PeopleNet has announced that in partnership with Microdea Inc. it is introducing In-Cab Scanning. The company said this new function allows documents to be scanned and transmitted directly from the cab of a truck using the “advanced technology of Microdea and the superior power and economical bandwidth of PeopleNet mobile communications.”
According to PeopleNet, In-Cab Scanning enables drivers to scan and transmit critical transportation documents such as bills of lading and signed delivery receipts immediately from virtually anywhere. In-Cab Scanning speeds the business cycle for carriers, eliminates the need for truckstop scanning and expedites international border crossings.
“In-Cab Scanning is the future and it is here now,” said Glenn Williams, PeopleNet senior product manager. “This landmark technology for PeopleNet customers will take carrier business operations to a new level, cutting hours and days from the billing cycle. Drivers will be very pleased to avoid unnecessary, unproductive miles used to find scanning locations and waiting in the lines they sometimes find there.”
“In-Cab scanning is a very important addition to Microdea as we further extend the reach of our solutions into the logistics and transportation industry,” said Colin Ruskin, vp of business development. “Our goal is to develop solutions to enable our clients to become efficient and profitable; their success is our success.”
Microdea supplies a rugged, small-footprint scanning device that securely mounts in the truck cab. Scanned document images are transmitted using the open interface of PeopleNet’s g3 Services and are captured by Microdea, which makes documents immediately available to third parties. A third party can be a carrier, its customers or a carrier’s third party document management provider.
According to PeopleNet, benefits of In-Cab Scanning include enabling carriers that overnight documents or use truckstop scanning to reduce DSO (Days Sales Outstanding) and the ability of carriers to speed international border crossings by letting drivers forward documents to programs like the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s web-based ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) before they arrive at border check points. The company said carriers will also benefit from more satisfied drivers who have been relieved of driving out-of-route miles simply to deliver paperwork. In addition, said PeopleNet, In-Cab Scanning will “actually cost less than typical per-page truckstop scanning charges.”
In-Cab Scanning is the first of a two-part initiative by PeopleNet. The second is In-Cab Printing, which will be introduced in the early part of 2008. “In-Cab Printing will use the same wireless and software technologies to move documents between truck and company, but in the other direction,” Williams said. Drivers will be able to receive and print hard copies of documents like highway permits, bills of lading and even violation notices. Drivers using PeopleNet’s eDriver Logs automated log application will also be able to print out logs on the spot for enforcement officers, saving time during roadside inspections.
For more information, visit Microdea online or PeopleNet online.
