Minorplanet Systems USA, Inc., a provider of telematics-based management solutions for commercial fleets, has introduced an upgrade to its fleet management system, Vehicle Management Information (VMI). According to the company, the new version includes several key enhancements that will increase the fleet management capabilities of companies utilizing VMI to help them improve employee productivity and reduce vehicle expenses. "We are constantly seeking new ways to make VMI a more valuable management tool for our customers. In 2002 alone, more than $7 million was spent on VMI product development initiatives," said W. Michael Smith, executive vice president of Minorplanet Systems USA. "As a result, we've added a number of new enhancements to the VMI system that provide even more critical, detailed information about the actions of commercial fleets - enhancements designed to add profits to a company's bottom line." Some of the new features include:

• Route Planning - Establish the most efficient route, either by time or distance, to a location.
  

• WatchBoxes or Geofencing - Create a designated area for vehicles and receive real-time alerts when vehicles enter or exit this area.
  

• Event Forwarding - Receive real-time alerts, such as the WatchBox alert or a route deviation alert, via cell phone or other device.
  

• Sensor Notification - Monitor and track specific vehicle activities such as door open/closed, vehicle forklifts on garbage trucks and Power Take Off (PTO) on tow trucks.
  

• Report Scheduler - Request that vehicle reports are automatically printed at a designated time.
  

• VMI Diary - View summary vehicle information, such as stops and mileage, in calendar format. The company says the upgraded software also includes a split-screen option enabling users to visually monitor several vehicles at the same time, a computerized white board for seamless organization, and identification of thousands of points of interests, such as parks, airports and hospitals. About Minorplanet Systems USA, Inc.
  Minorplanet Systems USA, Inc. (minorplanetusa.com) markets, sells and supports Vehicle Management Information (VMI), a fleet management solution that contributes to higher customer revenues and improved operator efficiency, according to the company. VMI combines global positioning system (GPS) and wireless vehicle telematics technologies to monitor vehicles, minute by minute. The company also markets, sells and supports a customized GPS-based fleet management solution for large fleets like SBC Communications, Inc., which has more than 34,000 installed vehicles. Headquartered in Richardson, Texas, Minorplanet currently has a market presence in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin, Texas markets, as well as Atlanta and Los Angeles, with plans for other metro markets in the future.