Trucking Technology Report - April 30
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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:
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Regional Bell SBC May Offer Long-Distance Service
SBC, a regional Bell telephone company, intends to become a long-distance provider in Arkansas, California, Missouri, and Nevada by the end of the year.The regional Bell already has government clearance to offer long-distance in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. SBC intends to expand into the upper Midwest next year. Investor's Business Daily (04/30/01)
Retinal Device Puts Pictures in Eyes
Although several companies have already developed head-mounted computer displays, a new product from Microvision promises retinal scanning displays that would cast pictures onto the back of one's eye, superimposing a digital image over what is normally seen.The company plans to release a consumer product, called the Nomad, in the fall that will work with open standards such television signals. Actually, retinal scanning display technology works similarly to television and computer monitors in that it projects pixels directly onto the back of the eye, instead of through a cathode-ray tube onto a screen.
Nomad could be used by heavy equipment operators to monitor instrument panels while keeping their eyes on the road, or by service technicians for reading manuals. Because of the high cost, the aerospace, military, and medical industries will likely be the first users of the technology, but eventually it might be used as a way to watch television or surf the Web. New York Times (04/26/01); Lake, Matt
Companies Discuss Uniform Technology
Ericsson Telephone, Nokia, and Motorola have announced their formation of a new initiative, called Wireless Village. The initiative will focus on setting and encouraging the adoption of uniform specifications for wireless instant messaging and other services.The companies said the initiative's goal is to encourage the industry to provide instant messaging and other services to a wide range of wireless devices, including personal digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, and mobile phones. The initiative is expected to make its specification suggestions by the end of this year. InfoWorld Electric (04/29/01); Evers, Joris
Transportation Firms Weigh Benefits of JIT
The just-in-time (JIT) business model has been around for over 30 years, but ten years ago, audio manufacturer Bose Corporation introduced JIT II, a model with the added twist of a supplier representative located right at the client's site.For the industry this was an ingenuous first step in opening the lines of communication between clients and suppliers, improving both visibility and overall efficiency. But despite benefits like reduced inventory and administrative costs and the ability to reallocate capital, some companies still remain reticent about applying JIT in their businesses, primarily related to costs of implementing a new technologically advanced communication system.
For transportation companies, the new JIT model means they find themselves working closer than ever with their customers, and unusually closely with even their competitors. Transportation firms are expected to coordinate shipments among themselves, especially when problems arise.
For some companies, JIT II has pulled the transportation provider out of the supply chain entirely by bringing the entire production process on-site. World Trade; Sowinski, Lara L.
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