• Trucks, especially high-value or hazmat shipments

• Railcars, again sensitive, high-value or hazmat shipments

• Containers – refrigerated units, hazmat or high-value

• Local delivery vehicles

• Barges

• Mobile cranes or other construction equipment
  … and many more applications

What will it do?

• It will do all the required data collection and produce management reports about the asset’s economic performance, the operator’s performance, etc. with complete and auditable records

• It will report the asset’s location real time and can use GPS-based geo-fencing to control the vehicle’s movement – across the country or on a property like an airport

• It will report performance issues, fuel levels and track maintenance schedules

• It can take sensor readings (cargo temperature, doors opening, etc.)

• It can include a complete scheduling and dispatching system

• It can provide point-of-sale support for the driver, including on-the-spot invoicing, even credit card processing

• It can include special security features that only let authorized people operate the equipment or put limits on where it can operate

Does it actually work?Yes! The most critical component, the software itself, has been in use with 250+ customers for several years. The core programming language is Delphi (32bit). It uses SQL, but can also use ORACLE, Sybase or Informix, and it runs under Windows or UNIX. There are also web-enabled versions.The hardware solution – and the network solution – depends on the specific requirements of the user:

• Where the asset will operate will determine which communication network(s) to use – satellite can have near global accessibility, but high transaction costs; GSM/GPRS (cell phone) or ReFLEX (bi-directional pager) networks have lower message costs, but may not always be available. A wireless LAN may provide what’s needed in a more confined area at a very low cost.

• Other factors will determine which displays, keyboard devices, scanners or sensors are connected to the board computer and how it is all packaged and installed.

A key, differentiating feature: this is not just a simple two-way messaging system. The board computer is fully programmable – remotely! That means that the programming can change as the mission changes and without having physical access to the vehicle or other asset.The software is modular and already adapted for different applications, but take a look here at the components of FIMS – Fleet Integrated Management System. It will give you a good idea of the capabilities of other packages, such as:

 

Products >> BTC's Mobile Asset Software Solutions