Jan 1, 2005 12:00 PM, [Compiled by Gary Macklin • gmacklin@primediabusiness.com]

Qualcomm Inc and Snap-on Inc have formed a strategic relationship to cooperate in developing and marketing remote diagnostics and mobile asset management systems for the transportation, logistics, and heavy equipment industries worldwide.

The two firms have developed several initiatives. Most significant is a plan to integrate Snap-on's eTechnician application, a web-based remote vehicle monitoring and diagnostics system that enhances asset management, remote diagnostics, and control of vehicle parameters.

Snap-on's eTechnician enables communication of vehicle diagnostic data with a central operations base, allowing base operators to query vehicle data at any time. The application also has a “command-and-control” feature that can control vehicles and reprogram vehicle parameters while the vehicle is traveling on- or off-road.

Other initiatives include jointly exploring asset management systems for vehicle manufacturers and opportunities for command-and-control vehicle security systems.