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Skokie, Illinois-based Rand McNally has been offering maps and related services since 1856, and first began offering its InteliRoute software for truckers in 1999. Salt Lake City-based DriverTech, meanwhile, says it has offered a version of its DT4000 TruckPC (right) since 1995.Earlier this month, Rand McNally announced an investment in DriverTech, and now, the companies say, they're collaborating on future enhancements to the TruckPC product. The device currently offers a base unit with an undisclosed processor and either 40GB or 60GB hard disk drives, plus an in-cab touchscreen display that provides GPS and a host of other features, according to a 2008 data sheet.
According to DriverTech, the DT4000 TruckPC can connect to satellite, cellular, and Wi-Fi networks simultaneously, automatically routing data via the lowest-cost option. It automatically provides J1708 and J1938 engine fault codes and ECM information to a fleet operator's maintenance department, also sending driver performance metrics such as speed, RPM, and idle time, the company adds.
As well as keeping drivers from getting lost via GPS and nationwide street-level mapping, the device includes an in-cab printer/scanner (left), DriverTech says. Integrated with the TruckPC's data transmission capabilities, this allows invoices to be generated immediately after a load is delivered, the company notes.
Other functionality of the TruckPC is said to include "managed" in-cab Internet, e-mail, and instant messaging, plus media playback and entertainment. The device has four USB ports and three serial ports, and can connect to barcode and RFID readers, DriverTech adds.
According to DriverTech and Rand McNally, their new agreement means that, among other things, the TruckPC will migrate to the latter's IntelliRoute software, providing it with enhanced driver warnings, updated road data, and Rand McNally's proprietary trucking data. The hardware will be improved by a switch to SSD storage, a faster processor, and up to 2GB of memory, the companis add.
It's said new TruckPC Workflow software will provide provide interactive updates from the cab to the back office. Multimedia capabilities will allow documents such as bills of lading, instructional videos, and other details to be shared with drivers, and will also "ensure that drivers are consistently executing company or customer directives," according to the companies.
Last but not least, the TruckPC will switch from Windows XP Embedded to the newer, Windows 7-based Windows Embedded Standard 7. This "assures customers an easy integration path to other software and logistics packages," say DriverTech and Rand McNally.
Dave Muscatel, CEO of Rand McNally, stated, "This set of enhancements is just the first in the pipeline and illustrates the synergy of the Rand McNally-DriverTech partnership. DriverTech's robust in-cab computing technology and Rand McNally's industry leading navigation and proprietary truck specific road data, will enable a whole new generation of communication between driver and fleet."
Further information
According to Rand McNally and DriverTech, the TruckPC hardware and software upgrades are expected to be complete by the end of the first quarter 2011. The current TruckPC will be exhibited this week at the American Trucking Association show in Phoenix, booth 709, the companies added.
More information on the TruckPC may be found on the DriverTech website, here.
