Mobile communications and fleet management solutions provider PeopleNet Communications has expanded its Intouch Fleet Management system to be compatible with products that operate on the Palm OS platform. This will provide access to the Intouch system through a variety of handheld devices.

“Integrating our current fleet management solution to the Palm OS allows PeopleNet customers more options,” says PeopleNet CEO John Sarto. “Now fleet owners can incorporate the convenience of a handheld with the functionality and reliability of the Intouch system.”

The Intouch Fleet Management system connects a fleet’s entire supply chain with mobile location, messaging and voice communications. PeopleNet offers the following handheld options: Palm IIIxe, TRG PRO, Symbol 1500 and Symbol 1700. The handheld takes the place of the message display unit, an existing component of the Intouch system. When fleets choose the handheld option, they can access Intouch G2X features such as two-way form and freeform e-mail, personal and corporate address books and free driver e-mail, as well as handheld applications such as calendars, calculators, and other Palm OS applications.

By integrating the Intouch fleet management system with the Palm OS platform, PeopleNet makes future applications such as bar coding, signature capture, document exchange and electronic driver logs possible. What’s more, the open platform allows PeopleNet’s customers to develop their own Palm applications in the future.

Maddocks Systems offering check payment solution

Trucking software provider Maddocks Systems Inc has created a new interface with Create-A-Check Business Solutions, which specializes in the security of the payment management processes, to offer customized MICR-check printing to users of TruckMate for Windows.

The ability to generate MICR documents from within their TM4Win system enables trucking companies to manage complicated Drivers Payables and produce Instant Checks. Users can also securely import payment data from remote or mobile sites for local or remote printing of checks and other documents.

The standard application includes an encrypted company logo, two encrypted signatures and pay stub information overflow to speed up secure check processing.

Alk Technologies takes next step in online routing/mapping

ALK Technologies, Inc. is expanding its Web-enabled products with the late May release of PC MILER/Streets 4.0, a commercial street-level routing, mileage and mapping software.

Web-enabled PC MILER/Server and PC MILER/Mapping were introduced last April with the release of PC MILER 14 and will now expand to work with PC MILER/Streets. PC MILER Web tools deliver the logical step forward in managing transportation and logistics needs, the company claims.

PC MILER/Streets-Server and PC MILER/Streets-Mapping enable users to interface with both transportation and supply chain management systems as well as mobile communication systems. PC MILER/Streets-Server enables users to access street-level distances, directions and reports within other applications while PC MILER/Streets-Mapping allows users to view and access street-level route maps through other applications.

Both products have been enhanced with new Windows-based Web programming layers containing COM/OLE and Java. With these programming tools and native HTML report generation capabilities, companies can provide PC MILER/Streets functionality through their Intranet, Extranet, and Internet web sites.

“The release of the web-enabled PC MILER/Streets connectivity products marks a first in the North American transportation and logistics industry,” says Craig Fiander, director of marketing at ALK Technologies. “These tools offer the first truck-usable street-level routing and mapping capabilities on the Internet. PC MILER is used by more than 15,000 motor carriers, shippers, and logistics companies throughout the world.

@Roads technology bundled with Profit Tools software

@Road, a California-based provider of wireless solutions for transportation companies, has integrated its LocationSmart technology with Profit Tools software.

Through its collaboration with @Road, Profit Tools now offers location capabilities as well as a mobile communications solution designed to streamline communication among dispatchers, fleet vehicles, and clients.

For example, dispatchers can receive regularly scheduled updates of vehicle locations, as well as transactional data such as delivery confirmations, load detail, and tracking numbers. Much of the information can be captured in “real-time,” Profit Tools notes.

Newmarket, N.H.-based Profit Tools develops e-commerce software to commercial-trucking and freight-transportation companies.

Richer Systems, iFleet form strategic partnership

iFLEET, and Richer Systems Group (RSG) have inked a deal that calls for the integration of the two companies’ product lines.

The agreement will allow the companies’ transport customers to use both firms’ suites of Web-based ASP and software solutions in concert. Customers will benefit from the integration through reduced administrative costs and the timely availability of accurate information, the companies claim.

“The product offerings are highly complementary,” says Eric Richer, president of RSG. “By bringing the products closer together, our customers can reduce costs and improve service at the same time, essentially giving them the best of both worlds.