AccuWeather.com launched AccuWeather.com Business, a planning tool for fleet operators that provides customizable weather alarms, summary forecasts and historical comparisons.

Minorplanet Systems USA, a provider of telematics solutions for commercial fleets, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company plans to continue operations as it restructures debt.

SkyBitz signed five carriers for its satellite-based trailer tracking and information management service: Southern Cal Transport Inc., Fugro Chance, On Time Transportation Inc., Royal Freight and Gill Brothers Transportation.

Aether Systems Inc. said Denver, Colo.-based refrigerated carrier Western Distributing Transportation Corp. will convert its 170-truck fleet to MobileMax, Aether’s multi-mode wireless communications and tracking solution.

Cypress Semiconductor Corp. announced WirelessUSB LR, a 2.4 GHz radio system-on-a-chip solution that delivers up to 50 meters of wireless connectivity for commercial and industrial applications. The new product is an alternative to wireless networking solutions like Zigbee and Bluetooth.

SiriComm, has raised $2 million through a private placement. The company provides broadband wireless software and network infrastructure for transportation applications.

PASSING THE TECHNOLOGY BUCK
Like most businesses, trucking companies must devote significant resources to “back office” activities that must be done but don’t really relate to the company’s core function of hauling freight. In addition to those tasks inherent in running any business, regulations add further information management chores, such as processing logs or filing fuel taxes.