McLeod Software announced it has released Version 16.2 of its flagship products, LoadMaster Enterprise and PowerBroker.
“McLeod’s ongoing development investments in these core products continue, with the introduction of new business process automation solutions that add significant value for carriers and brokers,” the company said.
Carrier Scorecard
Version 16.2 introduces a new brokerage Carrier Scorecard module for PowerBroker to provide a measurement system for evaluating carrier performance. The system uses up to 14 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to identify, rank, and score each of the carriers’ performance. KPIs can be setup with both positive and negative point assignments, and be used to compare scores against peers over a specific time period.
“Along with the scoring and ranking, we have included a 5 star system to make it easy to identify the top and bottom scoring carriers,” the company said. “As part of the new Carrier Scorecard Module, a broker rating screen allows customers to setup and capture subjective measurements after the carrier has been dispatched. The ability to capture subjective feedback during dispatch using these definable prompts provides an opportunity to measure how well carriers are actually performing for a broker. Brokers will use these subjective measures along with the captured objective values as part of an overall carrier score.”
New scorecard and rating reports are available within the module and provide ways for brokers to view groups of carriers and their performance against each other. The scorecard reports provide detail, summary and grand total options for specific measures and carrier managers. The broker rating report provides several sorting, grouping, and filtering options to allow users to view carrier subjective scores with order detail information.
Accounts Payable Process Automation and Automated Collections
“The new McLeod Logix Solutions Automated Collections module helps carriers and brokers reduce Days Sales Outstanding and improve cash flow,” the company said. “Manual collection processes for past-due invoices require lots of non-value added time and labor to follow-up with the collections work. The Logix Solutions Automated Collections gives users the automation to get this work done more efficiently and consistently, in shorter timeframes.”
According to the company, Logix Solutions Automated Collections drives the appropriate activity for collections by organizing communications with the customer based on a defined schedule and the age for delinquent accounts. During this new automated process, “interactive” outstanding payment summaries are automatically created and emailed to customers. These summaries are presented with the use of interactive electronic forms, and include links to supporting documentation with details of the original invoice and aging status.
Another new best practice solution within the Logix Solutions Business Process Automation suite streamlines the Accounts Payable process. Users can expect a reduction in time spent auditing AP transactions to avoid late penalty fees and take advantage of early payment discounts with vendors.
McLeod IQ Enhancements
McLeod has expanded McLeod IQ by adding even more data elements and dimensions to the analysis framework that is included in the product:
- Customer Relationship Management
- Load Claims
- Accidents
- Fuel costs and consumption
- Payroll expenses
LoadMaster Enterprise and PowerBroker Enhanced Integration Solutions
Version 16.2 brings new mobile communications interfaces with J.J. Keller Business Services, including Hours of Service and Tractor position reporting. This interface retrieves data from J.J. Keller Encompass and Mobile services periodically throughout the day, and updates LoadMaster with the driver hours and tractor positions.
McLeod Software has partnered with inGauge to provide support for McLeod customers to participate in the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) Benchmarking Program. The program is an anonymous cloud-based offering and an extension of the TCA Best Practices Groups that show how truckload carriers stack up in comparison to their peers in the industry. The inGauge reporting tool now provided by McLeod Software collects general ledger activity as well as GL statistical account information needed for both the 334 element Best Practice Group and the 72 element TCA benchmarking reports.
Bulkloads.com has been added as a posting service to the McLeod Software Private Notification Network (PNN) in PowerBroker. The integration solution with MacroPoint Brokerage Tracking has been enhanced to allow tracking of the outside carrier by ELD/GPS.
The Data Export Interface with MacroPoint automates the export of LoadMaster order and tractor information to MacroPoint to aid shippers in tracking their orders.
PowerBroker Version 16.2 brings a new integration solution with 10-4 Systems for brokerage tracking. Using the 10-4 Systems interface, brokers can track carrier movements and receive document images that have been captured and uploaded. Any changes to orders regarding date/time, location, and stops are automatically uploaded to 10-4 Systems.
