Australian Prime Minister launches Olympic transport technology
(Full text of statement. Contact details below.)
Beijing (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - On his first official visit to China as Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon. Kevin Rudd, MP, today launched SmartTrans' EventTrack(R), an advanced Australian technology export which will be used by major Olympic sponsors including Schenker Logistics and BHP Billiton to aid in the transport, management and safety of people and assets during the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Without EventTrack, non-Chinese speaking guests and VIPsvisiting Beijing's Olympics will encounter unprecedented difficulties in navigating the host city. In a metropolis that will swell to 20 million people, and a paucity of English speakers and signage, getting from A to B and communicating transport requirements will be extremely challenging.
SmartTrans (ASX: SMA) EventTrack is the world's only system specifically designed to manage the unique and challenging requirements of VIP transport and human logistics at major events such as the Olympics. Building on the success of its use during the Sydney Olympics, EventTrack 2008 is being rolled out today to manage the complex scheduling and transport requirements of guests and personnel during Games-time.
After a March 2008 inspection of the system in Beijing, former NSW and Sydney Games-time Premier Bob Carr said that he was "pleased to see that EventTrack has added substantial new functionality which, to [his] mind, will provide the safest and most efficient guest transport system ever used at an Olympic Games."
In addition to Olympic sponsors, users include the Australian Trade Commission's Business Club Australia, Securicom, BlueScope Steel, ANZ Bank, McKinsey, Macquarie Bank, ADB, GNS and ABT Creative.
At the prime ministerial launch event, SmartTrans CEO Bryan Carr said, "The EventTrack system not only ensures the security and safety of Olympic sponsors and other guests in Beijing, but provides them with a multi-lingual communications platform incorporating location-based information and concierge services to ensure a great Olympic experience. We are proud to have the Prime Minister's support and recognition for this great Australian technology export."
In partnership with China Alarm - China's largest provider of security monitoring services - and with the support of Austrade, SmartTrans has established itself as the major player in Olympic transport technology and services. Alex Ing, Chairman and CEO of China Alarm said, "This is a great introduction of SmartTrans' technology in China, and only the first stage of our nationwide deployment plans. Our joint business plan extends substantially beyond the Olympics, and we look forward to establishing SmartTrans as the leading player in logistics services in China." In his customer testimonial speech, Matthew Clarke, Head of Beijing 2008 logistics partner Schenker Global Sports Events said "The EventTrack system will be a great addition to the guest experience during the games. I use it now when I visit Beijing, and it ensures that my fellow users and I can navigate around the city."
SmartTrans has a suite of transport and logistics technologies which have been localised into Chinese and will be introduced into China from August 2008 by its local partner China Alarm.
SMARTTRANS EVENTTRACK IS NOW READY AND AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. For pricing enquiries or to test drive EventTrack, please contact David Garnier, SmartTrans' President of International Business, on + 86-159-1094-6563 or via email at [email protected]
SmartTrans (ASX: SMA) is a world leader in the application of technology to assist with transport planning and the automated location of people and assets based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Mobile Data Communication and automated routing and scheduling.
For media enquiries, please contact: China In English or Mandarin Chinese: Ms. Chen Zhu, Media Director, Illuminant Partners Tel: +86-158-1091-5800 Email: [email protected] Australia In English: Ms. Michelle Myers Tel: +61(415)652-913 Email: [email protected] For sales enquiries, please contact: SmartTrans China Tel. +86(10)5879-4050 Suite 1706, Tower A GT International Centre No. 3 Yong An Dongli Jianwai Ave Beijing CBD, 100022 China SmartTrans Australia Tel: +61(3)9866-7333 Level 7, 11 Queens Road Melbourne VIC 3004 Australia SOURCE: SmartTrans
