Trucking Technology Report - Sept. 26
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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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Verizon Backs Law Restricting Cell-Phone Use Behind the Wheel
Verizon Wireless has decided to support legislation prohibiting the use of mobile phones by drivers of vehicles.
Verizon's decision to support a possible ban was a surprise. Verizon's president of Great Lakes Area operations, Annette Jacobs, testified that the company would support a cell phone ban at a hearing conducted by Traffic Control and Safety Committee of Chicago City Council. Wall Street Journal (09/26/00) P. B6; Harris, Nicole; Ball, Jeffrey
Pillsbury Signs on to Private Net-Based Exchange
Pillsbury, planning to raise its dedicated truck fleet utilization 20% while cutting deadhead miles just as much, has signed on with a twelve-member private Internet-based exchange hosted by Nistevo.Pillsbury's vice president of logistics, Todd Schultz, said the company hopes to cut down on its $255 million in yearly North American transportation spending now that higher driver pay and fuel prices make it tough to contain costs in other ways.
One thing that can be difficult is for competing companies to find ways to share information with one another, he said at the Transportation and Logistics Conference in New York. Traffic World (09/25/00) Vol. 263, No. 13, P. 23; Cottrill, Ken
E-tailers Search for Solution to Returned Merchandise
While streamlining the returns process can be the key to retaining customers, e-tailers are still learning the logistics involved. Almost $600 million in merchandise offered online were returned, says Forrester Research, with retailers contending with millions in returns processing costs and depreciating inventory.Bracing for the holiday season, some e-tailers are turning to companies like e-RMA, which specializes in outsourced returns work. E-RMA can establish an automated, Web-based returns system for its clients' customers. Federal Express and United Parcel Service have also created units that focus on the returns process.
Additionally, some high-tech companies are producing software to help retailers manage their returns, while Internet-enabled tracking systems in warehouses are assisting other retailers and manufacturers. Interactive Week (09/18/00) Vol. 7, No. 37, P. 58; Cleary, Mike
Taking Your Business Mobile
Almost any business or service can benefit from incorporating a wireless system. For example, STATmail provides healthcare professionals with immediate communication capabilities to organizations, other physicians, and product suppliers via a wireless device. The users of the system can then order needed items or consult with other health care professionals from any location.The construction industry has already begun to experience the significant benefits of using mobile technology. Employees with wireless systems can respond to customer inquiries and purchase products without having to be at their office.
When a business is considering implementing a wireless system, several factors must be taken into account. A company must decide what type of wireless device best suits its purposes. The three major types of wireless devices are PDAs, mobile phones, and two-way pagers. And a further consideration, is whether or not a company wants the device Web enabled. A device may be chosen because it is designed for a particular service being offered by a service provider or it many be chosen independently. And finally, the type of applications needed should determine what type of system is required. Communications News (09/00) Vol. 37, No. 9, P. 104; Rao, Ananth
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