Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Absolute Software uses GPS to protect against data loss and lost laptops

Absolute Adds GPS Tracking to Industry-Leading Mobile IT Asset Management Suite
Absolute's laptop management solution maps remote laptop location

August 8, 2008 - Absolute Software, the leading provider Computer Theft Recovery, Data Protection and Secure Asset Tracking solutions announced today the availability of geolocation tracking for Computrace.

The solution complements Absolute's IP tracking capabilities by allowing IT asset managers to track GPS-enabled laptops in the field to within 10 metres (33 feet) and view reports on their location using Google(tm) Maps technology.

"Thanks to companies like Qualcomm and their industry leading Gobi initiative, GPS tracking information is becoming more prevalent in computing devices. Adding geolocation tracking to Computrace bolsters the value we deliver to our customers in two major ways," said John Livingston, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Absolute.

"Absolute's customers can now see where their assets are, find them more easily and assist in the earlier detection of missing computers. This capability is further enhanced by the visual nature of the reports that allow users to view computers plotted on a map. Secondly, when a computer goes missing GPS tracking information becomes a powerful forensic tool in the hands of our experienced Theft Recovery Team."

How It Works

Geolocation tracking complements Absolute's core Internet-based tracking and reporting capabilities. Using embedded GPS receivers from popular manufacturers, Computrace acquires latitude and longitude location information from remote computers for display in Absolute's Web-based IT asset management portal.

With this information, Computrace can plot the current location of all supported GPS-enabled computers in a customer's account. Alternatively, the location history of an individual asset can be viewed.

Securing and Managing Mobile Computers

Computrace's geolocation tracking is the latest addition to the product suite of mobile computer security and management tools from Absolute. Using Absolute's SaaS-delivered products, IT asset managers and compliance personnel can:

* Track and manage computers on the LAN or in the field
* Remotely delete sensitive information for regulatory compliance
* Easily inventory all computers regardless of their location
* Remotely inventory software licenses
* Detect hardware changes or prohibited software installations

In addition, Absolute's investigative team can deploy forensic tools to compromised assets to physically recover lost or stolen computers and to conduct post-theft forensic investigations into computer use.

How Computrace Solutions Work

Computrace® software is embedded in the firmware of computers from the world's leading computer manufacturers right at the factory for extreme tamper-resistance.

The stealthy Computrace Agent is capable of surviving operating system re-installations, as well as hard-drive reformats, replacements and re-imaging. It can be activated by customers when they purchase a subscription with terms ranging from one to four years.

When a computer is stolen, the Absolute Theft Recovery Team uses information sent via Computrace to investigate computer thefts, document evidence and work with local law enforcement to physically recover missing computers and prosecute computer thieves. To augment their investigation, the team deploys a powerful set of theft recovery tools developed by Absolute, which include capabilities such as keystroke loggers, cameras, location tracking (Wi-Fi triangulation, GPS) and remote access terminals. These tools are only employed post-theft with express customer authorisation and consent and are used exclusively by Absolute's trained professionals in order to protect privacy.

Geolocation tracking is available immediately with Computrace at no additional cost to Absolute customers.

A complete list of supported GPS receivers can be found at www.absolute.com/geolocation. For more info about Absolute and its line of Computrace solutions visit www.absolute.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION please contact Deborah Leah dleah@insightmkt.com +44(0)7810 834548

Notes to editors:

Absolute Software is the leader in Computer Theft Recovery, Data Protection and Secure Asset Tracking(tm) solutions. Absolute Software provides organisations and consumers with solutions in the areas of regulatory compliance, data protection and theft recovery. The Company's ComputraceOne® product works by providing a multi-layered security solution. It enables hardware assets to be automatically tracked and better managed for business, education and government and if the computer is stolen, Absolute works with local police to track and recover it. Even if the thief tries to wipe the system, this application self heals and allows the tracking process to continue.

The ComputraceOne application is loaded on the hard drive of a computer while support for the ComputraceOne agent is embedded in the BIOS or firmware. If the hard drive is reformatted or replaced, the ComputraceOne agent support in the BIOS rebuilds the necessary application files on the hard drive as required by the customer.

The ComputraceOne Technology Platform is the client/server architecture that delivers the Absolute Software Computer Theft Recovery, Data Protection and Secure Asset Tracking(tm) services. Thanks to the hands-free communication (over IP or PSTN) between the secure, patented ComputraceOne agent client and the Monitoring Centre server, the security services from Absolute are exceptionally easy to manage on all computers across the enterprise.

Major computer manufacturers such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, Toshiba, Fujitsu, MPC, Panasonic and Motion Computing have embedded the ComputraceOne Agent in the BIOS or firmware of their computers, to prevent ComputraceOne from being removed by unauthorised users.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the expected performance of our services and products, and other expectations, intentions and plans contained in this press release that aren't historical fact. When used in this press release, the words "plan," "expect," "believe," and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current expectations. They are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in technology and general market conditions. In light of the many risks and uncertainties you should understand that we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release will be realised.

©2008 Absolute Software Corporation. All rights reserved. Computrace and Absolute are registered trademarks of Absolute Software Corporation. Computrace U.S. patents No. 5,715,174, No. 5,764,892, No. 5,802,280, No. 5,896,497, No. 6,244,758, No. 6,269,392, No. 6,300,863, and No. 6,507,914. Canadian patents No. 2,284,806 and No. 2,205,370. U.K. patents No. EP793823 and No. GB2338101. German patent No. 695 125 34.6-08. Australian patent No. 699045. The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the information contained in this news release.