November 5, 2001 8:15 AM, EST

Trucking Technology Alert - Nov. 5

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Today's Technology Headlines:

Attacks Test Companies' Flexibility
Wireless Networks Go Wide
Airports Press Ahead on Wireless Access
Nokia Top Wireless System in W. Europe

Attacks Test Companies' Flexibility

New logistics technology designed to improve management of corporate supply networks helped shippers meet deadlines immediately following the Sept. 11 attacks when airfreight service was halted and border shipments faced major delays.

This surprised many industry observers who believed the newer logistics systems' emphasis on maintaining lower inventory levels would lead to major difficulties. However, many companies found their logistics systems well-equipped to respond quickly in the days immediately following the attacks. For instance, Iowa's Hon Co. received an order for 20 truckloads of custom-built office furniture on Sept. 13 from a Washington, D.C.-based organization involved in disaster relief.

Hon's supply-chain management software examined various shipping factors, such as scheduling, the distribution centers to be involved, and expected time delays, before providing the fastest shipping method. Hon's vice president of distribution and logistics, John Stock, said the software eliminates the many calls previously required to non-connected production, procurement, and distribution players. The software enabled Hon trucks to begin arriving in Washington on Sept. 17. Washington Post (11/01/01) P. E5; Irwin, Neil

Wireless Networks Go Wide

Intel is one of the major technology companies backing a new wireless networking standard that would send data at unprecedented speeds and is cheap to manufacture. Intel recently appealed to the FCC to allocate bandwidth for the ultrawideband (UWB) technology it and other firms are developing. Envisioneering Group analyst Richard Doherty says that UWB research would likely be pioneered for emergency rescue and military applications, since it also has the added benefit of working as a short-range radar signal. One startup, XtremeSpectrum, already has plans to produce a UWB chip next year.

CEO Martin Rofheart says UWB has tremendous potential because of the low amount of power it uses compared to other wireless chips, making the same Moore's Law theory for processors applicable to UWB chips as well. Even if UWB receives a portion of the radio spectrum from the FCC, Intel's Kevin Kahn says consumer deployment would be at least three years out. Investor's Business Daily (11/02/01) P. A5; Detar, James

Airports Press Ahead on Wireless Access

Airline passengers have yet to show much interest in high-speed wireless networks installed in several North American airports.

However, this has not deterred such companies as Nokia Internet Communications and MobileStar from moving forward with their wireless plans in hopes of generating additional revenues. Nokia Internet Communications built a wireless network for Vancouver International Airport last year and now operates the network exclusively.

Travelers can purchase a Wi-Fi Card from Nokia to obtain permanent access to the network. Meanwhile, Concourse Communications has agreed to provide LaGuardia, Newark, and Kennedy International with wireless service in 2002. In addition, the company will begin offering wireless service on a limited basis at St. Paul International Airport in Minneapolis in November of this year. MobileStar currently provides wireless service in the Admirals Club sites of American Airlines at the three aforementioned New York airports. Millions of laptops and other devices compatible with Wi-Fi technology, the industry standard for short-range wireless communications, have been shipped this year, but growth of the market has been hindered by several factors, including increased difficulties for some Internet service providers. New York Times (11/01/01) P. F3; Fleishman, Glenn

Nokia Top Wireless System in W. Europe

Nokia is the leading vendor of wireless devices in Western Europe, beating Palm and Compaq, according to Canalys. The Finnish company's success has also boosted Symbian as a top technology for mobile devices.

The success of Nokia's Communication 9210 swelled shipments to 152,000 in 2001's third quarter, compared to only 78,000 devices sold in the same period last year, Canalys says.

Nokia's market share increased to 28.3% from 12.2% in 2000's third quarter. Meanwhile, Palm's shipments fell to 108,445 in the third quarter compared to 244,100 last year while market share plummeted to 20.2% from 37.9%.

Compaq's sales increased to 66,925 from 36,980 as its market share increased to 12.4% from 5.7%. Symbian controls 34% of the OS market, Palm OS 29.9%, and Windows CE 20.8%. Nokia's success can be attributed to good relationships with mobile network operators, superior access to phone sales outlets, and access to corporate phone channels, says Canalys senior analyst Chris Jones. Total Telecom (11/04/01); Young, Anne

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