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Computers on show at Wembley

28th April 1988, Page 38
28th April 1988
Page 38
Page 38, 28th April 1988 — Computers on show at Wembley
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• Last week's annual Computers in Transport show at Wembley proved something of a disappointment.

By 2pm on the first day, one exhibitor from Data Maid claimed he had counted just 44 visitors (including Commercial Motor).

Though attendance was sparse, most exhibitors made bullish claims about the level of interest in their computer systems from operators.

Road Tech Computer Systems, the computer software company established by Derek Beevor of Tudor Transport, claims it is currently installing between and 18 and 19 of its Roadrunner computer systems every month. The company is now offering Roadrunner as a multi-user system, for operators with a number of operations centres.

Road Tech employs five fulltime programmers to tailor Roadrunner for customer's par1 ticular businesses and the company claims that the majority of installations are now tailored as few operations are simple enough to be computerised offthe-shelf.

New systems

This claim is borne out by Istel, which says much of its recent work has involved designing new systems for hauliers and distributors who have bought off-the-shelf computer systems. Istel says transport managers are showing an increasing knowledge and understanding of the purchase of computer systems as the industry becomes more computer literate.

A smaller, new computer company — Add Min — agrees that haulier's computer systems usually need extra design to make them suitable. "We think that perhaps we are pricing our system too low at 22,500," says the company. Like almost all of the packages on show at Computers In Transport, Add Min's Swift system operates on IBM PC compatible computers.

The only vehicle manufacturer directly involved in the show was MAN, whose Transport Consultancy System has been re-designed. First launched in the UK 18 months ago, the Transport Consultancy package now comprises 18 software modules, each dealing with separate aspects of transport operations including repairs, fuel consumption, insurance, and drivers' hours. The full package of 18 modules costs just under 210,000 to install, though a starter system costs about 25,500.

Interestingly, the MAN package has been installed with four transport companies in this country — only one of which is a MAN operator.

MAN also debuted its in-cab computer, developed to work with the Transport Consultancy system. The unit is being used to collect vehicle data in ten different trucks currently oper ating in West Germany. MAN plans to complete the trials of the unit early next year, with a launch following soon after.

The unit should be operating in this country by the end of next year.

Another in-cab computer, this time from Stemco, was launched at Computers In Transport. The Sterne° CTR 7000 (CM 14-20 April) is to be offered as a manufacturers' option in Mack trucks in the United States. The system will be connected to the vehicle's engine diagnosis port, so it will be able to record detailed information about the vehicle.

Sternco's Jim Kerrigan says there are plans to connect the unit to a mobile radio so all the information will be available to the transport manager whenever he wants it.

Datatrak (CM 10-16

March), the vehicle location system — launched by building firm Wimpey and Securicor earlier this month — has attracted interest from Home Secretary Douglas Hurd for its security applications. Datatrak has yet to win a firm order, but an announcement is expected within the next month or two. The system is currently operating in the South East, but Datatrak beacons are being set up in the East and the Midlands to give coverage up to Liverpool and Leeds by August.

Finally, Allied Aims presented its Vehicle Cost Management System (VCMS) with two new software packages; accident reporting and short term hire (hiring in).

There was no sign, however, of the long-awaited haulage add-on for VCMS.

The company has so far developed the basic Utilisation of Charging package for hauliers, but further refinements are needed. A launch is due later this year.

0 by Richard Scrase


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