10.06.08 - PeopleNet Introduces Enhancements to BLU Driver Center Platform
2008 Fall Release of BLU: Upgrades Benefit Drivers, Operations, Safety and Maintenance
(October 6, 2008) PeopleNet, the leading provider of intelligent onboard communications and fleet management solutions in North America, is introducing a series of enhancements to its innovative BLU onboard platform as part of the company's Fall, 2008 product release. BLU, PeopleNet's powerful Driver Center display platform, was introduced last year.
"BLU was built with the latest touch-screen technology, open integration tools and a lot of computer power to stay ahead of technology developments," said Brian McLaughlin, chief operating officer. "Now we're beginning to introduce the technologies BLU was built for."
According to McLaughlin, the enhancements to BLU announced today include:
• Text-to-Speech Capability - This will enable drivers to hear in addition to read content on the BLU display. That content can be anything from dispatch instructions to personal email and much more. Meanwhile, drivers' eyes stay on the task at hand.
• Driver Shortcuts - With one finger on BLU's intuitive touch screen, drivers can instantly navigate to critical displays of their choice, such as their 8-day driver log summary, their email inbox or to logout and change-driver screens. The driver can program up to seven such shortcuts.
• Safe Mode Options - At their option, fleets can chose to make selected BLU functions unavailable while a truck is in motion, keeping driver attention on the road. Safe Mode can be configured on individual units.
• Training Video Capability - Fleets can deliver specific interactive multimedia driver trainings to individual drivers as needed, with the full display and sound capabilities of BLU. BLU offers twice the processing power of competitive solutions which allows these types of advanced capabilities for drivers. This capability is being launched in partnership with Pro-TREAD In-Cab.
• In-Cab Navigation - Drivers can now view and listen to truck-centric turn-by-turn directions powered by Maptuit.
"Some of these enhancements were pre-announced when BLU was launched. Others have resulted from customer feedback and suggestions. All will help keep BLU at the leading edge of trucking technology and PeopleNet customers ahead of their competition," said McLaughlin.
PeopleNet BLU was designed from the ground up to provide a powerful, intuitive interface for drivers and an open platform for fleet-specific applications and devices. The 7-inch, sharp, full-color display is easy to read and imparts information quickly at a glance or in very fine detail as needed. BLU brings definitive audio and video capability to the truck cab, delivering multimedia impact for effective communications.
BLU has been deployed to over 35 fleets across the United States and Canada as part of the overall PeopleNet offering.
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 nearly 15 years ago and now serves more than 1,500 customers, including several Fortune 500 companies. PeopleNet is on the web at www.peoplenetonline.com. For more information contact: Meghan AuBuchon 763-279-7636, maubuchon@peoplenetonline.com.
