Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
PeopleNet Offers ALK's CoPilot Truck-Specific Navigation Voice Guided Turn-By-Turn Directions on PeopleNet's New Handheld Platform
April 30, 2007 - PeopleNet today announced it is offering ALK® Technologies' CoPilot® Truck, which provides spoken, turn-by-turn, truck-specific driving directions to professional drivers, on PeopleNet's new handheld platform. Handheld integration to the g3 Onboard Computer is the latest innovation from PeopleNet, the fastest growing provider of intelligent onboard communications and fleet management solutions in North America.
ALK's CoPilot Truck is a powerful driver retention tool that provides real-time, truck-sensitive directions to get drivers where they need to go and help them avoid restricted roads, tunnels and bridges. On PeopleNet's handheld platform, CoPilot Truck provides directions in one of 10 languages according to the user's choice. The application also displays directions in simple visualizations that convey both the route immediately ahead and the next turn at a quick glance. The audio visual combination enables drivers to keep their eyes on the road.
CoPilot Truck eases the hassle of driving a big truck in unfamiliar territory, particularly over the last few miles from the Interstate to the customer dock. CoPilot Truck provides confidence to new drivers, particularly during the first months on the job. It also provides peace of mind to veteran drivers heading to locations new to them. CoPilot Truck's ability to automatically recalculate routes based on traffic and construction delays is an additional benefit to drivers. In addition, drivers can chose among industry standard PC*MILER®-based routing options such as Practical, Shortest, Toll Avoidance, National Network, 53' Trailer and HazMat.
Working on PeopleNet's handheld platform, Co-Pilot and the PeopleNet g3 Onboard Computer will accept a dispatch including geofences around each stop for auto arrival and departure messages. CoPilot's will base its route on dispatch instructions and will use GPS data from PeopleNet's onboard computer. The handheld computer will run Co-Pilot when cradled on the dash.
"We're proud to offer CoPilot Truck to PeopleNet customers. It will be a significant help to all professional drivers and help fleets to manage out-of-route situations," said Brian McLaughlin, PeopleNet vice president, marketing and product planning. "Driver retention is a critical issue across our industry. CoPilot Truck can be an enormous benefit for beginning drivers during those first few weeks on the road, when new hires are most likely to quit. Real-time, spoken directions help provide job satisfaction to all drivers, veterans and new hires alike."
PeopleNet's recently introduced handheld platform integrates PeopleNet's g3 onboard system with virtually any handheld computer that runs the Windows Mobile 5 operating system. Handheld integration enables drivers to gather and access data while outside the truck. ALK's CoPilot Truck harnesses the power of handhelds to increase driver efficiency while lowering the hassle factor inherent in the job.
CoPilot Truck's comprehensive database includes 6 million miles of U.S. roadways, 13' 6'' height and 80,000-lb weight restrictions, Hazmat and 53'/102" trailer restrictions, over 100 million North American addresses, 3 million points-of-interest including truck stops, weigh stations and fuel locations, and 31,000 exit numbers. For more information, visit www.alk.com/copilot/truck_ppc.asp.
About PeopleNet
PeopleNet, based in suburban Minneapolis, is North America's leading provider of Internet-based and integrated onboard computing and mobile communications systems. Its transportation products are used by top truckload, LTL, private, and service fleets in the U.S. and Canada. PeopleNet was the first major technology provider to offer Internet-based communications to the transportation industry 12 years ago and now serves more than 1,000 customers, including several Fortune 500 companies. PeopleNet is on the web at peoplenetonline.com.
About ALK Technologies
More than 21,000 companies use ALK's PC*MILER Solutions, including ninety percent of the "Top 100" North American motor carriers and ninety six percent of the "Top 50" global logistics companies. The U.S. Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also rely on PC*MILER Solutions. ALK provides consulting, customized information systems and packaged software solutions. For more information, visit www.alk.com.
For more information contact: Joleen Keenan (952) 227-7245 jkeenan@peoplenetonline.com
Meghan AuBuchon
Marketing Communications Specialist
1107 Hazeltine Blvd. Suite 350
Chaska, MN 55318
952.368.4100 x 260
888.346.3486 x 260
Fax: 952.368.9320
peoplenetonline.com
