ROSH PINA, Israel and CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Feb. 25, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- OTI (GER:OT5), today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary OTI Africa has signed a significant number of commercial fleet companies to join the FuelMaster network in South Africa, totaling over 8,000 vehicles. FuelMaster is bp's chosen brand name for OTI's Gasoline Management System (GMS) in the African market.
This brings the total number of vehicles participating in FuelMaster to over 20,000, serviced at over 500 fuel stations throughout Southern Africa. OTI receives transaction fees based on fuel volumes through the FuelMaster system in addition to on-going service fees. As a result, OTI Africa has recognized a significant increase in revenues since the launch of the FuelMaster network. The expected ongoing annual consumption is of about 100 million liters, more than double the amount consumed in 2001.
Examples of such fleet customers include the Joshua Doore fleet of 1,500 vehicles, which was secured after an extensive pilot implementation at its Cape Town and Johannesburg branches. The customer expressed great satisfaction as a result of the operational efficiencies achieved through the introduction of the FuelMaster system, and since all transactions are fully automated, the company now has access to accurate and reliable information. In addition, the Durban Electricity Department was secured after the Durban Metro Water Services, who has been using the FuelMaster system for more than a year, issued a favorable report to the Durban Unicity recommending the implementation of FuelMaster.
"We are extremely pleased at the growth of new fleet companies who have joined the FuelMaster network," said Charlotte Hambly-Nuss, Managing Director of OTI Africa. "Fleets continue to embrace the FuelMaster business case, thereby demonstrating how OTI's superior technology drives key core business to the system."
OTI Africa has created an extensive infrastructure throughout the region for the provision of installation and maintenance services, which is currently comprised of 14 operational installation centers. Additional centers will be established in outlying regions in step with customer demand.
How FuelMaster Works
Each FuelMaster vehicle is fitted with an antenna mounted around the fuel tank inlet, connected to a smart card installed in the vehicle. The smart card provides unique identification for each vehicle, and is also capable of recording information such as odometer or hour meter readings. A matching antenna installed on the pump nozzle, is connected to the site computer. When the pump nozzle enters the fuel inlet, the smart card communicates with the site computer. Once the computer is satisfied that a legitimate driver is attempting to fuel an authorized vehicle with the proper fuel grade, the pump will begin dispensing fuel. During refuelling, operating data from the smart card is transmitted to the computer for reporting purposes.
Removing the nozzle will immediately stop the flow of fuel. Comprehensive fuel management reports are generated and provided to fleet operators on a regular basis.
A network of over 500 FuelMaster sites in 5 African countries from South Africa to Kenya provide convenient fueling for over 20,000 fleet drivers while assisting fleet managers in providing a new level of accuracy in fuel records and route tracking for fleet traffic. Petroleum solutions offered by OTI are installed around the world including sites in Turkey, Europe, South America, the United States, and more.
About OTI
Established in 1990, OTI (On Track Innovations) designs and develops contactless microprocessor-based smart card technology to address the needs of a wide variety of markets. Applications developed by OTI include products for mass transit, parking, gas management systems, loyalty schemes, identification and secure campuses. OTI has regional offices in the US, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Africa to market and support its products. The company was awarded the prestigious ESCAT Award for smart card inno-vation in both 1998 and 2000. Visit OTI on the Internet at www.oti.co.il.
OTI Africa, a subsidiary of OTI Limited, is responsible for the distribution, installation and maintenance of OTI's products and technology in the African market. Users of the OTI technology have access to an experienced and professional management team who lead and guide dedicated functions in sales, marketing, installation, technical, development and support services.