Press Releases

Gearworks Receives 2005 Tekne Award For Software

Tekne Awards honor key leaders and innovators in Minnesota technology industries

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, Nov. 11, 2005 — Gearworks, a leading provider of mobile workforce management software, was named the Emerging Company recipient in the IT-Software, Communications and Infrastructure category at the 2005 Tekne Awards held at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Nov. 10. The Tekne Awards recognize Minnesota’s outstanding technology achievements and leaders.

Gearworks was recognized for its mobile workforce management software, etrace®, that enables service-driven companies to monitor, measure and manage their field operations at the point of delivery. etrace is a location-intelligent, wireless and web-based solution that runs on low-cost, application-enabled mobile devices. Since the launch of the company’s on-demand, carrier-delivered product strategy at the beginning of 2004, Gearworks has grown from less than 10 customers to more than 700 today, including FTD, Roto-Rooter, Pepsi Bottling Group, MCI and Select Comfort

“We are please to receive the 2005 Tekne Award for emerging IT software and to be recognized as an innovator among the Minnesota’s leading technology companies,” said Todd J. Krautkremer, CEO, Gearworks. “After moving back from the Silicon Valley I have come to realize that the greatest asset the State of Minnesota has for competing on the world stage is the resourcefulness, relentlessness and resilience of its people. These virtues have been the cornerstone of Gearworks success.”

Presented by the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) and Minnesota Technology, Inc. (MTI), in partnership with Medical Alley/MNBIO, the Tekne Awards annually recognize Minnesota’s best and brightest technology users and developers in innovation, development, education, commercialization and management of technology in Minnesota. This year’s awards featured 51 finalists in 17 categories. A list of all recipients and finalists is available online at www.tekneawards.org.

“Receiving a Tekne Award is a strong confirmation that Gearworks is a leader in technology business innovation,” said Wayne Pletcher, Ph. D., president of MTI. “We’re proud to honor companies like Gearworks that add to our state’s success in an increasingly competitive global economy.”

The keynote address at this year’s Tekne Awards was given by Pat Toole, vice president, business transformation for IBM.

“Minnesota has long been a hotbed of innovation,” said Kate Rubin, president of MHTA. “Thanks to technology innovators and leaders like this year’s recipients, the environment for innovation is stronger than ever.”

About Gearworks
Minneapolis-based Gearworks (www.gearworks.com) is a leading provider of mobile workforce management software that enables service-driven companies – from mainstreet to the Fortune 500 – to monitor, measure and manage their field operations at the point of delivery. The company’s flagship product – etrace® – is a location-intelligent, wireless and Web-based solution that runs on a new generation of low-cost, application-enabled mobile devices. By providing dispatchers, operations managers and other service organization stakeholders with real-time visibility and control of field workers, workflow and activities, etrace enables businesses to make their workforces more productive, processes more efficient and consumers more delighted.

About Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA)
The Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) accelerates the growth, success and sustainability of Minnesota's technology-based economy through public policy advocacy, member collaboration and education, and community outreach. MHTA is the only membership organization that represents Minnesota’s entire technology-based economy. MHTA members include organizations of every size - involved in virtually every aspect of technology creation, production, application and education in Minnesota. MHTA works in partnership with AeA, which represents Minnesota's technology organizations nationally. Find out more online at www.mhta.org.

About MTI
Minnesota Technology, Inc. (MTI) is a nonprofit, 501(c) (3) organization whose mission is to help its business customers gain competitive advantages, support their growth, and contribute to Minnesota’s economic vitality. It fulfills this work through a statewide staff of expert professionals who have tested expertise across a wide variety of business, technology, manufacturing, engineering, publishing and research disciplines. In the last three years, MTI has helped nearly 2,000 Minnesota companies and made a significant economic impact. It helped create and retain over 2,500 jobs, saved its clients more than $70 million, and helped generate $80 million in new technology investments. For more information visit www.minnesotatechnology.org.

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Haberman & Associates
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