Trucking Technology Report - July 17
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Rising Truck Sophistication Helps Keep Workers
As the economy thrives, the trucking industry grows more competitive in order to stay in business and to retain workers. Technological improvements are made on the big rigs in order to ensure optimum improvement and to cut down on accidents.The mechanical health of trucks can be tracked from across the country, and researchers are trying to find ways to eliminate pollution from the diesel exhaust. Elaborate improvements are also being made within the rigs to encourage workers to remain with trucking companies. Lavish beds, fingerprint detection ignitions, and other fancy gadgets are being installed in the new rigs and concept tractors are constructed in order to impress large audiences. Laptop computers adorned with e-mail, movie, and other entertainment services are common accompaniments of trucks.
The average truck today is priced between $70,000 and $110,000 with the additional amenities, as companies attempt to guarantee themselves a competitive role in the business.
Omnitracs, a satellite-based mobile communications tracking system, allows companies to follow their trucks in order to provide accurate estimates of arrival and departure times, a critical detail when important merchandise is being handled. Despite the state of the art improvements to big rigs, the future of the trucking industry is in the hands of the driver at the wheel. Fortune (07/24/00) P. T(270B); Brown, Stewart
Leading World Telecom Operators See Location-Based Wireless As Next Boom
Some of leading telecom companies in the world – France Telecom, British Telecommunications, Swisscom, and Sonera Oyj – plan to introduce location-based services for users of wireless devices. In addition to attracting new customers, the firms hope the new services will increase revenues generated from advertising and e-commerce commissions.Companies hope that by giving customers access to services pertinent to their temporary location, users will be more comfortable using their phones for accessing other services, specifically wireless Internet access. Leo Koolen, a telecom expert with the European Commission, says he anticipates that 60% to 70% of Web content provided on the portals of wireless operators will be accessible using location-based technology.
Many operators have already developed the technology to trace a user's location within a 100 meter radius in roughly three seconds. However, increased accuracy for pinpointing a user's location is needed for providing more advanced location services, such as roadside assistance and driving directions. In response, a group of technology firms, including Cambridge Positioning Systems, Cellpoint, and QUALCOMM, have developed location-based technology to provide increased accuracy for tracing a mobile user's location.
The development of location services has also raised the issue of whether operators will permit third party access to its customers. Denying third parties access could raise concerns with regulators. Wall Street Journal (07/17/00) P. C6; Pringle, David
AOL in Pact to Provide Content via AT&T Wireless
America Online announced today that a deal had been finalized with AT&T Wireless to allow the wireless operator to offer some of AOL's content and services to its customers. Terms of the pact were not released.This fall, AT&T Wireless customers who use the company's PocketNet service will be given access to AOL's most touted services, including e-mail, news, and weather updates.
AOL has been active recently in making agreements with wireless operators. The company announced a deal in June to allow Sprint PCS to make its services accessible to its wireless customers. Reuters (07/17/00)
Christmas Planning for Web Shipment Orders Taking Place in July
Web-based merchants and hybrid "click-and-mortar" stores are preparing ahead of time to avoid the mistakes made during last year's holiday season.Egreetings Network was surprised to find that its digital gift certificates, which could be redeemed at other online retailers, were more popular among consumers than actually sending gifts bought online to friends and family. This year, the company is offering the certificates for 27 "category killer" merchants, but it has also redesigned its IT infrastructure to handle many common e-tail problems, including out-of-stock items, late or overly expensive delivery, and bad connections.
The company's new multilevel system is designed to link the Web front-end with a database full of inventory information, enabling customers to check the inventory levels online while letting the company change the site displays to reflect what is still in stock.
SupremeVideo.com, an electronics retailer, is changing its name to Etronics.com and broadening the product range available on its site in preparation for the coming holiday season. The company also wants to combat the problem of big-ticket items like large-screen TVs being damaged in transit, leading to returns and hurting repeat business. It has switched its delivery contract to logistics firm Nationstreet, who will bring the items into the customer's residence, remove the packaging, and set everything up rather than just leaving the packages outside.
Meanwhile, Body Shop Digital is so concerned about losing customers from bad online experiences that it is waiting until after this year's holiday season to begin selling online. Computerworld (07/10/00) Vol. 34, No. 28, P. 38; King, Julia
Computer Associates' System to Link Companies Back-End Operations, Fleets
The beta version of the Unicenter TNG Fleet Management System is now available from Computer Associates International and Ventronix. The system is designed to link companies' back-end systems and fleet operations. Commercial Carrier Journal (06/00) Vol. 157, No. 6, P. 32© copyright 2000 INFORMATION, INC. Terms of Service
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