Trucking Technology Report - July 20
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Paschall Buys Logistics.Com's MicroMap, Drop & Swap Systems for Driver-to-Load Assignment
Burlington, Mass.-based Logistics.com-which says it is the logistics industry's first comprehensive, web-enabled transportation solution provider serving carriers, shippers, and third parties worldwide across air, land, and sea – recently announced that its MicroMap 6.0 and Drop & Swap 3.0 systems have been purchased by Paschall Truck Lines. Those are recently updated optimization systems that create a highly efficient and effective driver-to-load pairing, the company said. Paschall is an irregular route truckload carrier operating in the 48 contiguoustates and points in Canada. PR Newswire (07/19/00)
P&P Transport Uses Information Systems for Growth
Not only has new information technology helped New Jersey-based LTL carrier P&P Transport improve productivity and cost savings,
P&P's non-breakbulk, load-to-deliver business generally operates in the eastern half of the country, with other carriers handling shipments west of the Mississippi. The company has saved a lot of time thanks to
he TruckMate system from Maddocks Systems, which performs routing, dispatching, customer service, mobile communications, and other functions for P&P and has enabled the company to eliminate the pickup and delivery paperwork it once had to use.
The system used by P&P is TM4Win, which runs under Microsoft Windows; it gives each shipment a trace number with a bar code and, among other things, records each cross-dock transfer between local and over-the-road trucks. Customers will be able to get this information through password-secured sections of P&P's Web site.
While P&P's TruckMate data is mostly transmitted through the Motient Mobile Messaging system in P&P tractors, TruckMate also works with @Track Communications' TrackWare and other systems. Commercial Carrier Journal (06/00) Vol. 157, No. 6, P. 53; Desmond, Parry
Microsoft to Offer Free Long Distance Voice Calls Via Internet
Microsoft has formed an agreement with Net2Phone that enables Microsoft's instant-messaging users to make free Internet-based long-distance voice calls. While terms of the deal were not revealed, a Net2Phone spokeswoman said the Internet telephony firm will benefit from the agreement by selling advertisements that will show up on screen each time Microsoft users connect to the service to place a call.Net2Phone intends to provide a similar service through America Online's instant-messaging service. But the company will charge about 1 cent per minute for domestic calls, according to Sarah Hofstetter, vice president of corporate communications at Net2Phone. The new service will be incorporated into the latest version of Microsoft's MSN Messenger service, which becomes available today. Wall Street Journal (07/20/00) P. B14; Buckman, Rebecca
Actual Techies Available at Several Web Sites
Internet-based technical-support services have used databases, search engines, and even animated tutorials to offer assistance, but users can now turn to several new sites that provide perhaps the most comforting assistance of all – real people.Experts at sites such as Expertcity.com and Keen.com consider each problem, regardless of its complexity (or lack of it), and those interested then make a bid, stating how long the job will take and what it will cost. Fees on Expertcity, which each expert sets independently, range between $5 and $15, while Keen usually charges no more than $1.50 for each minute of help. Some experts will occasionally help for no charge. All of the experts include resumes and reviews by previous customers.
The actual assistance operates through a plug-in downloaded onto a user's computer that allows the expert to see what is on the screen and to control the keyboard and mouse. These new services promise that as long as users take reasonable precautions, security and privacy will not be an issue. Users' mouse and keyboard are always functional during the service, and they can end the service at any moment and do not have to pay if they are not satisfied. USA Today (07/19/00) P. 3D; Baig, Edward C.
Internet Service Links Insurance Adjusters, Suppliers
ReplacementFinder.com uses a large database and instant email to allow adjusters to request information from suppliers nationwide. The system offers speed and coverage that revolutionizes the way adjusters and suppliers do business, according to Mark Kuper, founder of the Web site. The site allows adjusters to request multiple estimates with the click of a mouse, and gives retailers and manufacturers access to a larger and more lucrativeeplacement market. Insurance Advocate (07/17/00) Vol. 111, No. 25, P. 15
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