TRAFFICMASTER has thrown down the gauntlet to other fleet management system operators with the launch of its own cut-price hi-tech management package. Trafficmaster's Fleetstar management system, which uses cellular and satellite technology, is being sold for £29.95 a month - half the price of the equivalent system provided by GE Capital Fleet Services - and was launched on Monday.

Competitive pricing and ease of operation were highlighted by fleet managers who were contacted by Trafficmaster in its research for Fleetstar, which combines a satellite receiver, modem and microprocessor allowing fleet chiefs to track vehicles 24 hours day. Peter Johnson, director of European strategy, said: 'We recognised that fleet managers do not want to spend hours to understand computer systems so made it as simple as possible to operate. Our system is all in with no hidden extra costs.'

The system, which operates on a Windows-based programme, includes vehicle tracking, route mapping using Ordnance Survey maps, journey times and vehicle information such as average speed and journey length. It uses existing Trafficmaster services including its traffic information service which is relayed to the driver using speech-based digital technology.