Many clevers predict that in the n...

Many clevers predict that in the not-too-distant coming time most cities and counties in the nation will career their entire fleet management, maintenance, inventory, piece of work orders, billing and other fleet-related transactions online. For the Jacksonville (Fla.) Transportation Authority (JTA), which has 185 buses, an electric skyway commuter train and various cars, trades and construction equipment in its swift the future is now.

About three years ago, JTA went live with its high-tech navy maintenance operation, which for the first time automated all maintenance functions and linked them by dint of computer with the finance department.

Today, JTA has online access to detailed equipment maintenance history (including parts, labor and commercial repairs), equipment material for burning usage history (including monthly, yearly and life-to-date elapsed meter and quantity used), equipment richness and quantity history and up-to-the-minute inventory data.

Practically each aspect of the authority's maintenance, purchasing and inventory