Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/510235
48 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | MAY 2015 technology FleetLocate trailer manage- ment platform to improve asset utilization. t &QJD7VFa provider of in-cab satellite TV systems, announced that refrigerated carrier Hirschbach Motor Lines (CCJ Top 250, No. 161) of East Dubuque, Ill., is outfitting its entire fleet of 750 tractors with EpicVue systems that include an antenna, DVR and 24-inch flat-screen TV. EpicVue also announced that Fargo, N.D.- based refrigerated carrier Hol - land Enterprises is installing the system in its fleet of 220 company-owned tractors. t 4LZ#JU[a provider of remote asset tracking and information management systems, an - nounced that Romulus, Mich.- based Transportation Services Inc. (CCJ Top 250, No. 165), a long-haul dedicated contract carrier with about 600 tractors and more than 2,000 trailers, selected its subscription- based SkyBitz as a Service to manage trailer assets, elimi - nate upfront hardware costs and deliver accurate reporting and analysis to customers. t PeopleNet, a provider of fleet mobility technology, named Jim Rodi general manager of its dedicated North American Oil and Gas Services Division. Rodi previously held various leadership roles in his 11 years at Qualcomm/Omnitracs, where he led the sales and customer service teams. Most recently, he spent three years at Rand McNally as senior vice president, where he led the company's Mobile Communi - cations group. t 0NOJUSBDTa provider of fleet management systems to transportation and logistics companies, named Mansoor Bajowala vice president of professional services, oversee - ing professional and technical services, implementation and training for Omnitracs and its XRS business unit. INBRIEF T MW Systems, a developer of transportation man- agement software, said that in the second year of its TMW Transportation & Logistics Study, it more than doubled the number of companies participating, with detailed results collected from more than 130 businesses representing the truckload irregular, truck- load dedicated and brokerage/nonasset segments. The 2014 study offers the latest data and analysis related to rising rates, driver retention, utilization, maintenance cost control, gross margins and other critical performance mea- sures across a broad cross-section of North American carrier and brokerage businesses. The study presents data gleaned from more than 200 online survey questions spanning finan- cial, operational and maintenance topics. Combined revenue of all participating entities exceeded $24 billion over the preceding 12 months. The study results highlight improved utilization and financial performance for many carriers, year-over-year, as well as the value in leveraging developed carrier networks to achieve stronger gross margins for brokerage/nonasset service providers. Among the insights addressed in the study: Driver retention: Survey responses underscore the clear relationship between driver wages and retention. Length of haul and utilization also emerged as important factors in driver turnover. Rates: Truckload carriers in the study averaged 7-percent net rate increases, a trend of interest for brokerage and third-party logistics providers as well as shippers. Asset utilization: Many survey respondents leveraged new technology to achieve utiliza- tion gains. Dedicated fleets that use planning optimization experienced an average year- over-year increase of 142 revenue miles per seated truck per week. – Aaron Huff TMW fleet benchmarking study: Better utilization, rates McLeod Software updates fleet management products M cLeod Software released the latest version of its LoadMaster, PowerBroker and Load- Master LTL products. The new 15.1 release adds a wide variety of new capabilities and functions, the company said. Highlights include: s ! NEW hMASTER ORDERv FEATURE FOR CARRIERS AND LOGISTICS COMPANIES TO BETTER MANAGE INTER- modal shipments with multiple containers, deliveries, drayage moves and rail moves; s !NOTHER WAY FOR ,OAD-ASTER AND 0OWER"ROKER USERS TO COMMUNICATE LOAD INFORMATION to drivers. Messages can be sent directly via SMS text or email and be associated with an order or movement; s ,OAD-ASTER ,4, #ROSS $OCK -ANAGER WITH A MORE ROBUST TRIP DETAILS DISPLAY 4ENDERED dates have been added to help audit the age of each shipment during outbound routing; and s ! +EY 0ERFORMANCE )NDICATORS DASHBOARD IN ,OAD-ASTER ,4, THAT DISPLAYS REALTIME metrics such as order totals, quotes entered, pickups entered and bills of lading entered as the day progresses. McLeod's Carrier-Broker Exchange also has been enhanced and rebranded as the McLeod -ARKET )NSIGHT -ODULE DESIGNED TO UNITE RATE INFORMATION FOR TRUCKLOAD AND BROKERED truckload shipments in hundreds of markets across North America, all compiled from the order rate history for actual shipments made by hundreds of transportation companies that are McLeod Software customers. – Aaron Huff TMW Systems said in the second year of its Transportation & Logistics Study, it more than doubled the number of companies participating.