An all-new fleet management system from Cadec Global combines new onboard hardware with web services technology designed to make it easier to share data with all fleet and supply chain systems, according to the developer. Called PowerVue, the new system is trucking's first service oriented architecture (SOA)-based hosted fleet management solution, according to Frank Moreno, vp of marketing for Cadec.
“Building the entire platform on SOA design makes it much easier to integrate other applications like supply chain systems and even update them without interrupting the ability to share data,” Moreno told Fleet Owner. “This isn't just a mobile comm system. We say it gives fleets the ability to move the supply chain into the truck cab. And it enhances all sorts of other applications like payroll and dispatch with real-time data.”
The PowerVue onboard hardware supports automated paperless drivers' logs, as well as business documents that replicate paper forms, according to Michael Baney, Cadec CEO. Multimode wireless choices for the onboard systems include satellite and cellular networks for lowest-cost wide area communications and WiFi for moving less critical data over local area network links. It is a two-piece design running Microsoft Windows CE 5 and features a 7-in color touch-screen as the driver interface.
On the software side, PowerVue features three components. PowerVue Office is a web-based fleet management system that allows various fleet users to create customized real-time “dashboards” to help them monitor activities important to them. It also acts as the central repository for all data coming from vehicles. PowerVue Advanced Applications are add-ons designed for specific fleet operations and include temperature tracking, door tracking and trailer validation. PowerVue Bridge is the web-services integration framework, offering flexible integration based on XML standards.
Both the new in-cab hardware and web-based platform are backwards-compatible with Cadec's Mobius products, according to Moreno.
“Automation comes with access to data in a standard way,” said Baney. “That's what we offer with PowerVue.”
