Trucking Technology Report - Jan. 12
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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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Baltimore Public Works Wires Fleet Management
Baltimore's Department of Public Works has contracted Orbital Sciences Transportation Management Systems to supply technology for tracking city vehicles.
Motorola will supply the two-way radios for the system, which will connect vehicles to the main operations center. The system brings together GPS technology with dispatching software, which allows city authorities to observe which locations are most in need of being plowed and dispatch vehicles to the area.
In addition, the technology can also gather important information such as road temperature and keep track of the amount of de-icing chemicals that have been placed on the road. Kevin Canney, a director for Orbital TMS, reports the city will likely use the technology in other maintenance vehicles as well, such as street sweepers. Federal Computer Week Online (01/11/01) Kulish, Eric;
Canada's Clarke About to Nab Another U.S. Logistics Firm
Clarke, a trucking and logistics services provider, confirmed Wednesday that it has completed three acquisition deals and is onhe verge of completing another.
According to the announcement by CEO Roy Rideout, the company has purchased three freight management ocmpanies--Focus Carriers, Kenley Trucking, and
reative Logistics--located in the United States.
A purchase of Brandywine Consolidators, which has an annual revenue of $16 million, will be concluded next month, the CEO added. He also said the acquisitions will raise earnings of the company's freight management division, called Clarke Logistics, to over C$170 million ($114 million) per year.
Focus Carriers has annual revenue of $23 million, while Kenley Trucking has annual revenue of $10 million, and Creative Logistics has an annual revenue of $7 million. Journal of Commerce(01/11/01); Tower, Courtney
Support Packaged for Mobile Date Services
An Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) has developed technology to use solid electrolytes for lithium batteries. The new technology could lead to the development of longer-lasting rechargeable batteries for a variety of electronic equipment, such as mobile phones and laptops.Mason Harrup, a INEEL chemist who contributed to the creation of the new battery, says that conventional batteries are composed of nickel and admium, a toxic metal.
Despite laws to the contrary, many conventional batteries are dumped at land fills and leak, which poisons the environment, adds Harrup. While ordinary Lithium batteries are safer to discard, the best performing ones cannot be recharged.
According to Harrup, batteries used in cell phones and some other devices lose between percent to 12 percent of their life even when the devices are not in operation. Meanwhile, INEEL batteries can maintain their charge for six months when not in use. Associated Press(11/12/01)
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Longer-lasting Lithium Batteries Could be Coming
Some internet service provider (ISP) agents have begun looking at wireless service providers to offer packages supporting mobile data communications. Many ISP agents are seeking to resell services since carriers have not yet provided wireless data communications with flat-rate pricing.For instance, ISP agent and SafeNET President John Williams is preparing to resell services provided by MobileStar Network. MobileStar has agreed to pay Williams a percentage of its monthly subscription charge for every customer he signs up for the service.
According to an agreement with American Airlines, MobileStar will provide wireless access for the airliner's Ambassador Clubs. Subscription fees could provide Williams with $100,000 per year for every 500 customers. Williams will begin reselling the services this month.
Meanwhile, Mike Hadley, ISP agent and CEO of iCorps Technology, also is preparing to launch a wireless service with ISP partner UUNet. Hadley says one of the obstacles to providing Web connections is the local service providers. ISPs would prefer to offer services without having to partner with local carriers.
Cost remains the biggest obstacle to providing data communications for wireless users. Carriers that charge per-minute rates instead of flat rates for data services are turning off many users, according to Daniel Gallagher, AAA Networks director of network services. Analysts believe flat-rate pricing plans throughout the wireless data services industry will eventually lead to its expansion.CRN (01/01/01)Dunlap, Charlotte
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