SiriComm (www.siricomm.com), a provider of wireless Internet access for drivers and fleet productivity applications, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In November 2007, SiriComm’s core network and Internet provider, ViaSat, turned off connectivity between the SiriComm network nodes, effectively disabling SiriComm’s entire wireless network.

ALK Technologies (www.alk.com) said that Aljex Software has integrated ALK’s PC Miler software into its full-service truckload brokerage solutions. Integration enables Aljex customers to access the routing, mapping and mileage functionality of PC Miler within Aljex brokerage solutions.

Descartes Systems Group (www.descartes.com) acquired certain assets of the fleet management business formerly known as Mobitrac from privately-held Fluensee Inc. in an all-cash transaction.

FleetCor (www.fleetcor.com) and Trimble (www.trimble.com) have partnered to provide the FleetCor Fleet MasterCard program to Trimble mobile resource management customers. The fuel card program will work with Trimble’s FuelGuard reporting feature – a theft-reduction capability that identifies the fueling of unauthorized vehicles on company-issued fuel cards.

J.J. Keller & Associates (www.jjkeller.com) recently introduced its Client Information Center, a Web-based tool designed to provide a link between fleet operators and J.J. Keller’s Vehicle Outsource Services area by giving users access to real-time fleet compliance data.

Any eBay user knows the frustration of losing a bid in the final seconds. Today, savvy eBay enthusiasts use automated bidding tools such as EZ Sniper (www.ezsniper.com) that give the competition no time to respond to their closing bids. They also can keep their knowledge of the value of items private.

With freight slow, many carriers also are scavenging the Web for spot loads. Until recently, this wasn’t too difficult, as there were but a handful of significant load boards. But according to the research firm ARC, most large shippers have built, or are in the processes of building, Web portals for carriers to login and view, bid on and accept loads. Shippers also are requiring carriers to enter these Web portals regularly to update the delivery status of loads.