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Wireless Networking Handbook
(Publisher: Macmillan Computer Publishing)
Author(s): Jim Geier
ISBN: 156205631x
Publication Date: 09/01/96

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Rockwell’s FleetMaster

Rockwell has a product called FleetMaster, which uses CDPD and GPS to provide a vehicle location system. The FleetMaster system includes an in-vehicle Rockwell NavCell unit, as well as a base. The NavCell unit receives and processes signals from the Rockwell’s GPS constellation of satellites. Via a wireless WAN link, FleetMaster communicates the time, position, speed, bearing, and status of the vehicle to the dispatch center.

Prince and SkyTel, the automotive electronics integrators, have the product AutoLink System to track automobile locations. AutoLink uses a GPS receiver from Motorola and narrow band PCS services from SkyTel to provide automatic emergency response, theft deterrence, vehicle tracking, two-way personal paging, remote vehicle unlocking, driver personalization, navigational guidance, and location-based information service.

Wireless WAN Case Studies

Guaranteed Overnight Delivery (G.O.D)1


1Reprinted by permission from RAM Mobile Data

G.O.D. is a leading New Jersey-based trucking company employing over 120 drivers servicing the east coast from Virginia to Maine, operating in a competitive industry with the slimmest of margins. Every competitive edge, customer service improvement, and cost reduction accomplishment drives right to the bottom line.

G.O.D. operates a hub and spoke distribution system and collects cargo in a central location prior to long haul shipping to one of the 41 east coast locations. Local drivers take deliveries from these sites to the customers. At the end of the day, drivers collect shipments to be rerouted throughout the central hub and the process repeats itself. G.O.D. drivers typically make 10–20 stops per day, all while reporting problems and their vehicle locations to dispatch centers.

G.O.D. had been working with a two-way communications system. The central office would page the drivers, and the drivers would stop to call headquarters from a pay phone (using cellular phones was judged to be too expensive). In addition to struggling with a two-way communications system that didn’t meet G.O.D.’s communications needs, the end-of-the-day workload at the warehouse forced G.O.D. to juggle incoming freight without any real advance notice, resulting in high overtime costs.

RAM Mobile Data brought a complete solution to G.O.D.—a real-time wireless data system that involves Fujitsu’s pen based computers equipped with Ericsson wireless modems. The system runs route management software from Roadshow International over RAM’s packet radio network.

Now, G.O.D. drivers and the home office are in constant touch—delivery and pickup status, scheduling changes, and route changes are communicated without interrupting the delivery process. Customers get better service, drivers waste less time and make more customer stops during the day, and the warehouse is constantly updated on the loads being brought back at day’s end for consolidation and rerouting.

Pepsi Cola-Allied Brothers2


2Reprinted by permission from RAM Mobile Data

Recognizing the need to expedite the sales/order entry process, Pepsi Cola-Allied Brothers looked beyond its existing automated voice-synthesized telephone keypad entry system. As a large franchise bottler serving 35 counties in Maryland, Connecticut, and New York, orders were relayed over a single line, and only one salesperson could enter orders at a given time. Worse yet, the system didn’t work with all touch-tone telephones. Route salespeople became frustrated because the telephone line would constantly be busy, and, when the connection was made, many phones were not compatible and valuable time was wasted on the telephone.

Meanwhile, delay would build up. At the warehouse, the distribution personnel would be assigned to stage orders beginning at 11:30 a.m., but the sales orders didn’t come in until 1:30 to 4:00 p.m., generating a bottleneck for orders.

Handheld computers from Norand and networking software from Racotek were used in conjunction with RAM Mobile Data’s networks to provide a more efficient wireless data sales and order entry process. The combination of these elements and the rising efficiencies in wireless order transmission saves each member of the sales staff one and a half to two hours every day. This savings provides more time for customer service, sales, and merchandising. The end result of using RAM Mobile Data is that Pepsi-Allied’s employees in the field and the warehouse are working smarter, not harder. Overtime in the warehouse has been reduced and customer orders arrive on time.

Jacksonville Electric Authority3


3Reprinted by permission from RAM Mobile Data

The propensity of Florida’s Jacksonville Electric Authority’s (JEA) operating region to experience severe weather conditions forced the company to review its reliance on voice radio communications. Storm force winds, including Hurricane Andrew, caused the loss of wireline service and left up to 80,000 JEA customers without power. These critical periods typically resulted in cellular telephone networks overloading and congesting JEA’s voice radio systems as storm repair began.


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