Trucking Technology Report - Aug. 31
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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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Study: Web-Based Systems Likely to Replace VAN-Based EDI
A new study from the research and consulting firm Datamonitor shows that electronic data interchange (EDI) systems will survive in the longterm, but Web-based communications will eventually replace VAN-based EDI.
Datamonitor states that the Internet is increasing business interaction. Supply-chain communications have changed to include gathering and sharing of information across different sectors. Datamonitor did not predict when EDI will be overcome by Internet-based communications. Traffic World (08/28/00) Vol. 263, No. 9, P. 22; Parker, John
New Service Pinpoints Mobile Phone Users' Location
Mobile positioning technology will be available soon to enable wireless operators to determine a cell phone user's location within a small area. Such technology will allow operators to trace the movements of users according to the location of base stations, which send cell phone signals. Police and other emergency personnel use similar technologies to locate suspects and accidents.MobilePosition, a Swedish upstart, is among the companies introducing commercial services. MobilePosition's offerings will include BikePosition, YachtPosition, and FriendFinder. YachtPosition is geared toward boaters and gives them their location in longitude and latitude. BikePosition targets bikers by offering such information as weather updates. Prototype versions of the services have been successful.
YachtPosition has attracted 20,000 registered users, while BikePosition has 5,000. The services, which will be offered via operators, are scheduled to be available throughout Scandinavia by the fall.
Companies set to introduce similar services include CellPoint, which will provide its service through traditional ISPs. Wall Street Journal (08/31/00) P. B9; Latour, Almar
Software Firm Says Messages Can Make Nokia Phones Freeze
Norwegian mobile software firm Web2Wap revealed yesterday concerns that certain models of Nokia's mobile phones will freeze during the transmission of some text messages.
The news indicates that wireless devices could be vulnerable to the same viruses that threaten personal computers. But Nokia spokesman Tapio Hedman said Web2Wap's claim has not been substantiated and noted that Nokia has not been presented with evidence of the phones malfunctioning.
Bjorn Viksund, managing director of Web2Wap, said Nokia's phones froze while the company was conducting trials of its wireless Internet technologies. The problem occurred during SMS transmissions, Viksund added. Reuters (08/31/00); Bendern, Paul de
Innovative Computing to Provide Free Training for Its Trucking Customers
In order to keep its trucking-company customers up to date on its how to use its software, Innovative Computing Corp. will give free five-day classroom training to one person from each customer company each year. Innovative customers' annual fees buy them software upgrades and help-desk service as well. In October, Innovative will be holding a users group meeting in Las Vegas. Fleet Equipment (08/00) Vol. 26, No. 8, P. 30© copyright 2000 INFORMATION, INC. Terms of Service
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