ROUND-UP Heimer, right, tracks his fleet in real and historic time, optimizing operations.

Telematics, which uses global positioning locators and wireless communications to link vehicles to data systems, is finding clients among construction companies that are using it in Internet-based services to track and coordinate crews and equipment.

"Construction is a fairly large subgrowth area for us," says J.D. Fay, vice president of corporate affairs for At Road Inc., Fremont, Calif., a 1998 start-up that has enrolled 84,000 vehicles in its @Road system. The company is one of several competing for the business. Early users were in trucking, distribution, field services and utilities, but contractors now are finding that the technology can serve their needs, too, Fay says.

Vendors claim the systems reduce waste and unauthorized vehicle use, discourage theft and improve operational efficiency. Optional two-way text messaging that costs about $12 a month can even reduce cell phone bills, Fay says. "Even in a down economy, companies can cut costs. As things get leaner, you need those kinds of solutions," he says.

Jeff Heimer, vice president of Omega Contracting, Dallas, Texas, was sold after trying a system from Teletrac Inc., Garden Grove, Calif., for a month on 10 of his company's pickup trucks. He says he "never put a pencil to it" because much of the value came from what stopped happening, such as unauthorized weekend and nighttime use, he says.

Omega, which does a lot of scattered, short-term street openings and utility work for the city of Dallas, as well as larger jobs, now has enrolled 40 pickups, and about 25 dump trucks, backhoes and other pieces of equipment. And although Heimer claims to be a computer illiterate, he for the last four months has had a monitor on his desk feeding fleet operations data. "It's simple," he says.

The system records when the ignition is turned on and off--useful for verifying time sheets. A map shows equipment location, road speed, and travel direction. It even comes in handy to assist company drivers who have become lost. Both Teletrac and @Road have a one-time installation fee of $400 and $360 per vehicle, respectively. Monthly per-vehicle subscription charges are $36 and $48. See information at www.teletrac.net and www.@road.com.Telematics, which uses global positioning locators and wireless communications to link vehicles to data systems, is finding clients among construction companies that are using it in Internet-based services to track and coordinate crews and equipment.

"Construction is a fairly large subgrowth area for us," says J.D. Fay, vice president of corporate affairs for At Road Inc., Fremont, Calif., a 1998 start-up that has enrolled 84,000 vehicles in its @Road system. The company is one of several competing for the business. Early users were in trucking, distribution, field services and utilities, but contractors now are finding that the technology can serve their needs, too, Fay says.

Vendors claim the systems reduce waste and unauthorized vehicle use, discourage theft and improve operational efficiency. Optional two-way text messaging that costs about $12 a month can even reduce cell phone bills, Fay says. "Even in a down economy, companies can cut costs. As things get leaner, you need those kinds of solutions," he says.

Jeff Heimer, vice president of Omega Contracting, Dallas, Texas, was sold after trying a system from Teletrac Inc., Garden Grove, Calif., for a month on 10 of his company's pickup trucks. He says he "never put a pencil to it" because much of the value came from what stopped happening, such as unauthorized weekend and nighttime use, he says.

Omega, which does a lot of scattered, short-term street openings and utility work for the city of Dallas, as well as larger jobs, now has enrolled 40 pickups, and about 25 dump trucks, backhoes and other pieces of equipment. And although Heimer claims to be a computer illiterate, he for the last four months has had a monitor on his desk feeding fleet operations data. "It's simple," he says.

The system records when the ignition is turned on and off--useful for verifying time sheets. A map shows equipment location, road speed, and travel direction. It even comes in handy to assist company drivers who have become lost. Both Teletrac and @Road have a one-time installation fee of $400 and $360 per vehicle, respectively. Monthly per-vehicle subscription charges are $36 and $48. See information at www.teletrac.net and www.@road.com.