Masternaut has launched a new mobile version of its web-based vehicle tracking service.

The Rapide website for PDAs brings the full functionality of the always-on fully-managed Masternaut service to roving managers, allowing them access to operational information when they are away from the office.

Rapide allows transport managers to monitor the exact movement of their entire fleet of vehicles with updates tracked by global positioning satellites using a browser-equipped GPRS-enabled PDA.

Rapide also locates and monitors individual vehicles and enables access to seven-day movement histories for each vehicle.

Rapide has been designed to be user- friendly and requires no specialist knowledge of mobile computers.

Users access Rapide using the mobile browser on their hand-held devices via a dedicated website address.

They can then access all current information such as a real-time map showing the vehicle locations for the entire fleet or by group designation and drop-down lists of vehicles.

  • groundwork contractor Glencroft is hoping to make savings in excess of £100,000 after implementing a web-based vehicle navigation and tracking service from Masternaut. The savings will be made by improving the efficiency of its mobile operation with optimised route information and real-time traffic alerts.

The Masternaut service uses satellite technology to establish the exact position of every vehicle in the Glencroft fleet, providing managers with complete visibility of their workforce and vehicles.

The service also delivers voiced turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic alerts and an alternative route option for unexpected incidents.

Glencroft specialises in road and sewer construction, bulk excavation, civil works and tunnelling and pipelines for new house building projects.

John Duffy, Glencroft’s commercial director, said: “By reducing unnecessary mileage we hope to reduce our annual fuel bill by half.

"This is a projected year-on-year saving of £100,000 plus.

"The Masternaut service has also increased awareness of the environmental impact of our activities and drivers are more conscious of how and when they use their vehicles.