Vanderlande's Eye4U system allows on-site technicians to use live streaming video and audio to communicate with tech-support experts, eliminating potentially 90 percent or more of dispatched visits to customers' sites. The local technician, armed with a head-mounted camera and microphone, transmits video and audio over a wireless, secure connection. The tech expert can see exactly what the on-site technician is seeing, and can discuss the problem and provide guidance in real time.

The equipment is ruggedized, and is waterproof and dustproof. The system also can record and store images and data for later review and training purposes. Eye4U is available for customers that have a control support component in their service-level agreement. Vanderlande says Eye4U integrates with its Advanced IT Monitoring product, which remotely recognizes performance trends and alerts technicians to troubleshoot before a problem develops. Currently the system is being used in warehouses in Europe. The Netherlands-based company expects to introduce it very soon to warehouses and distribution centers in the United States.