Award-winning GPS mapping company TracMap has launched a third application targeting satellite coverage of contractors' vehicles working for councils in the utilities sector.
The utilities technology, launched earlier this month as TM465, is already in operation with some contractors working for councils in Christchurch and Southland, TracMap managing director Colin Brown said.
"What makes it unique is how easy it is to use, and particularly suits fitting to single operator vehicles such as road spraying units, rubbish trucks, mowers or bulldozers," he said.
Privately-owned Mosgiel-based TracMap was launched in 2005 and its first application of GPS guidance and tracking was in the agricultural sector, such as spraying and fertiliser application.
The company then developed an aviation system for agricultural and firefighting helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, with overseas expansion including sales in Australia, Canada, Bulgaria, Russia and the United States.
"The new [utilities] technology will allow TracMap to expand operations from agricultural and aviation applications into the utility services sector, working with contractors or local councils to create cost efficiencies and improved logistical reporting procedures and increased safety for the public," he said.
The company is in advanced negotiations with several utilities contractors, mainly in New Zealand, but also Australia and recently sold two units to a Californian firefighting organisation to install on bulldozers.
Mr Brown said the TM465 was different from other GPS-based devices as it is able to display "purpose maps" on screen, so the contractor knows where they are, and where they should be at all times; such as roadside spraying, which would show target areas, record applications and highlight no-spray zones on screen.
Mr Brown said TracMap, the recent winner of the New Zealand Hi-Tech Emerging Company Award, and listed as the eighth-fastest growing company in the Deloitte NZ Fast 50, said the new utilities technology had the potential to double the size of the company, which has more than tripled its employee numbers to 18 during the past two years .
After five years, TracMap has achieved a 70% share of the agricultural spreading contractor market and 50% of all fertiliser spread in the country uses TracMap technology, while the average productivity gains for customers was almost 20%, Mr Brown said.
"There's a huge opportunity for growth in the utility sector and eventually we aim to expand into the US and further afield," he said.
