Trucking Technology Report - May 15
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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:
- Red Light for Cell Phone Drivers
- Collaboration Needed to Speed Production
- Snapple Speeds Delivery to Distributors
- WAP Technologies Defended
Red Light for Cell Phone Drivers
New York Gov. Pataki has submitted a proposal to prohibit the use of cell phones while driving. If approved, the measure will make New York the first state to pass such restrictions.The New York state legislature has also expressed support for cell phone restrictions, according to the New York Post. Pataki says the inappropriate use of cell phones is increasing and drivers cannot adequately pay attention to the road while talking on phones. However, the state has failed to collect extensive statistics about the dangers of using cell phones when driving.
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Collaboration Needed to Speed Production
If automakers wish to reduce vehicle design and development times, lower inventory levels, and move toward a build-to-order delivery model, they will have to implement Web-based collaboration tools and processes between themselves and their suppliers, partners, and customers."The only way we've been successful with mass customization and just-in-time inventory is by having visibility into our suppliers' capabilities, and by giving them visibility into our actual demand and production schedules," explains International Truck and Engine's vice president of information technology, Art Data.
International is uniquely qualified to comment on the issue of online collaboration in the manufacturing sector as it serves as both a tier-one supplier of truck engines for Ford Motor and as a manufacturer of its own trucks and buses. International uses a combination of electronic data exchange (EDI) and Web-based applications to keep its suppliers informed in real-time of product demand and part inventories, which allows everyone along the supply-chain to meet demand more efficiently and quickly.
There is some question, however, as to how committed the major manufacturers are to making their internal processes completely visible to suppliers. Tier-one suppliers such as International and Dana are hopeful the presence of Covisint will foster acceptance for the idea among automakers. "We're just staring to see the automakers beginning to trust suppliers to take over a significant part of the process of matching parts production to demand," says AMR Research analyst Kevin Prouty. InformationWeek (05/07/01) No. 836, P. 68; Konicki, Steve
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Snapple Speeds Delivery to Distributors
Snapple has recently implemented Webpro EX software, which enables the company to take distributors' orders directly through its extranet, eliminating the error-prone method of receiving distributors' orders by fax and then manually entering them into the Snapple ERP system.Manually entered orders took about 24 hours to confirm, but with the new system distributors are able to get immediate confirmation and delivery dates. The new system, which allows distributors to get reports on pending orders and view invoices and other information, handles about 80% of the company's orders.
Snapple has already been planning enhancements for the system, so distributors can input information about inventory, sales, and promotions, which will aid Snapple in forecasting trends. Information Week.com (05/07/01) No. 836, P. 105; Gonsalves, Antone
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WAP Technologies Defended
Wireless Business and Technology magazine recently interviewed Luca Passani, an IT professional working for Phone.com and an expert on Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) technologies. WAP is a global protocol used in many newer wireless devices that allows the user to view and interact with data services.Passani defends WAP from its critics and says the standard has a secure future, since it remains the only global wireless standard that has proven its effectiveness. WAP will become the leading wireless standard for cell phones in the future, he predicts.
Passani discounts the prediction that bandwidth will increase for all wireless subscribers in the future. He says only customers willing to pay expensive fees, such as corporations, will increase their bandwidth more than marginally.
Passani predicts that location-based services will become the killer applications for WAP-enabled phones. Wireless Business & Technology (05/01) Vol. 1, No. 1, P. 18; Geelan, Jeremy
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