Singapore infocomm company InfoTrack Soutions (www.infotracksolutions.com), which specialises in location-based solutions, has merged with Abu Dhabi's CERT Telematics (www.certonline.com) to form CERT InfoTrack Telematics. With the ink barely dry on that deal, the new company has already secured a US$43-million contract with Abu Dhabi's Government's Centre of Regulation of Transport.

CERT InfoTrack Telematics will provide taxi and automotive fleet management and dispatch systems for clients throughout the Asia Pacific, India and the Middle East.

InfoTrack brings to the new company its expertise in "location intelligence solutions". The homegrown company has been active in Singapore, where it has developed a hand-held real-time application for the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and deployed its InfoTrack system for clients such as SMART Cab Automobiles, Tiong Woon Crane & Transports, Asiatracks and Comfort Delgro's CitySpeed Car Sharing.

CERT's key strengths lie in research and development into leading edge telematics hardware, firmware and software systems in collaboration with IBM. Telematics refers to the integration of computing, wireless communications and Global Positioning System for sending, receiving and storing information over vast networks. Used in automobile systems, it enables drivers to browse the Internet, send and receive e-mails, receive live traffic updates, listen to satellite radio, and perform various other activities.

The merger increases the service-range capacity of the two companies. According to Mr CK Ramakant, Chief Executive Officer of InfoTrack Solutions, the merger with CERT will enable the new company to gain a strong foothold in the global market. "We are pleased to share this merger not only as a key milestone of our company, but also to encourage other local companies to follow suit for enterprise and business opportunities in the Middle East and far beyond," he said.

CERT InfoTrack Telematics will provide taxi and automotive fleet management and dispatch systems for clients throughout the Asia Pacific, India and the Middle East.

Under the US$43 million TransAD contract secured by the new company, taxis in Abu Dhabi will be equipped with a state-of-the-art tracking and dispatch device provided by CERT InfoTrack. The move is aimed at improving the transportation system in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to meet international standards.

The tracking and dispatch device will incorporate many useful features such as detailed maps of the UAE, and an electronic meter and a database recording system. There are also plans to introduce credit card payment facilities. The dispatch services will be offered to the public through a centralised 24-hour call centre, which will support up to 7,000 taxis in the near future. The system is currently undergoing a pilot-test in Abu Dhabi and will be launched in a few months' time.