July/Aug 2005

A low-cost vehicle tracking and management system has been launched by The Courier Directory, an online freight exchange and resource centre for the courier and general freight transport market. Prices for the system start at just £1.50 per day.

It is a GPS satellite-based system, using GPRS for data transmission and a Web-based display and reporting system. A full range of features is on offer, including programmable geofencing to monitor movements in and out of selected locations; capture of on-board vehicle functions, with optional links to the vehicle's CANbus data channel; and vehicle security protection to 'Cat 5' standard. Other options include solar-powered on-board unit and full trailer tracking.

The company takes responsibility for installation, and says it can also arrange integration with the user's other systems. Among many options is position alerting by text message as an alternative to the online version.

The Courier Directory is also offering a mobile proof of delivery management solution based around what it calls an Email Pen - basically an Anoto digital pen, which it integrates into mobile computing solutions.

 

The original Courier Directory Web site was launched last year, but has recently been updated, streamlined and opened to general freight carriers. Users pay a flat fee of £100 per six months' membership, but no commission or transaction fees. However, the fee is waived for users buying a telematics solutions from the company.

The telematics solution is being offered in association with Business First, a Norwich-based specialist in mobile communications.