Qualcomm Inc., the San Diego-based mobile communications giant, has introduced version 5.1 of its FleetAdvisor operations system for private fleets.

FleetAdvisor 5.1 includes a number of enhancements, most notably support 802.11b wireless communications.
The 802.11b protocol is a standard for radio frequency communications over relatively short distances, within terminal yards for example. The technology allows wireless transfer of large data files – operations, vehicle and delivery data perhaps -- when vehicles are at a location equipped with 802.11b. The 802.11b specification has been dubbed Wi-Fi by its wireless industry boosters, but the technology is being adopted much more quickly than the snappy name.
Qualcomm bought the FleetAdvisor technology last year from its original developer, Eaton Corp., to help sell Qualcomm services in the private fleet market. FleetAdvisor has been adapted for the Microsoft Windows CE operating system running on Qualcomm’s MVPc on-board computer.
FleetAdvisor is a logistics management system that supports on-board computing, vehicle tracking, integrated back-office software wireless communications over Qualcomm’s OmniTracs or OmniExpress mobile communications systems.
OmiTracs provides communications over satellite and is particularly popular among truckload carriers. OmniExpress is better suited for LTL, private carrier and regional operations and communicates over the Sprint PCS cellular system.