Trucking Technology Alert - Aug. 6
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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:
- Caltrans Readies Road-Repair Web Site
- New Software Pinpoints the Location of Web Users
- @Track Obtains Listing in Good Standing on Nasdaq SmallCap Market
- Diversion of 911 Funds Criticized
- Upgrade Won't Help Cell Phone Users Yet
Caltrans Readies Road-Repair Web Site
Caltrans is developing a Web site to help drivers navigate around traffic obstacles as part of an effort to ensure that California drivers are able to avoid a plethora of construction projects.Users can access the company's Web site, www.dot.ca.gov, for a list of road projects in their area. Company officials hope the program will give drivers options when traffic problems persist.
Other Web sites available for drivers are www.traffic.com and traffic.tqann.net. Sacramento Bee (08/05/01) P. A3; Barrows, Matthew
New Software Pinpoints the Location of Web Users
The very city where Web users log on can be traced with geo-location software, a new development that holds potential for many industries, including Internet gambling, telephony, and e-commerce. Internet telephony providers can use the software to confirm that subscribers are standing by the locality-based rates they signed up for.Net2Phone is doing this with software from Quova. Gambling concerns can determine whether bets are being placed in areas where online gambling is legal. Broadcasting, pharmaceutical, and digital rights management firms can apply geo-location software to online ventures that are dependent on country specific statutes. On the other hand, privacy advocates are worried that such technology will compromise a user's right to anonymity and restrict data access. Financial Times (08/04/01) P. 7; Leising, Matthew
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@Track Obtains Listing in Good Standing on Nasdaq SmallCap Market
BDP International has begun offering its BDPTrax service, which allows customers to tracks freight shipments via the Internet.The service offers a variety of applications, including global tracking and tracing functions and alerts when there is trouble with the shipment. Shippers, consignees, carriers, customs clearance agents, and third-party providers located anywhere in the world can access the system.
The freight forwarder recently inked a deal with G-Log, a supply chain management software provider, to integrate its logistics management software with BDP's current infrastructure. In addition, the 10-year contract calls for collaboration between the two companies to develop new logistics software and services, according to both firms. Journal of Commerce (07/31/01) P. WP; Atkinson, Helen
On July 3, the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel issued an order ending the de-listing proceedings against the company, holding that the company's listing is now in good standing. Effective August 7, 2001, Nasdaq will change the company's ticker symbol from ATRKC to ATRK, removing the "C" designation for conditional listing. @Track Communications News Release (08/05/01)
Such wireless broadband setups are likened to the ham radio, because anyone within the beaming distance of the system would be able to log onto the network. The new wireless data networks rely heavily on peer-to-peer (P2P) technology, which is being used to offer voice options so users can speak to each other over the Internet, as well as file-sharing capabilities. Clay Shirky, a P2P expert and principal at the Accelerator Group in New York, says the way in which tech workers are advancing networking is no different than the way they did 20 years when they were "smuggling PCs into businesses behind the backs of the people running the mainframes."
There is no need for phone companies to be alarmed just yet because such P2P systems are not ready for broader use today. The technology is open to security risks, businesses remain wary of it because they do not know how to capitalize on it, and it is continues to be linked to the legal issue of exchanging copyrighted content files. Business Week Online 8/01/01); Salkever, Alex
Under a deadline established by the Federal Communications Commission, mobile phone operators will be required to provide information to emergency dispatchers that would enable the dispatchers to identify the location of a wireless 911 caller within 110 yards at least two-thirds of the time. Nevertheless, a number of wireless phone operators, including Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS, and Cingular Wireless, recently told the FCC that they will be unable to meet the Oct. 1 deadline. Indianapolis Star (08/04/01); Sword, Doug
@Track Obtains Listing in Good Standing on Nasdaq SmallCap Market@Track Communications, Inc. reports it has successfully retained its listing on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market.Diversion of 911 Funds Criticized
An increasing number of community wireless networks such as Guerrilla.net are starting to appear around the world. Like the group of computer experts in the Boston area behind Guerrilla.net, who view their initiative as an attempt to create an alternative to the wired Internet, these pioneers would rather build their own networks than continue to use traditional modes of communication, such as the telephone.Upgrade Won't Help Cell Phone Users Yet
In Indianapolis, emergency dispatchers will shortly be able to identify the locations of mobile phone users making emergency calls, thanks to an $850,000 upgrade.
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