CommandLink now available to Chicago Residents
17 November 1998
CommandLink Wireless Automotive Control Module Enables Chicago Area Residents to Communicate with Cars; Automobile Owners Control Vehicle Functions with Paging Technology
CHICAGO--Nov. 17, 1998--Omega Research and Development, a Douglasville, Ga.-based company providing products and services in the auto and personal security industries, announced today the availability of CommandLink(TM) to Chicago area residents. CommandLink is a wide-area communications system that enables owners to control electrical features and options in their automobiles from most locations via any phone or the Internet. Chicago is just one of several major metropolitan cities with access to this unique communication.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), over 4 million calls were placed into AAA for automobile lockouts in 1997. With CommandLink communication ability, waiting for a locksmith or a duplicate key is eliminated. By utilizing Motorola's one-way paging technology, users simply call a toll-free number or log on to www.wirelessweb.com to remotely control automatic door locks and trunks. Consumers have the choice to extend CommandLink's communication capabilities by adding optional equipment that can remotely start an engine to pre-cool or pre-heat a car's interior, engage horns and lights to locate a vehicle and be utilized as a theft-deterrent system that enables car owners to remotely turn off the engine to prevent thieves from restarting their car. With police reports estimating more than 482 automobile thefts occurring each hour in the United States, CommandLink offers added security to protect consumers' vehicle investments.
"CommandLink helps alleviate the sinking feeling and frustration that accompanies mishaps such as being locked out of a car, or worse, finding your car stolen," said William Duffy, director, automotive aftermarket division of Omega Research and Development. "With life's unpredictable ways, it's good to know that consumers have options to control situations to the best of their ability."
"My 18-month-old son accidentally locked himself and my keys inside the car," said CommandLink user John Bachman. "A bad situation was diverted by just calling and paging the car to unlock the door."
Available at selected new car dealerships, specialty security and audio stores and mass retailers, CommandLink fills the void of consumers' need for more simplistic and lower priced automotive security and convenience products. According to market research conducted by Motorola, there is a large market for a basic, low-cost product that provides key convenience and safety features. In fact, 80 percent of the 600 participating research subjects said they would purchase a product that had the capabilities of CommandLink. Due to paging technology's cost-efficiency and reliability, CommandLink provides consumers products they want at a significantly lower cost, around $199 for installation and a one-time activation fee of $25. Additionally, consumers pay only $34.95 annually for the paging service.
"Paging has limitless ability that is reliable and cost-efficient," said Allan Spiro, marketing manager, Motorola's LinkWorks. "No longer will a consumer be out of range or helpless if they want to control vehicle functionality."
Starting November 23, Omega will conduct a major radio advertising and promotional campaign to be delivered to an estimated listening audience of over 2.5 million in the Chicagoland area. Chicago radio stations will complement the ads with a series of on-air consumer promotions that include giveaways of several CommandLink systems. Participating stations include Q101 WKQX, WCKG FM 105.9, WGCI FM 107.5 and The Mix WTMX 101.9.
To learn more about CommandLink, the promotional campaign and finding the closest CommandLink retailer, consumers can call 1-800 PAGECAR or visit CommandLink's interactive web site at www.pagecar.com.
Omega Research and Development, Inc., is a 28-year old company based in Douglasville, Georgia. Founded by Kenneth Flick to design, manufacture and market vehicle security, the company has diversified to include automotive loudspeaker, speaker wire, and personal security systems. Auto security systems remain the central focus, with seven lines of keyless entry and security systems. With advanced technology such as Automatic Transmitter Verification (ATV) and CommandLink, Omega is established as a recognized worldwide leader in the auto and personal security industries.
