Trucking Technology Report - Oct. 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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FreightDesk.com Partners With Vastera
Software provider Vastera (VAST) has become a partner with FreightDesk.com. Vastera will provide its Web-based Global Trade Management software to customers of FreightDesk, an online multimodal transportation exchange.
FreightDesk hopes to reduce operational costs, using Vastera's software to help with tracking and automation services. Bruce Finland, president of FreightDesk, says the deal will help provide a complete quote to customers. Vastera has made similar partnerships with GoCargo.com and Speedchain. Journal of Commerce Online (10/11/00); Atkinson, HelenStart-Ups' Optical Chips Are Hot, But Not With Customers
The telecommunications industry is approaching microelectromechanical (MEMs) technology with caution, analysts say. A MEM is a small mirror attached to a silicon chip. The mirror moves when hit with an electrical current and redirects a beam of light. This movement is the basis for optical switching, which could greatly increase the speed of fiber-optic communications.However, MEMs chips, first developed by startup firm Xros four years ago, are so complex that they have yet to appear on the market, and that has made many telecom firms wary. Sprint's (FON) Fred Harris says, "[We'd] really like to see more in the way of product, where it's been deployed and used."
The actual manufacturing of MEMs chips is very complex, as manufacturers must decide whether to work from just one kind of silicon or to layer several different types of silicon on one chip. Lucent Technologies (LU) and Optical Micro-Machines have chosen the layered method because they believe it will get the chips to market more quickly. Manufacturers are also struggling to produce mirrors that move on more than two axes. MEMs that only move up and down provide 32 optical links for every 1,024 mirrors, but MEMs with movement in three dimensions could provide 500 links. Telecom firms also question MEMs' stability.
Despite this lukewarm reception, many firms and startups have entered the MEMs market. Fear of missing out on the next big thing has motivated much of the activity within the MEMs industry, analysts say. Investor's Business Daily (10/11/00) P. A6; Angell, Mike
A.T. Kearney Goes Deeper Into E-Transportation
Management consulting firm A.T. Kearney has announced a partnership with Arzoon, a transportation dotcom. Arzoon will have access to A.T. Kearney's clientele and Kearney will receive a better offering in e-commerce. Kearney has a division that runs private online auctions for clients who want competitive pricing from suppliers, called eBreviate, which is headed by Niul Burton. Kearney's clients have access to Arzoon's Transportation Management Trading Network and Arzoon will be able to access A.T. Kearney's consulting services like supply chain rationalization and carrier selection. Randy Garber, transportation services co-leader, stated that both companies' clients should benefit from the partnership. Journal of Commerce Online (10/11/00); Atkinson, Helen
The Expanding Role of Wireless Communication in the Field
Many telecom companies are entering the wireless device market to offer mobile Web connectivity. As little as three years ago, firms had to purchase notebooks at a minimum cost of $5,000 per user to have mobile Web access. But today, there is a variety of much cheaper technology to choose from, such as the Palm (PALM) OS or Microsoft's (MSFT) Windows CE.Many field employees are still concerned about costs, but with wireless Web hardware prices coming down to around $700, it is no longer as critical an issue. Additionally, wireless Internet services are available from a variety of service providers, including American Mobile and BellSouth (BLS) Wireless, for $30 to $50 per month.
Advances also have been made with servers. More compact servers like Unix and NT can perform Web hosting for a company's database. However, the main challenge is designing Internet pages that can work easily with Web phones using either Palm or CE operating systems.
Alpha Systems has developed technology that enables a user of a Palm Pilot VII device to link with any server on the Internet, according to Eric Mutter, a field engineer with the firm. Mutter helped create the technology when he became frustrated about the time taken to order parts. The company plans to launch the system nationally, according to Mutter. Sixty days after the system was implemented with Alpha Systems field engineers, the firm said it had time savings of more than two man-years compared with its previous system.
The software, which employs Palm Query Applications and Web servers to connect with corporate databases, has been named FieldConnect. The system will use the Palm.net mobile network to provide coverage for users in 280 cities. Palm.net will be available in over 90% of the markets. Field Force Automation (09/00) Vol. 1, No. 11, P. 32; Baer, Steven
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