A technique for integrating a pre-existing business system with a fleet management system. The pre-existing business system includes, for example, an accounting system, a warehousing system, a dock management system, a yard management system. These fleet management system uses, for example, a combination of a raster map and vector data to provide an easy-to-read display for managing objects or articles, e.g., vehicle, container. The method uses a host gateway to provide a TCP/IP or like interface between the various systems.