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Contractormag 2754 Software
Contractormag 2754 Software
Contractormag 2754 Software
Contractormag 2754 Software
Contractormag 2754 Software

Solutions for fleet tracking & office printers

Dec. 7, 2015
Verizon Networkfleet, www.networkfleet.com, is a web-based GPS fleet-tracking and diagnostic monitoring solution for fleets of any size Verizon Networkfleeet also provides satellite integration to maintain uninterrupted reporting With its new line of EcoTank inkjet printers, Epson has broken the mold of home office/small office printers The printers carry a high initial cost, but it includes the equivalent of a great deal of ink, greatly amortizing the cost of operation Wi-Fi Direct enables the printer to create its own network within an office

Verizon Networkfleet, www.networkfleet.com, is a web-based GPS fleet-tracking and diagnostic monitoring solution for fleets of any size. It utilizes a plug-in device installed in each vehicle engine’s onboard diagnostic computer to monitor and collect various parameters of vehicle performance and location. The data is transmitted over a secure wireless network to the Networkfleet Data Center and made available in near-real time on a web-based dashboard that is available 24/7 from a computer, tablet or smartphone.

The dashboard has three areas of telemetrics: vehicle snapshot, vehicle performance and vehicle alerts. Vehicle snapshot tracks the location of each vehicle, its ignition status (on or off) and the last five stops, including time and duration. Associated reports include miles traveled, engine hours, days utilized, number of trips, odd hours movement (helpful in spotting unauthorized use) and geofence violations.

Vehicle performance data includes speed history and idling time, information that can help reduce risky or inefficient driving behavior and improve fuel economy. Administrators can also use the data to better route vehicles to improve customer service and reduce carbon footprint. 

Possible vehicle alerts include current diagnostic trouble codes (e.g. failing battery voltage, inappropriate coolant temperature, and out-of-whack emissions levels) often before the vehicle’s engine light goes on, enabling proactive planning for service. Safety reports highlight hard braking and acceleration events, which could help identify unnecessary wear and tear on the vehicle. Other alerts include notification of scheduled maintenance and manufacturers’ vehicle recalls.

Alerts can be sent by e-mail, SMS messaging, or both to individual managers, groups or the entire management team. 

Verizon Networkfleeet also provides satellite integration to maintain uninterrupted reporting from vehicles when they are in remote regions or areas where cellular service may be spotty.  

The solution includes roadside assistance as part of the fee and can, optionally, include fuel card interaction. Fleet tracking data can be integrated with Garmin navigation devices for real-time communication with drivers for optimized routing and re-routing and turn-by-turn directions. Fee is per vehicle, per day.

For the office  

With its new line of EcoTank inkjet printers, Epson has broken the mold of home office/small office printers and ink. Traditional inkjet printers are inexpensive to purchase, but expensive to operate because of the high cost of the small capacity ink cartridges they use. With Epson’s EcoTank line of multi-function printers (there are five), the printers carry a high initial cost, but it includes the equivalent of a great deal of ink, greatly amortizing the cost of operation over time for contractors who print a fair amount of documents and photos. And refills of ink are much less expensive.   

The Epson WorkForce ET-4550 EcoTank, www.epson.com, second from the top of the line in the Supertank category (MSRP $499.99) and suitable for printing, copying, scanning and faxing in home offices and small offices, comes packaged with two sets of bottles (full and bonus black, cyan, magenta and yellow) that Epson says should yield up to 11,000 black and 8.500 color pages, equivalent to about 50 ink cartridge sets. Replacement ink will sell in individual bottles that, according to Epson, will retail for as little as $12.99 each or $52 for a set of black and three colors.

The WorkForce ET-4550 features a 2.2-in. screen permanently tilted for easy viewing from a desk or when standing. The printer is second from the top of the five models in the Epson Supertank category. It has a 150-sheet paper tray which slides in/out smoothly and includes an integrated stop that prevents the tray from accidentally coming off. The paper size adjustments are spring loaded and click into settings easily. The unit features auto two-sided printing from a 30-page capacity auto document feeder. A removable cover in the back of the unit opens for easy clearing of a paper jam.

The WorkForce ET-4550 offers a range of print options and customizable settings of speed and quality that include options for near laser quality black text and crisp and vivid colors (even on plain copy paper). Maximum print speeds are 13 ISO ppm (black) and 7.3 ISO ppm (color). Maximum copy size is 8.5” x 14”; scanbed size: 8.5” x 11.7”; and fax specifications — modem: 33.6 Kbps (as fast as 3 sec a page). The unit is 20.3” x 22’ x 9.5” and weighs 16.3 lb.

The ET-4550 can be connected with an Ethernet cable or with a router and a Wi-Fi connection. Other connection possibilities include Wi-Fi Direct, Epson Connect and Apple Air Print.

Wi-Fi Direct enables the printer to create its own network within an office, so that devices, such as a smartphone or computer, can communicate with the printer even when there is no router. It is a local direct communication between the printer and the sending device.

Epson Connect enables sending documents and photos to the printer over the Internet from anywhere from any computing device. If photos are taken at a job they can be sent directly to the office and, as long as the printer is on, will be automatically printed. It is direct communication between the device and the printer.

With AirPrint, for Apple products or devices, Apple units that have an AirPrint driver can directly communicate with the printer without installing other applications. 

Bill and Patti Feldman write articles and web content for trade magazines and manufacturers of building products. They can be reached at [email protected]

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