After announcing a partnership with Intrado (www.intrado.com) for emergency calls (Auto E-lectronics July 17),HUGHES Telematics (www.HUGHEStelematics.com) has signed agreements with IBM (www.ibm.com) and Oracle (www.oracle.com) to build its non-emergency telematics operations center.

IBM has been working with HUGHES Telematics to build its telematics operations center, which is the hub of connectivity for all HUGHES Telematics-equipped vehicles. The current agreement formalizes a long standing relationship between HUGHES Telematics and IBM and is the springboard for the implementation phase of HUGHES Telematics’ systems in Mercedes-Benz (www.mbusa) and Chrysler (www.chrysler.com) vehicles.

“Telematics and vehicle ICT (information and communication technologies) are moving from the conceptual phase to strategic execution”, said Thilo Koslowski, vice president automotive at Gartner, Inc. “Partnerships between telematics providers and experienced IT leaders are a critical success factor in developing successful offerings and realizing the connected vehicle.”

HUGHES Telematics has selected database and applications software from Oracle for its customer- and business-facing systems. Oracle database, middleware, and applications software will allow HUGHES Telematics to provide a standards-based adaptable platform for future services.

“IBM and Oracle are providing two vital elements in developing a telematics platform that is specifically engineered for integration with our automotive manufacturers’ and dealers’ EDI systems, specialized call centers and third party content providers,” said HUGHES Telematics president Erik Goldman.