SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Jan. 5) — Satellite communications provider Qualcomm Inc. plans to ship a Java-based version of its JTRACS Pro software, the vehicle diagnostics component of its OmniTRACS fleet information management system.

The company said it has teamed with computer giant IBM to write the application using the Java programming language, which allows software to run on several different computing platforms.

The IBM solution will use Java and IBM’s application development tool, VisualAge for Java, said Chris Wolfe, vice-president of OmniTRACS operations and software products at Qualcomm’s Wireless Business Solutions division.

“Working with IBM to rewrite legacy RPG and C code in Java allows us to eliminate the labor-intensive process of developing software to run on different platforms,” Wolfe said. “By incorporating Java into JTRACS Pro, we will be able to support multiple platforms, cut overall development costs, and bring updates of JTRACS Pro and other products to market much faster.”

Qualcomm develops software and hardware solutions for hundreds of transportation companies, which typically use diverse computer platforms, Wolfe said.

JTRACS Pro monitors and communicates engine diagnostics among other critical data to fleet dispatchers, who view the information via a browser in an Intranet or Internet environment.

Qualcomm said it is actively working to implement Java in other OmniTRACS software products.