Technology Briefs - Nov. 22 - Nov. 28
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The Latest Headlines:
- Xata Takes 4Q Loss; Full-Year Revenue Reaches Record
- California DMV Offers Web Page for Truckers
- Ethanol Plant Set for Iowa
- TMC Releases Updates for Vehicle System Maintenance
- California DMV Offers Web Page for Truckers
Xata Takes 4Q Loss; Full-Year Revenue Reaches Record
Fleet management technology firm Xata Corp. said Wednesday it lost $2.8 million or 38 cents a share in its fiscal fourth quarter ended Sept. 30, compared with a loss of $482,000 or 7 cents a year earlier.Xata said its fourth-quarter sales fell slightly to $5.6 million, from $5.8 million a year earlier, but that its full-year revenue rose to a record $19.3 million.
“We expect our cost trend to level off in fiscal 2006 and our operating performance to improve considerably,” said Mark Ties, the company’s chief financial officer.
Xata provides truck and trailer tracking services, wireless communication and fleet-management services for the trucking industry. Transport Topics
California DMV Offers Web Page for Truckers
The California Department of Motor Vehicles said earlier this month it had established a motor carrier services page on its Web site for truckers operating in the state.“Our goal is to do whatever possible to keep the motor carrier industry moving,” said Sunne McPeak, secretary of California’s Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.
The agency oversees the state’s Department of Transportation and DMV. Transport Topics
Ethanol Plant Set for Iowa
A Washington state company broke ground for a new plant in Iowa that is expected to produce 60 million gallons of ethanol a year, the Associated Press reported.Baard Renewables LLC plans to build the $80 million plant in a new industrial park, just north of the Sioux Gateway Airport, in Sioux City, Iowa, AP said.
The plant is expected to open in late 2007. It will use about 35 million bushels of corn, much of which will be purchased locally, officials said.
Baard Renewables will be able to ship in grain by truck, rail or barge if necessary, Patty Heagel, Sioux City’s economic development director, told AP. Transport Topics
TMC Releases Updates for Vehicle System Maintenance
The Technology & Maintenance Council of American Trucking Associations has released third-quarter updates to its Vehicle Maintenance Reporting System.Holders of enterprise and developer licenses automatically received their updates Oct. 10, TMC said. Single-site license holders can obtain the updates online at tmc.truckline.com.
Version 1.04 of VMRS 2000 contains more than 1,000 new or enhanced codes, many aimed at the “off-highway” sector, council officials said. TMC offers three levels of licensing.
VMRS can be used to standardize the reports transportation uses to analyze the reliability of a host of products and components. TMC said the system has quickly evolved into a universal language for monitoring equipment expense. Transport Topics
