A de-centralized operational indicator system for a materials handling vehicle, comprising: a communication module having: a vehicle interface that communicates with electronics of a materials handling vehicle (202, 302, 402, 602) to which the communication module is attached; an information system interface; and a controller that is connected to the vehicle interface and the information system interface; and at least one output module coupled to the information system interface of the communication module, the output module having: a first output device comprising a first illumination device; and a second output device comprising a second illumination device; wherein: when installed on the materials handling vehicle, the first output device is oriented in a first direction towards an operating compartment of the materials handling vehicle; the second output device is oriented in a second direction that is directed away from the materials handling vehicle; information is received by the vehicle interface of the communication module from materials handling vehicle electronics; the controller includes programming to analyze the received information, generate a first control signal for controlling the first output device, and generate a second control signal for controlling the second output device; whereby the controller can control the first and second illumination devices to convey different information to an operator of the materials handling vehicle and a remote person. a communication module having: a vehicle interface that communicates with electronics of a materials handling vehicle (202, 302, 402, 602) to which the communication module is attached; an information system interface; and a controller that is connected to the vehicle interface and the information system interface; and a vehicle interface that communicates with electronics of a materials handling vehicle (202, 302, 402, 602) to which the communication module is attached; an information system interface; and a controller that is connected to the vehicle interface and the information system interface; and at least one output module coupled to the information system interface of the communication module, the output module having: a first output device comprising a first illumination device; and a second output device comprising a second illumination device; a first output device comprising a first illumination device; and a second output device comprising a second illumination device; wherein: when installed on the materials handling vehicle, the first output device is oriented in a first direction towards an operating compartment of the materials handling vehicle; the second output device is oriented in a second direction that is directed away from the materials handling vehicle; information is received by the vehicle interface of the communication module from materials handling vehicle electronics; the controller includes programming to analyze the received information, generate a first control signal for controlling the first output device, and generate a second control signal for controlling the second output device; whereby the controller can control the first and second illumination devices to convey different information to an operator of the materials handling vehicle and a remote person. when installed on the materials handling vehicle, the first output device is oriented in a first direction towards an operating compartment of the materials handling vehicle; the second output device is oriented in a second direction that is directed away from the materials handling vehicle; information is received by the vehicle interface of the communication module from materials handling vehicle electronics; the controller includes programming to analyze the received information, generate a first control signal for controlling the first output device, and generate a second control signal for controlling the second output device; whereby the controller can control the first and second illumination devices to convey different information to an operator of the materials handling vehicle and a remote person.