LAS VEGAS. Xata Corp. announced during the American Trucking Assocns. Annual conference here that it will launch next-generation Fleet Performance Management (FPM) applications as well as a new onboard computer (OBC) to enable XATA’s fleet optimization solutions for the for-hire trucking market.
Xata said the for-hire application enhancements will be rolled out over the next year. A trailer-tracking-and-reporting tool is scheduled for release in late 2009, followed by electronic, graphical driver logs for the for-hire market in early 2010. Xata said that later in 2010 it plans to deliver a complete reporting and analytics package as part of its FPM for-hire solution.
The company pointed out that “with these valuable applications in place, for-hire customers will have access to powerful fleet- and business-insight capabilities, based on the proven applications available in XATANET, which is designed for private fleets.”
Xata’s new, non-proprietary onboard computer, supplied by Digi International, will enable it to provide a compact, ruggedized unit that will deliver the communications and navigation technology currently available on its MobileMax platform. It will also offer a significant boost in processing power and an enhanced array of communications specifically designed to meet the needs of the for-hire market. This new platform, which works with Xata’s existing family of in-cab color displays, will offer electronic driver logs, trailer tracking, configurable dashboards and fleet analytics, among other fleet optimization tools.
The company said this introduction fulfills its strategy “to provide the transportation market with hardware options that provide its customers with the flexibility to choose the best platform” for their operations.
“Rising costs and an ever-tightening compliance environment are forcing both for-hire and private fleets to further optimize their operations,” said Jay Coughlan, Xata president & CEO. “Today, it’s all about giving managers and business leaders a timely, accurate read—from dispatch and vehicles to drivers and compliance—on how their fleet operations are providing them with a competitive advantage. Over the next year, our FPM solutions and next-generation technology will help for-hire companies do a better job of managing fleet and driver performance against their corporate strategic goals.”
Xata noted these “high-level” features of the new OBC:
- Supports ZigBee and WiFi wireless connectivity with low-power sensor networks within and around vehicles to monitor such items as tires, reefer units, door latches, temperature sensors, cargo sensors and RFID readers.
- Supports both satellite and GPRS & CDMA cellular for instant, always-on multimode communications.
- Supports CAN J1939 and J1708 vehicle bus-interfaces.
- Has ability to withstand the shock and vibrations found on heavy- duty trucks with SAE1455 certifications.
“With this new onboard computer, we have the ability to take the for-hire market well beyond what is available from competitors,” said Tom Flies, Xata senior vp of product management. “By tapping the expertise gained from nearly two decades of helping the country’s largest private fleets reduce costs, increase safety and enhance customer service, we have the talent and track record to deliver leading-edge fleet management tools to serve the for-hire market.”
