Toyota Industrial Equipment (TIE) has chosen Californian wireless solutions provider CalAmp to power its new T-Matics MOBILE vehicle management system (VMS).

The CalAmp solution will be installed directly on TIE's production line as part of its fleet management tool that tracks and reports operating behaviour of forklifts and forklift operators.

Powered by CalAmp technology, including a range of its tracking devices, and CalAmp Connect, an extensive cloud-based service enablement platform, T-Matics MOBILE is a cellular telematics solution that provides a full-featured set of integrated monitoring and analytics functions.

Key features that CalAmp's technology enables include electronic hour meter collection and monitoring, fault code reporting, impact detection and alerting, fleet utilisation and optimisation, and asset tracking with GPS.

The T-Matics MOBILE solution was designed to create operator accountability, reduce impacts and improve scheduled maintenance, while providing extensive data to effectively manage materials handling operations and workplace logistics to facilitate broad fleet efficiency.

For the new solution, CalAmp developed compatibility with Toyota's on-board communication protocol in order to decode and act on messages coming directly from the forklift's electronic control module.

The need to track and analyse fleet data is growing, says Mike Zachan, vice president and general manager of CalAmp's Wireless Networks business. "By combining Toyota innovation along with CalAmp's field-tested device portfolio, scalable platform and proven track record working with OEMs, T-Matics MOBILE expedites data-driven operational decisions that can help forklift-based fleets ... work effectively to increase profitability and productivity."

Toyota is not the only materials handling manufacturer to embrace CalAmp technology. The company has an agreement with heavy equipment giant Caterpillar to provide "ruggedised wireless routers that will enable vital data communications for equipment deployed around the globe".

While the Caterpillar agreement focuses primarily on hardware, CalAmp will provide hardware and software platform services to power TIE's fleet vehicle management system.