J.B. Hunt Transport Services announced that it has selected the SkyBitz Global Locating System asset-tracking technology for substantially all of its trailers serving the North American continent.
J.B. Hunt has been using analog-based trailer-tracking solutions since 2002. Pending the Federal Communications Commission-mandated switch to digital technology, the company says it underwent a comprehensive evaluation process to upgrade its trailer-tracking systems with a solution that would meet its stringent requirements for functionality, quality, stability, communications capabilities and price.
“The satellite-based SkyBitz technology provides ubiquitous coverage that will give us real-time trailer information, enabling us to enhance asset utilization and improve our tractor-to-trailer ratio, not to mention increased responsiveness to our customers,” says Craig Harper, executive vice president of operations and chief operating officer for Lowell, Ark.-based J.B. Hunt.
A deciding factor for J.B. Hunt in selecting SkyBitz was the battery life of the untethered mobile units, which was verified by an independent battery life model developed by the University of Arkansas. J.B. Hunt has begun installing the SkyBitz technology and expects to have mobile units installed on its fleet of trailers in the next 12 to 18 months.
