Technology Briefs - March 29 - April 4
The Latest Headlines:
- TransCore Upgrades Driver, Web Products
- XM Reports 68% 1Q Rise in Subscribers
- Verizon to Offer Fleet Systems to Small, Medium Companies
- Comdata Teams With Rair on Driver Logs
- DHL Awards Siemens Sorting Contract
- Overnite Offering E-Mailed Invoices
- XM Reports 68% 1Q Rise in Subscribers
TransCore Upgrades Driver, Web Products
Transportation technology firm TransCore said Monday it upgraded its Driverlink online recruitment center to make it easier for carriers to hire new drivers and owner-operators.The enhanced site Web site sends e-mail alerts and information resources to drivers and carriers, TransCore said in a statement.
Separately, the company said it has integrated its CarrierPoint Web-based transportation management system into its flagship DAT freight-matching products.
It said its freight-matching service processes more than 4.6 million load postings each month. Transport Topics
XM Reports 68% 1Q Rise in Subscribers
XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. said Friday it added more than 540,000 new net subscribers during the first quarter of 2005, for a total of 3.77 million subscribers.The gain was a 68% increase in new net subscribers compared to the first quarter of 2004, XM said in a statement.
XM did not break down the figures for those who ordered it separately or had it as part of an installed package.
A spokesman told the Washington Post about half its subscribers typically come in through new auto purchases.
The company’s new $12.95 per month rates, a 30% increase from $9.95, took effect Saturday. Transport Topics
Verizon to Offer Fleet Systems to Small, Medium Companies
Verizon Wireless said Monday today it was offering a fleet management system to small- and medium-sized businesses in transportation industries.Verizon said its Fleet Administrator system, provided through installation of a wireless device in vehicles and a software office application, would help companies improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Developed by Navman Wireless, the system requires no customization or integration, Verizon said in a statement.
It is aimed at companies with delivery fleets including utilities, courier and delivery services, security and construction. Transport Topics
Comdata Teams With Rair on Driver Logs
Electronic payment processor Comdata Corp. said it would offer the Rair Technologies’ driver log auditing system to its customers.Rair manages and audits electronic driver qualification and driver log records for commercial fleets. Fleets use a standardized log to submit information including fueling, roadside inspection and drug-test information.
Comdata customers will be able to pay for the Rair service with their Comdata electronic accounts said Deby Samuels, Comdata’s director of marketing.
“Trucking companies talk to each other, and their com-mon interest is to keep drivers safe,” said Rair’s President Henry Goldberg. Andrea Fischer
DHL Awards Siemens Sorting Contract
DHL said it awarded Siemens Logistics and Assembly Systems Inc. part of a $160M contract for the integration and supply of conveying and sorting hardware.Exact terms were not disclosed agreement includes the software for managing DHL’s new letter and parcel sorting hubs, in Wilmington, Ohio; Allentown, Pa.; and Riverside, Calif.
Installation will begin in May 2005 and the systems are expected to be fully operational by September 2006. Transport Topics
Overnite Offering E-Mailed Invoices
Less-than-truckload carrier Overnite Transportation Co. said Tuesday it would allow customers the option of receiving their invoices via e-mail.Overnite said the e-mailed invoices are identical to paper invoices customers normally receive in the mail, with all applicable shipping documents including images of bills of lading and proof of deliveries.
The files, sent in PDF format, have imbedded bookmarks to direct users to pages to reference a shipment's freight bill number, as well as additional shipping documentation, the company said.
Overnite is a unit of Overnite Corp., No. 17 on the Transport Topics 100 listing of U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers. Transport Topics
