Nov/Dec 2003

A Web-based service that combines mobile job despatch with real-time in-cab navigation has been launched by Masternaut, a company that has emerged as a leader in GPRS-based vehicle location and tracking. It is offered for a flat fee of £2.50 per vehicle per day.

The M-Schedule system allows users to allocate jobs to mobile workers such as engineers, inspectors and drivers in real time, and transmit them directly to mobile phone-enabled PDAs carried by the workers. It is seen as an effective complement to the company's existing tracking service.

Users can determine the best mobile worker dynamically for each job through the tracking system, then transmit job to the chosen worker. Unusually, the service can operate on two wireless networks simultaneously - O2 and Orange - flipping between them if coverage demands it. Masternaut says it can be adapted easily to handle job closure, deliveries and other response-based and emergency services.

At the vehicle end, the PDA can be placed in a dashboard-mounted charger/cradle, where it displays an on-screen map guiding the driver to the required location. This is backed up with voice instructions. The navigation capability is provided courtesy of the TomTom.

The PDA software also includes on-screen signature capture for electronic proof of delivery and service sign-off.