hiSky and Caterpillar's Israeli Dealer Embark on a Joint Pilot of hiSky's Satellite Terminal

March 8, 2017

Israeli satellite communications company, hiSky Ltd. and Caterpillar's Israeli dealer, Tractors & Equipment (ITE) Ltd., a part of Zoko Enterprises Group will carry out a joint pilot program to integrate hiSky's satellite terminal (the Smartellite) with the machines and vehicle platforms of the manufacturers represented by the Zoko Enterprises group in Israel.

The program will explore the integration of the satellite terminal into the company's platforms, to enable transmitting and receiving of data to control centers, location and data analysis, diagnostics, fuel consumption, data collection and processing, designation of assignments to platforms, remote data transmission and computer updates, via hiSky's satellite communication system. All of these functions will greatly benefit to the end-user and enable efficient fleet management. In addition, the system integration will enable the platform operator to make satellite phone calls and send messages.

 One of the goals of the pilot program is to give Cat machines complete management capabilities, even in locations where there is no mobile coverage or in areas with limited mobile connectivity.

Cat machines are often operated at emergency situation sites, such as earthquakes and disaster-stricken areas, increasing the need for continuous communication, independent of wired or wireless infrastructure.

Through Cat existing EM (Equipment Management) system, its machines provide general data, production data, diagnostics and sophisticated analysis. The continuous communication between the platform and the EM system enables higher utilization of these machines, even in remote locations.

A company official said: "Integrating hiSky's satellite communication systems may be the solution for Cat customers and dealers around the world, who can generate significant added value in fleet management tools for use in areas where there is no cellular network, or in emergency situations, and maybe even in other scenarios where there is a technological or commercial advantage in using a satellite communications platform."

hiSky's CEO, Shahar Kravitz, added: "We are excited to start working with Zoko and explore the integration of our system into Cat products, and are certain that there will be significant added value in connecting our unique satellite communication system with machines and other vehicles. We are delighted that Zoko is participating in such forward-thinking and innovative pilot together with our team of experts, in order to explore the opportunity to better serve their customers."

The joint pilot program will begin in the coming months.

hiSky has developed a portable satellite terminal that enables smartphones to interface with voice and data communications, via geostationary High Throughput Satellites. Working with these satellites enables a significant reduction in voice and data transfer rates. The hiSky Smartellite device will also meet the needs of the growing IoT market.