Teletrac Inc has upgraded its FleetDirector — its main fleet tracking system — to run over General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) networks. This upgrade lets FleetDirector provide more expansive geographic coverage for vehicle location in North America, and higher bandwidth transmission.
The firm is also announcing Prism, a GPRS location unit that current FleetDirector users can install in their vehicles to upgrade to the GPRS communication backbone. Prism is now part of the FleetDirector system package, which includes hardware installed in the vehicle, and Internet-based software that runs over the main office computer.
Prism locates vehicles using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, and communicates location information to the Internet-based FleetDirector software via GPRS technology, a packet-based wireless communication service for data.
System adds load tracking
The g2x wireless fleet management system from PeopleNet Communications now allows fleets to offer shippers real-time location information about their loads. A new agreement with ALK Technologies will also allow fleets to send directions to drivers based on actual GPS location information.
The new Shipper View feature, which is offered at no additional cost, lets carriers share their fleet location map information with select customers. When issued a password by the fleet, customers can use a secure web site to view shipment location, proximity to landmarks, other route data, and arrival/departure notifications.
Integration with ALK's Condensed Driver Directions lets drivers directly request customized routing information based on vehicle position information generated by the g2x's GPS feature. The suggestions follow truck-specific routes right down to street-level destinations.
The directions are created in a condensed format to keep communications character counts as low as possible, according to ALK.