Wednesday, 12 July 2006 -- Pivotel, the company behind Globalstar Australia, has announced a strategic investment in Location-Based Services developer Tenzeng. Globalstar, which offers a unique dual-mode cellular/satellite phone service in Australia, plans to offer asset and personnel tracking services based on the Tenzeng technology.

Tenzeng needs the Pivotel funding to launch suite of `finder solutions' based on its Location-Based Services (LBS) technology.

The first product to be launched is a Workforce Management Solution, branded WorkScene, which leverages existing mobile carrier location capability, including Telstra's newly launched Mobile Location Manager.

WorkScene is the first product of its kind in Australia focusing on small-to-medium enterprises. It allows SMEs to locate, track and communicate with their workforce using their mobile phones. Operating via a web interface, WorkScene offers affordable fleet tracking without the need for additional expensive hardware. The solution will be available from September 2006.

Tenzeng's Asset Finder solution, which leverages the Globalstar mobile communication network, will also be available towards the end of 2006. Other complementary products will follow throughout 2007.

"We are very pleased to announce the strategic investment and partnership with Pivotel. Completing this funding round is an important milestone for Tenzeng," said Cheryl Quirion, Tenzeng's managing director.

"Australian companies are becoming aware that Location-Based Services can help businesses be more efficient, better manage customer requests and provide a safer working environment for their employees.

"Tenzeng will be first to market in Australia with a range of innovative location-enabled business solutions by combining its experience in delivering complex LBS technologies in a simple-to-use package with Pivotel's and Globalstar Australia's innovative product and services," she said.

Pivotel Group Managing Director, Peter Bolger, believes the investment in Tenzeng will provide multiple benefits to the Pivotel group of companies.

The Pivotel Group, one of the five cellular license holders in Australia, owns three subsidiaries - Globalstar and Think Mobile and Pivotel Communications. Globalstar provides dual-mode satellite and cellular services, while Think Mobile operates a GSM cellular service.

Pivotel Communications provides wholesale carrier services such as bulk messaging and 'white labelled' call centre services.

"We see tremendous potential for cellular network enabled location based services, particularly in workforce management. The Tenzeng investment secures a strategic partner for the development of our Globalstar asset tracking ambitions," said Pivotel group managing director, Peter Bolger.

Tenzeng's technology will be used to create a tracking and mapping solution in conjunction with Globalstar's new simplex data technology to provide businesses with the ability to track and locate mobile assets as they move anywhere around the country.

"The location based services market is definitely in its infancy in Australia. After looking at a number of potential partners, Pivotel settled upon Tenzeng for its outstanding expertise and well-developed, easy-to-use products," said Bolger.