Dunedin company launches global tracking service

Embargoed 6am 7 August

Dunedin company launches cutting edge global tracking service

A global land, sea and air tracking service, developed in Dunedin and being launched today, will radically improve New Zealand's search and rescue capability.

TracPlus, developed by Dunedin company Daestra NZ Ltd, combines terrestrial, maritime and aviation tracking, allowing the location and status of aircraft, ships and vehicles to be monitored with a single integrated system.

Tracking modules installed on the vehicle or craft use GPS to determine its location, and then transmit that information using cellular and satellite networks through TracPlus's mission critical data centre in Sydney, Australia.

TracPlus users can then log in from anywhere in the world to monitor where the vehicle has been, and where it is. Operators can also choose to share their tracking information with rescue authorities, meaning that in the event of an emergency or loss of communications, rescuers can be despatched immediately to the last known position.

TracPlus CEO Chris Hinch said the tracking service provides a 99.999% guarantee on its database server uptime, which means less than six minutes of unscheduled downtime in an entire year.

"This level of guaranteed availability is absolutely essential, considering that our service is supporting those for whom a 'bad day at the office' can mean a very serious outcome," he said.

"As well as the peace of mind that TracPlus offers to families and friends of those who work and play in dangerous and remote conditions, TracPlus provides a "big picture" view for rescue operators and can dramatically improve on-site response times.

"In the example of a missing solo yachtsman, TracPlus can mean the difference between searching hundreds of thousands of square kilometres of ocean and being able to direct an Orion maritime surveillance aircraft straight to a vessel in distress."

Recent tragedies which highlight the need for TracPlus include the fate of Australian kayaker Andrew McAuley, who went missing off the West Coast of the South island in February 2007, the loss of Liquor King Michael Ercig in a helicopter crash in 2006 and the "Timeout" boating tragedy off Oamaru in 2003 which claimed three lives.

TracPlus has already been adopted by the majority of New Zealand's air rescue operators, including the Lion Foundation Rescue Trust, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and the Christchurch's Westpac Rescue Helicopter. TracPlus was also used by EarthRace during their extreme round the world Bio Fuel record attempt allowing supporters around the world to follow their progress online.

TracPlus CEO Chris Hinch today also announced a partnership with US based satellite imagery provider Earthstar Geographics Pty that will allow Daestra to rapidly take TracPlus to the world. "We have had strong overseas interest in TracPlus, and this relationship will allow us to deliver high quality mapping imagery for all our international customers."

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