Trucking Technology Alert - Dec. 18
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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:
- Cellular Carriers Cutting Free Airtime
- Security to Remain the Focus of New Technology
- E-Markets Start to Prove Valuable
- Correction for J.B. Hunt Article
- Security to Remain the Focus of New Technology
Cellular Carriers Cutting Free Airtime
Sprint PCS, Cingular Wireless and Verizon Wireless have been cutting back on their cheapest off-peak calling hours. According to Roger Entner, a wireless analyst with Boston-based Yankee Group, new customers' off-peak calling will be pushed back from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., which is one of the most heavily used time slots.Wireless phone providers regard the change as a sign of their success, because up until now they have used generous weekend and night calling plans to attract new customers. Existing customers will not be affected by the changes unless they alter their contracts. Associated Press (12/18/01); Krane, Jim
Security to Remain the Focus of New Technology
ARC Advisory Group's senior analyst of e-business and supply-chain operations, Adrian Gonzales, predicts security will remain an important factor for implementing new technology next year in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.He emphasizes companies need to work closely with government agencies, such as the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation, to stay alert of potential threats. Implementation of supply-chain process event-management software can improve visibility and reduce dependence on safety sock, Gonzales remarks. He believes collaboration is key to helping companies protect their goods.
Many shippers are turning to third generation logistics providers and hosted software solutions to enhance their operations, notes Dick Armstrong, president of logistics consulting firm Armstrong & Associates. Cass Information Systems Vice President Bob Delaney believes the United States will rebound from its recession by the middle of 2002, but does not predict this will carry over substantially to the logistics industry.
Meanwhile, Steve Banker of ARC Advisory Group forecasts many logistics players will go under next year, including at least 50% of supply-chain process management vendors. He foresees many of the remaining players pursuing mergers to stay viable. Traffic World (12/17/01) Vol. 265, No. 51, P. 18; Hickey, Kathleen
E-Markets Starting to Prove Valuable
E-markets have proven valuable for lowering procurement costs and enhancing supply chains despite their early struggles to accurately assess operational tasks, investment requirements and establish close partnerships with customers.Market analysis firm Aberdeen Group published a report recently called "The Second Coming of Net Markets, " which examines the performance of 40 net-markets, e-markets and online exchanges. According to Aberdeen, only 10% of suppliers had their electronic systems integrated with these process nets. However, 60% of study participants confirmed their Internet trading-partner activity is increasing. The report attributes the success of process nets to five factors: providing exclusive services, having industry support, operating excellent execution technology, employing business models to meet the needs of a particular market, and emphasizing the value Web.
Aberdeen envisions creation of a business process hub to handle integrated Web services between trading partners and using a portal to manage access to the networked system. The reports cites Logistics.com and Neoforma, which develops health care industry marketplaces, as among the top ten process nets. Traffic World (12/17/01) Vol. 265, No. 51, P. 10; Cottrill, Ken
Correction for J.B. Hunt Article
An article from Baseline was incorrectly summarized last week. J.B. Hunt is not replacing OmniTracs with Terion's Fleetview.Fleetview is a trailer tracking product and OmniTracs is a complete mobile communications system used in the truck cab. Qualcomm got out of untethered trailer tracking but still tracks trailers attached to the cab. Information Inc., 12/18/01
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