Vertrax Announces Key Agreement with QUALCOMM

03/24/2003

Vertrax, Inc., the leader in fleet management solutions for the retail oil and propane industry, today announced that it has entered into an exclusive agreement with QUALCOMM Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM). QUALCOMM, the leader in mobile communications for the transportation industry will provide the satellite mobile communications for Vertrax’ flagship product, SmartDrops. SmartDrops helps retail oil and propane distributors reduce delivery costs, increase revenues, and enhance the quality of service by enabling management to take better control of their operations.

SmartDrops offers heating oil and propane delivery fleets a comprehensive technology solution integrated with QUALCOMM’s renowned satellite network. SmartDrops includes desktop mapping/routing logistics, real-time fleet tracking control, on-board mobile computing, and real- time two-way data communications between vehicle and depot. These components have proven to eliminate many resource-draining back office functions and increase delivery productivity.
The SmartDrops product suite incorporates proprietary software and third-party components, including QUALCOMM’s mobile communications software known as QTRACS, which manages critical operational data, vehicle positioning, and driver and dispatch communication.

“Vertrax is committed to providing best-of-breed solutions built on proven technology. Our relationship with QUALCOMM is just one more example of that commitment to our current and future customers,” said William B. Landers, Marketing Director at Vertrax.

“As the leader in mobile communications systems, we strive to offer innovative and proven solutions that help customers increase productivity and improve operational efficiencies throughout their fleets,” said Glynn Spangenberg, vice president of transportation and logistics business operations for QUALCOMM Wireless Business Solutions. “This alliance with Vertrax enables us to offer more value to our customers.”

Vincent Mullineaux, CEO of Vertrax said, “Our exclusive arrangement with QUALCOMM enables us to outfit retail oil and propane fleet vehicles with critical technology including real-time messaging to communicate with drivers, and vehicle location monitoring. Our alliance with QUALCOMM provides our customers a solution offering greater customer service and increased profitability.”

Since 1988, QUALCOMM’s OmniTRACS® mobile communications system has provided transportation companies with an innovative and effective way of managing logistics. Today, QUALCOMM’s fleet management solutions continue to set the standard by offering products and services that meet and exceed the demands of a constantly changing marketplace. Now, with OmniExpress®, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)-based digital wireless communications and tracking system, along with other industry-leading technologies, QUALCOMM continues to expand into new mobile markets. QUALCOMM is the industry’s global leader in providing high-value wireless data solutions with a Network Management Center that processes more than seven million transactions each day and over 460,000 QUALCOMM mobile systems shipped to businesses in more than 39 countries on four continents.

QUALCOMM Incorporated (www.qualcomm.com) is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services based on the Company’s CDMA digital technology. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., QUALCOMM is included in the S&P 500 Index and traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market® under the ticker symbol QCOM.

Vertrax, Inc. was launched in early 2002 to bring integrated technology and business solutions to the “Last Mile” of the logistics supply chain enabling its customers to become more profitable by increasing productivity and reducing delivery costs. Vertrax is headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut. For further information about Vertrax or SmartDrops, call 203-562-0146, or visit www.vertrax.com. For further information about QUALCOMM and its products visit www.qualcomm.com.

QUALCOMM, QTRACS, OmniTRACS and OmniExpress are registered trademarks of QUALCOMM Incorporated.

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