PeopleNet, a provider of onboard communications and fleet management solutions, recently introduced its handheld platform offering that integrates PeopleNet’s g3 mobile computing and communication system with ruggedized handheld devices that enable drivers to gather and display information both in and out of the truck.
PeopleNet’s new handheld platform creates a hybrid of onboard and portable technologies to extend PeopleNet’s capabilities seamlessly from behind the wheel to wherever a driver actually works, at customer facilities and around the truck.
PeopleNet partnered with mobile solutions software provider TrueContext to provide mobile form solutions on handheld devices for virtually all relevant transportation applications. Situation-specific forms are easily understood and completed by drivers who experience less hassle and inconvenience, the companies say.
“Most any handheld device that runs on the Windows Mobile 5 platform can now operate with PeopleNet’s g3 onboard system,” says Brian McLaughlin, PeopleNet’s vice president of marketing and product planning. “Customers can use handhelds from virtually any manufacturer.”
Drivers can use various handheld features such as barcode scanning to quickly, efficiently fill out essential business and regulatory forms – vehicle inspection reports, delivery manifests with signiture capture and much more, the company says. Digital cameras built into some handhelds enable a driver to photograph and document damages to merchandise or even to the truck itself – on the spot.
All handheld data – images, scans and documents – can be transmitted electronically to headquarters over PeopleNet’s g3 mobile communications system. The transmission can be scheduled regularly or at the option of either driver or management.
