Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/741843
66 commercial carrier journal | october 2016 TECHNOLOGY: ROUTING OPTIMIZATION C M Y CM MY CY CMY K October_Ancra Ratcheting Winches_7x4.5.pdf 1 9/6/16 9:02 AM Untitled-2 1 9/6/16 10:01 AM Bolt, which provides its namesake web-based fleet management software system, is seeing more demand for final-mile routing solutions from truck- load and LTL fleets, particularly those that deliver to grocery and retail stores. Jerry Robertson, chief technology officer for Bolt, says that providing the consignee with an ETA improves efficiency by making sure that someone is available to receive and unload the freight upon arrival. The Bolt system can receive opti- mized routing plans from third-party products such as Appian DR Track and Telogis RouteCloud, as well as track- ing data from third-party telematics systems. With the route plans and tracking data, including drivers' electronic log data, the Bolt system can provide ETA visibility from pickup to delivery. As routes progress, Bolt can send ETA no- tifications for either distance or time, such as when a truck is 30 miles or 30 minutes from arrival. For third-party logistics companies that manage entire supply chains, visibili- ty requires bringing together information from multiple parties and systems. Penske Logistics customers want direct access to real-time ETA information – or at least the assurance that the company's operations teams have easy access, says Tom McKenna, senior vice president of engineering and technology. Penske's ClearChain technology suite captures and provides customers with key information, including the linking of real-time ETAs to detailed order and inventory information at the part/SKU level. The company also is able to con- nect to the mobile phone of a Penske or non-Penske truck driver, with that driver's permission, to obtain real-time GPS shipment location updates. E-commerce continues to place more demands on carriers and logistics providers of all types. Those that are leading the market are able to give their customers more accurate and timely status of deliveries through all stages of the load lifecycle. Penske Logis- tics' ClearChain technology suite captures and pro- vides customers with key informa- tion, including real-time ETAs.