Re Contract

ITIS Holdings PLC 12 March 2002 12th March 2002 ITIS HOLDINGS PLC WINS CONTRACT FOR NEW BMW 7 SERIES ITIS Holding plc, ('the Company') announces today a key contract with BMW Great Britain Limited, ('BMW') to supply traffic information content initially to BMW's new 7 Series iDrive system via RDS-TMC (Radio Data System-Traffic Message Channel). This contract signifies BMW becoming the first Premium Brand car manufacturer in the UK to use the RDS-TMC service, which has been adopted as a standard by the automotive industry throughout Europe. At the beginning of the year, Toyota became the first manufacturer to introduce the ITIS RDS-TMC service on their Avensis and Corolla models. This important contract with BMW supplements the announcement issued last week by the Company that General Motors Europe OnStar has appointed ITIS as preferred partner to provide and manage a range of European telematics services. These developments highlight the fact that the market for in-car navigation systems is increasing rapidly aided by falling prices, increasing adoption of standard fits and the integration of real-time traffic information providing the driver with dynamic routing around or avoidance of traffic congestion. Greg Eastwood, Product Manager- 7 Series BMW (Great Britain) Ltd commented: 'The new BMW 7 Series with its revolutionary iDrive concept is a clear example of BMW's commitment to providing its customers with innovative technology. Following the introduction of RDS-TMC, BMW GB will be the first manufacturer in the UK to offer customers fully integrated real-time traffic information as a full colour map on the satellite navigation system. Our decision to choose ITIS as our UK partner was based on the high quality of content and their ability to deliver a nationwide service.' Stuart Marks, Chief Executive of ITIS Holdings, commented: 'I am delighted that BMW and ITIS will be working together to provide 7 Series drivers with this integrated solution. This contract is an important step in taking TMC to the next level and we will continue to develop relationships with all the key vehicle and hardware manufacturers to ensure that RDS TMC becomes widely adopted in the UK. ITIS can now count BMW, General Motors and Toyota as customers. We continue to monitor closely our cost base and this combined with a current cash balance of £17.4m positions ITIS very well to take full advantage of the growth in telematics.' ENDS Contact: Stuart Marks Chief Executive Officer ITIS Holdings plc Mobile: 07768 454 700 Telephone: 0161 927 3600 Ginny Pulbrook/Charles Vivian Citigate Dewe Rogerson 020 7282 2945/2808 Note to editors: ITIS' traffic information is collated from a combination of journalistic data and real time traffic information sources using its own FVD (floating vehicle data) network. This information is delivered directly into the vehicle's navigation system using RDS-TMC, which is transmitted as data on national FM radio throughout the UK. ITIS secured the exclusive license in January 2001 to broadcast this information on the sub-carrier of Classic FM, the UK's only national independent FM station. The received information is 'decoded' and then integrated into the navigation receiver, providing 'dynamic route guidance' as well as visual instructions. The delivery of data to the in-car system, rather than voice to a mobile telephone, has the added benefits of being safer for the user and cost-effective as there is no line rental to pay. Toyota has already launched ITIS TMC as standard equipment on the Toyota Avensis and it is also available as an option on selected versions of the new Corolla from January 2002. On commencing a journey a driver can select a route using the in-car navigation system and follow turn-by-turn directions along the route. The driver is then automatically updated with real time traffic information (specific to their route) allowing pre-emptive action to be taken by re-routing the journey in the event of accidents or other traffic congestion. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
UK 100

Latest directors dealings