The Gateway is ruggedized to withstand the rigors of the mobile environment, and incorporates the latest firewall, VPN, and wireless encryption technology.

At the heart of the Gateway is In Motion’s patented mobile hotspot technology that connects a variety of wired and wireless communications devices in and around vehicles. Communications from these devices can roam seamlessly across up to 6 networks. This allows organizations to use Clearwire’s 4G network where it is available, and switch to other networks outside of 4G range.

GCT Semiconductor’s WiMAX single-chip, GDM7205, powers the PCIe minicard embedded inside the Gateway. "The FCC-certified PCIe minicard driven by GCT has gone through rigorous testing to become fully certified by Clearwire, meeting all their technical requirements," said Dr. Kyeongho "KH" Lee, President and CEO of GCT Semiconductor, Inc. "We are looking forward to working closely with Clearwire and In Motion Technology to provide new solutions for this critical market."

"4G networks allow mobile organizations to deploy applications and devices that until recently could only be used at the office," said Tony Morris, In Motion Technology’s VP of Sales and Marketing. "Today’s announcement is part of our ongoing commitment to allow our customers to use the most advanced wireless technology available today, and easily transition to whatever comes next."

Clearwire and CLEAR are trademarks or registered trademarks of Clearwire Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other company or product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

In Motion Technology’s Roadmap for Mission Critical Agencies: Get Ready to Connect Over Multiple Wireless Network

In Motion Technology, the leader in mobile networking technologies that efficiently connect and manage equipment, information and people in the field, today offered the company’s vision for the future of mobile communications, and guidance to help mobile organizations to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape.

"Carriers are racing to deploy next generation mobile broadband networks," said Larry LeBlanc, In Motion Technology’s Chief Technology Officer. "Although they will offer bandwidth that we only dreamed of a few years ago, users will need the flexibility to change networks on the fly to optimize cost, performance, and reliability."

Many wireless carriers have announced plans - or have begun deploying - new high speed mobile platforms, including WiMAX, LTE and public safety broadband networks. These networks will usher in a new era of mobile communications, where people on the road will connect at speeds that are faster than most landline broadband connections today. Soon full motion video, VoIP, telemedicine, and other high-bandwidth applications will become commonplace on laptops and hand-held devices.

While 4G networks offer significant performance advantages, 3G networks which have been built out over the past 5 years, offer substantially better, although still spotty, coverage even in many large cities. Thankfully, technology exists today that allows users to seamlessly switch between mobile networks, without dropping a call or losing information.

In Motion’s patented onBoard Mobile Gateway turns vehicles into mobile hotspots, providing reliable secure connectivity to multiple wired and wireless devices. The Gateway can be equipped with up to 6 wireless network cards, allowing communications to roam across wireless networks based on coverage, bandwidth or price. Network cards can be added or swapped out easily, so wireless technologies can upgraded without the expense or hassle of replacing devices.

In Motion Technology’s patented mobile networking solutions are flexible and future-proof, and were designed with the end user - not any one technology - in mind.

"Over the next several years, flexibility will be key," said LeBlanc. "Mission critical organizations should avoid hardware or vendors that are tied to a single carrier or network. By selecting a flexible, upgradable platform, organizations can choose the mix of network technologies and service providers that yields the highest performance at the lowest price."

PROMPT Ambulance Deploys In Motion Technology

In Motion Technology, the leader in mobile networking technologies that efficiently connect and manage equipment, information and people in the field, today announced that PROMPT Ambulance has chosen the onBoard Mobile Gateway to improve fleet tracking and communications, cut response times and lower costs.

"The Gateway is the communications hub of our ambulances," said Joe Merry, PROMPT’s Director of Operations and Communications. "It has vastly improved communications and coordination between our crews, dispatchers, municipalities and local hospitals."

PROMPT is the largest private ambulance service in Northwest Indiana, providing advanced and basic life support transportation to residents of the towns of Griffith, Highland, Munster, Merrillville and Dyer. PROMPT’s roots in the region date back to the 1880s and the great grandfather of the current owners. Today, the company has more than 500 employees and makes more than 150,000 emergency calls and wheelchair requests.

The Gateway turns each PROMPT ambulance into a mobile hotspot, providing reliable, secure connectivity to a variety of onboard systems and devices, including laptops, tablets, PDAs, and vehicle monitoring and dispatch systems. Because devices share a single, high-bandwidth network connection, the Gateway has helped PROMPT improve emergency communications, while reducing airtime costs by half.

The Gateway is equipped with the latest GPS technology, enabling dispatchers to know the precise location, direction and speed of its ambulances at all times. This allows PROMPT to dispatch the closest unit to the scene, provide highly accurate estimated arrival times, and achieve average response times of approximately 4 minutes.

The Gateway requires no user intervention -- devices power up and automatically connect -- freeing medics to focus on patient care, and not on getting technology to work. "Installation was simple, and the Gateways have been performing very well," said Merry.

"PROMPT has equipped its ambulance fleet with the latest medical and communications technology," said Tony Morris, In Motion’s VP of Sales and Marketing. "Our solutions allow data from these devices to be seamlessly and instantaneously shared with dispatchers and local hospitals, so patients in Northwest Indiana receive the fastest care and have the best possible outcomes."

Chester Co. EMS Transforms Their Fleet Into Mobile ER with the OnBoard Mobile Gateway

In Motion Technology the leader in mobile networking technologies that efficiently connect and manage equipment, information and people in the field, today announced that Chester County EMS has deployed the onBoard Mobile Gateway to send critical patient information to the hospital before the ambulance arrives, expediting care and improving outcomes.

“In healthcare, it’s all about timely sharing of information,” said Craig A. Walker, CEO of Chester Regional Medical Center. “With In Motion Technology, ER physicians can diagnose and begin treatment before the patient arrives at the hospital. In a rural county like ours where patients must be transported long distances, this technology is helping save lives.”

In Motion’s onBoard Mobile Gateway turns each Chester County ambulance into a mobile hotspot that provides reliable, secure connectivity for defibrillators, laptops and other on board devices. Chester Regional Medical Center ER staff can remotely monitor patient information so they can assist medics with treatment, prepare for the patient’s arrival, or redirect the ambulance to another hospital.

The GPS-equipped Gateway continuously sends location, engine operations and performance information to the county command center, helping the agency track vehicles, prevent breakdowns and reduce response times.

In Motion’s solution was designed to work without user intervention. The Gateway supports industry- leading defibrillators. Devices power up and connect automatically, so medics can focus on patients, while vital information flows seamlessly to the nearest hospital, operations staff, other responders, or authorized physicians anywhere.

“We tried other solutions, but we had problems with set up, configuration and security,” said Britt Lineberger, EMS Director. “Installing the Gateways in our fleet was simple, and completed ahead of schedule. The In Motion team has been excellent to work with. All around, this project has been great for our county.”

“Chester County EMS serves 34,000 residents across 600 square miles in north-central South Carolina. The agency purchased the onBoard Mobile Gateways using a grant awarded by the South Carolina Department of Health to improve trauma care.

We’re pleased to work with Chester County EMS and the Regional Medical Center to improve pre-hospital patient care,” said Tony Morris, In Motion’s VP of Sales and Marketing. “Our technology helps rural and urban communities alike share vital information in real time, overcome communications challenges and expedite care.”

In Motion Technology Integrates Garmin® Navigation Devices into Mobile Networking Platform

In Motion Technology, the leader in mobile networking technologies that efficiently connect and manage equipment, information and people in the field, today announced the release of onBoard Nav, a new solution that allows fleet organizations to communicate with drivers and provide voice-guided directions through inexpensive, off-the-shelf personal navigation devices.

onBoard Nav integrates Garmin personal navigation devices into In Motion’s end-to-end mobile networking solution to provide:

- Improved driver safety: voice-guided navigation enables employees to focus on driving and prevents last second direction decisions; one-press responses to multiple choice questions minimizes driver distraction; broadcast text messaging ensures safety information is not missed when drivers are outside the vehicle.

- Increased productivity and efficiency: address of next job is waiting on-screen for the driver, eliminating the need to initiate a request and subsequent discussion with dispatcher; voice-guided navigation reduces the time that a driver otherwise needs to learn the most efficient route; historical location data enables analysis of traffic areas and times which can provide substantial improvements to future deployments.

- Improved customer satisfaction: knowing driver status prevents dispatchers from attempting to dispatch a crew that is unavailable, reducing delays in responding to customers.

- Increased employee satisfaction: reduced misunderstandings between dispatcher and crews create a healthier working environment for those on the front line.

- Reduced capital costs of providing vehicle communications infrastructure: cost-effective PNDs can easily replace laptops or tablets for most fleets.

onBoard Nav’s plug-and-play installation, and cost effective messaging features set it apart from other fleet management interface solutions. Compatible Garmin devices simply plug into the onBoard Mobile Gateway, In Motion’s in-vehicle communications platform. HQ staff can push destinations and communicate with drivers using the onBoard Mobility Manager, the company’s web-based mobile network management dashboard. onBoard Nav is the latest addition to In Motion’s management suite that allows today’s fleet organizations to monitor, track and troubleshoot all assets in the field -- including vehicles devices and personnel – with precision and in real-time.

“Our solutions allow people on the road to access and share information – using any device over any network – easily, reliably and securely,” said Tony Morris, In Motion’s VP of Sales and Marketing. “Now, with onBoard Nav, organizations can improve fleet dispatching and communications without costly laptops or data terminals, and enhance the efficiency of field crews and their entire mobile operation.”

North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System Chooses In Motion Technology to Connect Ambulances City-Wide

In Motion Technology recently announced that North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System has deployed the company’s patented mobile hotspot technology to connect and manage the largest hospital-based ambulance fleet in the State of New York.

“We transport more than 60,000 patients to hospitals across the five boroughs of NYC and Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island, and with this type of volume we have tremendous logistic, technological and communications demands,” said Alan Schwalberg, Vice President of Emergency Medical Services. “In Motion Technology is our single solution for mobile communications, and has served us flawlessly with our entire fleet and across our entire service area.”

Click here to read the rest of the press release.

ATS of Rockford, IL Improves Response and Turn Times with In Motion Technology

In Motion Technology, the leader in mobile networking technologies that efficiently connect and manage equipment, information and people in the field, today announced that private ambulance operator, ATS Medical Services, has deployed the company’s patented mobile hotspot technology in its fleet of advanced life support vehicles.

“With In Motion Technology, we provide faster responses, better patient care, and more efficient operations,” said ATS founder and CEO, Andy Schultz. “Today, we provide a level of service that is unmatched by other private operators in our area.”

Utilizing In Motion’s onBoard Mobile Gateway, ATS medics now wirelessly share data with doctors and fleet managers in a way that is improving care, reducing response times and making the service more competitive.

ATS’ new capabilities are driven by the Gateway’s patented mobile hotspot technology that provides reliable, secure connectivity to a variety of wired and wireless devices. This has enabled ATS to integrate dispatch, billing, and patient care reporting systems into a single, paperless system that can be accessed anywhere and saves time and money.

Where ATS medics were once required to spend time after each call entering patient, billing, and other information, today crews get back on the road right away.
“The Gateway has allowed us to cut our turn times in half,” said Schultz. “Our crews can clear from calls and be available much quicker than our competition.”

The Gateway is also GPS equipped, enabling ATS to dispatch the closest available unit, reducing fuel use, improving resource utilization, and achieving the fastest possible response times.

Recently, a heart attack victim transported by ATS received interventional cardiac catheterization care in 14 minutes – well under the 90 minutes recommended by the Society of Chest Pain Centers. En route to the hospital, the ambulance’s Gateway had transmitted diagnostic-quality 12-lead ECG information to the ER in advance of its arrival.

“In Motion Technology has reduced our costs, increased our efficiency, and improved customer service,” said Schultz. “It has enabled us to expand service and gain market share even during the current economic downturn. It has paid for itself ten times over.”

“In today’s highly competitive market, commercial ambulance services must rigorously manage operations and costs while providing the highest standards of service,” said Tony Morris, In Motion Technology’s VP Sales and Marketing. “From the largest nationwide fleets to regional and local companies, private ambulance services across the nation rely on In Motion Technology to perform, compete and succeed.”