Kenworth’s SmartSearch, a tool fleet managers can use to research replacement parts for trucks and trailers, is now accessible on the Internet. SmartSearch can identify parts by application and also functions as an all-makes cross-reference file.

SmartSearch (available at www.paccar.com/parts/Kenworth/finding) contains more than 1.3 million part numbers and over 100 guides to find parts by application. All information is updated regularly. Part number information can be researched by 1) supplier in the Supplier Index, 2) product in the Product Index, or 3) part number in the X-Ref (cross-reference for all-makes trucks).

Once inside SmartSearch, the user can access the Kenworth dealer locator to find the nearest dealership or to call the dealership to determine part availability. SmartSearch was previously only available to Kenworth dealership personnel as a research tool.

“SmartSearch allows customers to reference over one million part numbers at the click of a mouse, no matter what make of truck they drive,” said Dave Clarke, Kenworth national parts sales manager. “This puts the power of parts information right in the hands of the customer and allows them to research the part number and availability from their home, office or on the road,” he added. Once the user has logged onto the website, the URL can be added to the “favorites list” for quick future access.

Alliance is formed to enhance fleet management products

@Track Communications, Inc., a provider of wireless-based vehicle fleet management and tracking products for truck fleets has formed a strategic alliance with Lockheed Martin Integrated Business Solutions (IBS) aimed at helping the two companies to enhance their integrated mobile communications solutions to the transportation marketplace.

Lockheed Martin, claimed to be one of the top four in e-business systems integration and IT outsourcing, will provide systems engineering, back-office integration and project management in this new alliance. With over $1.7 billion in transportation contracts, Lockheed Martin will also be drawing on its extensive experience in the transportation field gained in engagements for commercial vehicle operations, such as the PrePass and GatePass systems in the U.S.

@Track, formerly called Highway Master Communications, provides intelligent wireless mobile communications, emergency dispatch, fleet management and tracking solutions. Its technology combines wireless data and voice technologies with Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite location capabilities for vehicle fleet management. The company’s mobile asset product, TrackWare, combines the technologies of GPS and wireless control channel messaging to track vehicles.

Descarts, Teletrac strike distribution arrangement

The Descartes Systems Group Inc., a provider of business-to-business Internet logistics services, and Teletrac, Inc., a provider of wireless metropolitan location and data products, have announced a strategic distribution arrangement. Under the agreement, Teletrac will offer Descartes’ Web-based route optimization software, which offers routing and scheduling on a fee-per-transaction basis to subscribers over the Web. The Web-based service will be offered to Teletrac’s existing 3,200 commercial customer base, which includes Emery Air Freight, Inc., Brinks Incorporated and AT&T Cable Services, and to new prospects for Teletrac’s fleet management services.

The Descartes routing service is claimed to be ideal for planning next-day routes, and is particularly well suited for national companies with dispersed operations and smaller companies with 20 vehicles or less. A significant percentage of Teletrac’s existing customer base meet this criteria, although many of its customers have not been using a routing program to date because of the cost or the complexity of traditional routing products.

GeoCom TMS adds CDPD to its tracking and messaging

Montreal-based GeoCom TMS, a transportation software provider, has recently added CDPD to its tracking & messaging software, GeoNav. This protocol allows wireless data transmission over a higher bandwidth at a lower price, and is suitable for field service, pick up & delivery as well as LTL fleets operating mainly around cities.

GeoNav simultaneously supports a wide range of protocols: Orbcomm, Qualcomm, Aeris MicroBurst, Mobitex, AMPS and two-way radio. This addition of CDPD expands the flexibility of GeoNav and allows fleets to choose the right wireless network for the right usage depending on their specific needs. It also allows companies to phase in new wireless data technology while still supporting an existing one.

GeoNav provides automatic location of all the vehicles of a fleet on digital maps or by text. It can serve different tracking needs (tractor, trailer, reefers and others) as well as different operational needs (TL, LTL, pick-up and delivery) because it can seamlessly manage and connect to different Wireless Networks, through the same server. With its interfacing modules GeoNav can be integrated to existing dispatch and/or fleet management systems. And since it’s built with an open client/server architecture running on TCP/IP protocols, it supports the Internet with its Enterprise Wireless Web Edition.

PC Miler’s product line is now Web-enabled

Alk Associates has released the PC Miler 14 product line, which includes an expansion of the company’s routing database and the addition of new Internet capabilities.

The database now includes 657,000 North American road miles and 13,500 additional locations for a new total of 308,000 accessible locations. PC Miler 14 also has a number of additions of particular interest to carriers supporting transborder hauls: a complete update of all 13’6″ height restrictions on the U.S. highway network, the addition of the most recent road openings, name changes and construction updates; and all five-digit U.S. zip codes for the year 2000.

Enhancements have also been made to the PC Miler 14 Add-On Data Modules. These include 17,000 additional Standard Point Location Codes for a total of 112,000 and 45,000 additional six-digit Canadian postal codes for a total of 780,000.

Meanwhile, the PC Miler Server and Mapping interface products have been enhanced with new Windows-based web programming layers containing COM/OLE and Java., which opens the door for users to access the PC Miler system through their Intranet, Extranet and Internet sites using any Web browser.

Wireless Internet technology will monitor reefer temps

Thermo King of Toronto and its affiliated Canadian dealer network have joined forces with Mobility Trak to introduce a wireless communication system called Thermo Trak.

The system transmits and reports data from refrigerated trailers using the Cellemetry Data Service network operated by Mobility Canada. An Internet connection allows Thermo King and carriers to manage and collect reports on the temperatures of their loads of refrigerated food products and pharmaceuticals anywhere in North America. The system connects to the serial I/O port of a Thermo King SR Smart Reefer and can be set up to trigger an alarm via a pager or cell phone so that critical controls and fault codes are immediately responded to by the carrier or by Thermo King personnel.

Commercial testing began in April with selected carriers.