Trucking Technology Alert - Sept. 18
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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:
- FCC Approves Satellite Radio Plan
- Quantigate Advisors Minimize Small Package Shipping Costs
- PDAs Can Track Deliveries
- MasterCard Launches Wireless ATM Locator
FCC Approves Satellite Radio Plan
The Federal Communications Commission has given York-based Sirius Satellite Radio, and its commercial rival Washington D.C.-based XM Satellite Radio Holdings, conditional approval to use land-based transmitters to augment their planned radio service in the United States.Both Sirius and XM intend to offer paid subscribers 100 radio channels by satellite across the United States, and the FCC's order has cleared the last major obstacle facing the two companies. The two companies had required FCC approval to use high-powered radio transmitters called repeaters to send their signals to difficult-to-reach locations, such as in cities where tall buildings could block transmissions and under bridges.
Quantigate Advisors Minimize Small Package Shipping Costs
The supply chain management consulting firm Quantigate Advisors recently introduced software for optimizing small package transportation costs called OPTI-PAC.The software is aimed at business-to-business commerce for the shipment of small packages, and it is designed specifically for shippers that pack a number of different products for a single shipment to a customer. In particular, OPTI-PAC is able to examine the packaging list and work out the weight to be packed in each box and the optimal number of packages to ensure the lowest possible freight charges for that shipment. eyefortransport (09/18/01)
PDAs Can Track Deliveries
McKesson Corporation will begin using the AvantGo Mobile Delivery tracking system, which incorporates handheld devices, to ensure that all deliveries are made on schedule.Eventually, AvantGo's mobile system will be used by McKesson and other courier companies to deliver over 6 million orders from 31 different distribution centers annually. The AvantGo Enterprise Server powers the Mobile Delivery system, which tracks warehouse containers, verifies delivery lists, and ensures the validity of delivery receipts. The new system will lower delivery errors and client complaints, while enhancing customer service, says Tom Magill, vice president of logistics technologies at McKesson.
AvantGo decided that in order to survive in the business market, companies must develop software that supports different devices and applications. Therefore, the AvantGo Mobile Delivery application, which costs $100,000 for 250 users, supports Research in Motion handhelds and Pocket PC, yet the custom features of the Mobile Delivery software are only accessible by Palm OS devices from Symbol Technologies. InformationWeek (09/17/01) No. 854, P. 61; Nelson, Matthew G.
MasterCard Launches Wireless ATM Locator
In Singapore, MasterCard International announced recently that consumers will now be able to find all Maestro, Cirrus, and MasterCard ATMs in the country using their Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)-enabled phones.The MasterCard ATM locator enables customers to find the address of the nearest ATM, and the search can be specified by street address, building name, or even postal code. Moreover, the MasterCard ATM locator can provide customers with specific travel directions using a digital map. Virtual Map, a major provider of location-based applications and services in the Asia/Pacific region, developed the mapping facility for the ATM locator.
MasterCard is currently working on a number of other applications that it hopes will be ported to WAP. Asian Banker Journal (09/01)
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