Craig Fuller, CEO of TransMarkets, states, "Supply visibility is the most important aspect during an emergency. It's nearly impossible for communities and organizations to communicate their immediate needs in situations where cellular and land networks are knocked out. Chaos begins where information ends. The goal of the Mobile Command Center is giving organizations that have selected TransMarkets as its emergency supply-chain partner, including government and relief organizations, the ability to manage, control, and track incoming supplies, and direct truck-drivers where to send products. In the past, trucking companies delivered products to a central receiving location, only to be tasked out following long waiting periods. With the Mobile Command Center, dispatch orders are transmitted before the truck enters the vicinity, eliminating wasted time, and ultimately giving folks on the ground large amounts of control and information on what is happening around them."
To ensure redundancy when terrestrial networks are knocked out, the trailer has nine satellite transmitters that link to Orbcomm's 26 LEO satellites. The unit has five scanners built-in which allow information to be scanned, indexed, and transmitted without leaving the relief site. The system is equipped with an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) to ensure up-time, and air-conditioning so the staff can work in comfort.
"By linking to the TransMarkets network, the Mobile Command Center offers GPS visibility for incoming supplies and real-time tracking. Eight military-grade DriverTech PCs can access tri-mode communications, including Wi-Fi, Cellular and Satellite. The aim is limiting the amount of fleet disruption, while maximizing the efficiency of tasks. In emergency situations, most efficient communications come from the disaster site, not from central dispatch centers. The goal is to give the on-site staff real-time access and information for more effective decision-making," concludes Fuller.
