DC Velocity - January 2011

rollouts

Keeping score: Vigillo, a developer of data mining software products designed to aggregate, organize, and deliver fleet safety information, introduces a 3P Carrier Analysis Scorecard for shippers, brokers, and underwriters. This new software tool gives users the ability to easily analyze the safety performance of selected carriers under the new CSA (Comprehensive Safety Analysis) methodology and make decisions about motor carrier partners that meet their capacity needs and conform with their risk threshold.

The easy-to-understand scorecards are automatically updated and can be securely accessed through Vigillo’s cloud computing platform. (Vigillo LLC, www.vigillo.com)

Fuel hearty: ALK Technologies has released PC*Miler|FuelTax 16, a comprehensive system that automates fuel and mileage tax tracking, calculation, and reporting. Available for motor carriers and private fleets, the software generates easy-to-use forms and tax rates for all U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions and instantly calculates fuel and mileage taxes, refunds, and credits.

The application also provides state mileage summaries, fleet performance reports, and quarterly updates for compliance with the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) and the International Registration Plan (IRP) provisions. (ALK Technologies Inc., www.pcmiler.com/fueltax.asp)

Round about: Heavy corrugated steel sides and deck make Steel King’s Round Corner Corrugated Containers a rugged, low-cost, all-purpose solution to bulk parts storage.

The new containers are built to take a beating and will stand up to being knocked around by forklift trucks and other equipment, the manufacturer says.

With a standard indoor/outdoor capacity of 4,000 pounds, Round Corner Corrugated Containers provide easy stackability up to four high, even when fully loaded due to stability-providing universal stacking legs. Their easy-to-clean round corners help prevent dirt buildup, and their round edges minimize snags and sharp-edge impact damage. An inside useable height of up to 48 inches in 3-inch increments provides ample room for large, bulky parts.

To optimize operational efficiency, the containers can be customized to suit specific material handling and operational needs. Among other attributes, users can specify load capacity, base size/design, stacking leg design, and inside usable height. (Steel King, www.steelking.com)

Eye on the dashboard: Transportation software provider IES unveils iView Web Desktop, a program designed to provide an overall snapshot in one dashboard-based system while still drilling down to the basics. It provides rich drilldown detail, portability, dynamic interaction, and ease of use within a robust dashboard framework layered on top of a company’s Web tracking visibility, the company says.

The software is designed to allow decision makers to see certain key indicators and multiple comparative sets of data in parallel without changing context or focus. (IES Ltd., www.iesltd.com)

Sunny forecast: RedPrairie’s Store Forecast solution is designed to forecast workforce, inventory, and activity requirements at the store level. In the past, retailers had to rely on multiple, disparate demand streams to schedule supply chain and in-store operations. The Store Forecast solution offers a single demand stream based on store-level item transactions to help guarantee the right people and products are in the right place at the right time, to execute the right tasks.

The Store Forecast solution triggers inventory replenishment by operating on demand signals from point-of-sale (POS) data, while also combining with execution management for events such as promotions to drive scheduling and various tasks through workforce management. (RedPrairie Corp., www.red-prairie.com/retail)

A new twist: Carter Control Systems introduces its new 24VDC Powered Merge/Divert Spiral Conveyor. This new conveyor allows packages to merge onto and divert off of the spiral at various elevations.

The Merge/Divert Spiral provides all of the advantages of the company’s other Accumulating Spirals, but also features greater flexibility for vertical storage and the ability to service several elevations simultaneously. (Carter Control Systems, www.cartercontrols.com)

Dock work: Accellos, a developer of supply chain execution software solutions, has unveiled the latest version of its Accellos One Schedule dock door scheduling system. Accellos One Schedule 2.0 adds support for Microsoft Outlook-style functionality, including recurring appointments, reservations, and drag-and-drop scheduling and adjustments.

The goal of Version 2 is to provide the mid-market with a browser-based solution that can be accessed from inside the customer’s enterprise or by its customers, partners, and vendors from anywhere. Utilizing the Accellos Integration Framework, the system can be used with the suite of Accellos One supply chain solutions and nearly any other ERP, warehousing, transportation, or logistics solution in the marketplace, the company says. (Accellos, www.accellos.com)

Fleet feats: The new ORion-PI Fleet Planning solution from Axxom Software is designed to help users boost transport efficiency while reducing their costs and environmental impact. According to the company, logistics service providers, retailers, and industrial companies can use the software to individually calculate the optimal composition of their own truck fleets.

ORion-PI Fleet Planning performs optimization calculations based on the delivery data of a representative period, including information on the order structure, the product range, the customer base’s geographical distribution, delivery frequency, and delivery quantities. The software uses the data to develop an optimized strategic routing plan and the optimal composition of the truck fleet to operate these routes. The solution considers all relevant cost factors, such as the truck operation costs, driver costs, and the fixed costs of the trucks.

The optimization process also considers individual constraints, requirements, and particularities, including the average useful life of the trucks, service level requirements, and loading and unloading times. In addition, various simulation options enable the user to evaluate the effects of changing external conditions, such as rising diesel prices or new legal requirements. (Axxom Software AG, www.axxom.com) ;