ETL Electronique Ltd., the largest Canadian manufacturer of electronic protection products in the automobilt after-sales market, announces the availability of Astus II, the newest version of the company's light vehicle fleet management system for fleets of 4 to 50 light vehicles. Based on a common sense approach that combines simplicity, ease-of-use and economy, Astus is the only comprehensive light vehicle fleet management tool that is designed specifically for this market. It enables small-to-medium size businesses and providers of utility services to efficiently track and manage the key costs of running a light vehicle fleet with accurate information on driver habits and vehicle usage while on the road. Astus II now features optional enhancements including a Global Positioning System (GPS) and a 'black box' to provide additional critical information on vehicle activity. Other enhancements include a keyboard and optic bar code reader in each vehicle.

"Running a light vehicle fleet without proper fleet management can drain the profits of many small-to-medium size businesses," said Eric LaPointe, founder and president of ETL Electrionique. "Astus was specifically designed to provide the functionality, simplicity and pricing that makes sense for this market segment. Astus II builds on the system's previous success, with additional capabilities that provide fleet owners with an even greater understanding of how their fleet vehicles are being used on the road."

Astus II now features GPS, enabling light vehicle fleet owners to recreate each vehicle's travel trajectory on a daily basis. The information gathered can be used to validate travel routes, improve routing efficiency and enhance customer services. In addition, by enabling fleet owners to re-create a trajectory of vehicle travel, Astus II offers an economoical alternative to real-time location tracking which requires monthly communication fees.

A 'black box' in each vehicle is also now available with the Astus II. The 'black box' records vehicle operation during the last 10 minutes to the precise second prior to impact. Information gathered can then be used to verify, analyze and confirm reported conditions under which an accident has occurred. Other enhancements include a system keyboard now available on each vehicle enabling fleet drivers to electronically record work order information previously entered on paper service forms. In addition, Astus II now offers an optic bar code reader within each vehicle to record equipment, parts or products that may be used on a service call. This further automates the gathering of information for inventory and billing purposes, while providing precise data on products and services rendered by driver on a daily basis.

More About Astus

Astus is a light vehicle fleet management system that empowers fleet owners with fast and easy access to precise vehicle operating costs and usage information to reduce costs, improve productivity and enhance customer services. The system records all details of vehicle operation and driver trips such as driver time on the road, idle time, distance traveled, speed, fuel consumption, general maintenance, etc. and reports the information on a simple, single page, for a few or as many as 50 vehicles. Using this information, fleet owners are then able to identify and alter inefficient routings, determine the impact of driver habits (speeds, stops, idling) on fuel consumption and maintenance, and obtain maximum value from time on the road. In addition to an on-board mini-computer and user-friendly Windows-based software, Astus includes an anti-theft/starter disabler device. The system also includes an ID key to deactivate the anti-theft system and identify the driver, and another ID key with data gathering memory that enables the manager to stock the information and download it into the software on a daily or weekly basis depending on fleet operations. Astus is ideally suited for companies operating in the business and/or utilities services such as plumbing, heating, pest control, cable TV, telephone, refrigeration, flower shops delivery, locksmiths, etc.

Pricing and Availability

Astus II is available at an MSRP of $650.00 US per vehicle, plus installation. The fleet management system is available from distributors in North America, Europe and Mexico. For a complete list, contact ETL or visit the company web site at www.astusfms.com.