LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Mack Trucks has introduced InfoMax Wireless, an information management and utilization system it claims can help fleets slash operating costs.

The InfoMax relies on Wi-Fi short range wireless technology to allow fleet managers to extract key performance information from their trucks without having to connect to the actual vehicles.

When the truck returns to the terminal an SRW module mounted under the dash automatically transmits information from DataMax, Mack’s onboard data logger to a network access point (NAP) located within the terminal building.

The NAP receives the information from the truck and forwards it to the customer’s computer network.

The InfoMax software then sorts, analyzes, plots or reports this information in whatever form the customer requires.

Mack says a single NAP can handle as many as 127 trucks, eliminating the task of connecting a PC unit to each vehicle to access DataMax information.

Typical money-saving fleet uses for this data include equipment utilization reports, automated maintenance scheduling, direct input to MPG incentive programs, driver performance monitoring, electronic fault reporting and unauthorized reprogramming tamper detection.

The information can flow the other way as well. Fleets can reprogram the entire fleet’s operational systems simultaneously with a single keystroke.

The range of the system is 1,000 feet (direct line of sight). Its uploading frequency is programmable.

InfoMax Wireless can also streamline the processing and filing of fuel taxes, Mack claims. With the optional SRW Module GPS package, the system can automatically tabulate mileage and location co-ordinates.

The same GPS plug-in also makes it possible to map driver location history.