Dear SkyBitz Customer,

SkyBitz’s network provider is changing its frequencies in order to continue their work to further improve and upgrade their network. This requires SkyBitz to send a frequency upgrade over the air to all available asset tags.  These frequency changes will not affect the performance of your asset tags or your SkyBitz GLS service, but there is some action you will need to take in preparation of the frequency update.

Your fleet may have one or more asset tags that are either un-installed new equipment (e.g. in a box in a warehouse) or not reporting due to a dead battery. In order to ensure these asset tags continue to communicate for you, SkyBitz must update the on-board frequencies on them before March 16, 2012.  Therefore, it is important for you to ensure that all asset tags can receive the new over-the-air frequency upgrade prior to March 16, 2012. These activities should start on January 15, 2012 to ensure you have ample time to complete the upgrade process.

What action must I take?

1.       Replace batteries of non-reporting asset tags:

For any non-reporting units, you’ll need to change the batteries before February 22, 2012 to see if the units will resume reporting.  Once they resume reporting SkyBitz will provide the new over-the-air frequency upgrade prior to March 16, 2012 as long as that unit is placed outside in line of sight of the sky.

2.       Place other un-installed asset tags outside:

If you have asset tags held in inventory and plan to keep them as such through the deadline of March 16, please place the asset tags outside in clear view of the sky for our system to communicate with them to complete the frequency upgrade. These assets must be in working order (e.g. working batteries and communicating). When you place one or more asset tags outside, please provide the related serial number(s) to SkyBitz Customer Care (customercare@skybitz.com) so we can coordinate the upgrade to those specific units. Once the frequency update is complete, SkyBitz will notify you. At that time, you may put your asset tags back into inventory, until you are ready to physically install them.

3.       If you received new asset tags shipped after December 12, 2011:

No action is required. The asset tags were pre-programmed to work on the new frequencies by SkyBitz.

What will happen if I take no action?

Failure to install the units or placing them outside in clear view of the sky before March 16, 2012 deadline will render the asset tags inoperable.

Please note:   After March 16, 2012, if asset tags were not placed outside for the frequency update, there will be a $13USD charge for a returned non-working device that requires new frequencies to work.  SkyBitz technicians will be able to get the asset tag to return to service by manually upgrading the frequencies before returning it to you.  The regular RMA guidelines for shipping & handling apply.

Please review the Uninstalled & Not Reporting Assets informational section using your log-in to SkyBitz InSight.  Customer Care is available for further assistance & information.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Alain Simard

Senior Director Customer Service SkyBitz

22455 Davis Dr, Suite 100

Sterling, Virginia 20164 USA

Direct: 703-478-7579

Cell: 703-980-9503

www.skybitz.com

Iridium to Become Global Provider to SkyBitz; Partnership to Expand Iridium’s Fastest-Growing Market and Launch First Global SkyBitz GLS Capability

SkyBitz®, a leader in remote asset tracking and information management solutions, and Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM), the only provider of truly global mobile satellite services (MSS), announce a strategic partnership that will position Iridium as the first-ever provider of two-way global MSS for SkyBitz. Through this partnership, the companies are developing a unique, two-way, remote asset tracking and monitoring solution through the integration of SkyBitz Global Locating System (GLS) technology with the recently announced Iridium 9602 satellite data transceiver.

This new Iridium-based SkyBitz solution will feature lower power consumption and a longer battery life than is commercially available today in the global tracking market. This solution will be built around the Iridium 9602, a revolutionary, small, lightweight and low-cost transceiver that enables the world’s only global, two-way satellite links for low-latency, real-time data transmission. By integrating SkyBitz GLS technology with the Iridium 9602, the companies will create an open architecture and scalable platform that is not restricted to custom mobile terminal hardware.

The combination of the industry-leading SkyBitz GLS technology and the worldwide reach of the Iridium two-way satellite communications network uniquely positions the companies to further penetrate the expanding global machine-to-machine (M2M) market. The new cost-effective solution that SkyBitz and Iridium are building is ideal for markets such as trailer tracking, oil, gas, chemical, rail, cargo shipping and government , where there are requirements for intelligent sensor solutions and power-efficient, two-way communications to deliver critical insights on valuable assets. In addition, these markets require continuous, global in-transit visibility from origin to final destination. According to Strategy Analytics, the mobile M2M communications annual market is estimated to grow from approximately $16 billion in 2008 to more than $57 billion in 2014.

“This partnership provides our existing and prospective subscriber base of several hundred thousand the ability to manage their assets for the first time ever on a global scale anywhere, anytime, ” said Homaira Akbari, president and CEO, SkyBitz. “We are proud to be partnered with Iridium and we are committed to leveraging their unique capabilities for our new global two-way M2M communications solution.”

“Working with SkyBitz has the potential over time to substantially increase our M2M subscriber base,” said Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium. “The adoption by SkyBitz of the new Iridium 9602 further validates Iridium as the platform of choice for global asset tracking.”

The two companies have already co-developed solution prototypes and conducted testing. Upon the new solution’s commercial availability, SkyBitz plans to offer this as part of its suite of GLS solutions to its customers for their asset tracking needs in both the U.S. and abroad.

With the Apple® iPhone app, managers no longer need to be tied to their desk to keep up with fleet activities. The new app will help managers get a handle on operations, collaborate on decisions and events as well as access critical information while out of the office.  Managers can track assets 24/7/365 and respond quickly to incidents such as stolen vehicle alerts. The ability to view detailed maps displaying standard or custom landmarks makes it quick and easy for operations personnel to determine a vehicle’s precise location – providing the visibility often needed at a moment’s notice. Real-time vehicle and tracking data allows managers to monitor fleet activity such as vehicle start and stop times and unsafe driving behaviors such as harsh braking.

The Fleet Director iPhone application can be downloaded from the Apple iTunes® store at no cost for Teletrac customers at: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/fleet-director-iphone/id485776561?mt=8.

The Fleet Director Mobile app for the Apple iPad is also available from the Apple iTunes store. Both the iPhone and iPad applications are for current Fleet Director customers only, using Fleet Director 8.0 or higher versions.

 Reporting to the President your primary duties will include developing customer relationships and…

• Prospecting companies with fleets of vehicles or other mobile assets like heavy equipment/machinery to promoting our AVL solutions for location tracking and overall asset utilization and management
• Focusing on transportation, municipality, construction, service fleets and delivery companies.
• Preparing and delivering presentations to prospective clients with clear value propositions and solution benefits
• Managing a sales funnel electronically and providing timely updates, in order to meet and/or exceed assigned sales quotas
• Preparing customer quotations, follow-ups, and closing deals
• Attending and supporting Trade shows, Webinars and/or Association Meetings to promote our product and services

Requirements

• 5+ years of Outside Sales experience within the freight transportation industry
• Proven track record meeting & exceeding sales objectives
• Experience presenting ROI for client solutions
• Knowledge &/or background with GPS and AVL Solutions
• Computer literacy and experience with CRM tools
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
• Experience in the sales process, lead generation; preparation of sales quotes, reports, business proposals and procedures
• Work independently inside of a team environment

Please send your resume to hr@elmtechnologies.com

SkyBitz’s unique Global Locating System (GLS) satellite-based technology provides real-time visibility of many asset types. SkyBitz addresses a multi-billion dollar market opportunity by reducing operating costs, increasing efficiency and aiding in the compliance with regulatory requirements across an increasingly complex set of supply chains and business ecosystems.

Transaction terms include a purchase price of $42 million, comprised of $35 million in cash and $7 million in newly issued shares of common stock. The cash portion will be financed with a $30 million five-year bank loan and cash on hand. The acquisition is subject to the approval of a communications license transfer by the FCC, and is expected to close in 60-90 days.

For the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2011, SkyBitz expects to record $35 million of revenue, of which 45% will be derived from recurring monitoring services, and net income before non-cash items of approximately $5.0 million. Further, by the end of their calendar fiscal year, SkyBitz expects to be tracking and managing approximately 190,000 assets, a net increase of approximately 11% over the end of the prior year.

“I am very excited about the acquisition of SkyBitz as it gives us the leading position in an adjacent M2M vertical market, provides immediate incremental cash flow and builds upon our stream of high-margin, recurring service revenues,” said Joseph Beatty, president and chief executive officer of Telular Corporation. “SkyBitz’s management approach and growth objectives fit very well with Telular’s strategy and include growing its installed base of units, enhancing its international presence, and entering new vertical markets related to asset tracking. Combined with Telular’s existing portfolio of Telguard and TankLink services, we can address a much larger market opportunity and expand our technology base with satellite communications capabilities that will complement our historical expertise in cellular communications. We believe that this acquisition will help us accelerate our growth and profitability in the wireless space while maintaining a strong financial position and staunchly supporting a tangible return to our shareholders in the form of a quarterly dividend.”

Dr. Homaira Akbari, president and chief executive officer of SkyBitz, brings 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, product development, consulting and operations, and plans to remain with the combined company as president of SkyBitz. In addition, SkyBitz’s experienced management team is expected to stay in its entirety to help grow the asset tracking business and continue developing related, add-on services in the areas of cargo security, cargo status monitoring, preventative maintenance and other applications which will be soon announced. SkyBitz’s employees will continue to work from their offices in the Washington, DC metropolitan area under the direction of Dr. Akbari.

“SkyBitz’s technology platform is the industry’s best-in-breed; providing a powerful, highly reliable solution that is complementary to Telular’s existing portfolio of M2M solutions,” explained Dr. Akbari. “As the market leader in asset tracking, we have developed cutting-edge SAAS solutions that are well suited to serve many industries, including government, due to the patented way in which we use GPS signals to determine the location of critical assets. My team and I look forward to continued, profitable growth as part of the Telular family of wireless solutions.”

Today’s workplace no longer consists of a dispatch office with a set of desks in the middle of a yard for operations personnel.  Equipped with tablet devices and smartphones, managers and drivers are “always on” and have become reliant on mobile technology to manage both their personal and professional lives. Effective fleet management processes and data are crucial to many businesses and directly help to lower costs and improve driver and technician productivity. And, many decisions must be made in real time. With Fleet Director Mobile, managers will be able to get a handle on operations, collaborate on decisions and events as well as access critical information — from their iPad.

“Without a doubt, tablets and smartphones are revolutionizing our daily lives and usage is exploding among businesses that rely on a mobile workforce,” stated Drew Hamilton, executive vice president, Teletrac.  “Given the nature of the industries we serve, such as field services, transportation, construction and logistics, and the need for more cost effective management of their vehicles, we are very excited to extend our flagship solution, Fleet Director, to our customers that have embraced new mobile technologies.”

The Fleet Director Mobile iPad application can be downloaded from the Apple iTunes® store at no cost. The application is designed for current Fleet Director customers only, using Fleet Director 8.0 or higher versions.

Fleet Director Mobile will be extended to the Apple iPhone by the end of the year.

GARDEN GROVE, California, September 13, 2011 — Teletrac, a leading provider of advanced fleet management solutions for the trucking sector, today announced availability of a new mobile data interface for TMWSuite® from TMW Systems®, a provider of enterprise transportation software to for-hire carriers and private fleets. Customers of both firms can now benefit from a direct interface between their TMW Systems® TMWSuite transportation management software and Teletrac’s award-winning Fleet Director™ GPS and vehicle tracking software for improved efficiencies.

The interface will provide customers using both systems real-time, automated access to vehicle location, motion, and mileage data plus departure and arrival status updates, eliminating the need to manually track vehicles and status.  Dispatchers can send routes and stops from TMWSuite directly to the cab, seamlessly.  Fleet Director’s™ automatic routing will ensure drivers use the most fuel-and-time-efficient routes.  2-way messaging between dispatch and drivers will give dispatchers greater flexibility to make operational changes on-the-fly based on real-time, factual information. And, because all messages are automatically archived, fleets gain a unique ongoing record of their operations.

SkyBitz was chosen based on its ability to secure trailers and cargo and increase utilization through shortened turnaround times throughout all points of AAFES’ supply chain network across both North America and Europe. Protecting high-value loads, building efficiencies and reducing labor hours of its personnel were a top priority. In addition, a low-cost solution that is easy to deploy was also a key factor.

“We are thrilled to provide our industry-leading, reliable and proven solution to the military market, globally,” said Henry Popplewell, Senior Vice President of Sales, SkyBitz. “Our solutions are ideal for organizations that are looking for total visibility and real-time decision-making data on their unpowered assets, which equates to more efficient operations.”

“We are proud to partner with another innovative company to offer AAFES a holistic solution to help them maximize their fleets and operations,” said Christian Schenk, Vice President, product marketing, Xata. “The SkyBitz solution is a great accompaniment to our new XataNet onboard computer, and we feel AAFES will benefit from the pairing.”

SkyBitz’s asset tracking tags coupled with Web-based application, SkyBitz InSight, provides managers the ability to view assets in real-time and run customizable management and operational reports for each trailer in their fleet. All of this allows them to improve operational efficiencies through reduction of delays and improving on-time delivery by reducing turn-cycle times. Also it allows them to improve security through complete asset visibility throughout their supply chain.

News

An Extra Set of Eyes

Carriers that use trailer management systems find new ways to cut costs, manage risk

Commercial Carrier Journal
By Aaron Huff
August 4, 2011

It’s a warm evening in June, and a driver for Pegasus Transportation parks in South Carolina to begin his 10-hour break. At 2 a.m., he gets a call from John Winters, the carrier’s onsite fleet manager, who has just received an alarming text message: The trailer’s refrigeration unit is shut down.

Pegasus Transportation, based in Louisville, Ky., runs a dedicated operation for a customer with extremely temperature-sensitive freight. All 25 reefers assigned to this account must run continuously to maintain a deep freeze.

Winters asks the driver to verify the information. Indeed, the reefer is dead and will not restart. Winters then contacts Thermo King for emergency assistance. The nearest service center is only six miles away, but the driver is off duty and cannot move. While the service center searches for a technician, Winters shares information with Thermo King from the fleet’s refrigerated management system, R:Com, from Blue Tree Systems.

Through the R:Com Website, Thermo King is able to diagnose the problem before the technician arrives. The data reveals a three-way valve likely went out at 1:16 a.m. The technician installs a new valve, and refrigeration is restored within 90 minutes. “We might have lost 6 degrees total, but we were still 9 degrees colder than it had to be,” Winters says.

Pegasus used technology to avoid what could have been a disaster, and the R:Com system paid for itself 50 times over, Winters says. A shutdown is a rare occurrence; the more common risk is when doors are left open for too long. For either event, Winters can see when they occur and their immediate impact on the load’s temperature.

All trailer management systems report time and location, and while this information can be used to target cost-saving opportunities, this capability barely scratches the surface. Carriers also can use technology to determine the condition of their loads, information that in many cases is just as valuable as the freight itself.

Cost-cutting

The number of fleets that use trailer management systems continues to grow slowly but steadily. The technology currently has an overall market penetration of between 10 and 15 percent, and is more common among refrigerated carriers, with as much as 50 percent market penetration.

Dry van carriers were the earliest to adopt the technology as a way to increase cargo security and improve equipment utilization. Brown Trucking, a Southeast dedicated short-haul truckload carrier with about 850 trucks and 3,700 trailers, has used the technology for several years to cut costs, both internally and for its customers.

Brown Trucking prices its services on a variable-cost basis, trailers included. Each trailer has an expected weekly amount of line-haul revenue. Any excess or unused trailers assigned to a customer incur a weekly charge.

“In a situation where customers are charged money, we want to reduce that charge and will work with them to take trailers out of the system if they are not using them,” says Brian Kinsey, president of the Lithonia, Ga.-based carrier.

The company’s dispatch and operations software, TruckMate by TMW Systems, stores the coordinates of each customer site where trailers are assigned. The software builds an imaginary radius or geofence around each site to organize the data supplied by the company’s trailer management systems into useful reports for fleet managers and customers.

As a service to customers, Brown Trucking automatically sends out reports every morning to show trailer location, how long they have been there and how they are being used.

“We are trying to find ways to save customers money in ways that don’t cost us to lose money,” Kinsey says. “This is one where everybody wins. When you manage trailers, the customer saves money, and you use fewer trailers.”

The company recently expanded its use of the SkyBitz trailer management system. In September 2010, Brown Trucking acquired Schrader Trucking, and in November, Brown purchased West Brothers Transport (See Market Movers, p. 76). After both transactions, Brown installed SkyBitz GLS units on all of its newly acquired trailer assets.

“One of the biggest challenges we faced with other trailer tracking solutions in the past was the battery life of the device itself,” Kinsey says. “It became too cumbersome to tether each trailer to a truck for power each time we wanted to use a trailer, and it was harder to find trailers that sit for a long time without a power source. But with SkyBitz’s trailer tracking solution, we are able to operate our trailers for years without having to tether to a truck for power. This saves us time and helps us run better operations, which in turn equates to providing better service to our customers.”

Cargo protection

Refrigerated carriers have the most compelling need to manage trailer assets because of the quick action that is required to avoid cargo claims. Many also can use the technology to conserve fuel.

At Pegasus Transportation, Winters uses the R:Com system to capture readings from two temperature probes inside the trailer. The probes are submerged in a glycol solution to record the freight’s actual temperature. “I have to be able to download and get real-time data on two of those probes,” he says.

The probe readings are captured and displayed in a graph-style report along with information captured by the reefer’s microprocessor that includes the set point and return air temperature. Pegasus also uses R:Com’s unified report to display door openings.

“When I bring up a graph, I can see in an instant what trends are happening,” says Winters, such as whether the temperature is warming too fast or if there are too many door openings. “I know just by looking if something needs to be done or if (the temperature) will settle itself down on its own. I have to be able to know that in a matter of moments.”

Smarter devices

A growing trend among providers of trailer management systems is to use more intelligent devices to apply logic to the data locally – at the trailer – rather than transmit data back to a central operations center to process and display to users. This method provides new opportunities for fleets to tailor the systems to meet specific requirements. Combined with real-time communications, the technology gives carriers new opportunities to serve new markets and expand their service offerings.

C.R. England, the world’s largest refrigerated transporter, leveraged this type of technology in 2004 when it began offering refrigerated intermodal transportation. Along with modifying its standard 53-foot trailers with larger fuel tanks, the company added a wireless trailer management system from StarTrak to roll out its trailer-on-flatcar (TOFC) services. Last fall, the company launched a new rail intermodal service, TempStack, which uses container-on-flatcar (COFC) technology to double-stack two high-volume reefer containers on a railroad flatcar.

C.R. England uses the StarTrak system for all equipment assigned to its intermodal group. “We wouldn’t do intermodal without the tool,” says Zach England, vice president of intermodal. “The combination of railroad service improvements and communication, including telematics, has made putting perishable products on rail a viable offering.”

Temperature and location data currently are integrated into C.R. England’s dispatch system. The company uses the StarTrak Website for all other purposes, such as to monitor door openings and fuel levels, change the temperature set point or turn a reefer unit on or off remotely.

Fleet managers occasionally will receive an alarm that requires immediate attention, such as a reefer low on fuel. When alerts require quick action, fleet managers notify the railroad vendor to pull the trailer or container before it leaves the railyard or at the next stop.

In the near future, C.R. England plans to leverage the StarTrak system to save more fuel. At a customer location, a geofence could be placed around the portion of the lot where its empty containers are placed. If a container is detected running while in the empty lot, the device could be set to turn the reefer off automatically. Also, by geofencing a railyard, an automatic pretrip diagnostics check can identify a potential problem before the unit departs on rail. “We are just scratching the surface,” England says.

Trailer management systems not only can help carriers cut costs by boosting asset utilization and reducing cargo claims, but in the long run, the technology also can be a strategic tool for responding quickly to new opportunities.

Managing trailers within dispatch software

If location is all you need to know about the status of your trailers, then visiting a Website once a day may be all you need to manage these assets. If you require more frequent updates or more information, consider using integrated two-way communications between trailers and a dispatch and planning software system.

The LoadMaster dispatch and enterprise management system from McLeod Software can retrieve trailer positions and various sensor events and alarm occurrences and display the pertinent information directly in its order planning and driver management screens.

TruckMate from TMW Systems integrates data from the SkyBitz and Qualcomm T2 trailer management systems into its dispatch program. When searching for an empty trailer, a column shows the dispatcher the closest customer in the database where a trailer is located. The software also can pick up detailed reefer information from the trailer.

Since this information is logged into the database, TruckMate can use TMW’s real-time alerting systems, either The Dawg or Command Center, to e-mail alerts or to display information, says Martin Schmidt, mobile communications specialist for TMW.

For fleets with refrigerated trailer management systems, LoadMaster can display the actual set point and return air readings from the trailer. LoadMaster also can compare these settings to the load that the trailer is hauling. If the set point is not in compliance with the load’s specified temperature, an alert is displayed in the order planning and driver management screens.

When the software receives a door-open event, it will generate an alert if the trailer is not at a scheduled pickup or delivery location on the assigned route. Users also can define geofences for trailers within LoadMaster, which then sends the information to the trailer management application. LoadMaster sends an alert when a trailer moves outside the defined geofence.

Instead of having data feed into LoadMaster from trailers, the system also will push managerial information out to third-party systems. Customers have the capability to click on a “hot link” command within LoadMaster that will direct them to the location in the vendor’s Website to perform the desired function, such as to change the temperature set point of a specific trailer, says Robin Hamlin, product manager for McLeod Software.

Low-maintenance devices

For any mobile technology, fast installation, low-cost communications and low maintenance are desired traits. When it comes to deploying technology on trailers scattered across the country, those traits are essential.

Installing a tracking device on a trailer can take about 15 minutes. Sensors for detecting cargo and door open/close status can be added without running wires. Some devices also operate for several years on power supplied by common AA lithium batteries.

The Trailer Inventory and Protection System

(Tr/IPS) from TrackPoint Systems uses an integrated solar panel to recharge its internal battery. Companies that use Tr/IPS can receive hundreds of messages per month from the unit without any battery deterioration, says Alan Smith, president of the Nashville, Tenn.-based company.

TrackPoint uses wireless sensors to provide information such as loaded/unloaded, door open/close and reefer temperature, while GSM/GPRS cellular communications enable seamless roaming throughout North, Central and South America.

This fall, SkyBitz plans to release a new modular product platform called Galaxy GTP. The platform features a new Iridium satellite modem that harnesses SkyBitz’s energy-saving GLS technology. To conserve power, SkyBitz’s GLS technology performs the location calculations at the company’s own data center rather than locally on devices.

The Galaxy GTP platform also will have the option to have onboard GPS along with GSM/GPRS cellular communications and short-range radio to communicate with sensors and yard management systems.

Private fleets and common carriers that transport containers and assets beyond the United States will be able to use Galaxy GTP devices to track assets for several years without replacing batteries. The device is designed to fit inside the grooves of containers, says Craig Montgomery, senior vice president of marketing and business development for SkyBitz.

Qualcomm Enterprise Services plans to release its new TT210 cellular trailer tracking system in early 2012. The one-piece system – terminal, solar panel and antenna – is designed for easy installation with a rechargeable battery pack that will last for more than five years.

To save on communication costs, Qualcomm customers that use trailer tracking and in-cab computing devices can suppress the reporting of trailer positions when connected to a tractor, says Jeff Griswold, product manager.

URL to article: http://www.ccjdigital.com/an-extra-set/

GARDEN GROVE, California, August 2, 2011 — Teletrac customers gain important new advantages with today’s release of Fleet Director 8.5, the latest version of Teletrac’s industry-leading fleet management telematics solution. Managers can now improve critical profit-and-loss factors such as fuel consumption and safety performance by using new trending analytics in Fleet Director 8.5 to instantly spot performance peaks and valleys over any recent three-month period. Fleet Director 8.5 also delivers new, Microsoft Silverlight® mapping that’s faster, more interactive and more detailed than ever. For example, dispatchers can now track vehicles more easily in unfamiliar locales by rotating maps’ orientation in “bird’s eye” view offering realistic perspectives on streets and road signs. Teletrac simultaneously announced release of its latest in-cab color terminal, featuring a QWERTY keyboard and other improvements such as predictive text for quicker, easier data and address entry.

New insights with trending analytics

Powerful trending analytics in Fleet Director 8.5, an industry first, propel at-a-glance insights into the fourth dimension — time. Now, managers can sharpen decision making and focus attention where it’s needed most by quickly answering questions like these: To what degree does fuel consumption rise and fall with changes in safety performance over time? Is this consistent fleetwide, or does it vary? Do excess idle time “hot spots” show up in recurring patterns, such as with certain drivers in specific locales? Do speeding violations show patterns — among drivers, vehicles, locales, times of day, highway vs. street — that yield clues to improving safety? Can operations personnel utilize vehicles more efficiently and can monitoring variables such as PTO (power take off) impact productivity? Managers can instantly spot variations among nearly a dozen factors over any recent three-month time window — revealing with unprecedented precision where attention can trim costs, improve operations and safety performance.

Selecting dates/times and any specified group of vehicles, Fleet Director 8.5 users can interactively trend variables including miles per gallon, speed violations, driver incidents such as harsh stopping and hard braking, exceptions, fault codes, utilization, idle time, miles driven, engine time, and travel time. Six months of rolling data are instantly available; older data can be easily restored for up to three years. Users can view data in hourly or daily increments, and also filter and search on trend reports.

Faster, more detailed interactive mapping

Fleet Director 8.5 extends Teletrac’s longtime lead in telematics mapping with faster, more flexible map rendering in tile mode and more interactive mapping for a more intuitive experience, helping dispatchers stay on top of fast-changing situations. MultiView™ tiling allows dispatchers to view multiple maps on the same screen while independently controlling each tile. In bird’s eye view, for example, users can smoothly rotate their orientation. Animated views offer more realistic perspective on streets, road signs and other features — a significant aid when tracking vehicles and navigating in unfamiliar locales.

In Fleet Director 8.5, Teletrac migrated to map display technology based entirely on the Silverlight software platform, enabling these and other user enhancements such as new colors for greater clarity. Maps can be quickly customized by enabling/disabling real-time traffic, clusters or individual landmarks, setting different zoom levels for vehicle and landmarks, and toggling routes on and off.

Flexible self-service alerts

Fleet Director 8.5 gives users other advantages, such as highly customizable self-service fleet alerts. Users can now set alerts via the Web which are highly configurable for one or all vehicles. Users can individually set each type of alert for specific vehicles or subfleets. Watch lists can now include a user-defined subfleet or group of vehicles while including or excluding specific drivers. Alerts can be sent directly to any mobile device or desktop.

Quick, unlimited landmark imports

Landmarks let dispatchers and drivers stay oriented using their own familiar points of reference. In Fleet Director 8.5, Teletrac makes working with landmarks quicker and easier than ever. Streamlined screens for managing landmarks let users group their landmarks and display them under a group name. These screens run faster, and users can quickly import unlimited landmarks in bulk mode. Fleet Director 8.5 automatically updates imported landmarks to existing routes.

New QWERTY in-cab color terminal

Along with Fleet Director 8.5, Teletrac announced release of its latest in-cab color terminal, featuring a QWERTY keyboard and other improvements for quicker, easier data entry. The new keyboard saves drivers time by enabling them to more quickly enter addresses and tap out messages in-cab. Teletrac integrates two-way messaging with location and date/time to archive a comprehensive record of driver and vehicle activity.