Trucking Technology Alert - Aug. 14
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Both the online report and e-mail are sponsored by @Track Communications, a supplier of wireless communications and dispatch services.
Today's Technology Headlines:
- Motorola Introduces Full-Size Portable Keyboard
- Ten Myths of Wireless
- Shield Pack Offers Humidity Indicators
- @Track Posts 2Q Profit
- Ford Speeds Distribution
Motorola Introduces Full-Size Portable Keyboard
Motorola and Think Outside have introduced their first portable keyboard for wireless phones.Think Outside has designed the Motorola iBoard keyboard to use with the Motorola i85s and 50sx Internet-ready wireless handsets and future models. The keyboard allows users the option of a full-size keyboard for tasks like composing e-mail messages and entering date book appointments. Moreover, the Motorola iBoard keyboard offers unique functions to optimize the phone operations including the ability to launch programs, surf the wireless web, turn the phone off, adjust the volume, and activate the speakerphone.
Ten Myths of Wireless
There are currently a lot of myths going around about how wireless will change the world, and most of these will not come to pass.For example, according to the myths, it will not be long before everything in the business world will be connected to the Internet and controlled remotely by cellular phone. The problem is that when people actually think about how to achieve widespread use of mobile commerce, they are met with the fact that the quality of the current networks has to be seriously improved if the industry is going to achieve its objectives.
In 2000, for example, a survey carried out by the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association found that customer satisfaction with cellular phone service had fallen from 70% in 1996 to 53% in 1999. A similar study carried out by The Yankee Group last year found that two out of three mobile phone users would change their mobile phone providers if they thought they could receive better coverage.
Because coverage is not all encompassing and transmission is extremely slow, there is also little value to be obtained from corporate wireless applications. Most people would therefore agree that improving the user experience is the key to encouraging the majority of companies to find ways in which wireless can lead to improvements in their businesses. Roy Dube, a partner of Pricewaterhouse Coopers, says that almost every kind of business could discover some advantage in implementing a wireless application, and he adds that among his clients, interest in
ireless is continuing to grow despite the downturn in the economy. ZDNet (08/13/01); Gohring, Nancy
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Shield Pack Offers Humidity Indicators
A manufacturer of intermediate bulk moisture barrier liners, Shield Pack is now providing humidity indicators in its 3D barrier covers and bags.The humidity indicators gauge internal conditions during storage and shipping. In particular, the humidity indicators monitor the relative humidity inside the packaging for easy reference during storage and shipping, thereby preventing damage such as corrosion.
The company also announced that its packaging program has been selected by Arland Tool & Manufacturing to ship the latter's machined generator components abroad. Journal of Commerce (08/10/01) P. WP; Borrone, Lauren
That compared with a net loss of $3.0 million for the 2000 second quarter. @Track News Release (08/13/01
The new system will add 11 distribution centers to Ford's network, for a total of 21. Nineteen facilities around the country will have "High-Velocity" centers to speed much-used items like spark plugs and filters to distributors via next-day ground delivery. Three "High-Cube" centers will provide two-day delivery for bulkier items, while infrequently ordered items like moldings and fasteners will be handled out of a single "Low Volume/Low-Cube" facility in Memphis, Tenn. Traffic World (08/13/01) Vol. 265, No. 33, P. 15; Cottrill, Ken
@Track Posts 2Q Profit
@Track Communications, Inc. a provider of wireless-based vehicle fleet management and intelligent mobile-asset-tracking solutions, reports that net income for the second quarter of 2001 ended June 30 was $50.8 million, including an extraordinary gain of $59.5 million on early extinguishment of $80 million of the company's senior note debt. Ford Speeds Distribution
Ford Motor is implementing a new custom-built parts distribution network designed to get often-needed parts to dealers within a day and to allow dealers to place orders five days a week rather than once a week.
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