Technology Briefs - Feb. 7 - Feb. 13
- Wireless Devices Seen Changing Logistics
- Tougher Cybercrime Bill Introduced Into House
- 3 Companies Working on New Wireless Device
- Flaws Found in Internet Structure
- UPS Expands Technology for International Customers
- Pre-Screened Trucks Get Pass In Oregon
- Truck Stops to Get Automated Showers
- New System Floats Cars With Magnets
- U.S. House Votes to Boost Computer Security Spending
- Tougher Cybercrime Bill Introduced Into House
Wireless Devices Seen Changing Logistics
Trucking and other transportation and logistics companies are showing the way to industry at large when it comes to embracing the uses of the wireless Internet, ABC News reported Tuesday.While industries like health care and construction have been cautious about adopting the new technology, ABC said, major delivery companies have made wireless communications an essential tool in their everyday operations.
Using wireless touchpads, delivery drivers can tell central offices which packages remain in their trucks. The same technology tells warehouse managers what is on their shelves and store managers when to restock.
The common thread among transportation companies, logistics companies, warehouses and retail stores, the report said, is the need for workers on the go – like truck drivers – to communicate the location of goods back to a central database.
Tougher Cybercrime Bill Introduced Into House
A bill has been introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives that could land some computer hackers in prison for life, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.As more companies, including many in the trucking industry, branch out into e-commerce, protecting their interests on the Internet has become more important.
White House officials and executives from the technology industry both threw their support behind the bill, saying that the courts need to take cyberattacks more seriously. Concerns have been raised in recent months that teenage hackers or foreign threats could damage government and business computer systems, the AP said.
The bill would give judges greater latitude in sentencing. Current law ties sentences to the cost of the damage done and limits jail time to 10 years. The new bill, introduced by Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) would require consideration of factors like the sophistication of the offense, intent and violations of the victim's privacy, the AP said. Transport Topics
3 Companies Working on New Wireless Device
Three high-tech companies have teamed up to develop a way to put multimedia content into cell phones and other wireless devices, the Washington Post reported Wednesday.Truckers make extensive use of wireless technology, especially cell phones.
Sun Microsystems, Apple Computer and Ericsson say they will use Apple’s QuickTime streaming video application, content-distribution software from Sun and wireless infrastructure from Ericsson to develop a way to get content such as movie clips on to cell phones. Transport Topics
Flaws Found in Internet Structure
Holes have been found in Internet security that could allow hackers to steal data or e-mail, plant bugs or even take control of some systems, USA Today reported Wednesday.Trucking companies use the Internet extensively for functions ranging from billing to load-matching.
The problem, according to the newspaper, is the Simple Network Management Protocol, which is used to manage Internet traffic and program network devices remotely.
While tech companies are working to provide fixes, the Computer Emergency Response Team, which issued the warning, has suggested that companies disable SNMP code until the patches are installed. Transport Topics
UPS Expands Technology for International Customers
United Parcel Service said Monday that customers in 37 countries can now download UPS OnLine Tools from the Internet.Also, customers in 34 countries can track packages using wireless devices.
The company said these tools allow customers to view the status of their orders at any time in their own languages and can cut order processing by as much as two days.
Besides tracking, customers can get rates, address validation and shipping options from many cell phones and handheld products.
Based in Atlanta, UPS is ranked No. 1 in the Transport Topics 100 list. Transport Topics
(Click here for the full press release.)
Pre-Screened Trucks Get Pass In Oregon
Oregon pre-screened transponder-equipped trucks a total of 1.12 million times last year at automated Green Light weigh stations and only 4,480 of those had to pull in due to problems with safety records, credentials or other records, the Department of Transportation reported.The Green Light bypass system uses special scales to weigh trucks in motion at highway speed as they approach a weigh station and computers to match the truck’s electronic ID with the truck’s tax, registration and safety records.
Trucks were given the green light to go on without a stop eight out of 10 times, according to the Motor Carrier Transportation Division. Of those that were not given a green signal, 9% had transponder communication or truck tag problems. Six percent got a signal to pull in because they needed a closer check of axle weights, 3% had faulty readings because of changes in speed or position and 2% actually had violations.
Oregon officials estimate it takes five minutes for a truck to enter a weigh station, roll across the static scales and have the axles manually checked. By that measure, truckers saved 74,373 hours of travel time last year, according to the statement. Eric Kulisch
Truck Stops to Get Automated Showers
Using new smart card technology, SmartStop Inc. Monday launched a system designed to automate the operation of shower rooms at truck stops, travel plazas and rest areas.The system, called SmartShower, uses technology designed by On Track Innovations.
The companies introduced the SmartShower system on a limited basis across the United States in 2001. Transport Topics
(Click here for the full press release.)
New System Floats Cars With Magnets
A new magnetic rail system that avoids the drawbacks usually associated with that technology was tested Feb. 6 in Olympia, Wash., the Associated Press reported.Railroads compete for freight with trucks and a technology that reduces railroad costs could sharply impact trucking.
Magnetic levitation has been used in Europe and Japan to provide a frictionless system in which train cars run suspended just above the guiding track and are pulled along by powerful electromagnets.
However, the magnets are expensive, use a lot of power and require contestant maintenance.
The system tested in Olympia, called Levx and developed by Magna Force, a Port Angeles, Wash.-based company, uses magnets that repel one another. In the test, a Corvette was floated on a platform above a track.
Such magnets usually lose power over time, but Karl Lamb, president of Magna Force, said he has developed a way to keep the cars floating for thousands of years. Transport Topics
U.S. House Votes to Boost Computer Security Spending
The U.S. House of Representatives voted Thursday to significantly boost spending on computer security, news services reported.The attacks of Sept. 11 raised concerns about the vulnerability of the nation's telecommunications, Internet and other vital networks to computer-based attack. Like nearly all industries, trucking also relies on computer and technology to be successful.
It agreed to devote $105.7 million to new cybersecurity programs in fiscal 2003, increasing to $229 million in fiscal 2007. A total of $880 million was authorized for research, scholarships and other incentives, and comes on top of the roughly $60 million the government already devotes to network security. Transport Topics
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