Sierra Wireless (News - Alert) announced that it has completed integration of Garmin's Fleet Management Interface or FMI into its line of AirLink (News - Alert) Intelligent Gateways and Routers.

Company sources added that the Garmin FMI version 2.0 is supported by the AirLink PinPoint XT, PinPoint X, MP890, MP597 and MP895. Sierra Wireless AirLink in-vehicle platforms and the Garmin (News - Alert) FMI provide customers with a comprehensive, value-driven mobile solution for location based services, driver communications, vehicle telemetry and fleet management.

The combined solution results in a highly intelligent mobile communications platform with an easy-to-use Garmin Personal Navigation Device or PND.

Sierra Wireless has integrated the Garmin FMI into ALEOS embedded intelligence, which powers AirLink devices. This reduces time to market for launching a total in-vehicle communications environment. This simplifies integration and deployment of AirLink devices with Garmin's PNDs in conjunction with customers' dispatch or AVL systems.

It offers additional features for enabling an efficient fleet management system encompassing real-time navigation, route planning, two-way text messaging, auto-answer on arrivals/departures, and job dispatch capabilities, said Sierra sources.

Roger Jollis, director of OEM and mobile marketing for Garmin said, "Facing constraints in time, costs, and labor, fleet owners are looking for efficiencies wherever they can be found."

"The integration of the Garmin Fleet Management Interface into Sierra Wireless AirLink in-vehicle platforms provides customers with better information about their assets and the efficiency of their operations, while at the same time simplifying navigation, routing, and time management for vehicle operators," Jollis added.

Leveraging the capabilities of its inherent Application Programming Interface or API, ALEOS enables deeper integration for Sierra Wireless solutions partners. It allows access to features far beyond location, including the state of vehicle parameters like speed, doors and sirens besides peripheral equipment like man-down alarms and printers.

Also the presence of a comprehensive, rules-based events reporting engine facilitates monitoring of key vehicle features and sensors. AirLink device management software allows customers to remotely configure and update rules-based reporting parameters and have real-time data sent to an application, email, or SMS.

Justin Schmid, Vice President of Marketing for Sierra Wireless said, "We are focused on simplifying complex integration and solution deployment for our partners and customers. Garmin is a leader in providing navigation products and services and we are excited about this enhancement, which provides customers with a straightforward path to very robust in-vehicle solutions."

The Sierra Wireless line of intelligent in-vehicle gateways and routers includes products which feature a high level of embedded intelligence and comprehensive remote control, configuration, and management capabilities using the suite of AirLink device management software. It was revealed that customers can remotely configure the entire array of AirLink device parameters, including GPS settings, security protocols and events reporting among others.