APRIVA Freight Tracker Provides Wireless Data Exchange and Promotes Business Benefits for Freight and Shipping Companies.Business Editors SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 18, 2003 Wireless Solution Provides for Real-Time Dispatch A dispatch or dispatches can refer to:
Shipping, Package Tracking and Driver Communication APRIVA Inc., a leading wireless solution provider, today announced Freight Tracker, a complete wireless solution designed to provide real-time data Real-time data denotes information that is delivered immediately after collection. There is no delay in the timeliness of the information provided. Some uses of this term confuse it with the term dynamic data. access to midsized shipping and freight companies Freight companies are companies that specialise in the moving ("forwarding") of freight, or cargo, from one place to another. They are divided into several sections, international freight forwarders--which ship goods from country to coutry or domestic freight forwarders (who ship . Based on an ASP-model, Freight Tracker bundles software, hardware, handheld devices and wireless network access in a quick-to-implement package for wireless dispatch, shipping, package tracking and driver communications. The transportation and logistics industries continue to adopt technology as a way to better serve customers and remain competitive. Industry analyst firm Gartner Group (company) Gartner Group - One of the biggest IT industry research firms. Address: Connecticut, USA. forecasts that by 2005 the transportation industry will spend $20.5 billion annually on technology. Freight and shipping companies, especially those in the highly competitive midmarket, must introduce real-time technology to fend off Verb 1. fend off - prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert a strike" deflect, forefend, forfend, head off, avert, stave off, ward off, avoid, debar, obviate competitive pressures and win new business. Freight Tracker lets drivers and dispatchers conduct business more efficiently, both in and out of coverage areas. Using a handheld device loaded with Freight Tracker software, drivers are able to wirelessly perform common tasks such as access the day's pickup and delivery schedule, report damage to a shipment or transmit electronic proof of delivery to headquarters in order to quickly initiate the billing cycle Billing cycle The time elapsed between billing periods for goods sold or services rendered. . Freight Tracker, which integrates with peripherals such as printers or barcode scanners See bar code scanner. , helps freight forwarders An individual who, as a regular business, assembles and combines small shipments into one lot and takes the responsibility for the transportation of such property from the place of receipt to the place of destination. , package delivery companies, couriers and midsized LTLs improve cash flow and customer satisfaction, increase operational efficiencies and achieve a quick return on investment. "Shipping and freight companies acknowledge that real-time data is essential to their business," said Kevin Hickey, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of APRIVA. "In many cases, freight forwarders and midmarket LTLs don't have the financial resources for a proprietary system, nor the IT resources to manage multiple vendors. Freight Tracker was designed with the needs of these markets in mind, and provides everything our customers require -- from one vendor -- to quickly implement a wireless strategy, increase productivity, speed billing cycles and reduce the massive amounts of paperwork that are currently the norm." Freight Tracker Features -- Smart Client Capabilities: In addition to the client-side software, APRIVA places a small application on the device, which allows drivers to instantly access information, scan barcodes and accept proof of delivery information even when out of the network coverage area. This information, which is stored on the device, is immediately forwarded when coverage is re-established. -- Electronic Proof of Delivery: Drivers electronically capture proof of delivery information and send it immediately back to the home office to initiate very quick and accurate billing cycles. -- Real-Time Activity Status: Dispatchers and customers can view up-to-the-minute delivery status by shipment, driver or dispatch via APRIVA's secure Web site, or as a data feed to an internal system. By providing the customer with direct access to real-time activity, the number of calls to customer service representatives is significantly reduced. -- Web-based Control Panel: Administrators can access enhanced reports, view up-to-the-minute activity data and manage all devices from one central location. -- Driver/Dispatch Communication Tools: Dispatch operators can transmit shipping information to drivers at the start of the day and update it throughout the shift. Response tools enable drivers and dispatchers to communicate efficiently and accurately in real-time; drivers can accept or reject dispatches depending on availability, record damaged shipments or shortages and notify base operators to re-route pickups. -- Inventory Functionality: Using Freight Tracker, shipments stored at intermediate facilities can be checked in and out of inventory in order to reduce loss. This field level data can be collected and input into an inventory system. -- Advanced Security Features: Shipping and freight companies can use Freight Tracker to increase accountability and preparedness for future physical security requirements that will necessitate complete shipment and package histories. -- Easy Integration with Existing Dispatch Systems: Because Freight Tracker is easy to integrate (using standard protocols such as XML and HTTP), it maximizes the value of existing dispatch and tracking systems by extending functionality to mobile workers out in the field. "Apriva's Freight Tracker allows our customers to see their shipment status in real-time, which gives us a competitive advantage," said Norman Freeman, president of Associated Global Systems Associated Global Systems (AGS) began business in 1958 operating as a domestic and international air freight forwarder. AGS is a client based, privately held 50 million dollar company. (AGS AGS American Geriatrics Society. ). "Freight Tracker has met all our requirements for wirelessly capturing the status of each shipment, while minimizing dispatch time and paperwork. In addition, Freight Tracker's inventory tracking feature has helped us win recovery and return business." Pricing and Availability APRIVA Freight Tracker is currently available to customers, and the solution includes compact mobile hardware, Freight Tracker software, APRIVA Intelligent Gateway services and wide area wireless network access in a comprehensive package. Introductory monthly fees including software, airtime air·time n. 1. The time during which a radio or television station is broadcasting. Also called airspace. 2. The time at which a radio or television program is broadcast. and Intelligent Gateway services start at $45 per user. Hardware pricing starts at $300/unit and varies based on specific customer device choices. Built on the APRIVA Intelligent Gateway Like all APRIVA products, Freight Tracker is built on the proven APRIVA Intelligent Gateway -- a fast, reliable and highly secure mobile computing Using a computing device while in transit. Mobile computing implies wireless transmission, but wireless transmission does not necessarily imply mobile computing. Fixed wireless applications use satellites, radio systems and lasers to transmit between permanent objects such as buildings platform. This architecture provides a rich user experience across popular handheld devices and networks with the flexibility to support evolving technologies and standards. Because of this flexibility, Freight Tracker can grow as customer needs expand and change. About APRIVA APRIVA, a privately held company privately held company A firm whose shares are held within a relatively small circle of owners and are not traded publicly. based in Scottsdale, is a leading provider of wireless sales/marketing, payment processing, logistics and inventory management applications for a variety of industries including financial services The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. , freight transportation and media publications. The company solves business problems where secure, real-time exchange of critical information produces more revenue, higher productivity and greater customer responsiveness. APRIVA's applications are built on the company's own wireless architecture, which provides flexible and powerful transaction processing Updating the appropriate database records as soon as a transaction (order, payment, etc.) is entered into the computer. It may also imply that confirmations are sent at the same time. Transaction processing systems are the backbone of an organization because they update constantly. while freeing customers from the complexity of wireless computing computing - computer . Today, hundreds of companies have deployed APRIVA wireless solutions. For more information about APRIVA, please visit www.apriva.com or call 480/421-1210. |
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