Cloudberry Solution for Nextel Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How accurate are the GPS positions?
Q. What can TerraTrak do for your customers?
Q. Which wireless network does Cloudberry use?
Q. How often are the vehicle positions updated?
Q. What about wireless coverage?
Q. What happens if my vehicle is out of coverage?
Q. What happens when my vehicle is not being used?
Q. What if I need 2-Way contact or Mobile Messaging with my vehicles?
Q. What if I need 100% real time contact with my vehicles?
Q. What does TerraTrak include?
Q. Can the Software and Maps be updated?
Q. What is required to use TerraTrak?
Q. What is a typical GPS/AVL Return on Investment (ROI)?
Q. Does Cloudberry offer AVL integrated with 2-way messaging?
Q. What kinds of Service (airtime) Plans does Cloudberry offer?
Q. Can I have different Service Plans for different vehicles?
Q. Do I have to sign a long term Service Contract?
Q. Can I change my Service Plans?
Q. What do you mean by Cloudberry hosting?
Q. Are any permanent data records retained on my desktop PC?
Q. What does 35 days of archiving mean?
Q. Can I get direct access to my data on the Cloudberry Server?
Q. Is it easy to integrate TerraTrak with 3rd party routing and dispatch software?
Q. Which routing software is TerraTrak compatible with?
Q. Which GIS format is TerraTrak compatible with?
Q. Are training courses available for Cloudberry AVL?
Q. How can I find our more about Cloudberry?
Q. What is CloudberryTM? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. Cloudberry is a secure Internet based Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system. Cloudberry offers a turnkey solution to GPS-based vehicle tracking that is easy to use, affordable, and operates throughout the United States. Cloudberry AVL provides turnkey location-based services for fleets of all sizes. Cloudberry software manages the wireless connection over your JAVA GPS enabled phone. Cloudberry AVL software can be deployed throughout an organization, for your entire fleet, whether you're in a small office or have many offices throughout the country.
Q. What is TerraTrakTM? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. TerraTrak is one of the family of Cloudberry product offerings. TerraTrak is a GPS-based AVL system that uses the Internet and the national Nextel Packet Data National Network to track vehicles. The system is complete with your Nextel i58sr or i88s phone and our software and maps. It is a terrestrial system ONLY.
Q. What is AVL? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. AVL, or Automatic Vehicle Location, is a computer-based vehicle tracking system in which actual real-time positions of vehicles are determined and transmitted to a control center automatically. Cloudberry servers then send these map positions to your PC via the Internet.
Q. What is GPS? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. GPS is a satellite-based system that determines vehicle locations through the use of the 24-satellite Global Positioning System (GPS) operated by the US Defense Department. Using GPS signals, TerraTrak continuously determines a vehicle's latitude, longitude and altitude from which the vehicle's location, heading and speed are derived.
Q. How accurate are the GPS positions? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. GPS positions are accurate to within 10 meters.
Q. What does TerraTrak do? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. TerraTrak was developed as PC-based AVL tool for owners and fleet managers, who need to improve the utilization of their vehicles and operations personnel. With TerraTrak, fleet operators can monitor their vehicles in real-time with map displays that indicate the speed, heading, and GPS-determined location down to the street level. Alternate map views can display the entire fleet on a national, regional or metropolitan map or the fleet operator can zoom in on any vehicle or group of vehicles for street level detail. All reported positions are documented and stored (archived) remotely off-site at the Cloudberry Data Center which operates 24 x 7 x 365. Using "VCR-like" controls users can replay and review routes traveled by any vehicle or the entire fleet. Records of driver performance are available for later review.
Q. What can TerraTrak do for your customers? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. With the optional Executive Web Service (EWS), TerraTrak AVL maps can be accessed from any Web browser. No special software is required. All authorized EWS users such as customers, supervisors, managers and family/friends can see live tracking of any vehicle of interest to them. Authorized customers can view the most recently reported vehicle position, make more accurate estimates of delivery/pickup times and be assured that deliveries arrive on time.
Q. Who needs TerraTrak? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. Every organization can make more money or reduce their operating costs by improving the utilization of their mobile assets ’ both vehicles and drivers. Driver retention and training can be enhanced using TerraTrak. With the right tools, dispatchers can efficiently handle more vehicles, optimize vehicle usage by monitoring location, and enhance routing by analyzing historical route data. Businesses in retail, manufacturing, delivery, food and beverage, utilities, telecommunications, home health care, shuttle service, public works, insurance and many, many more industries can all save money and improve efficiency with TerraTrak.
Q. How does TerraTrak work? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. The TerraTrak mobile unit receives signals from GPS satellites to determine the location, speed and direction of each vehicle. GPS data are then transmitted to the Cloudberry servers using the Nextel Packet Data National Network. The real-time positions of every vehicle in your fleet are then displayed on maps on your desktop PC. Vehicle locations can also be viewed at the Cloudberry Website using any web browser and our Optional Executive Web Service.
Q. Which wireless network does Cloudberry use? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. TerraTrak uses the Nextel Packet Data National Network. The Nextel Packet Data National Network is America's premier two-way wireless data service. The all-digital Nextel Packet Data National Network technology is a packet-switched radio technology that provides for a single integrated network that is cellular in design with distributed intelligence. The core network has an open systems architecture that is non-proprietary and supports IP-based mobile data applications.
Q. How often are the vehicle positions updated? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. The frequency for reporting GPS positions is based on the Service Plan you select. You can set the hours of operation and days of operation individually for each vehicle, groups of vehicles or for the entire fleet.
Q. What about wireless coverage? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. Cloudberry uses the Nextel Packet Data National Network. The network covers 98 percent of the urban population in the U.S.
Q. What happens if my vehicle is out of coverage? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. Whenever your vehicle is out of wireless coverage, the GPS positions continue to be stored by the Nextel Phones JAVA Software. As soon as your vehicle returns to coverage, TerraTrak transmits the stored positions to the Cloudberry Servers. In short, we apply a "store-and-forward" procedure to ensure that a complete record of vehicle activity is always reported and archived.
Q. What is store and forward? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. When your vehicle is out of wireless coverage, GPS positions are stored in the Nextel Phones JAVA Software. As soon as your vehicle returns to an area with coverage, these stored positions are forwarded (transmitted) to the Cloudberry Servers.
Q. What happens when my vehicle is not being used? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. When your vehicle is not being used, TerraTrak goes into a low-transmission mode, sending a compact position report that simply informs the network where your vehicle is located. If your vehicle is out of coverage when not being used, all GPS positions recorded while out of coverage are still stored in the Nextel phone memory. When your vehicle returns to an area with coverage, the stored position reports will be sent to the Cloudberry Servers.
Q. What if I need 2-Way contact or Mobile Messaging with my vehicles? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. All Nextel phones have the capability to accept SMS (Short Message Service), web based email, two-way messaging and all Nextel Phones come standard with two-way radio walkie-talkie. You should check with your Nextel Sales Consultant to insure you have ordered the correct messaging capabilities.
Q. What if I need 100% real time contact with my vehicles? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. You should order a Nextel Phone with Nationwide Cellular and Voice Mail. The Nextel two-way radio walkie-talkie feature is available in your home market area and will soon be offered nationwide
Q. What does TerraTrak include? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. Everything! TerraTrak includes the phone JAVA software, desktop PC software, maps and a your wireless data communication connection is offered by Nextel. The desktop software displays live data from the Cloudberry Internet Server and displays the location of the entire fleet on a set of desktop maps. The software comes with US Major Highways and one Regional Map set, a comprehensive user guide and on-line technical support. You also get the Cloudberry hosting service that includes centralized storage of AVL data and data archiving.
Q. Can the Software and Maps be updated? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. Yes. Maintenance and updates are available for an annual fee.
Q. What is required to use TerraTrak? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. A Nextel GPS Enabled Phone such as the i58sr or i88s. Cloudberry AVL operates on Windows 98/ME/NT 4.0/2000. Recommended system requirements are an Intel Pentium III processor or better with 256 MB RAM and 30 GB disk storage and a 56k or better Internet access. Note: As with most data processing requirements, more speed and more RAM are desirable.
Q. Is TerraTrak available now? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. Yes. Contact us 760-744-6887
Q. What is a typical GPS/AVL Return on Investment (ROI)? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. An ATA Foundation survey of 69 trucking companies operating in an urban area found that productivity gains resulted from an increase in the number of pickups and deliveries per truck per day. Ranging from 5% to more than 25%, with most gains in the 10 - 20% range. Most users save at least $10 per day per vehicle by increasing the number of deliveries or service calls; an annual ROI would be $2,600 per vehicle.
Q. Does Cloudberry offer AVL integrated with 2-way messaging? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. Yes. TerraTrak is a fully integrated 2-way Internet-based messaging system, operating over the Nextel National Digital Cellular Packet Data Network .
Q. What kinds of Service (airtime) Plans does Cloudberry offer? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. Cloudberry starts at $10 per unit per month. Cloudberry Service Plans include hosting services. Your Data is handled by Nextel and monthly charges depend on the frequency of your position reports (number of positions/hour), the number of hours your vehicle operates per day and the number of days they operate per month. On average the Nextel Powerapps 1 MB plan @ $12.99 per month per unit is sufficient.
Q. Can I have different Service Plans for different vehicles? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. Yes. Cloudberry and Nextel offer Service Plans for each vehicle. If one group of vehicles requires a higher reporting rate or operates on a different schedule, you can sign up that group for one Service Plan, while another group can use a different Service Plan.
Q. Do I have to sign a long term Service Contract? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. No. At time of purchase, you prepay one-month's Service Plan costs. After that, you will be billed for the basic monthly cost of the selected Service Plans in advance. Any overage charges will be billed at the close of the month. Your data services are billed by Nextel on a monthly basis, but some discounts are offered for one year and two year agreements.
Q. Can I change my Service Plans? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. Yes. You must provide 45-day advance notification to change. The Service Plan will be changed and a nominal administration fee per plan change will be assessed.
Q. What do you mean by Cloudberry hosting? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. Cloudberry hosting refers to the package of services that includes operating the Cloudberry Server Center 24 x 7 x 365 (24 hours per day x 7 days per week x 365 days per year); managing all the Internet and wireless communications for real-time vehicle tracking for multiple fleets; storing and managing all archival location information; managing map databases; maintaining dedicated ground links to the wireless network providers and supporting a technical service organization. In short, Cloudberry handles all the communications and data storage for multiple customers via the Internet.
Q. Are any permanent data records retained on my desktop PC? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. No. Cloudberry sends vehicle positions to your desktop PC. No data is saved on your local PC. You can retrieve historical records for replays or printed reports using the Replay Feature as long as these records have been generated within the last 35 days. Cloudberry hosting includes a rolling 35-day data archiving. If you wish to store selected data yourself, you can download daily position reports to your desktop PC.
Q. What does 35 days of archiving mean? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. Cloudberry includes a rolling 35-day period of free archiving. That is, the most recent 35 days of data generated is archived on the Cloudberry Servers free of charge. If you wish Cloudberry to store data beyond the rolling 35-days, a 1-year data archiving option if offered. Otherwise data older than 35 days is deleted.
Q. Can I get direct access to my data on the Cloudberry Server? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. Data resides on Cloudberry Servers not on your desktop PC. You have access to the rolling 35-day historical data stored on Cloudberry Servers. If our standard retrieval procedure is not sufficient for your mission-critical application, Cloudberry offers dedicated data services. Call your Nextel Cloudberry consultant for details.
Q. Is it easy to integrate TerraTrak with 3rd party routing and dispatch software? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. Yes, since you can authorize your dispatch software provider to access your data directly from the Cloudberry server without additional charge. Cloudberry will provide an API (Application Programming Interface) to your software provider. Also, if you own a copy of ESRI's ArcLogistics RouteTM (ALR) desktop vehicle routing software, TerraTrak is already integrated.
Q. Which routing software is TerraTrak compatible with? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. The TerraTrak system has been integrated with ESRI's ArcLogistics RouteTM (ALR) desktop vehicle routing software. TerraTrak can import and store ALR data and shape-files on the Cloudberry Servers. TerraTrak can overlay ALR data on map displays. In particular, the ALR-defined logistics routes can be shown on the tracking maps so that you can view individual vehicle schedule status and monitor fleet progress dynamically.
Q. Which GIS format is TerraTrak compatible with? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. TerraTrak is compatible with most ESRI data formats including the shapefile format.
Q. Are training courses available for Cloudberry AVL? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. Cloudberry and select business partners offer training classes for TerraTrak. For information on training and demos, visit the Cloudberry Website or visit the ESRI Website .
Q. How can I find our more about Cloudberry? (TOP) Take the "Do I Need It" Test
A. Telephone: 760-744-6887 ask for an Automatic Vehicle Location consultant.