DriverTech — designers of the DT4000 TruckPC, a Microsoft Windows Embedded Standard onboard computing system with three modes of communications — announced that Brookings, S.D.-based Harms Oil Co. will equip its entire fleet with the DT4000 TruckPC.
The vendor also announced that Salt Lake City-based Pride Transport Inc. is equipping 220 of its tractors with DriverTech systems, enabling the fleet to take advantage of the wide range of application choices available with the tri-mode (satellite, cellular and Wi-Fi) DriverTech DT4000 TruckPC.
Harms Oil, first-time users of a mobile communications system, selected the TruckPC based on the system’s Wi-Fi and in-cab scanning capabilities. “Since we make repeated deliveries to specific locations, we are able to place Wi-Fi routers strategically in key locations, enabling us to realize considerable communications savings,” says Jason Harms. “It’s a very cost-effective and efficient way of communicating bill of lading information from our trucks.”
Delivering bulk fuel in mainly Midwestern states, Harms also will be utilizing DriverTech’s DTScan in-cab scanning device in addition to the TruckPC. “Due to the nature of the loading facilities in our geography, there were few solutions that could deliver the necessary information efficiently in any situation,” Harms says. “By utilizing DriverTech’s scanning solution, we are now in a position to directly influence the timely arrival of billing information. The quality of DriverTech’s in-cab scanning was far superior to anything we’ve seen on the market today and is a great fit for our business need.”
DriverTech says its DT4000 TruckPC tri-mode (satellite, cellular and Wi-Fi) onboard computing system allows for a wide range of application choices and offers fleets an immediate return on investment by not paying a transaction charge per page for scanning in the cab. The TruckPC works with the DTScan to provide production-level scan and capture technology for truck cabs utilizing Visioneer OneTouch scanners with Kofax VRS technology. The system uses familiar processes and software applications that meet professional imaging standards at a reduced image size, thereby resulting in smaller data transmissions and faster processing into integrated back-office enterprise systems.
Pride Transport, a family-owned and -operated refrigerated carrier, provides service coast to coast. Among the first applications it plans to incorporate in its new DriverTech systems is turn-by-turn navigation on a load-by-load basis. Next on the list are several driver workflow items, such as load assignment and proof-of-delivery capabilities through an interface with its enterprise management system. Onboard document imaging using DriverTech’s DTScan in-cab scanning solution is also under consideration.
“DriverTech’s technology was the key to our decision to make this change,” says Dan DeGrazio, chief information officer at Pride. “Mobile communications systems are a cost of doing business today, and with the TruckPC, we are getting a lot more capability for the same expense. These onboard computers give us room to grow beyond two-way messaging. They are used to bring business processes from the office to the truck, and to help our drivers provide our customers with the exceptional service we promise and deliver.”
Pride says it tested five units before committing to switching a large part of its fleet to the DriverTech DT4000 TruckPC. “Our drivers learned to use the system very quickly and easily,” DeGrazio says. “We were very impressed with the support and training we received from DriverTech, and with the reliability and durability of the onboard units. The DT4000 TruckPCs will prove to be a very wise investment.”
“PrideTransport is the perfect example of how our TruckPC can meet the varying and growing needs of fleets,” says Mark Haslam, chief executive officer at DriverTech. “We are very pleased they have chosen to make the switch to our system, and we look forward to working with them.”
