DC Velocity - March 2011

On track: Railinc has announced that its enhanced RailSight CLM (Car Location Message) real-time tracking and tracing app now offers historical trace capabilities for multiyear analysis. The service also integrates with Web services and SAP supply chain software for seamless connections to rail fleet and rail event data.

The latest RailSight release includes a new historical trace capability that enables rail equipment owners, shippers, third-party logistics managers, and transportation management software partners to see more of their critical business information. The fee-based service expands visibility for Railinc customers up to four and a-half years into past rail-event data. The result is that RailSight customers have access to information critical for financial audits, interstate tax calculations, determining rail car liability, and more.

RailSight customers are now able to use Web services for immediate access to their rail fleet and rail event data in RailSight with no special configurations. With bi-directional integration, the system allows customers to talk directly to the RailSight CLM engine, requesting car location inquiries and other event data from their in-house applications. RailSight also integrates with SAP Railcar Management and Supply Chain Management applications, lowering costs and reducing the time needed to achieve optimal integration through one common platform.

The RailSight CLM track and trace engine delivers more than 7. 5 million rail event messages each day from more than 550 Class I, II, and III railroads and shops across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. (Railinc, www.rail-inc.com/railsightinfo)

Pointing the way: BirdDog Solutions has added a hosted rating and routing application to its online transportation management services portal, BirdDog OnDemand. The new application features a series of robust planning and execution features to provide transportation analysis, procurement, execution, and audit and payment capabilities through a combination of managed services and software-as-a-service (SaaS) capabilities. As a result, BirdDog can now provide its customers with a single-source transportation management solution.

BirdDog offers these services in a true closed-loop transportation management platform that allows clients to gain better control over their transportation spend without buying costly software licenses or undergoing lengthy implementations. (BirdDog Solutions, www.bird-dog.com)

Location, location, location: Asset Intelligence, a developer of supply chain asset tracking solutions and a subsidiary of I.D. Systems, has launched VeriWise Track & Trace, a low-cost trailer and container tracking system that provides real-time information to improve the utilization, efficiency, and security of trailer and container fleets.

Veri Wise Track & Trace is designed for quick, flexible installation on a wide range of cargo-carrying assets. The system can be installed on dry vans, flatbed trailers, intermodal containers, chassis, and storage containers. A magnetic mount option is available for temporary installations, which enables easy movement between assets.

Veri Wise Track & Trace is also designed for years of maintenance-free operation, with power management technology to provide exceptionally long battery life, the manufacturer says. (I.D. Systems, www.id-systems.com)

Climate control: Thermo King has introduced the latest units in its T-Series line of temperature control units for straight trucks: the T-600R and the T-800R. These new units feature Thermo King’s reciprocating compressor technology, which delivers efficient operation and a field-repairable design.

T-Series units offer increased capacity over previous models, high ambient temperature operation, and the TSR- 2 control system with its diagnostic capabilities.

In addition, the units feature the SmartPower electric standby option, which cuts fuel use and emissions by allowing them to operate on electric power while at the dock. (Thermo King Corp., www.thermoking.com)