Melbourne's Directed Technologies acquires monitoring firm Sofihub

Australian connected mobility specialist Directed Technologies has announced the complete acquisition of Sofihub which provides assisted monitoring and living technology solutions.

Sofihub's technology and team will be integrated across Directed Group's fleet and retail customer base.

This strategic acquisition will enable Directed Technologies to deploy Sofihub's wearable and monitoring products to enhance driver safety for fleet customers both in and out of vehicles.

The products will be integrated into Directed's e.things platform, providing fleet managers with a comprehensive view to track, monitor, and receive actionable insights on vehicles, assets, and now people.

"With Australia's ageing population and the growing strain on healthcare resources, there is a significant opportunity for innovation through smart technology and connected services to transform independent living," chief executive of Directed Group, Steve Siolis, said.

"While Sofihub has thousands of connected active devices both here and abroad, we see significant opportunity to drive strong growth in the business based on our proven brand leadership record and diverse channels to market," Siolis added.

The acquisition will also allow Directed Electronics, which distributes electronics products to over 25,000 retail outlets in Australia, to expand its smart home portfolio in the smart living and assistive technology space.

This builds on Sofihub's existing user base and established presence in the healthcare and aged care sectors.

"We support fleets across APAC and as far afield as South Africa and Mexico and a common theme we see is the workload of fleet managers can be overwhelming," Brent Stafford, executive director of Directed Technologies said.

"By acquiring Sofihub, we can provide further real-time monitoring options that can enhance emergency support for vulnerable users in times of need." Stafford said.

Sofihub's offerings include the TEQ-FallsAlert for real-time fall detection, TEQ-Secure safety pendants with 4G GPS tracking, and Personal Duress Alarm for Lone Workers and At-Risk Employees.

The company's staff will join the Directed Technologies team, with Sofihub's chief operationg officer Alex Boyd taking on the role of general manager.