Everything you need to know about PhoneLink™ for GPS Phones

1. What is PhoneLink?

PhoneLink is a full commercial GPS tracking and two-way messaging service designed to work with Nextel phones that are GPS enabled.

2. How does it work?

The PhoneLink™ java application is purchased outright by the customer for each phone to be used and then activated over the air from the Nextel or Telus Mike “Mobile Application Manager” onto the phones in your fleet that you specify. PhoneLink™ then reports the GPS information from your phone to the Fleet.NET™ server. You subscribe to Fleet.NET™ on a monthly basis per phone. You then log-on to Fleet.NET™ from specified internet connected PC’s to enjoy full GPS tracking service.

3. What Nextel or Telus Mike Phones does PhoneLink™ work with?

PhoneLink™ will work with any GPS enabled, Java capable iDEN phone (from Nextel or Telus Mike), such as the Motorola i355, i58, or i88.

5. What kind of geographic coverage does the Fleet.NET™ service provide?

Fleet.NET™ servers are regionally located throughout the US and can cover any state required. Most servers cover an area of 4 to 5 states. Ask your Future Quest representative for details.

6. Do you have any other GPS solutions that are attached to the vehicle, instead of portable?

Yes, Future Quest specializes in AVL systems of all types. We have other portable solutions, as well as black box solutions that can be connected to external inputs on the vehicle such as driver emergency, PTO, lights, etc. Check with a Future Quest rep for details.

7. How can we see Fleet.NET™ and PhoneLink™ work?

Ask your Future Quest rep to show you an on-line demo of a live system. It only takes a few minutes.

 8.  What are the terms and conditions of PhoneLink™?

First, there is a minimum quantity of 5 units that must be activated. Secondly, to qualify for the advertised rates, a 2 year agreement is required. (No contract service is available at higher rates. See the attached pricing for details.) Thirdly, there is a one-time server set-up fee of $300 per customer location, which includes a one-hour on-line training session. Finally, PhoneLink™ service is subject to our standard Service Agreement & Software License Agreement.

 9. What kind of computer equipment and connection do we need at the office?

High speed internet (cable or DS) is required at each computer you wish to access the mapping from. Each computer must be a minimum Pentium III 500Mhz processor with 128MB of memory and a 17 inch monitor is recommended with an 8MB or higher video card.

10. How does our company get billed for the service?

You will be invoiced quarterly in advance for the service. This saves both your company and ours from having to perform book-keeping every month. You simply mail a cheque. (Accounts over Net 30 may be temporarily suspended from service).

11. How do we order PhoneLink and get it activated?

It’s very simple:

a.    Download the PhoneLink FAQ and Order Form and after filling it out, fax it to Future Quest at 250-769-4251 indicating your order requirements and preferences. If you have any questions, call us at 250-769-4209.

b.    We will then email or fax an invoice for the setup fees and first quarter’s service.

c.     Mail a cheque to our office against the invoice.

d.    Purchase the GPS enabled Java phones, such as the Motorola i355, i58, or i88, if you don’t already have them.

e.    Order the 1MB Nextel or Telus Mike data plan for each phone. You can order them on the phone or on-line from the wireless carrier's site.

f.      Apply on-line on the Nextel website for the java software Mobile Application Manager (MAM) which will allow you to program the PhoneLink java application into your phones “over-the-air”. Simply type this link below into your internet browser on your office PC: http://www.nextel.com/en/services/organize/mobileappmanager.shtml. Contact Future Quest for information regarding this process for the Telus Mike network.

g.    Future Quest will email the java application to you, which will then be uploaded to the Nextel MAN program, where it will be distributed to each phone automatically over the air.

h.    Future Quest will then setup your phones on the Fleet.NET™ server and arrange a 1-hour training session. Fleet.NET™ is very friendly and easy to learn and use

12. What kind of features does PhoneLink have?

• Automatic GPS sent by configurable intervals
• Reconfigure GPS intervals over the air
• Mix and match with permanent mounted vehicle units G3001
• Auto Reply to GPS requests from Office
• Stores GPS readings if out of range and then updates office automatically when back in range
• Emergency Message to Office (with GPS info if available).
• Login and Logout messages when the unit is turned on and off.
• Optional Two-Way Messaging:
  • Email can be sent from the unit to the host.
  • Host can send an Email to the unit
  • Incoming, unread mail is marked with ‘*’
  • Outgoing mail that was received by the host is marked with ‘v’.
  • Preset Messages in both directions
  • If there are unread messages, the driver is reminded to read them
  • Message queue
  • Inbox emails.

13. What kind of features does MapLink have?

• Supports Nextel GPS phones and G3001 GPSLink permanent mount devices
• Real-time position tracking on street level maps
• Zoom in or out right to street level
• Instant Fleet Zoom sizes map to fit entire fleet
• Follow Me moves map to follow a specific user at a specified zoom level
• Visual route-view allows managers to quickly see the path of a user on any given day
• Detailed history replay reports shows turn by turn activity, stops, mileage by state, speeding, etc
• Single button exporting of reports to Excel or Printer.
• Optional Two-Way Messaging to Drivers with both free-form and canned message format

If you have any further questions that have not been answered, please don't hesitate to contact Future Quest.