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Truck parking app: Version 2 of the free Truck Parking Europe
app provides a wide range of new functions to help truck drivers
find suitable parking spaces. These new features allow them to
find, assess, add, and edit information on truck parking facilities
more easily. Drivers can now also enter the occupancy status of
heavy-goods vehicle (HGV) parking spaces.
Truck Parking Europe, developed by the PTV Group, is Europe’s
largest free platform for truck parking facilities. The database lists
12,000 truck parking spaces, including not just officially designated truck and motorway parking spaces but also other suitable
parking spots. The information is constantly updated and verified
by its user community and Truck Parking Europe’s editorial team.
The new evaluation function shows drivers which parking
spots they should avoid and which are preferable. It also contains
information on ones that are lit, supervised, or next to supervised
areas such as factory sites. The new “drive mode” function
shows parking spaces along the route that drivers can reach
within a maximum detour of 6 kilometers ( 3. 7 miles), there and
back. Another new function is the “occupancy status” of HGV
parking spaces. This function can be used within a 1,200-meter
( 3,937-foot) radius. Parking spaces for which occupancy information is available are shown on the map in green (sufficient space),
yellow (official parking space occupied), and red (no vacancy).
The status will expire after a maximum of 3 hours. (PTV Group,
www.ptvgroup.com)
Routing and mapping software: ALK Technologies, a developer of navigation software, has updated its PC*Miler truck
routing, mileage, and mapping software. PC*Miler 28 includes
new tools and enhanced functionality geared around the need
for greater customization.
The new Custom Route Profiles enable users to save sets of
frequently used routing preferences and vehicle dimensions
for future use. Existing PC*Miler users that have built extensive
custom settings in a previous version—including route options,
custom road speeds, and custom vehicle profiles—can import
them into PC*Miler 28.
PC*Miler’s time-based routing now integrates road restrictions
that are active during specific times and provides restriction
warnings in its detailed driving directions.
Additional enhancements in PC*Miler 28 include optimized
routing for medium-duty trucks and the ability to add custom
categories per the user’s specifications to the Custom Place
Manager feature. Enhanced routing, map data, and address
matching are also a major part of the new release. (ALK
Technologies, www.pcmiler.com)
Molded plastic totes: Flexcon’s line of molded plastic totes for
automated systems contains more than 20 standard sizes and six
styles. These totes work with most inserter/extractor and conveyor systems and are suitable for automated storage/retrieval
systems, conveyors, and mini-load systems.
The totes are made from heavy-duty plastic and are designed
to meet deflection criteria. The totes’ capacities range from 25
pounds to 180 pounds and the sizes go up to 48 inches by 30
inches. They are available with smooth sides and a recessed label
area, and they can be customized to fit the customer’s needs.
(Flexcon, www.FlexContainer.com)
Plug load data logger: The Hobo Plug Load Logger from Onset
provides a highly accurate, easy-to-deploy data logger that measures and records the power and energy consumption of 120-volt
plug loads (or energy used by equipment plugged into an outlet).
These data loggers allow energy auditors and building management professionals to determine how much energy individual
pieces of equipment—such as computers, monitors, and printers—consume. They then can use the data in the development
of energy management and control strategies.
The Hobo Plug Load Logger has a “meter mode,” which provides an instant view of the plug load’s variables. It also has a
large memory, which enables faster logging intervals for more
comprehensive plug-load profiles. The device has an LCD display,
which provides visual diagnostics, and comes with a battery backup and Hoboware software for graphing and analyzing plug load
data. (Onset, www.onsetcomp.com)
Rugged tablet: The Bobcat is a new rugged Windows tablet
from Xplore Technologies Corp. It uses Windows 8. 1 or Windows
7 Pro operating systems, and comes
standard with two full-sized USB 3.0s,
Micro SDXC, Micro SIM, Micro HDMI-Out, RJ- 45 Ethernet, a GPS engine, and
a true serial port connection. With this
comprehensive selection of ports, businesses are not forced to compromise on
port selections upon purchase, according to Xplore.
Xplore has developed a suite of optional features designed
to make the Bobcat suitable for specific industries. Xplore’s
proprietary Xpansion Port includes integration options such as
a 1-D/2-D bar-code scanner, common access card (CAC) reader,
and near-field communications (NFC) reader. Warehousing and
distribution businesses can consolidate operations and reduce
equipment costs with the device’s bar-code scanner or NFC
reader capabilities.
The Bobcat weighs 2. 4 pounds and starts at $2,199. It
comes standard with a three-year limited warranty. (Xplore
Technologies, www.xploretech.com)
Fuel-tax filing software: The latest release from XRS Corp.,
a developer of mobile trucking software, includes the debut of
XRS Trip Management and automated International Fuel Tax
Agreement (IFTA) filing.
XRS Trip Management can be used to manage trip-based
workflows and the reporting needs of fleets that run regular
routes. XRS Trip Management can import routes from third-party
routing packages or create routes from scratch. The solution processes planned vs. actual data as a route is completed. The XRS
mobile app gives detailed insight into stops and activities, providing a way to capture a driver’s progress and delivery information.
The new release also automatically detects jurisdiction crossings and generates data for meeting quarterly IFTA requirements.
Beyond simple data collection and reporting, XRS provides a simplified “print, sign, send” service for 45 of 48 U.S. IFTA reporting
states and all Canadian provinces, putting data into official state
forms. This capability streamlines the entire IFTA-filing process,
while providing a detailed data trail to ensure compliance and
preparation in case of audit. (XRS Corp., engage.xrscorp.com)
