MESSAGING & VOICE SUPPORT

Key Benefits

Microlise offer a variety of messaging and voice communications modules that seamlessly integrated into Microlise’s core Vehicle Tracking and Mobile Worker solutions to enhance the benefits Microlise Fleet & Distribution offer a transport, logistics and mobile worker operation.

Messaging can be supported via;

  • The Mobile Data Terminal application
  • The Driver Communications Module
  • Mobile Phone Texting

Voice Communications can be supported via;

  • The Mobile Data Terminal application (on Windows Mobile Data Terminals and PDA’s with phone support)
  • The Driver Communications Module – Supporting fixed number list and free number dialling
  • Single number dialling with low-cost phone control module

Message sending and reading is a simple ‘right click’ function within the Microlise Map Client and Transport Management Centre

Fixed number dialling “phonebook lists” are easily managed within the Microlise host software suite

The Microlise Driver Communications Module supports many other features then just Messaging and Voice dialling – Including Driver ID, Task Management, Instantaneous MPG (where CANBus integrated).

 

Messaging Overview

2-way messaging is supported on the Microlise Mobile Worker Application as a standard feature (charged usually as a cost option).

Where a full-scale job management and messaging solution like that offered by the Microlise Mobile Worker application is not appropriate, Microlise also offer a cost-effective Driver Communications Module (DCM) which supports the following functions;

  • 2-Way messaging (fixed response)
  • 2-way messaging (free text)
  • Simple Task Management (arrived, started work, etc..)
  • Driver ID – via either keypad, Dallas Key or Card Swipe

 

The Driver Communication Module must to connected to a Microlise Tracking Unit. The 2-way messaging component can also seamlessly send & view SMS messages (to Mobile Phones for example) by the addition of a standard ‘Microlise SMS agent’ add on.

The host Microlise 2-way messaging application is similar to an email client in look and feel with the ability to create new messages (either from free-text and / or with standard messages for ease of use), read new messages, store and retrieve messages and send messages to groups. The Message Client also allows for the creation and management of Fixed Messages for both the host and Mobile Device end (Mobile Data Terminal or Driver Communications Module).

 

Voice Support Overview

Microlise has enhanced it Fleet & Distribution portfolio by offering a number of methods for supporting voice calls. The objective in integrating voice into the Fleet & Distribution hardware and software offering was to control the number of calls a mobile worker can make or receive. Consequently, the Voice integration mechanisms Microlise support include:


  • Mobile Data Terminal application (on Windows Mobile Data Terminals and PDA’s with phone support) . Here a driver will be programmatically limited to a pre-defined set of numbers to call and receive calls from. Alternatively, the ability to receive calls from any number, but be able to only return calls to those numbers permitted is supported. Conventional free-dialling is also permitted – the advantage here being only one SIM / one bill is required.

  • The Driver Communications Module – In a similar fashion to Mobile Data Terminal phone support solution, the DCM supports either a single number or fixed number list dialling, limited recipient pick-up or free number dialling and call receiving. The Driver Communications module must be connected to a Microlise Tracking Unit (which contains the GPRS / GSM Modem) to provide this functionality.


Finally, single number dialling with low-cost phone control module is also supported. Here the controller, Mic and speaker are connected to the Microlise Tracking Unit (which again acts as the phone). This controller allows the driver to call only one number, receive any calls and pick up missed calls. This unit has shown significant reductions in call costs without any major operational impact.

For the Mobile Data Terminal & Driver Communications Module phone support options, where fixed number dialling lists can be downloaded to either the MDT or the Microlise Tracking Unit to control who calls are made to and received from, these lists are created and managed within the Phone book utility provided as part of the host Microlise software suite.