One-stop security
26 Commercial Carrier Journal November 2008 L ocks, whether mechanical or electronically activated, are a strong barrier to cargo theft, but experts say they have a common weak point: They require human activation, and the leading cause of cargo theft is employee negli-gence. Furthermore, locks do not protect drivers who, when faced with danger, may feel obligated to defend their equipment rather than flee for safety. In 2005, Magtec (www.magtecproducts.com) introduced its M5K security sys-tem with its range of applications designed to provide tight control of tractors and drivers. Two of the frontline anti-theft features of the M5K are its keyless driver authentication and Unattended Idle Protect. When a driver sets the tractor or trailer parking brake or the engine idles for a short period of time the Magtec M5K security system automatically prevents the vehicle from moving. To operate the vehicle, drivers must enter a six-digit code into a numeric keypad. The M5K interfaces with leading mobile communications systems as well as its own wireless FleetControl system to manage vehicle security remotely. Real-time communication with the onboard system enables remote driver code management by dispatch, as well as activation of Magtec's Acceleration Control System, a vehicle immobilization technology that enables dispatch to limit the acceleration capability of the vehicle remotely and reduce the speed in preset increments so it can be brought to a safe and controlled stop, the company says. To provide one-stop shopping for a bumper-to-bumper cargo security solu-tion with one monthly payment, Magtec recently added a Trailer Tracking Service and embedded cargo-tracking service. The current release of TTS uses power sup-plied from the tractor, but future releases will have battery power, the company says. Through the host logic of Magtec's Web-based FleetControl, fleet managers can see the location of any dropped trailer as well as the proximity of trailers to tractors that have the M5K installed. Magtec offers embedded cargo tracking through a partnership with Supply Chain Integrity, a provider of security and loss prevention services. The SCI device makes it possible to locate cargo should a thief offload it to a warehouse or another trailer, says Robert Morisset, Magtec's chief executive officer. The SCI cargo tracking system is integrated with LoJack, the largest law enforcement net-work in the country, for fast response by local police to incidents of theft, he says. One-stop security Magtec develops seamless vehicle security environment By Aaron Huff technology n introduced a low-cost satellite-based trailer-tracking solution, the GE VeriWise SAT-D300, for companies that need only basic features. The product has two-way communications capability and two solar panels so as not to require connection to the trailer's seven-way power connector, the company says. n added new features and enhancements to its line of GlobalWave satellite products for in-cab communications and trailer tracking: a Slap & Track mobile terminal with field-replaceable battery packs; a stop-start sensor for mobile terminals; and a Windows-ready notebook PC, inte-grated Google maps and optional elec-tronic driver logs for its CabLink system. n (www.qualcomm.com/qes) added Fuel Manager to its OmniVision Transportation suite of services. The Web-based module features a dashboard-style presentation with advanced querying tools to track and manage vehicle and driver behaviors that cause unnecessary fuel usage, the company says. n provider of logistics, warehouse, 3PL, transportation and mobile resource man-agement solutions acquired Prophesy Transportation Software (www.mile.com). n (www.randmcnally.com) released IntelliRoute Dock2Dock, a commercial truck routing and mileage software designed to provide truck-attributed dock-to-dock navigation on city and inter-neighborhood streets. in brief When a driver sets his tractor or trailer parking brake or the engine idles for a short period of time the Magtec M5K security system requires him to enter a six-digit code into a numeric keypad.