November 2002

Exception-based reporting and monitoring is at the heart of CommBase 3.05, an upgraded fleet management software release issued by Siemens Datatrak for its vehicle tracking network.

CommBase 3.05 allows users to define operating parameters via a series of "watchboxes". These are defined geographic areas which can be monitored using geographical and time-oriented rules. When events related to the area occur outside the pre-set parameters, a message is sent to the control centre - for example, if a vehicle has not appeared in the area within a designated period, or if it has not left the area within a defined period of time. A real-life scenario would be the unloading of freight that needs to occur within a set time frame.

Other new features include route monitoring, which can be set to confirm progress automatically as the vehicle passes through critical road stretches to warn the office if it appears to be falling behind schedule, and time supervision. This can be also be triggered manually by the driver to notify control when leaving the vehicle to visit a customer's premises or when taking a mandatory rest break.