Today’s Pickup: AT&T adds Geotab to fleet solutions

Good day,

AT&T has expanded its fleet management portfolio to now include Geotab’s fleet tracking platform as part of the company’s Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. The Geotab solution is available for both enterprise and government fleets.

“Geotab’s award-winning telematics solution with our IoT platforms and nationwide data network is a winning combination for fleets of all sizes. We use it for our own fleet of company vehicles,” said Chris Penrose, president, Internet of Things Solutions, AT&T. “Now we can help businesses and government customers look holistically at vehicles, assets and mobile workers from a single analytics-based platform.”

Geotab offers the Geotab GO8 is a small form-factor vehicle tracking device that simply plugs directly into a vehicle’s OBDII port. In addition to vehicle tracking, the GO8 collects data on a vehicle’s health and status and records data such as VIN, odometer and seatbelt usage.

“We’re leveraging the AT&T network and its data analytics capabilities and embedding Geotab’s rigorous organizational data security measures into each solution,” said Neil Cawse, chief executive officer, Geotab. “Our work together will help make any fleet safer, more productive, efficient and highly secure.”

Did you know?

In the third quarter of 2017, China did not rank in the top 10 countries for U.S. steel imports. The top countries were Canada (16%), Brazil (13%), South Korea (10%), Mexico and Russia (9% each).

Quotable:

“New technologies create jobs, but the transition period can be very difficult for dislocated workers. So this needs to be addressed to help workers adapt to this new world.”

– Elaine Chao, transportation secretary, on the move towards autonomous vehicles

In other news:

Automated vehicle guidance expected this summer

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said that the DOT is hoping to release guidance on automated vehicles as early as this summer. (Transport Topics)

Construction executives see boom times

A survey of construction executives found their optimism has jumped this year to its highest level in 20 years. (American Trucker)

Air freight rates slide

After a strong January, rates for air freight are expected to drop in February due to a “demand lull,” according to consultants. (The Loadstar)               

U.K. auto sector on damage control

The U.K. auto sector is facing uncertainty with Brexit, and a new assessment says its only option is to engage in damage control. (Supply Chain Brain)

Training mechanics with virtual reality

Fox Valley Technical College is started using virtual reality to train the next generation of diesel mechanics. (Transport Topics)

Final Thoughts

All indications point to a strong construction season, particularly housing which say a near record number of permits applied for in January. However, a shortage of lumber that is causing prices to rise could dampen the outlook, and that could impact flatbed fleets if there is a slowdown.

Hammer down everyone!

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