McLeod Software has slated its annual user conference for Sept. 20 to 23 at the Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham, AL. The conference will feature a guest speaker on trucking issues, a panel and roundtable discussions, demonstrations of McLeod's Software products, free training and support, and a trucking technology and services trade show. www.mcleodsoftware.com.
With both long- and short-haul services throughout the NAFTA market, Venture Logistics is installing the SkyBitz satellite-based trailer tracking system to help it monitor its cross border operations, according to SkyBitz. The trailer-tracking company says Texas-based TL carrier Integrated will also install the system in its 400-trailer fleet to help it monitor serviced to and from Mexico, and that Minn-Tex Express will use their service to track frozen, refrigerated and dry loads between the two countries.
The Descartes Systems Group Inc. has acquired ViaSafe Inc. and says it will integrate ViaSafe's border crossing and regulatory compliance services to be integrated with the Descartes Global Logistics Network. ViaTrade helps carriers manage document exchange related to border security. www.viasafe.com
Terion Inc. has been awared a U.S. patent covering the cargo sensor used in its FleetView trailer tracking system. The patent covers the use of ultrasonic transducers to detect objects as small as a 4×4×4 pallet placed anywhere inside a trailer.
Indiana, Maine, Minnesota and Washington have signed contracts to implement FleetFocus fleet management software from Maximus. Both Indiana and Minnesota will use the transportation enterprise system to manage statewide fleet operations with over 26,000 vehicles and 50 maintenance locations. Maine's Dept. of Transportation will deploy the system for its fleet of 5,000 vehicles, and Washington will use it to manage 1,400 vehicles used by state agencies.
Mike Kirk has been named vp of operations for Karmak Inc., a developer of heavy-duty truck industry software applications. Kirk had been Karmak's director of customer services for the past nine years.
BorderConnect has been officially certified by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as a service provider for the Automated Commercial Environments' (ACE) electronic manifest pre-notification system. ACE is expected to become mandatory later this year for all truck shipments coming into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. www.borderconnect.com
