The wireless communications sector is a dynamic business that necessitates ongoing adaptation on the part of producers, marketers, and customers alike. CalAmp has remained at the top of its market for almost 30 years by remaining agile enough to customize apps for clients on the go. CalAmp has established itself as a market leader in the mobile resource management (MRM) and machine-to-machine (M2M) arena. CalAmp connects clients to critical business information and turns it into usable intelligence for people, systems, and machines. CalAmp GPS devices are widely used in a variety of regional markets, including the United States, Canada, and the European Union
About CalAmp
CalAmp is a linked intelligence startup that helps individuals and organizations work more efficiently. They collaborate with the transportation and logistics, industrial equipment, government, and automotive industries to provide data that helps companies make better decisions. Their software, platforms, and smart devices enable them to track, monitor, and recover critical assets in real time, lowering costs, increasing productivity, and increasing safety. They have over 20 million products deployed worldwide and approximately one million software and service subscribers.
The Founding
The company is a provider of Internet of Things software applications, cloud services, data intelligence, and telematics products and services based in Irvine, California. Previously known as California Amplifier Inc., it was created in 1981 in Newbury Park, California, by Jacob Inbar and David Nichols, who met while working at Eaton Corporation’s microwave business. The company started by making microwave signal amplifiers and other equipment for satellite television and broadband communications.
Following a successful first half of the decade, California Amplifier’s financial strength declined in the second part of the decade. As the company experienced downturns in both of its business sectors, the revenue total recorded in 1996 became the highest of the decade. In January 1998, California Amplifier restructured its organization, forming three business units: satellite goods, wireless cable products, and voice and data products. In September 1999, the company made more changes when it merged its wireless cable and voice and data units into a single entity called wireless access products.
CalAmp, like many other businesses, has rebounded from the economic slump that began in 2008. Friedlander is pleased with the company’s unrestricted growth as the economy begins to warm.
Perpetual Growth
In an industry where the next technical improvement that alters the game is always on the horizon, companies like CalAmp must stay on top of these developments.
Friedlander recently explained that CalAmp has updated its hardware components for rail and Positive Train Control (PTC) compliance, as well as for FirstNet/B14, a communication server used by first responders across the country. Similarly, the company has improved its SaaS for mobile applications for customers with vehicle loans or fleet management.
Although the hardware is an important part of their services, CalAmp is also a full-service solutions provider, offering not only devices and industry-leading embedded firmware, but also a suite of market-leading software applications and a platform on which their customers may develop.
Jeff Gardner- CEO of CalAmp
Jeff Gardner, CalAmp’s dynamic CEO, has guided the business’s strategic evolution from a telematics device company to a leading software-as-a-service supplier of linked intelligence about vehicles, drivers, assets, and cargo. CalAmp has become the premier partner to market leaders in transportation & logistics, government & municipalities, insurance, and construction under Gardner’s leadership, enabling them to track, monitor, and recover vital assets with real-time visibility and insights—ultimately helping the world work efficiently so that individuals and corporations everywhere can proser.
Gardner was a member of CalAmp’s Board of Directors before becoming CEO, and he previously served as CEO of Brinks Home Security and President and CEO of Windstream. Gardner is known for bringing fast-paced enterprises to industry-leading success as an executive leader. To execute strategy, promote growth, and foster extraordinary, collaborative governance and world-class succession planning, he uses smart analysis, tough operational KPIs, consistent communications, and a passionate team approach.
