PeopleNet Debuts Alert Add-On for iPad App, Other Product Upgrades at Customer Meeting

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BOCA RATON, Fla. — PeopleNet Communications Corp. unveiled three new products here, including a critical events alert system for the iPad to give customers additional mobile communications options.

The move to es-tablish a system of alerting maintenance and safety managers within seconds if there are issues on a truck was announced during the company’s Aug. 6-8 User Conference. The application can forward information such as engine fault codes, low tire pressure or driver events such as rapid speed changes, the company said.

In addition, the company said it has created a Spanish-language option for the BLU.2 onboard computer to enhance communications options for drivers. A new icon-based display option that can be used on tablet

computing devices also was announced.

“We understand there are events that require immediate attention rather than waiting to review reports,” said Randy Boyles, vice president of tailored solutions, noting the value fleets can gain from re-ceiving potential critical event information quickly instead of having to try to anticipate problems based on periodic reports.

The alerts are sent through an iPad management application, or app, created by PeopleNet, Minnetonka, Minn. The company is working on making the new app available to users of iPhones and Android devices.

In addition to the safety information, the new app can be used for vehicle location and messaging, allowing managers to monitor other information if they are not in the office.

The alert shows the reason for the alert, vehicle speed, truck location, engine revolutions per minute and a visual display of the incident either with a map or satellite view. A driver’s previous five incidents as well as hours of service status for the past 24 hours also are shown.

CEO Ron Konezny said the company’s third new product is a display option using icons for customers who prefer to use a tablet device. It was designed after customers requested icons instead of text displays.

The displays are easier for some customers to use, and they work with Windows-based operating systems, Konezny said.

“We are really excited about offering another display option,” said Konezny, who also was designated general manager of global transportation and logistics after Trimble Navigation purchased PeopleNet last year.

The Spanish-language option for the BLU.2 onboard computer is designed to meet the needs of a workforce that is becoming more multinational, Konezny said. The move also opens the door for penetration of the sizable Mexican market, he said.

Earlier this year, the company introduced Spanish and French Canadian language choices for its PeopleNet Fleet Manager product.

“What we are trying to do is to get ourselves in a good position to enter the market within Mexico and between Mexico and the U.S.,” Konezny said.

“While drivers must understand English to be DOT-compliant, having this ability reduces training time and cost by helping drivers learn how to use the system more quickly,” said Tom Dorazio, senior product manager.

“You have to have very good technology, be reliable and continue to integrate, but if you don’t have the right customer support network, you won’t benefit as much,” Konezny said in an interview. “The fastest way to succeed is a high level of service. If you do good things, news travels. That is the biggest single thing that we are trying to nail home.”