Trucking Technology Alert - Nov. 16
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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:
- New Gadgets Emphasize Mobility
- IT Used to Track Hazardous Materials
- OnStar to Offer In-Car Access to Home Systems
- IT Used to Track Hazardous Materials
New Gadgets Emphasize Mobility
This year's Comdex computer trade show featured a plethora of new integrated wireless gadgets, including Samsung's TV Phone or the new Sony Network Handycam, which allows users to send video clips via a Bluetooth-enabled Web connection.Some products stretched the limits of convergence, such as National Semiconductor's Geode Origami Mobile Communicator that serves as an email client, Web browser, video camcorder, MP3 player, and wireless videophone. Besides wireless devices, several security-related devices were available that let people secure their PCs. Panasonic's Authenticam is a mounted camera that authenticates PC users based on iris scans, and Siemens' new mouse with fingerprint scanner works for the same purpose. Associated Press (11/16/01); Wong, May
IT Used to Track Hazardous Materials
Braintree, Mass.-based Clean Harbors, Inc., an environmental services company, is using information technology to help it take care of hazardous waste disposal and environmental remediation.For example, in New York the company has had a hazardous waste cleanup crew and mobile command center equipped with onboard computers and scanners at the site of the World Trade Center since September 11. The company will also shortly begin hauling away potentially anthrax-laden debris from the offices of NBC in New York.
During the operation, managers will track the movement of the company's trucks in real time on a wide-screen map in a control room at Clean Harbor's headquarters. Because the movement of any hazardous waste requires documentation for both the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a company employee in New York will scan the paper files associated with the shipment and send them as computer files to the company's networked computer system. Clean Harbor's patented CHOICE electronic-commerce system also enables the company's customers, particularly those in the chemical and oil industries, to obtain quotes for the transportation of waste material and fill out DOT forms online. According to David Proud, vice president of electronic commerce at Clean Harbors, the company also uses customer relationship management software from Bellevue, Wash.-based Onyx Software, while data integration is handled by software from Scribe Software of Bedford, N.H. Computerworld (11/09/01); Brewin, Bob
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OnStar to Offer In-Car Access to Home Systems
OnStar, the subsidiary of General Motors that provides wireless data services for motor vehicles, is planning to test a number of new services shortly as part of its effort to expand on its traditional base of security and safety services, and to meet challenges presented by its commercial rivals in the emerging telemetry market.According to Chet Huber, the president of OnStar, the company will introduce a new service over the next few months that would enable customers to access a home network from their cars. Those customers that possessed home networks that support the technology could, for example, turn up their air conditioning if they are driving home on a warm day, or simply check that their home security system is switched on. The company is also developing vehicle maintenance services that would allow a dealership to remotely monitor the health of a new car and remind drivers when their vehicles are due for a check-up.
OnStar is broadening its services at a time when some of its competitors are developing productivity applications that go beyond the services offered by OnStar. Wingcast, a company established by Qualcomm and Ford Motor, announced a partnership with Oracle a few months ago to develop new types of telemetry services. As part of the agreement, Wingcast says it intends to eventually operate as an application service provider that would enable software vendors like Oracle to beam customer relationship management, sales, and other applications into motor vehicles, thereby making mobile workers more productive. Mercedes-Benz is shortly expected to introduce a futuristic Mercedes equipped with a high-speed 802.11a Ethernet system developed by its parent company, DaimlerChrysler. PC World (11/01); Niccolai, James
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