Concrete Products covers the issues that attract producers of ready mixed and manufactured concrete focusing on equipment and material technology, market development and management topics.
Issue link: http://concrete.epubxp.com/i/442865
www.concreteproducts.com January 2015 • 79 To improve delivery efficiencies and monitor integrity of ready mixed concrete loads, Montreal-based fleet management and automation specialist Road King Technologies has integrated Hirschmann Solu- tions antennas in its truck-tracking programs. "As we continue to find ways to provide more data collection benefits to our concrete transport customers, we're creating strategic partnerships with inno- vators like Hirschmann, who can help advance our technology," says Road King President Harry Marks. Using Hirschmann roof antennas, the company is able to maintain the optimal cellular and GPS signal connection for its concrete deliv- ery truck solution. The technology requires constant connectivity to upload in 30-second intervals mixer operating data, including water usage and other quantity control parameters. The information is pro- cessed by the Road King server and sent to clients in a graphic format showcasing the delivery status of every truck. As a result, custom- ers can review the processed information to improve and adjust their transport systems, boost driver reliability across their organizations, and increase overall efficiencies. "The complexities of delivering ready mixed concrete makes it vital that cargo data collection is constant and reliable," notes Hirschmann USA President Frank Homann. "With [our] antenna, we're working with Road King to ensure their data collection solution can optimally operate in any condition, including areas where cellu- lar connectivity can be a major issue." Mixer trucks work in some of the most extreme cellular environ- ments, he adds, among them downtown areas where tall buildings can create urban canyons that block or interfere with cellular trans- missions and GPS signals. In some cases, deliveries are made in new developments, where cellular towers are not yet installed and service, if any, can be intermittent. Hirschmann antenna-enabled data collection technology is certi- fied by the PTCRB (PCS Type Certification Review Board), an organiza- tion setup by network operators to test GSM (global system for mobile INNOVATIONS REPORT FLEET MANAGEMENT Hirschmann antennas optimize Road King telematics GPS connection MIXER RENTAL PORTAL Hirschmann engineers antenna and transceiver systems for ma- chine-to-machine and automotive communications, targeting high- ly reliable feet data collection. communications) phones, modules and M2M (machine-to-machine) devices. PTCRB certification is a requirement for launching cellular devices on North American GSM carriers. — Road King Technologies, 888/760-0147, www.roadkingtech.com; Hirschman Solutions, Auburn Hills, Mich., www.hirschmann-car.com, www.hirschmann-solutions.com A division of Road King Technologies, RKT Truck Rent- al Exchange caters to ready mixed producers who regularly engage in short-term mixer rentals with peer operators, plus companies seeking to rent out trucks that will otherwise be idle for planned periods. Ready mixed producers can regis- ter to participate in RKT Truck Rental at www.truckrental- exchange.com or rkt-truckx.com. Road King Technologies launched the exchange as free service to ready mixed pro- ducers, in tandem with its GPS-enabled fleet-tracking equip- ment. The site is programmed for quick posting of trucks for rent, or submitting requests for lists of available mixers by market or region. DELIVERING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS After water, concrete is one of the most sustainable and widely used materials in the world. Fly ash plays an important role in increasing the sustainability of concrete. Headwaters Resources is the nation's leader in supplying quality fly ash. We can help you discover how to improve the performance of your concrete while simultaneously improving its environmental profile. Visit www.flyash.com for answers to the most common questions about fly ash. You can also contact your expert Headwaters Resources technical support representative for advice on your specific sustainability opportunities. www.flyash.com