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The Timex BodyLink System is a personal radio network of unique devises worn on the body that together operate as a single information and sports monitoring system. This system can be used in

 part or as a whole. The components include:

• A GPS transceiver the provides continuous information of speed, distance, altitude and location.
• An EKG accurate heart-rate monitor that provides continuous hear-rate.
• A Multifunction Ironman Sport Watch to view information during an activity.
• A Data Recorder to store information for post-event analysis and review.
• Timex Trainer Software to view and manage the information.

BITS & BYTES: Garmin earnings, stocks rise
By DAVID HAYES, Columnist

Recession? What recession?

Garmin Ltd. said Monday that sales of its consumer and aviation global positioning system products are running well above the company's estimates of only six weeks ago. Garmin said sales in the fourth quarter would top $132 million and could reach $135 million before Dec. 31.

Both are more than 20 percent above the company's financial forecast in October.

The early morning update from Garmin was one of two hot news items out of the Olathe-based manufacturer on Monday. Later in the day, the Consumer Electronics Association said Garmin's new personal digital assistant, which will not hit store shelves until next spring, has received the organization's prestigious Best of Innovations Award.

The combined news sent shares in Garmin soaring Monday. Garmin stock hit a new high, closing at $28.42, up $4.20, or 17.3 percent for the day. Trading was 10 times higher than normal.

Kevin Rauckman, Garmin's chief financial officer, attributed the sales surge to increasing consumer demand for GPS devices, a relatively new market. Using satellites, GPS devices pinpoint a user's location and provide directions to their destination.

"Sales across our business have been strong throughout the fourth quarter," Rauckman said. "Strong demand for consumer products during the holidays, as well as the shipment of significant quantities of back-ordered...aviation products have pushed revenues higher than anticipated."

Garmin said the company's sales for the year should now hit $464 to $467 million, up from $369.1 million in 2001.

Rauckman said consumer sales were partly driven by demand for Garmin's new Rino family radio service radios, which incorporate GPS technology; Garmin's consumer-level eTrex devices; and automotive products such as the Garmin StreetPilot III, which provides turn-by-turn directions.

Aviation sales are up as the company fills back orders for its GTX 330 transponder and its GDL 49 satellite weather system, Rauckman said.

The Consumer Electronics Association provided the first public look at two new Garmin products, including its personal digital assistant, which the company has named the iQue 3600.

Based on the Palm operating system, the iQue integrates the features of a personal organizer and a GPS device. Garmin plans to formally unveil the iQue at the Consumer Electronics Show next month in Las Vegas.

Min Kao, Garmin's chief executive, said the award will be a boon to the company.

"We have long believed in the convergent benefits of PDA organization and GPS navigation," Kao said. "This award also validates that we're on the right path with our product development and further confirms our belief that GPS-enabled products will revolutionize the way people live."

The iQue was one of 24 products to receive the "Best of Innovations" award.

However, Garmin also was named as an "honoree" by the consumer electronics group for two other products. A new product, the Geko, was a finalist in the personal electronics category. The company calls the Geko "a fun, entry-level GPS device debuting for under $150."

Garmin technology also is used in the Timex Bodylink System, a watch that measures speed distance and heart rate. The Bodylink also was a finalist in the personal electronics category.

In other news, Garmin officials said the company will expand its production facilities in Taiwan, and is completing plans to expand its headquarters in Olathe. The Olathe project should be complete in 2004. The project will add research and development, call center and warehouse space.

High-tech football

The Kansas City Chiefs will show off the technology that drives the team both on and off the field during a KCCatalyst session next month at Arrowhead Stadium.

ITKC, a KCCatalyst-sponsored business networking group for the information technology industry, will hear from Richard McOsker, director of information systems for the Chiefs. McOsker is expected to talk about the Chief's information technology infrastructure, digital video integration and how the team uses technology for scouting and player development.

The event will be the fourth networking meeting for ITKC.

Venture capital program

The Kansas Women's Business Center is planning a program Jan. 13 to encourage women entrepreneurs to apply for the Springboard Venture Capital Forum.

The evening program is expected to draw women entrepreneurs, investors, service providers and community leaders for a presentation about the Springboard forum. Sponsored by the Washington, D.C.-based Springboard Enterprises Inc., Springboard is designed to introduce potential investors to women-owned businesses.

Springboard is scheduled for April 23 in Chicago, but the deadline for applications is Jan. 31.

In the last two years, Decision Insight Inc., a Kansas City market research company; HandSignal Inc., a Prairie Village wireless software company; and BeyondNow Technologies Inc., an Overland Park medical software company, were among the companies selected for Springboard.