Technology Briefs
The Latest Headlines:
- Xata Seeing 'Significant' Demand for Fleet-Management System
- Ballard Announces Five-Year Restructuring Plan
- Sapias Rolls Out Mobile Asset Management System
- Ballard Announces Five-Year Restructuring Plan
Xata Seeing 'Significant' Demand for Fleet-Management System
Xata Corp. said Monday that it is already “seeing significant demand for its Xatanet Web-based fleet management system,” just one month after releasing the second version of the system.Xata said that 12 companies have already signed up to purchase or pilot the new system.
Xata said that the Xatanet system allows trucking companies to track mobile assets like vehicles, drivers and trailers through the supply chain.
(Click here for the full press release.)
Ballard Announces Five-Year Restructuring Plan
Fuel cell engineer Ballard Power Systems said Monday that will be implementing a five-year restructuring plan that includes cost cuts, organizational shuffling and some job reductions, but will allow the company to extend its available cash out to 2007.Ballard has partnerships to develop fuel cell-powered vehicles with DaimlerChrysler AG, Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motors Co. Ltd. Fuel cells are often discusses as a possible solution to tighter controls on emissions. The technology uses oxygen and hydrogen to create power, discharging water as a by-product.
The Vancouver, British Columbia-based company has also obtained preliminary commitments from Daimler and Ford Motor Co. to develop a next generation fuel cell engine in return for $97 million in financial backing.
The company also expects to layoff 400 workers over the next three to nine months.
"The revised plan provides Ballard with the financial resources into 2007 to advance our current and anticipated commercialization plans, along with a significant concen-tration on technology research and product development necessary to ensure our success," said Dennis Campbell, Ballard's President and Chief Operating Officer. "Ballard expects to achieve profitability by the end of the plan period." Transport Topics
(Click here for the full press release.)
Sapias Rolls Out Mobile Asset Management System
Sapias Inc. said Monday that it has debuted a mobile asset management system with a 10-company pilot launch.The system uses third-party hardward and Sapias’ software to monitor trucks, tractors and loads as they move through the supply chain.
Mike Mecca, vice president of Mecca & Son Trucking, one of the compaies in the pilot roll out, said that Sapias Fleet Intelligence the system has reduced its vehicle idle time and has allowed the company to integrate its payroll and tax-reporting system.
The pilot launch encompasses 30,000 vehicles, the company said. Transport Topics
(Click here for the full press release.)
