Teletrac, Inc., provider of metro fleet location information systems, has announced an enhancement to the wireless text messaging capability for its main fleet tracking product, FleetDirector. According to the company, FleetDirector's new capability streamlines operations by enriching real-time communications between drivers and their main office. Drivers now have the ability to instantly send free-form text messages from their message data terminals (MDT) to the dispatcher or fleet manager, optimizing the time and process required for relaying information. Until now, drivers could only choose from pre-programmed messages or limited basic five-digit numeric text, delaying their opportunity to provide unique information collected in the field to the main office until the end of their shift. The company says its FleetDirector system gives fleet managers and dispatchers the ability to view the location of their vehicles in real-time over maps on their computer screen, eliminating the need to manually radio each driver to determine his location. Dispatchers can send drivers free form text messages with instructions or questions to the driver's MDT, which sits on the vehicle's dashboard. The system's enhancement now allows drivers to send free form messages back to the dispatcher, giving their company's main operations the tools to more quickly analyze and utilize critical data collected in the field, answer any questions the driver may have, or respond to new customer needs that may have arisen on the job site. "The rate of data collection and processing continues to speed up, leaving companies that rely on manual operations behind," said Tim Van Cleve, COO of Teletrac, Inc. "At Teletrac, we continually strive to give our customers the most advanced and cost-effective tools to differentiate themselves, whether increasing productivity, optimizing communications or providing better customer service. Our new enhanced messaging capability gives fleets the competitive edge they need, helping them process and utilize data faster than ever, and ultimately increase their operational efficiency." According to Teletrac, commercial vehicle fleets in all types of industries can benefit from FleetDirector's enhanced messaging capability in ways that are specific to the information needs of their day-to-day operations. Drivers of transportation fleets like buses and limousines can input such information as the number of passengers per route or their names. In the shipping and delivery industries, deliverymen can text message the name of the person who received the delivery. Contractors can communicate parts needed or used for inventory purposes, as well as hours spent on a job. To input free form text messages, drivers can either use the alphanumeric keys on their MDT, or a keyboard can be installed. Both new and current users of Teletrac's FleetDirector system who opt to install the Net 955 MDT in their vehicles can take advantage of the enhanced messaging capability over a CDPD or GPRS network. The Net 955 MDT is an additional option within the standard FleetDirector hardware package. For more information on FleetDirector's enhanced messaging capability or Teletrac's full line of commercial vehicle location information systems, call 1-800-835-3872 or visit Teletrac on the Web at www.teltrac.net. About Teletrac
Teletrac, based in Garden Grove, Calif., says it is the originator of wireless metro location information systems. Teletrac says it has approximately 7,500 commercial fleet and consumer customers and has sold more than 100,000 of its tracking units throughout the U.S. Teletrac's customers the city of Houston, Texas. The company offers service in major metropolitan areas across the U.S., including Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Miami, Phoenix and Detroit. Teletrac is a private, wholly-owned subsidiary of UK-based Trafficmaster, Plc.