Trucking Technology Report - Jan. 9
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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:
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America Online, Psion in Handheld Email, IM Pact
Psion and America Online (AOL) have formed an alliance for Psion to provide its handheld devices to AOL customers.
In addition, Psion will provide AOL software with some of its handhelds, which will be marketed on AOL's service. Dow Jones News (01/09/01)
ShipDesk.com Fails
Online chartering exchange ShipDesk.com, which served the bulk shipping industry, is closing down.John Bennett, of Casson, Beckman & Partners, says he has been told to seek a voluntary liquidation, and adds that creditors were to meet Jan. 5 to approve the plan. He notes that a liquidator could seek a buyer for the company.
European news stories reported that ShipDesk had run out of funding.
FreightTraders.com head Garry Mansell predicts that 2001 will bring consolidation among online transportation exchanges. Traffic World (01/08/01) Vol. 265, No. 2, P. 38; Parker, John
Connecting the Wireless Pieces
Charles R. Maule, vice president and general manager of 3Com's (COMS) wireless connectivity unit, was recently interviewed in Mobile Computing & Communications magazine regarding the future of mobile technology and his company.Maule said his appointment as a high-level executive of 3Com's mobile division came after the company restructured its business to focus more on wireless technologies.
Concerning Bluetooth, Maule thinks the technology could possibly revolutionize the lives of everyday people, but notes the importance of having the technology become available on various wireless devices at the same to prove its usefulness. Maule says that integrating Bluetooth technologies with other 802.11 technologies could prove difficult. But he also says that since they are complementary technologies, users will want both.
New technologies are also creating an atmosphere of cooperation between Bluetooth SIG and other consortia, Maule states. Mobile Computing & Communications (01/01) Vol. 12, No. 1, P. 122; Flanagan, William P.
Costs, Clutter, Confusion
A $1.7 million study was just completed to determine the actual cost of delivering goods to store shelves. The National Association of Convenience Stores and the American Wholesale Marketers Association teamed up on a project called C/SCAPE or Convenience Supply Chain Assortment, Profitability and Efficiency, a detailed cost analysis of bringing products to the consumer.The report includes time and motion studies and product level activity based costing, and looks to bring distributors sufficient analytical data to allow them to make informed decisions regarding the products they handle.
The study found that the cost of trucking inventory to convenience stores has risen to 94 cents per cubic foot compared to the 18 cents per cubic foot cost of delivery to supermarkets. The underutilization of trucks, the more numerous and smaller delivery loads, and the large one-time rush supply orders by c-stores instead of managed resupply methods are all reasons the cost of servicing convenience stores runs higher.
Experts in the field believe that the answer to a truly successful alliance between retailer and distributor lies in knowing what products are profitable for both retailers and distributors. Convenience Store News (12/18/00) Vol. 36, No. 15, P. 63; Francella, Barbara Grondin
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