McLeod Aims to Provide ‘Frictionless’ Data Flow
OXON HILL, Md. — McLeod Software said its latest development efforts are aimed at enabling the “frictionless” flow of data to help its trucking and third-party logistics customers operate more efficiently and make better business decisions.
New functionality and future enhancements for the company’s LoadMaster and PowerBroker software are designed to “drive the right information to the right person at the right time,” founder and CEO Tom McLeod said Sept. 15 during the company’s 2014 user conference at National Harbor.
He said features such as enhanced support for pricing and bid decisions can help companies become what he called “connected enterprises,” where information moves seamlessly, not only within the organization but also with their shippers, drivers and partners.
McLeod’s new pricing and bid management module, launched earlier this year, provides users with tools to receive and analyze bids and requests for proposal and quickly make pricing decisions without sifting through numerous spreadsheets, the company said.
Moving forward, the company plans to provide more information at the point of decision, such as rate history, rate requirements and profitability, so users “have the best information to make the best decision,” McLeod said.
The software provider also announced plans to offer company-branded mobile applications for carriers and third-partly logistics providers to make available to their shipping customers, carriers and drivers.
These apps would enable McLeod users to offer apps under their own company brands and make them available for download via the Apple and Google mobile app stores.
Mark Cubine, vice president of marketing, said the branded apps will offer the same types of functionality that McLeod offers through company Web portals. For example, drivers will be able to log in and upload documents through the app, shippers will be able to enter orders and track load status, and carriers will be able to view load offers and make check calls.
The branded apps will be available in the first quarter, Cubine said.
Meanwhile, McLeod also said his company has seen “tremendous” organic growth with its revenue and staff doubling during the past three years.
The Birmingham, Alabama-based company said it has expanded beyond 300 full-time employees and is in its fifth straight year of double-digit revenue growth.
