Backgrounder: A Decade of Innovation

PeopleNet's decade-long path to industry leadership began in 1994. In 1996, the company became the first to offer a Web-based platform for GPS locating and mobile communications. Other notable accomplishments include the introduction in 1999 of the first of many online fleet management applications including fuel tax, load matching, and routing and mileage capabilities.

In 2000, PeopleNet revolutionized the mobile communications industry by launching its flagship product. The g2x^TM Wireless Fleet System integrates GPS location tracking, onboard computing, two-way voice and data communications, and Internet-based fleet business tools to provide consistent, reliable communication between owners, dispatchers, drivers and shippers. That same year, the company was the first and is still the only provider to offer OTAP^TM Over-the-Air-Programming technology that provides simultaneous wireless upgrades to fleets of trucks.

PeopleNet's history of innovation includes a long list of industry firsts:

First to integrate Palm OS with a mobile communications platform

First to offer Web-based Electronic Driver Logs

First to automate driver arrival and departure messaging process

First to offer more than 2,000 character message lengths

First to offer wireless bar coding and signature capture

First to offer Web-based vehicle and driver performance reporting

First to address communications needs of small- to mid-sized fleets

First to offer call allotments and restrictions from advanced voice capabilities

First to offer free driver e-mail

First to offer multiple rate plans

First to offer online, real time billing

First to offer modular equipment
Recent innovations at PeopleNet have continued the tradition. Within the past 12 months, the company has introduced electronic driver logs to automate hours of service reporting, automated messaging and exception management capabilities for communication across the supply chain, and wireless bar coding and signature capture through a Palm® handheld device. Also released were enhanced engine diagnostics features through PerformX^TM to improve fuel mileage and vehicle performance, and development initiatives with ALK Technologies to provide in-cab navigation and with TMI-TripPak to create eDocument Transfer, a process for electronically managing paper processes.

Headquartered in Minneapolis, PeopleNet is the fastest-growing provider of Internet-based onboard computing and mobile communications systems to the long-haul transportation and metro-based fleet industries. The company serves carriers throughout the U.S. and Canada and recently signed its 1,000th customer. For more information about PeopleNet, call 888-346-3486, e-mail info@peoplenetonline.com, or visit www.peoplenetonline.com.