Trucking Technology Alert - Aug. 10
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Both the online report and e-mail are sponsored by @Track Communications, a supplier of wireless communications and dispatch services.
Today's Technology Headlines:
- Fla. Officials Look to Resume Communications Project
- GT Nexus Launches Forwarder Network Software
- The Little Engine That Might
- G-Log Names Schiffman CFO
Fla. Officials Look to Resume Communications Project
The Florida Department of Transportation is planning to start negotiations with Denver-based telco Universal Communications Network in an attempt to get a halted fiber optics project off the ground.The project is intended to create an advanced communications system along Florida's highways. Universal Communications Network was the runner up in the competition for the project last year. In May of this year, however, authorities in Florida were forced to cancel a lease with the winner of the competition, Florida Fiber
According to Ken Morefield, the Department of Transportation's assistant secretary, Florida Fiber Networks was unable to raise $25 million as a down payment on $500 million in financing. Moreover, the company was unable to show that it had a credible revenue forecast. Miami Herald (08/10/01); Bussey, Jane
GT Nexus Launches Forwarder Network Software
GT Nexus has launched a new platform designed to meet the needs of transport intermediaries.The Forwarder Private Network (FPN) allows forwarders to handle numerous applications, including rate requests, bookings, and logistics reporting, via the Web. The transport intermediaries can select customers and carriers via the FPN system, which is designed for integration with the back-end systems of ocean carriers using GT Nexus' software.
GT Nexus CEO John Urban noted FPN allows forwarders to also automate transactions with carriers. In addition, the company said the software provides schedule information via the Internet for in excess of 80 ocean carriers. Journal of Commerce (08/08/01) P. WP; Atkinson, Helen
The Little Engine That Might
Kansas City Southern (KCS) realizes that it needs to implement IT innovations in order to compete with majorivals, so officials are planning a $50 million management control system to cut cycle times for shipments and decrease expenses.
Several major rail firms are generating up to 20 times more revenue than KCS by utilizing IT technologies, according to industry experts. In turn, the railway has been piloting a new program, which is expected to produce a 22% return within 10 years, on its Gateway Western rail segment between Kansas City and East St. Louis, Ill., for more than a year.
However, the new system has run into problems due to the recent economic crisis and an announcement by officials that the project was to be stalled, along with the need for increased end-user computer training. The program will feature a customized report for a specific consumer that will automatically report the status of the shipment to the customer, eliminating the need to fax reports.
KCS consumer providers will also have access to real-time information on track congestion as part of the program, which will be restarted in phases later this year. Computerworld Online (08/06/01); Hamblen, Matt
G-Log Names Schiffman CFO
G-Log, a maker of logistics and transportation management software, has selected Steven Schiffman as its CFO. Shiffman is the former CFO of RSL Communications.In addition, the company confirmed the commercial release of Version 3.0 of its software and the purchase of German-based Move IT Logistics Information. Move IT founder Manfred Krueger will be retained to head the acquisition, which is now called G-Log GmbH. G-Log did not release any financial details of the deal.
According to Krueger, businesses in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland will now be able link to G-Log's worldwide logistics platform via G-Log GmbH. Journal of Commerce (08/08/01) P. WP
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