April/May 2003

A mobile data and vehicle tracking system has been developed by Mandata, one of the leading software houses in the field of job booking, load planning and traffic management systems. It features GPS-based vehicle tracking and location and office-based software to track and analyse vehicle movements. Features include the ability to create "snail trails" of historical vehicle movements and to set up "geofenced" areas (the software is alerted automatically when vehicles cross predetermined boundaries).

The main thrust of the initiative has been to link the tracking and communications capability with Manpack3, the latest version of Mandata's transport management system. The whole system is being packaged together under the name Advanced Services. However, the telematics system is also being offered as a product in its own right.

Rather than reinvent the wheel, Mandata has worked with existing telematics specialists to develop the new system. For instance, it is using an on-board computer and communications system from telematics specialist Cybit. Mapping is provided by Microsoft's new online MapPoint.Net mapping software, which features NavTech digital mapping. The system is built round the same SQL Server database used by the underlying Manpack3 system.

The complete package has a competitive fixed charge of £45 per month.