AETHER OFFERS PACKAGE TRACKING
Aether Systems announced the launch of 20/20 Delivery, a package tracking and proof-of-delivery application. The system provides complete visibility from package and vehicle tracking to driver management and communication, the company says. Corporate Express, a major business-to-business supplier of essential office and computer products and services, plans to deploy 20/20 Delivery throughout its entire U.S. fleet of more than 1,600 trucks.
Aether 20/20 Delivery uses handheld computers to monitor driver and vehicle productivity. Real-time package and delivery information is wirelessly delivered to the company’s back-end data system, helping improve customer service and payment cycles, the company says. Two-way messaging allows drivers and operations personnel to communicate with each other in real time, whether they need to confirm special delivery instructions or cancel orders in progress.
20/20 Delivery can be implemented as a real-time wireless solution or as a mobile, synchronized solution or a combination of the two, Aether says. Handheld device options include the Pocket PC or Palm OS and the application runs on various PDAs, including ruggedized Symbol and Intermec devices.
Features of the solution include signature capture; electronic manifest management; integrated barcode scanning; route log and delivery information; driver messaging; wide area and local area wireless options; reporting tools; and multiple legacy interface options.
@ROAD ADDS DRIVER LOGS
@Road, a provider of mobile resource management services, announced the availability of an automated hours-of-service feature called @Road Driver Logs. Drivers can now electronically record duty status changes and HOS information directly into their onboard @Road Internet Data Terminal. Companies can view HOS in real time and generate reports by subscriber showing hours worked, hours available and regulatory violations.
“The electronic hours-of-service system is a critical business tool for any transportation or trucking company that needs to better manage operations and increase profitability,” says Mike Applegate, president of Applegate Logistics, which recently completed a pilot test of @Road Driver Logs. “Using the @Road Driver Logs service, our drivers saved a minimum of 15 minutes a day. When you calculate that out at one dollar per minute, times 50 drivers, we easily save $750 a day, simply by automating Hours of Service reporting.”
Companies can subscribe to @Road’s driver logs and state mileage report services separately or as a combined service for one, two or three year terms. Price ranges for the combined service are $27.95 to $32.95 per month per subscriber in addition to the standard iDT platform fees and GeoManager monthly service fees.
GE TIP TO USE ORBCOMM SERVICES
Orbcomm announced that it has an agreement to provide GE TIP data transmission services for GE TIP’s new GE VeriWise trailer tracking system. GE VeriWise customers will have access to Orbcomm’s low-earth orbit satellite network to locate tethered and untethered trailers throughout North America. The GE VeriWise unit features a four-year rechargeable batter that can operate untethered for up to 120 days.
INFO TECH BRIEFS
Computerworld, a weekly information technology newspaper, included five carriers in its 10th annual 100 Best Places to Work survey published in the July 9 issue. Based on a survey of over 11,500 IT professionals, United Parcel Service ranked No. 20 on the list, followed by J.B. Hunt (28), FedEx (33), Roadway Express (36) and Schneider (41).
FreightData Software, a provider of integrated applications for the LTL, TL and Intermodal/ Drayage communities, and Ventura Transfer Company (VTC) announced a partnership agreement to develop FreightDATA Bulk, a fully integrated bulk transportation software solution.
PocketMail Group Limited, a provider of mobile e-mail services, announced a partnership with The Internet Truckstops to provide mobile load-matching services in North American. Using PocketMail’s handheld mobile e-mail device and an Internet Truckstop account, truckers can search truck loads, post trucks, and receive matching loads using virtually any phone.
Computerized Fleet Analysis, Inc. announced compatibility of its CFAWin v.7 with Microsoft’s Windows XP Tablet Operating System. Using the WinXP Tablet’s Input Panel, users can enter repair orders, fuel sheets, cycle counts and part receipts into CFAWin v.7 via handwritten text and speech recognition.
ALK Technologies has been awarded a contract by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to operate, maintain and supply point-to-point routing for the National Hazardous Materials Route Registry.
