Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/84685
Cloud Computing via a Web browser and perform analysis to generate detailed driver trip and mileage reports. Eliminating the need for manual driver logs, such reports can be used for payroll, tax and maintenance-schedule purposes. More-advanced tracking devices contain multiple MODEMs, such as Iridium Satellite and Global System for Mobile (GSM) cellular. These devices allow assets to be accessible in remote areas as well as where cel- lular coverage can be problematic. The devices automatically and seamlessly switch among networks, but typically default to GSM when sig- nal strength is strong enough. Fleet-management applica- tions then can take cloud-stored asset data from the two networks and associate the two datasets with a single asset. Users can access such data via the cloud and display assets on the map with breadcrumbs obtained from the two different networks (see Figure 3). Aiding Response during Disasters Communication drives humans' personal and profes- sional lives, but the value of this technology never is acknowledged as much as when it's not accessible. Consider recent natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina or the tsunami in Japan, where communication was stalled for rescue teams. During Katrina, thousands of 911 calls were attempted but ultimately failed to connect to Public Safety Access Points. These calls weren't being connected to anyone because the landline switches or facilities were out of service. It took two weeks for this prob- lem to be resolved. After the tsunami in Japan, stranded people suffered Figure 2. A graphic shows an example of a cloud-computing- based satellite tracking network. for nine days before successfully reaching emergency workers on their cell phones. Local cellular infrastruc- ture was only partially operating, due to overloaded and damaged equipment, and only Internet communi- cations were going through. Stranded people were using cellphones to send tweets to the U.S. Ambassador for help in transferring 80 hospital patients from Kyoristsu. The request was transferred to the U.S. Army, which was helping with rescue efforts in Japan. Further communication with Japan's Ground Self-Defense Forces indicated action would be taken. (For more information, see "Japan Crisis Showcases Social Media's Muscle," USA Today, April 12, 2011.) These natural disasters outline a key example of Figure 3. A graphic shows dual-mode asset tracking. 24 GEO W ORLD / SEPTEM B ER 2O12 why a cloud-based infrastructure for monitoring assets is imperative. In times of disasters, safety is the No. 1 reason for cloud computing, but the technology has additional benefits for daily operations. For instance, cloud computing can improve operational costs and enable increased fleet efficiency. In a cloud-based fleet-management solution, asset location and emergency alerts can be monitored in nearly real time by the command-and-control center, or alert e-mails can be sent directly to fleet manag- ers notifying staff of emergency situations. Figure 4 shows an emergency alert being generated via a