Trimble, Siemens Team on GPS Devices

Trimble Navigation Ltd. said it will partner with Germany’s Siemens to boost sales of global positioning system devices, which can be used to track locations worldwide. Sunnyvale-based Trimble said it will work with the semiconductor unit of Siemens to design and manufacture new versions of GPS systems. It did not disclose the terms of the alliance. Siemens will license Trimble’s underlying technology and software, install them in its systems, and sell the package through its own sales force, which Trimble will help train. Ship captains, truck drivers and military units use GPS to pinpoint their locations and relay information to home ports and bases. The Siemens arrangement could speed the development of more advanced products for car drivers as well, a Trimble representative said. Trimble shares rose 31 cents to close at $19.31 on Nasdaq.