MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.—Location-based application developer Xora notched its first overseas win, inking a deal with Australian network operator Telstra.
Telstra said it will offer Xora’s TimeTrack service to its enterprise customers, including construction crews and other on-the-go businesses. The application is supported by Telstra’s new 3G network, dubbed Next G, and is designed to allow businesses to track employee time sheets, job activity and physical location remotely via the Global Positioning System.
“Recently we’ve been seeing increased interest among business customers for data solutions, especially around location-based services, reflecting a steady change in mobile usage behavior,” said Telstra executive David Thodey. “Xora TimeTrack is one of the first data applications to leverage Telstra’s cutting-edge, location-based services infrastructure.”
Xora boasts thousands of business customers in the United States, where its service is offered exclusively by Sprint Nextel Corp. The carrier has a substantial lead in the location-based services space thanks to Nextel Communications Inc.’s early success, but competition is increasing quickly as other Tier 1 operators bring location-aware offerings to market.
