Mission

To integrate hardware equipment (GSM/ GPS/ Internet/) and software in order to provide one terminal with one subscription for all the mentioned functions, thus saving money on both hardware, software and subscriptions.


Short System description.

RoadCom has been developed by E.E.S. and is used for communication between dispatchers and his/her fleet of vehicles, RoadCom includes features such as speech, status, track & trace, text and registration of all the received/sent information. The background for the system was the Dutch PTT public trunking network, Traxys. RoadCom uses modern technology, operates world wide employing the GSM/GPRS networks and internet.
The system allows a dispatcher to follow the fleet activities at the office on a PC monitor, a laptop in the field equipped with a connection to the internet via GPRS/UMTS etc. etc. The dispatcher will have available the latest status and position of all vehicles at all times.
Simplex voice communication is brought back to a minimum in order to save both time and money for both the driver and dispatcher.
Operation of the system is simple, will improve productivity, efficiency and cost saving.
The central location of the system is the home base where the dispatcher is based. The RoadCom PC provides in one glance the status of all vehicles. When a vehicle unit is switched on it will automatically register on the dispatch monitor indicating its status. When a driver initiates a status message the dispatch screen is automatically updated. For this RoadCom uses GPRS which is a fraction of the cost of SMS and faster.



























RoadCom base Station (RBS)

The RoadCom dispatcher base station is of solid construction and can be used in either an open or private voice mode for communicating with the fleet members. The base station is controlled by the centrally installed software with options of


The Nomad Mobile Radio (NMR)

A vehicle is equipped with a NMR and a GPS (option) receiver.
The Nomad Mobile Radio contains everything you would expect from a modern two-way radio (speech, data, text, status and position). Due to its advanced software the NMR will always attempt too stay on-line. When the NMR is switched on it will find its way via GPRS to the internet, from there it will log onto one of two (RCS) RoadCom servers. And, in this way the base station can communicate with the NMR worldwide.

Each NMR consists of:
A display providing the driver with the needed information (text, signal strength, status)
A robust keypad allowing transmission of status messages
The loud speaker and microphone for voice communications with the base and other permitted numbers
An interface box for coupling of various sensors
The NMR can be programmed over the air by the authorized dispatcher manger.
The NMR can receive up to 10 pages of screen size text
Group text can be transmitted to all vehicles in the fleet
There are 999 status messages freely programmable by the dispatcher
Numeric registration of kilometres or other numeric numbers
Vehicle numbers available per fleet 768
Emergency calls via 112
Preferential numbers 128
Restriction of transmit time adjustable
Selectable roaming facilities for cost saving purposes
Data transfer limit possible as also tracking in case of theft in the sleep mode
RoadCom Dispatch Software (RDS)
The above software is installed on the home base PC together with Microsoft MapPoint (if reguired). The Dispatch Base Mobile (DBM) is connected to the PC, which in turn is coupled to the internet and connected to the server. All information to and from the RoadCom equipment goes via the RoadCom Server. The dispatch software uses the same interface as Microsoft Windows, hence, it is easy to use


Track & Trace (T&T)

With this feature it is possible to save all positions including street name, status and chosen phone number on the RoadCom Server and export this for example to EXCEL for integration into other systems. This information is stored on our server for 3 months after which it will be removed, however, all information can be down loaded and stored on your own system for later use. Should at a later stage the route of a vehicle be needed, on the bases of the date, time and vehicle number the information can be displayed and printed.


Data Centre

Al data communication of the RoadCom system goes via the RoadCom Data Centre (RDC) and is available world wide through the internet.
The servers are connected via fibre glass to the GPRS network. These see to the data transfer to the NMR.
The system consists of 2 servers, located at 2 completely different locations that update each other on continuous bases providing complete redundancy.



Savings

Saving on the variable costs are achieved mainly by the use of modern communication techniques. The RoadCom system works as a closed user group, one communication fleet for the company consisting of NMR and RBS
Roadcom works simultaneous on 3 networks
1) GSM
2) GPRS
3) Internet
4) Optional GPS
The first aspect is that we can limit the speech time. This is possible as the NMR operates on simplex with the base station.
Secondly status messages are used instead of voice communications thus saving both on time and money.
Then the dispatcher can send text messages to the driver calling, this is again a saving in time and money.
Should the vehicle be equipped with a GPS, there is no need to call the driver to determine his position; the dispatcher can see this straight away on the map.