Jan/Feb 2004

If you're worried about ensuring that your staff are complying with the Working Time Directive, a solution launched by Road Tech Computer Systems might appeal. The company has set up a dedicated Web site which will work out available working time for individual users, and show how it fits into shift patterns.

The system is specifically designed to be accessed wirelessly with PDAs or Java-enabled mobile phones, although is also available via a touch screen through a fixed Internet connection. In every case, the service is being offered free until March next year, when the Road Transport Directive and Working Time Directive come into effect. After that, you will pay a subscription of £1 per worker per week.

You can call up a variety of reports on how work is being structured (breaks, non-working time and so on), which are presented in textual and graphical form.

The service is a further development of the company's Roadrunner SDI (Smart Driver Interface) system, which uses PDAs to provide real-time scheduling and communication for mobile workers at a flat rate of £15 per month.