Keeping track of those truckers

By PETER GRIFFIN

New Zealand-developed technology will soon allow an increasing number of Californian business owners to keep tabs on their mobile workforces via the internet.

Christchurch-based electronics start-up Telogis has released an internet-based fleet tracking system, OnTrack, to the US market, and has signed a deal with mobile technology reseller GPS Fleet Management to distribute its technology throughout California.

OnTrack uses Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and wireless internet to track vehicles in real time on a computer-generated map.

Telogis co-founder Marcus Clyne says the company will target a market that has traditionally been neglected - the numerous Californian companies that operate fleets of up to 50 vehicles and want more efficient control of their mobile workforce.

"It's for companies that do not want to spend the money on custom tracking software which can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. When businesses want to see where their vehicles are, they log onto our website and they can track the vehicles in real time. All they need is Internet Explorer," he said.

Limousine companies, mobile dry cleaning operators and domestic plumbing outfits will be typical of the businesses likely to use the technology, but vehicle tracking is not all that will be on offer.

"We can also provide mobile internet access to the car. You can hook up a laptop or a Windows CE-run Machine and browse the internet from the vehicle through the connection we provide," said Mr Clyne.

The communication modules enabling the tracking are installed in vehicles for $US700 ($1720) per unit, with a monthly wireless internet access charge of around $US30 per connection.

Mr Clyne said the company is hoping to increase production of its vCore modules to a 1000 a month in the next six to eight months. An initial production run of 110 units has already sold out.

Added features will also allow depot managers access to information about the cargoes their drivers are transporting.

Although network technology in New Zealand is adequate to run Telogis services, the company claims the local market is too small to tackle at this stage.