OVERLAND PARK, Kan., and REDMOND, Wash. — May 16, 2005 — In conjunction with today’s national market launch of Sprint Business Mobility Framework by Sprint (NYSE: FON), Microsoft Corp. announced the available integration of the Microsoft® MapPoint® Location Server (MLS) with Sprint’s network. Sprint becomes the first U.S.-based mobile operator to deliver real-time location services with MLS. 1-800-GOT-JUNK? LLC, North America’s largest junk removal service, is among the first companies to benefit from integrating MLS and Sprint Business Mobility Framework capabilities into its business applications and processes.
MLS and Sprint Business Mobility Framework combine to create an easy platform for integrating real-time network services into line-of-business applications. Third-party application developers and business customers benefit from the Sprint Nationwide PCS network that now includes location, messaging and notification capabilities. Microsoft’s rich set of development tools for building location-based applications and powerful mapping capabilities powers a wide range of applications, including those used for asset tracking, fleet management and mobile-worker dispatch based on real-time location information.
The MapPoint Location Server provides access to real-time location of mobile devices via applications that have been tested and certified for Sprint Business Mobility Framework, and acts as a proxy between business applications and MapPoint Web Service. Support of standards such as Extensible Markup Language (XML) and Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) removes traditional barriers associated with the adoption of location information into applications. MLS enforces user privacy preferences in the enterprise’s network, giving the enterprise control of default privacy settings and a single platform for developers to connect to multiple wireless networks.
“Businesses are continually looking to improve their competitive edge, streamline processes and reduce costs,” said Michael Graff, general manager of the Mobile Experience Team at Microsoft. “MLS leverages real-time location-based technology to improve business processes and efficiency through dispatching and tracking mobile assets and workers.”
Sprint Business Mobility Framework offers a robust portfolio of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network-based capabilities, such as presence, cell sector location, precision location, Short Message Service (SMS) alerts, voice alerts, presence notification and location notification, enhancing mobile applications to meet advanced mobility requirements for communication between the enterprise and its mobile work force.
“Sprint Business Mobility Framework enhances communications with mobile workers to help businesses increase productivity, lower operating costs and increase customer satisfaction,” said David Owens, vice president of marketing — strategic markets, Sprint Business Solutions. “Solutions like MapPoint Location Server help us meet customer demand for incorporating real-time location information into corporate applications. We’re excited to work with leading developers like Microsoft, their robust ISV and developer community, and others to make location and messaging real for businesses.”
Independent software vendors and solution providers can target a wide range of businesses and opportunities, answer customers’ demand for innovation, and leverage growing industry support for location-based services by using MLS’ familiar developer environment to add real-time location intelligence to new and existing applications. Sprint Business Mobility Framework provides an open standards network gateway interface, enabling fast and seamless integration of applications with Sprint network services.
AppLocation Systems Inc., a Victoria, British Columbia-based ISV that specializes in developing innovative wireless and location-based solutions, helped 1-800-GOT-JUNK? become more efficient by building location information into its fleet tracking system. 1-800-GOT-JUNK? is North America’s largest junk removal company, servicing 38 states. Working with Microsoft and Sprint in the U.S. and Bell Mobility Canada’s network in Canada, AppLocation Systems built real-time location tracking capabilities into 1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s in-house job booking system. Real-time location information is used to efficiently route service calls by dispatching drivers based on their proximity to customer locations, along with providing point-to-point directions and maps for all their routes. As a result, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? expects to increase its efficiency, on-time pickups and cost savings, and improve customer satisfaction.
“We developed our Web-based pickup booking system to both provide our customers with an easy and efficient method for interacting with us, and to streamline our business operations,” said Cameron Herold, chief operations officer of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? “Incorporating real-time location tracking scheduling and routing processes with MLS and Sprint was the obvious next step in continuing to provide the great service our customers have come to expect.”
More information about Sprint Business Mobility Framework can be found on Sprint Business Web site.
MapPoint Location Server is available to customers with a valid license agreement for the MapPoint Web Service. More information about the MapPoint Location Server can be found in the MapPoint Virtual Pressroom.
About Sprint
Sprint offers an extensive range of innovative communication products and solutions, including global IP, wireless, local and multiproduct bundles. A Fortune 100 company with more than $27 billion in annual revenues in 2004, Sprint is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying state-of-the-art network technologies, including the United States’ first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network; an award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone; and one of the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide wireless networks in the United States. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/mr.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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