Glossary of Fleet Management and Mobile Workforce Terms

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ABS enclosure: A rugged, rubberized plastic case that protects Mentor's mobile computers from the harsh fleet vehicle environment.

Air-time free WiFi: Access to wireless Internet connectivity free of charge.

Automated data collection: The ability to automatically collect a variety of vehicle data (speeding, route deviation, etc.) via an in-vehicle wireless device at pre-scheduled intervals, and deliver this information to in-office computers.

Automated dispatch solutions: The ability to dispatch a vehicle through in-office computer software and automatically update driver schedules on their in-vehicle computers. This removes the need for constant radio calls between dispatches and drivers.

Automatic log downloads: The ability to have vehicle logs sent directly to dispatchers at regularly scheduled intervals, eliminating error-prone and tedious data entry.

Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) The ability to track and locate vehicles in real-time using a GPS receiver located in the in-vehicle computer. This promotes route adherence and efficient dispatching.

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Canned text messages: A dispatcher's most-used messages are saved and stored, so they can be sent to one or multiple drivers quickly and efficiently. Drivers also have access to canned messages in the vehicle for fast communication with dispatch.

Cellular network: The most common wireless network type today, they are made up of a number of cells each served by a fixed transmitter. To use a cellular network, users must select the appropriate channel for their area. Benefits include increased user capacity, reduced power usage, and better coverage.

Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD): A software suite that lets dispatchers enter call information directly into the computer, which is then added to the in-vehicle schedule of the appropriate driver. This speeds the dispatch process and leads to quicker response times.

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Data communication: The ability to send written messages and information between drivers and dispatchers, reducing the amount of voice communication.

Diagnostic tools: A system that monitors vehicle maintenance and alerts users to maintenance issues, such as low tire pressure. This has the potential to eliminate costly repairs, save gas, and minimize repair downtime. These can also refer to software tools that facilitate system troubleshooting.

Driver credential validation: Login procedures on Mentor's in-vehicle computers that ensure all vehicles are only being driven by the appropriate drivers.

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Electronic fare system: Gives you a cashless environment because passengers are able to pay for fares using Smart Cards, credit cards or even cell phones. This simplifies accounting processes and gives customers more payment options.

Electronic manifest: The driver's daily jobs and routes are automatically sent to the in-vehicle computer, eliminating paper manifests and allowing for real-time schedule changes.

Event management: A system that alerts managers to fleet vehicle incidents, ranging from emergency situations to instances of excess idling. Managers can predefine which event types they want to track, and the system will keep a report of when and how often these events happen.

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Field programmable: The ability to update mobile hardware and software over the air. When compared to manual programming, this speeds updates, reduces fleet downtime, and minimizes costs.

Fixed-mount: The attachment of the mobile device securely to the vehicle's dashboard, minimizing the in-vehicle space used by the device and helping it withstand the harsh vehicle environment.

Fleet management: The management of fleet vehicles, including vehicle maintenance, vehicle telematics, cargo security, driver management, accounting, and fuel management.

Fuel consumption monitoring: In-vehicle software that allows you to keep track of driving behaviors that may increase fuel usage, such as excessive idling and speeding.

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Geocoding: The ability to take an address and allocate the associated longitude and latitude coordinates to that address. This facilitates the use of many GPS-based features such as geofences, geozones, navigation, address matching, etc.

Geofences: Sets boundaries for fleet vehicles based on longitude and latitude coordinates, and alerts dispatchers when a vehicle crosses the boundary.

GIS function: Tools that allow you to create address-lookup searches, and edit data and maps. The results of these operations can be displayed in the software suite.

GPS: Stands for Global Positioning System. The integrated GPS receiver found in Mentor's mobile devices communicates with a network of satellites to determine the fleet vehicle's position, as well as other information such as vehicle driving direction and speed.

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IEEE 802.11b capable: Often called WiFi, this wireless local area network (WLAN) standard lets the mobile system communicate wirelessly, while removing network costs. 802.11b supports a bandwidth of up to 11 Mbps.

Interface: The onscreen display on the in-vehicle computer through which drivers read electronic manifests, look-up directions, and much more.

In-vehicle navigation: Provides turn-by-turn directions for drivers, improving response times.

ITS: Stands for Intelligent Transportation System. This solution incorporates mobile computing, dispatching, and fleet management into your transportation operation to improve customer service and operational efficiencies.

IVR System: Stands for Interactive Voice Response system. This allows callers to place a request for a ride/pickup without talking to dispatchers. The system detects voice and keypad inputs then automatically dispatches the closest vehicle to the pickup location. This process makes better use of dispatcher time and enables staff reductions.

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J1708: The standard through which messages are transmitted between the fleet vehicle and the in-office computer system to create event reports for instances of speeding, route deviations, vehicle diagnostics information, and more.

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Microsoft® Certified: A certification given to companies that demonstrate expertise with Microsoft products as part of their solution, have a broad range of technical expertise, and have direct support from Microsoft for their solution. Mentor Engineering is recognized as a Microsoft Certified Partner.

Middleware: An interface that compresses, packages, and securely sends messages between the in-office software and mobile devices over virtually any wireless network.

MIL STD 810F: A standard of tests issued by the US Army Developmental Test Command to determine whether products can withstand shock, water, and dust in a "real-world" environment.

Mobile computing solution: A system that permits drivers and dispatchers to communicate via text message, freeing up busy radio channels, while putting pertinent information at the driver's fingertips by way of an in-vehicle computer. It can facilitate electronic management of driver payroll data, work order dispatching, inventory management, telematics, AVL, point of sale transactions, vehicle inspection data, navigation, etc.

Mobile data terminal: An in-vehicle computer that communicates with the dispatch office and displays information such as daily schedules, trip details and driving directions.

Mobile hardware: This includes all in-vehicle devices such as mobile computers and modems needed to complete fleet-related tasks.

Mobile software/Mobile application: The programs or applications running on the mobile device's user interface that deliver information to the driver and connect the driver to head office.

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On-Board Device: A device, such as a receipt printer or Automatic Passenger Counter (APC), that is attached to the in-vehicle computer and becomes part of the mobile computing solution.

Open architecture: Technology components that can be added to, upgraded or swapped as the user's needs grow and change. This helps to extend the lifecycle of the technology, minimizing costs.

Over-the-air Programming (OTAP): The ability to update in-vehicle software and hardware remotely and wirelessly. When compared to manual programming, this speeds updates, reduces fleet downtime, and minimizes costs.

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Point-of-sale transactions: The ability to process payments and verify credit and debit cards in the vehicle. This gives customers multiple payment options and prevents credit card fraud.

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RFID reader: Stands for Radio Frequency Identification. A device that allows you to read RFID tags found on in-vehicle cargo. Users are able to track inventory and shipments using radio waves.

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Satellite Network: A network that utilizes satellites for communications, providing a broad coverage area.

Scalable: A mobile computing system that grows and adjusts to an organization's changing needs.

Schedule adherence: Using CAD/AVL technology, dispatchers can track a vehicle's location at all times as it relates to scheduled times, giving them the ability to alert customers if vehicles are running ahead or behind schedule. In-vehicle computers provide real time alerts to drivers if they are deviating from the schedule, minimizing early and late departures from bus stops.

Smart card reader: Part of a fare payment system enabling customers to pay fares using Smart Cards. Smart Cards are credit card-sized payment cards that contain a microchip that stores information such as identification data and trip credits.

SQL Server: A server that uses a standardized query language to give computers highly efficient access to the database of information collected from fleet vehicles.

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Tablet computer: A portable computer with a touchscreen. The user can operate the computer with a stylus or fingertip, rather than a keyboard or a mouse.

TCP/IP Interface: The standard communications protocol for transmitting data over networks, allowing a group of computers to share resources and information.

Two-way Text Messaging: The ability to send text messages between dispatchers and drivers, eliminating noisy radio chatter and freeing up radio lines for critical calls.

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Vehicle logic unit: Refers to an intelligent 'black box' device in a vehicle that often contains the wireless modem, GPS, telematics capabilities, and integration point for other on-board devices.

Vehicle telemetry: Technology that tracks information about a vehicle, such as location, speed, and diagnostics, and transmits this information back to head office.

Vehicle tracking: The ability to see the real-time location of fleet vehicles, improving operational efficiency.

VGA touchscreen: The standard 640x480 touch-sensitive computer screen on Mentor's in-vehicles computers.

Voice annunciator: A device that automatically announces upcoming stops on transit vehicles, allowing drivers to focus on the road.

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Wireless communication: The transfer of information over distances without the need for wires. This connects fleet vehicles and head office.

Wireless Network: A computer network that transfers information using electromagnetic waves (such as radio waves). An example is WiFi, a cost-free network.

Work order management: The ability to dispatch tasks and assignments electronically to field workers, and to monitor their progress from the office as they send job results via their in-vehicle computers. This increases efficiency and maximizes workflow.

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