378 L Chen and R Nath readily available via mobile devices, contractors and subcontractors can collaborate in an effective fashion. As a result, human errors are prevented, and the cost savings are Wireless systems are also producing dramatic results within organisations by empowering front-line employees with information access so that they can take a more active role in decision-making and problem solving. In the transportation industry, truck drivers on the road have not been able to participate in procurement decisions until the recent introduction of wireless solutions. With WAP enabled phones, drivers can access information about loads and book shipments. Instead of depending on the fleet managers drivers can now work with the fleet managers to find the optimal shipments. This high level of collaboration is only possible when field employees have similar access to critical information as office employees [29] 2.2.3.3 Increase information transparency to improved supply chain a high level of information transparency in the supply chain can be achieved with wireless systems. In some cases, parties involved in the supply chain are gaining timely information about orders and shipments. In other cases, the supply chain is totally revolutionised by new wireless technologies. For business customers who demand access to supplier information from anywhere, suppliers are providing them with wireless access to business-to-business marketplaces. The new wireless supply chain software allows business customers to access information regarding order status and inventory level and also execute transactions using a wide array of handheld devises [30]. This will soon become a common practice in supply chain management for suppliers to build closer relationships with their customers. In the business-to-consumer arena, as part of FedEx's wireless strategy, FedEx lets its customers track their packages wirelessly and locate the nearest drop-off points. This service is expected to be extremely popular among mobile customers [31]. The service will also help FedEx lock in customers as they become dependent on the service Another technology that is currently under development is going to affect the retail supply chain. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Auto ID Field Center is developing a globally standardised and low-cost radio frequency identification(RFID) technology. The new RFiD had the potential to replace the Universal Product Code (UPC) on products as it can provide all parties in the retail supply chain real-time nformation about the location of the product wirelessly. The RFID will improve the accuracy and speed of inventory management, and most importantly, it will significantly ncrease the information transparency between the retailer and the manufacturer so that the right amount of the product can be supplied to the right place at the right time to reduce the loss in revenues resulting from out-of-stock products for retailers [32] 2.2.4 Leveraging location information 2. 2. 4. Track and surveillance By leveraging the location information, organisations that manage mobile assets are achieving unprecedented efficiency. These opportunities abound in situations where the management of mobile assets is crucial to the success of the business. For example in the trucking industry, truck drivers depend on GPs to determine the best route These GPS-based systems also provide the driver with information pertaining to the378 L. Chen and R. Nath readily available via mobile devices, contractors and subcontractors can collaborate in an effective fashion. As a result, human errors are prevented, and the cost savings are significant [28]. Wireless systems are also producing dramatic results within organisations by empowering front-line employees with information access so that they can take a more active role in decision-making and problem solving. In the transportation industry, truck drivers on the road have not been able to participate in procurement decisions until the recent introduction of wireless solutions. With WAP enabled phones, drivers can access information about loads and book shipments. Instead of depending on the fleet managers, drivers can now work with the fleet managers to find the optimal shipments. This high level of collaboration is only possible when field employees have similar access to critical information as office employees [29]. 2.2.3.3 Increase information transparency to improved supply chain A high level of information transparency in the supply chain can be achieved with wireless systems. In some cases, parties involved in the supply chain are gaining timely information about orders and shipments. In other cases, the supply chain is totally revolutionised by new wireless technologies. For business customers who demand access to supplier information from anywhere, suppliers are providing them with wireless access to business-to-business marketplaces. The new wireless supply chain software allows business customers to access information regarding order status and inventory level and also execute transactions using a wide array of handheld devises [30]. This will soon become a common practice in supply chain management for suppliers to build closer relationships with their customers. In the business-to-consumer arena, as part of FedEx’s wireless strategy, FedEx lets its customers track their packages wirelessly and locate the nearest drop-off points. This service is expected to be extremely popular among mobile customers [31]. The service will also help FedEx lock in customers as they become dependent on the service. Another technology that is currently under development is going to affect the retail supply chain. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Auto ID Field Center is developing a globally standardised and low-cost radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. The new RFID had the potential to replace the Universal Product Code (UPC) on products as it can provide all parties in the retail supply chain real-time information about the location of the product wirelessly. The RFID will improve the accuracy and speed of inventory management, and most importantly, it will significantly increase the information transparency between the retailer and the manufacturer so that the right amount of the product can be supplied to the right place at the right time to reduce the loss in revenues resulting from out-of-stock products for retailers [32]. 2.2.4 Leveraging location information 2.2.4.1 Track and surveillance By leveraging the location information, organisations that manage mobile assets are achieving unprecedented efficiency. These opportunities abound in situations where the management of mobile assets is crucial to the success of the business. For example, in the trucking industry, truck drivers depend on GPS to determine the best route. These GPS-based systems also provide the driver with information pertaining to the