By Daniel P. Bearth, Staff Writer
This story appears in the May 7 print edition of Transport Topics. Click here to subscribe today.
CINCINNATI — Qualcomm Inc., PeopleNet, Cadec Global and Descartes Systems Group all announced changes to in-cab mobile communications systems to give customers the ability to design custom programs and to extend data processing capabilities to tablets and other wireless devices.
PeopleNet, Minneapolis, said customers will be able to create their own forms and design work flow applications using a new software development kit for BLU and tablet platforms. A new developer license agreement en-ables the customer to write and/or maintain code with PeopleNet providing support and updates whenever needed.
In addition, Ron Konezny, PeopleNet chairman and CEO, said the company would be the first mobile communications system operator to automatically compute fuel efficiency in trucks using compressed or liquefied natural gas.
Cadec Global, Manchester, N.H., launched a new version of its PowerVue fleet management program that provides customers with the ability to configure work flows using touch screen forms on its onboard computers. The company will also provide software that allows users to access data from other sources.
Cadec CEO Jon Bernstein said organizations can use the program to chart driver and vehicle performance to identify behaviors that are potentially unsafe, fuel inefficient or that provide substandard customer satisfaction.
“We worked very closely with our customers to deliver a version of PowerVue that would reflect their needs and further extend their competitive advantage,” Bernstein said.
PowerVue Enterprise is the first major product release for Cadec since the company was acquired by BlackBern Partners in August of last year.
Separately, Cadec agreed to partner with Energy Edge LLC to market in-cab telematics and software to fuel delivery companies.
Qualcomm Inc., San Diego, said that this summer it would extend work flow and Trip Manager applications to the company’s recently released mobile computing platform called MCP50. The company also struck a deal with InstallerNet Inc. to install MCP50 systems.
“We are ensuring fleets have affordable and convenient installation options to make it as easy as possible to take advantage of the safety, compliance and productivity benefits of this new platform,” said Norm Ellis, vice president of sales, services and marketing for Qualcomm Enterprise Services.
Descartes Systems Group, Waterloo, Ontario, said that MobileLink, the company’s GPS-based routing program, is available on the Android operating system used by many fleets to track service workers.
“Android is a powerful, low-cost platform to build applications on,” said Ken Wood, senior vice president of product management for Des-cartes. “Our vision for integrating routing, mobile and telematics solutions involves more powerful and interactive mobile solutions that communicate in real time with greater availability to a wider array of logistics and field workers.”
