AT&T Launches GPS-Based Workforce-Management Service

AT&T on Tuesday launched a hosted GPS-based workforce management service that includes mileage-tracking, wireless timesheets, alerts, and electronic data-gathering from the field.

The TeleNav Track service is from TeleNav, a provider of location-based services, but is sold by AT&T. The offering is meant for companies of all sizes, and includes a premium version with additional features, such as wireless forms, dispatching, barcode-scanning support, and voice and on-screen turn-by-turn GPS directions.

The TeleNav Track software is available for Research In Motion's BlackBerry 8800, and on Hewlett-Packard's iPAQ hw6920 Mobile Communicator. For enterprises, AT&T offers optional integration with back-office systems using a Web services application programming interface and other connectors.

Field managers and dispatchers access the service through a Web-based interface that lets them see the location of mobile workers, assign new jobs, estimate time of arrival, and keep a record of customer visits. Field workers can input job-related data on their mobile device, which also can be used to clock in and out of work to avoid having to return to the office.

The BlackBerry 8800 supports AT&T's push-to-talk service, which workers can use to contact managers quickly, or to participate in group calling. TeleNav Track is available through AT&T's business-to-business sales force in two monthly subscription plans. The entry plan costs $12.99 per device, and the premium plan $21.99 per device. There is also a one-time set up fee of $19.99 for each subscriber. The service requires an AT&T data plan, and the push-to-talk service costs an additional $9.99 per device, or 15 cents a minute under a pay-per-use option.