The FCS may be a stand-alone application maintained by the motor carrier or an internet service running by the supplier of the system.
Digital maps are often included which allow visualization of vehicle positions and traces.
Usually, the VS is equipped with a simple input device allowing drivers to send predefined status messages.
Drivers may add simple content, e.g., numeric values, but usually cannot enter arbitrary text.
In 2002, major European commercial vehicle manufacturers, namely Daimler Chrysler, MAN, Scania, DAF, Iveco, Volvo, and Renault, agreed to give third parties access to vehicle data using the CAN-bus as a connection.