OTI and BP Expand GMS Network to Two Additional Countries - Zambia and Tanzania
Rosh Pina, Israel (ots)
OTI (Neuer Markt: OT5) announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, OTI Africa, has received orders from BP Zambia and BP Tanzania to install 26 FuelMaster stations servicing commercial customers to their networks. Thousands of additional vehicles are expected to be installed as a result. Additionally, both companies will install systems on-site for a number of prominent fleet customers, enabling them to use FuelMaster for refuelling both at home and on the road. The installations will be completed in Zambia during the third quarter, and the company intends to launch the product in the fourth quarter. FuelMaster is BP's chosen brand name for OTI's Gasoline Management System (GMS) in the African market.
These orders are part of a three-year agreement between the two companies to extend the FuelMaster network throughout the southeastern portion of the continent. OTI receives transaction fees based on fuel volumes through the FuelMaster system, in addition to on-going service fees. FuelMaster's expansion throughout Africa is a result of the system's success in South Africa, where more than 10,000 vehicles have been installed and over 6,000 FuelMaster Express tags have been issued since its launch late last year. As a result of the FuelMaster system, BP has increased its market share in these African markets. While the FuelMaster program provides convenient fuel management for fleet customers, the FuelMaster Express program targets the private motorist market.
"OTI has proven the success of FuelMaster in South Africa, generating additional demand by fleet companies throughout southern Africa," said Charlotte Hambly-Nuss, Managing Director of OTI Africa. "Continuing our expansion into Zambia and Tanzania with both on-road and home-base installations offers our fleet customers unmatched support wherever their business takes them."
"These new sites expand our ongoing partnership with BP South Africa while continuing to fulfil our objective of generating multiple revenue streams from our projects, including support fees and transaction fees," said Oded Bashan, President and CEO of OTI. "GMS is a proven success around the world, including Turkey, Ecuador, South Africa, and beyond."
OTI has been appointed by BP to provide encoding, installation, driver training, maintenance, repair, quality control, customer care, technical support, and development services for the FuelMaster program
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 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.
How FuelMaster Express Works
The FuelMaster Express program uses an OTI smart key fob to carry a driver's payment information. The key fob is simply presented to the reader located on the pump nozzle. The reader electronically authorizes the data from the key fob, and if valid, initiates the fuelling process. When fuelling is complete the key fob is returned to the driver who can depart immediately. It is not necessary to sign a receipt, but a receipt may be requested.
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 innovation 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.
Contact:
Frank Schwarz
Kirchhoff Consult AG
Phone +49 69 7474 8615
Mobile +49 17 5221 1108
E-mail: frank.schwarz@kirchhoff.de