Press releases & News
InMotion Global’s innovations continue to lead the news in Transportation Management Systems.
Read the articles below to learn how our technology leads the way in Transportation Logistics.
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Interstate Celebrates New Headquarters with Ribbon Cutting
October 19, 2009
Florida’s Fastest Growing Logistics and Transportation Company Continues to Expand
Saint Petersburg, Florida – October 19, 2009 – Interstate Transport’s plans have always included growth. As a result, 2009 has proved to be so successful, the company had outgrown its usable office space. A good problem to have in today’s stagnant economic climate. The company expects another record quarter and even bigger increases in the coming year. To accommodate the ongoing growth, Interstate recently unveiled its new headquarters in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.
The Interstate team hosted a celebration that brought out the city’s most prominent business leaders. Interstate welcomed its clients, business partners and the owners and employees of neighboring businesses in the city’s vibrant downtown community to the gala. The evening was highlighted by the appearance of Mayor Rick Baker and 2010 mayoral candidate, Bill Foster. The Mayor officiated at the ribbon-cutting ceremony and everyone toasted the continued success of Interstate Transport and its staff.
The company’s revamped offices now reflect the energy and innovation for which Interstate has become known. Staff members have plenty of room and new amenities to enjoy. As new staff members come on board, there is now the available office space to accommodate them. Interstate believes that an attractive and comfortable workspace is necessary to stoke their employees’ imaginations, which will keep them in their place of leadership in the logistics field.
Flat screen TVs throughout the building keep employees and guests current on the latest news. The glass-walled offices are framed in gleaming wood; the chrome hardware compliments the glass desks and heart of pine floors. “The work environment should be as pleasant to the eye as possible,” states Gloria Higham, Executive Vice President of Interstate. “After all, we spend a lot of time at work. It should be an inspiring place to be.”
Interstate’s new headquarters boasts a new Kohler natural gas/diesel generator that will keep the company running at full capacity during power outages. The generator is capable of running Interstate’s entire Freight Distribution Center, at 100% capacity, twice over. Interstate serves thousands of customers nationwide and the generator ensures there will never be any down time in its operations. Another reason the generator is necessary is to support Interstate in its work for the State of Florida. The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) relies on Interstate to provide logistics for the shipment of tens of thousands of loads during hurricanes and other disasters. If the surrounding area is affected by power outages, Interstate will remain fully operational and staffed to continue its emergency relief work for the State.
Interstate Transport is a division of Interstate Logistics Group and provides logistics and distribution services. Interstate Logistics Groups’ software division, InMotion Global, Inc., created the industry’s leading transportation management software, InMotion Global TMS™.
About Interstate Transport:
Interstate Transport, Inc. is one of the fastest growing logistics providers in the United States. Headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, Interstate provides logistics and distribution services and complete logistics outsourcing solutions including transportation management software (InMotion Global TMS™) to customers across the United States. Interstate’s Freight Management Center and Disaster Freight Management Center provide: trucking capacity and Internet load tracking for every shipment, routing and load optimization, Internet load tendering, guaranteed appointment setting, and complete efficiency reporting. Learn more at www.interstate‑transport.com. About InMotion Global:
InMotion Global, Inc. provides the industry-leading Transportation Management System, InMotion Global TMS™ with its companion web‑portal LoadLink© to customers across the United States. InMotion Global TMS™ is fully integrated with Interstate Transport’s Freight Management Center to provide freight capacity, Internet load tendering and tracking, routing, load optimization, guaranteed appointment setting and complete efficiency reporting. InMotion Global, Inc. is headquartered in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
Learn more at www.InMotionGlobal.com. -
Interstate Transport Ranked 1st Place By Inc. Magazine on Inc. 5000 List
Aug 25, 2009
Interstate Transport Ranked 1st Place By Inc. Magazine on Inc. 5000 List
For More Information Call:
Mike Olson
(727) 822-9999 ext. 1444
Interstate Transport is Ranked As The Fastest Growing Logistics & Transportation Company in Florida and 17th Fastest Nationwide on the 2009 Inc. Magazine “Inc. 5000” List
Interstate adds yet another leading award to a very successful year
Saint Petersburg, Florida August 13, 2009 – Inc. magazine today ranked America’s fastest growing private companies with its Inc. 500/5000 annual list for 2009. In this year’s list, Interstate is the #1 fastest growing private company in the Logistics and Transportation category in Florida. Interstate is ranked the 17th fastest growing among all Logistics and Transportation companies nationwide. Interstate Transport joins other entrepreneurial success stories such as consumer electronics maker Vizio, Internet giant GoDaddy, and health drink maker MonaVie on this year's prestigious list.
“Savvy trend spotters and those who invest in private companies know that the Inc. 5000 is the best place to find out about young companies that are achieving success through a wide variety of unprecedented business models, as well as older private companies that are still expanding at an impressive rate,” said Inc. 5000 project manager Jim Melloan.
Interstate Transport, the leading third-party logistics and software development company, is honored to add this most recent award to its list of accolades. This year, Interstate and its software division, InMotion Global, were privileged to make Inbound Logistics Magazine’s list of Top 100 Logistics IT Providers. The magazine’s editor, Felecia Stratton, states, “…[Interstate Transport’s Logistics solution] InMotion Global TMS™ consistently provides the kinds of technology solutions business logistics managers need to successfully manage their global enterprises.”
Interstate’s co-founder and Executive Vice-President, Gloria Higham said, “It is truly exciting to rank so highly and win growth awards in this difficult economic environment. As the more leveraged competitors in the logistics and transportation industry have suffered, Interstate has been able to grow and expand due to our debt-free business model. Furthermore, our strong cash position allows us to capitalize on the continuing growth in consumer spending and the resulting increase in the shipments of consumer goods.”
The 2009 Inc. 500/5000 serves as a unique report card not only for the companies included on the list, but for the U.S. economy overall. Despite the ongoing recession, aggregate revenue among the companies on the list saw a median, three-year growth rate of 126 percent. Interstate’s revenue growth rate was a staggering 374.3%. Companies on the Inc. 5000 are responsible for creating more than 1 million jobs since their inception, making the list perhaps the best example of the impact private, fast-growing companies can have on the nation’s economy.
The future is indeed bright for Interstate Transport and its software division, InMotion Global. CEO Tim Higham states, “2009 revenues have been extraordinary and the company will see even more growth during the rest of the year. We are adding significant truck and freight movement capacity, regional and national office locations, and providing the kind of industry-leading distribution solutions for which we are already nationally renowned. A focus on sustainable growth and a keen eye for industry trends have led to Interstate’s ongoing success and fiscal stability, which have brought the company such accolades as this year’s inclusion in the Inc. 500/5000. We are very honored.”
View Interstate Transport’s profile on the Inc. 500/5000 list at http://www.inc.com/inc5000/2009/company-profile.html?id=200907790
About Interstate Transport:
Interstate Transport, Inc. is one of the fastest growing logistics providers in the United States. Headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, Interstate provides logistics, and distribution services and complete logistics outsourcing solutions including transportation management software (InMotion Global TMS™) to customers across the United States. Interstate’s Freight Management Center and Disaster Freight Management Center provide: trucking capacity and Internet load tracking for every shipment, routing and load optimization, Internet load tendering, guaranteed appointment setting, and complete efficiency reporting. Learn more at www.interstate-transport.com.
About InMotion Global:
InMotion Global, Inc. is a wholly owned division of Interstate Transport, Inc., and provides the industry-leading Transportation Management System, InMotion Global TMS™ with its companion web portal LoadLink© to customers across the United States. InMotion Global TMS™ is fully integrated with the Interstate Transport’s Freight Management Center to provide freight capacity, Internet load tendering and tracking, routing, load optimization, guaranteed appointment setting and complete efficiency reporting. InMotion Global, Inc. is headquartered in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Learn more at www.InMotionGlobal.com.
About the Inc. 5000 list
Inc. Magazine began its Inc. 500 list in 1982. Two years ago, Inc. expanded its list to include the country’s top 5,000 companies. The third edition of the Inc. 5000, gives readers a clearer picture of America’s business and economic composition.
Interstate Transport ranked in 1st place on INC 5000 List.pdf Download
Interstate Transport ranked in 1st place on INC 5000 List.pdf -
Palm Beach Capital Acquires Stake in Interstate Transport, Inc.
Jul 01, 2009
Palm Beach Capital Acquires Stake in Interstate Transport, Inc.
The Florida Based Private Equity Firm Adds To Its Arsenal; Makes Interstate A Platform For Additional Logistics Industry Acquisitions
Saint Petersburg, FL – July 1st, 2009. Interstate Transport, Inc., America’s leading logistics, logistics software, and freight transportation company, today announced that Palm Beach Capital (PBC) has purchased a significant, but non-controlling, stake in the company. Palm Beach Capital has added Interstate to its growing portfolio of companies as a platform for further expansion into the trucking, transportation, and logistics space.
Gloria Higham, Interstate’s Executive Vice-President stated, “This is an exciting time for Interstate, our employees, and our customers. To be approached by a leading private equity firm and to close a deal in this economic environment speaks volumes of our years of operational excellence, steadfast aversion to debt, focus on profitability, and dedication to sustainable levels of growth. Over the years, we have waited patiently for the right partner. We now have what we need to continue our amazing journey.”
Interstate has been an anomaly in today’s difficult economy. In 2008, it spun off its successful transportation management system, InMotion Global TMS™, into its own wholly owned subsidiary, InMotion Global, Inc. The company has also been hiring staff and is expanding its Saint Petersburg, Florida headquarters.
Shaun McGruder, a Palm Beach Capital founding partner stated, “To find such a clean and well-run company in today’s business environment is rare. We immediately knew Interstate and its team were a great fit for our growth model. We have been interested in the logistics and freight distribution space for several years, but we couldn’t find the right fit. However, Interstate surpassed our expectations in every way. It will become the platform company we need to help us integrate and digest further acquisitions in this space. For private equity firms with committed capital funds and an interest in moving quickly, there is ample opportunity when partnerships like this are forged. Interstate will make significant headway through organic growth and acquisition of other logistics providers.”
Tim Higham, president and CEO at Interstate, added, “We are incredibly excited that Palm Beach Capital has partnered with us. PBC’s considerable capital, expertise, and eagerness will quickly take Interstate Transport and InMotion Global to the next level. We have outlined a preliminary growth plan that we will immediately begin to execute. The plan includes adding significant truck and freight movement capacity, regional and national office locations, and providing the kind of industry leading distribution solutions for which we are already nationally renowned.”
Raymond James & Associates, Inc. served as financial advisor and Trenam Kemker served as legal counsel for Interstate Transport in the transaction.
Learn more about Interstate Transport, Inc. at www.Interstate-Transport.com, or call Mike Olson at (727) 822-9999 ext. 1444.
About Palm Beach Capital:
Founded in 2001, Palm Beach Capital is a private equity investment firm which specializes in making investments in growing privately-held companies. With offices in both West Palm Beach and Tampa, Florida, the firm focuses on high growth investment opportunities with enterprise values ranging from $10 million to $100 million and EBITDA of $3 million and above. Since its inception, Palm Beach Capital has made investments in 28 companies and has approximately $200 million in total assets under management. For more information, please visit the firm's website at www.pbcap.com.
About Interstate Transport:
Interstate Transport, Inc. is one of the fastest growing logistics providers in the United States. Interstate provides logistics, trucking, and distribution services and complete logistics outsourcing solutions including transportation management software (InMotion Global TMS™) to customers across the United States. Interstate’s Freight Management Center (FMC) and Disaster Freight Management Center (DFMC) provide: trucking capacity and Internet load tracking for every shipment, routing and load optimization, Internet load tendering, guaranteed appointment setting and complete efficiency reporting. Interstate Transport, Inc. is headquartered in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Learn more at www.Interstate-Transport.com.
About InMotion Global:
InMotion Global, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Interstate Transport, Inc., and provides the industry leading Transportation Management System (TMS), InMotion Global TMS™ with its companion web portal LoadLink© to customers across the United States. InMotion Global TMS™ is fully integrated with the Interstate Transport, Inc. Freight Management Center to provide: freight capacity, Internet load tendering and tracking, routing, load optimization, guaranteed appointment setting and complete efficiency reporting. In 2009, InMotion Global TMS™ was named one of the best transportation management software solutions in the world by Inbound Logistics. InMotion Global, Inc. is headquartered in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Learn more at www.InMotionGlobal.com.
Palm Beach Capital Acquires Stake In Interstate Transport - July 1 2009 -
InMotion Global TMS featured in June 2009 Maddux Business Report
Jun 18, 2009
InMotion Global TMS wasfeatured in the June 2009 Maddux Business Report. See attached PDF for the article.
InMotion Global TMS wasfeatured in the June 2009 Maddux Business Report. See attached PDF for the article -
InMotion Global, Inc. successfully completes the 2009 Florida Statewide Hurricane Exercise
Jun 9 2009
The award winning InMotion Global TMS™ and its companion web portal LoadLink© exceed expectations during the statewide “stress test.”
Saint Petersburg, FL – June 9, 2009. InMotion Global, Inc., a division of Interstate Transport, Inc., announced today its successful completion of the 2009 Florida Statewide Hurricane Exercise which concluded last week. The storm simulated during the exercise, Hurricane SUITER, was based upon the Great Miami Hurricane of 1926, a Category 4 hurricane that made landfall south of Miami, crossed the peninsula south of Lake Okeechobee, entered the Gulf of Mexico, and made another landfall near Mobile, Alabama as a Category 3 hurricane.
“As a member of Florida’s State Emergency Response Team [SERT], it was incredible to witness events unfolding during the simulation, which included satellite imagery, video feeds, meteorological reports and damage assessments,” stated Mike Olson, Manager of Client Relations for InMotion Global, Inc.. Olson went on to state, “You couldn’t help but feel a bit of anxiety as the storm made landfall, which provided a realistic look and feel to the whole exercise. Our personnel staffed the Movement Coordination Center at the State Logistics Response Center in Orlando and worked side by side with SERT personnel, Florida National Guard, FEMA, and state contractors to manage the movement of resources to affected areas. We’re grateful to be part of SERT and proud of our role in the relief effort.”
The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) conducted the week-long exercise as part of its annual preparations for the 2009 Hurricane season, which officially started on June 1, 2009. Interim Director of FDEM, Ruben D. Almaguer, used the statewide exercise to test the full capabilities of Florida’s State Emergency Response Team and the State Emergency Resource Management Network (SERMN), which includes the InMotion Global TMS™ and its companion web portal LoadLink©. For the duration of the exercise, the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Tallahassee, the State Logistics Response Center (SLRC) in Orlando, and a Logistical Staging Area (LSA) in Homestead were all fully activated and staffed. The InMotion Global, Inc. Emergency Response Dispatch Team was deployed to the SLRC, where they managed the Movement Coordination Center (MCC) and provided training for FDEM personnel, the Florida National Guard and state contractors. In addition to the InMotion Global, Inc. team, the exercise involved a broad spectrum of federal, state and local agencies, FDEM relief supply vendors and the various contractors that constitute the other technical components of the SERMN system.
The exercise included a virtual mass relocation of 1.5 millions residents, the activation of four Area Commands with Logistics Staging Areas, the movement of 3700 virtual truckloads of relief supplies, the movement of 10 actual truckloads of food and water from Orlando to Homestead, and military aviation missions. The virtual and actual truckloads were generated in InMotion Global TMS™ via a Shipment Origination Portal, deployed in real-time, and successfully geo-tracked in transit from origin to destination. InMotion Global, Inc. also introduced a new convoy management feature that allows for the creation, management and tracking of truckload convoys that are frequently deployed during large-scale disaster responses. The 10 actual truckloads, provided by the Interstate Transport Freight Management Center, were shipped on a roundtrip from the SLRC in Orlando to the State LSA in Homestead, where they were checked in using logistics support vehicles, satellite data systems, satellite tracking and geo-coding of resource locations. Throughout the exercise, FDEM managed all logistics mission resource requests, procurements, satellite tracking and resource geo-coding, ground, air and sea-lift transportation management, warehousing, shipping, receiving, field maintenance, recovery, demobilization and rehab with the SERMN suite of software and hardware systems. InMotion Global TMS™ and its companion web portal LoadLink© are the key logistical components of the SERMN suite, allowing FDEM to rapidly move and track large volumes of relief resources in response to a disaster.
Chuck Hagan, Chief of State Unified Logistics for FDEM, stated, “…The participation and input of our SERT members over the last 7 days is greatly appreciated and vital to the ongoing success of how Florida does business and enhancing our Unified Logistics process and team of local, state, federal and non-government agencies, contractors and the retail sector. We strive to be a leader in the nation on innovative systems and processes in emergency and disaster logistics, and further our relationships with our partners at every level. We openly share our experiences and successes with other states, agencies and organizations in the hopes of a more consistent national system of logistics support to our responders and survivors of disasters and emergencies through true unified partnerships with all sectors and agencies.”
InMotion Global, Inc. is making some hurricane preparations of its own as part of the headquarters expansion project in its Saint Petersburg, FL offices. The expansion project includes the addition of a Kohler 125 kW electricity generator that is directly connected to the city’s natural gas grid providing for a continuous supply of electricity without the need for diesel fuel. Additionally, hurricane rated, impact-resistant glass has been installed in all areas of the expansion project.
Nathaniel Engelsen, CIO of InMotion Global, Inc., was proud of the contributions his team made to the SERMN system, stating, “It’s only right that Florida lead the way in catastrophic emergency response planning and execution. The SERMN network is a model for other agencies at the state and federal level to emulate or acquire, as it is the only project of its kind able to provide full intelligence and visualization at the theater, strategic, and tactical levels of response. Being able to flawlessly execute the FDEM vision during as large an exercise as Hurricane SUITER is a credit to the InMotion Global, Inc. team and all of our software partners.”
In 2009, InMotion Global TMS™ was named one of the most important and relevant technologies in the logistics industry. The award is given each year to the “best of the best” logistics technologies by Inbound Logistics. InMotion Global TMS™ is a fully hosted, web-based Transportation Management System that requires no software or hardware installation, making it a true, on-demand TMS that can be implemented in minutes. The system includes hundreds of features that centralize and streamline the entire transportation and distribution process from load inception through final delivery, allowing shippers to manage their entire transportation operation. Whether the logistics operation is conducted out of one location or across multiple locations, users log in through their web-browsers and have instant, real-time access to every aspect of their operation, providing them with total situational awareness.
One of the differentiating factors implemented by InMotion Global TMS™ is that it uses the latest ASP.NET technology, thus providing a rich user interface including cascading menus, predictive typing and other user-preferred capabilities. Moreover, using the latest in “web-services” architecture, InMotion Global TMS™ is able to seamlessly access a myriad of third-party data and information for the user.
Learn more about InMotion Global TMS™ at www.InMotionGlobal.com, or call Mike Olson at (727) 895-1035 ext. 1444.
About InMotion Global, Inc.:
InMotion Global, Inc., is a wholly owned division of Interstate Transport, Inc., and provides the industry-leading Transportation Management System, InMotion Global TMS™ with its companion web portal LoadLink© to customers across the United States. InMotion Global TMS™ is fully integrated with the Interstate Transport, Inc. Freight Management Center to provide: freight capacity, Internet load tendering and tracking, routing, load optimization, guaranteed appointment setting and complete efficiency reporting. InMotion Global, Inc. and Interstate Transport, Inc. are headquartered in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Learn more at www.InMotionGlobal.com.
About Interstate Transport:
Interstate Transport, Inc. is one of the fastest growing logistics providers in the United States. Interstate provides logistics services and complete logistics outsourcing solutions including transportation management software (InMotion Global TMS™) to customers across the United States. Interstate’s Freight Management Center (FMC) and Disaster Freight Management Center (DFMC) provide: capacity and Internet load tracking for every shipment, routing and load optimization, Internet load tendering, guaranteed appointment setting and complete efficiency reporting. Learn more at www.interstate-transport.com.
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InMotion Global TMS releases new IVR module
May 18 2009
InMotion Global TMS releases Interactive Voice Response moduleSaint Petersburg, FL – May 18, 2009.
InMotion Global TMS, a division of Interstate Transport, Inc., the leading third-party logistics and software development company, added a new Interactive Voice Response (IVR) module to its flagship product InMotion Global TMS. The IVR module allows InMotion Global TMS clients to provide their own customers, pickup locations, carriers and field staff with phone-based access to real-time location and status information about their orders.
Tim Higham, CEO of InMotion Global TMS, said, “We are proud of our IVR technology because it extends automated information access down to the lowest common denominator of remote connectivity, the telephone. This feature has been readily embraced by our clients who have either carriers or field staff that are unable to utilize an Internet-enabled PDA to access LoadLink, our web-collaboration portal for InMotion Global TMS. Sometimes, a traditional telephone or cellular phone is all that is available in the field, so our goal was to enable those types of users with system access.”
With the IVR in place, InMotion Global TMS clients can now reduce their volume of inbound support calls and strain on internal resources by providing their customers, suppliers, carriers and staff with 24/7, automated access to their own load & order information. Carriers can provide up-to-the-minute location and status updates to InMotion Global TMS right over the phone without involving any dispatch or support staff. Users at pickup locations, drop-off locations or out in field can quickly access real-time location and status information about their own orders by using the streamlined workflow menus. IVR users can either talk or use their telephone keypad to interact with the IVR which can be configured to simultaneously support any number of foreign language options. InMotion Global TMS clients also have the option of branding the IVR interface with their own custom company prompts to provide their users with a support experience that is consistent with other company-specific marketing and messaging.
“InMotion Global TMS has made a commitment to its clients to provide accessibility and configurability. The IVR is a wonderful addition to our core product in that it offers both,” stated Nathaniel Engelsen, CIO of InMotion Global TMS. “By leveraging our existing Microsoft.NET service-oriented architecture, we are providing additional interaction options for external InMotion Global TMS users. The selection of the Voxeo Prophecy platform means unparalleled speed and reliability from the industry leader in interactive voice applications.”
In 2009, InMotion Global TMS was named one of the most important and relevant technologies in the logistics industry. The award is given each year to the “best of the best” logistics technologies by Inbound Logistics. InMotion Global TMS is a fully hosted, web-based Transportation Management System that requires no software or hardware installation, making it a true, on-demand TMS that can be implemented in minutes. The system includes hundreds of features that centralize and streamline the entire transportation and distribution process from load inception through final delivery, allowing shippers to manage their entire transportation operation. Whether the logistics operation is conducted out of one location or across multiple locations, users log in through their web-browsers and have instant, real-time access to every aspect of their operation, providing them with total situational awareness.
One of the differentiating factors implemented by InMotion Global TMS is that it uses the latest ASP.NET technology, thus providing a rich user interface including cascading menus, predictive typing and other user-preferred capabilities. Moreover, using the latest in “web-services” architecture, InMotion Global TMS is able to seamlessly access a myriad of third-party data and information for the user.
Learn more about InMotion Global TMS at www.InMotionGlobal.com, or call Mike Olson at (727) 895-1035 ext. 1444.
About InMotion Global TMS:
InMotion Global TMS, Inc. is a wholly owned division of Interstate Transport, Inc., and provides the industry-leading Transportation Management System, InMotion Global TMS™ with its companion web portal LoadLink© to customers across the United States. InMotion Global TMS™ is fully integrated with the Interstate Transport, Inc. Freight Management Center to provide: freight capacity, Internet load tendering and tracking, routing, load optimization, guaranteed appointment setting and complete efficiency reporting. InMotion Global TMS, Inc. and Interstate Transport, Inc. are headquartered in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Learn more at www.InMotionGlobal.com.
About Interstate Transport:
Interstate Transport, Inc. is one of the fastest growing logistics providers in the United States. Interstate provides logistics services and complete logistics outsourcing solutions including transportation management software (InMotion Global TMS) to customers across the United States. Interstate’s Freight Management Center (FMC) and Disaster Freight Management Center (DFMC) provide: capacity and Internet load tracking for every shipment, routing and load optimization, Internet load tendering, guaranteed appointment setting and complete efficiency reporting. Learn more at www.interstate-transport.com.
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InMotion Global TMS selected as 2009 Top 100 Logistics IT Provider by Inbound Logistics magazine
Apr 8 2009
InMotion Global selected as 2009 Top 100 Logistics IT_ProviderSaint Petersburg, FL – April 8, 2009. InMotion Global TMS, a division of Interstate Transport, Inc., the leading third-party logistics and software development company, was named by Inbound Logistics magazine, as one of the 2009 Top 100 Logistics IT Providers.
Felecia Stratton, Editor, Inbound Logistics magazine stated, “Solutions providers such as InMotion Global TMS empower logistics and supply chain management, continuing to offer innovative and practical solutions in the face of demand volatility. 2009 continues to be a year where every opportunity and efficiency must be seized and InMotion Global TMS consistently provides the kinds of technology solutions business logistics managers need to successfully manage their global enterprises. As shippers, carriers, and 3PLs increase their use of logistics IT, InMotion Global TMS is flexible and responsive, anticipating customers' evolving needs. That's why Inbound Logistics editors have recognized InMotion Global TMS as one of 2009's Top 100 Logistics IT Providers.”
Every year, Inbound Logistics editors recognize 100 logistics IT companies that support and enable logistics excellence. Selecting the annual Top 100 Logistics IT providers is no small task, given the pace of change and the number of new entrants in the logistics technology market. Inbound Logistics editors whittled this year's list through a comprehensive process of evaluating questionnaires, conducting research, and soliciting reader feedback. The goal is to provide a balanced and accurate assessment of its readers' needs and the logistics IT companies best suited to meet their specific requirements. InMotion Global TMS delivers the simplicity, ROI and efficient implementation that Inbound Logistics’ readers value.
Tim Higham, CEO of InMotion Global TMS, said, “We are honored and grateful to be recognized as an industry leader in transportation services, technical solutions, and best practices. Our devoted team continues to develop and deliver innovative solutions and services to our clients that help lower their transportation costs, improve their customer service performance, and gain visibility into transportation management processes for continued improvement.”
InMotion Global TMS is a fully hosted, web-based Transportation Management System that requires no software or hardware installation, making it a true, on-demand TMS that can be implemented in minutes. The system includes hundreds of features that centralize and streamline the entire transportation process from load inception through final delivery, allowing shippers to seamlessly manage their entire transportation operation. Whether the logistics operation is conducted out of one location or across multiple locations, users log in through their web-browsers and have instant, real-time access to every aspect of their operation, providing them with total situational awareness.
One of the differentiating factors implemented by InMotion Global TMS is that it uses the latest ASP.NET technology, thus providing a rich user interface including cascading menus, predictive typing and other user-preferred capabilities. Moreover, using the latest in “web-services” architecture, InMotion Global TMS is able to seamlessly access a myriad of third-party data and information for the user.
The Inbound Logistics annual Top 100 issue highlights providers who offer innovative solutions that drive advances in the practice of logistics. Companies are evaluated on platform, price, industries, compatibility, capabilities, solutions, and functionality. Inbound Logistics’ 2009 Top 100 Logistics IT Provider list appears in the publication’s April 2009 issue.
Learn more about InMotion Global TMS at www.InMotionGlobal.com, or call Mike Olson at (727) 895-1035 ext. 1444.
About InMotion Global TMS:
InMotion Global TMS, Inc. is a wholly owned division of Interstate Transport, Inc., and provides the industry-leading Transportation Management System, InMotion Global TMS™ with its companion web portal LoadLink© to customers across the United States. InMotion Global TMS™ is fully integrated with the Interstate Transport, Inc. Freight Management Center to provide: freight capacity, Internet load tendering and tracking, routing, load optimization, guaranteed appointment setting and complete efficiency reporting. InMotion Global TMS, Inc. and Interstate Transport, Inc. are headquartered in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Learn more at www.InMotionGlobal.com.
About Interstate Transport:
Interstate Transport, Inc. is one of the fastest growing logistics providers in the United States. Interstate provides logistics services and complete logistics outsourcing solutions including transportation management software (InMotion Global TMS) to customers across the United States. Interstate’s Freight Management Center (FMC) and Disaster Freight Management Center (DFMC) provide: capacity and Internet load tracking for every shipment, routing and load optimization, Internet load tendering, guaranteed appointment setting and complete efficiency reporting. Learn more at www.interstate-transport.com.
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Interstate Transport’s credit rating increased by Dun & Bradstreet to 3A2
Mar 26 2009
Saint Petersburg, Florida – March 26, 2009 - Interstate Transport, Inc., a leading US freight management and logistics company, announced today that Dun & Bradstreet has increased its credit rating to 3A2, a significant achievement for any company in today’s economic climate.
Tim Higham, CEO of Interstate said, “Over the past year, we have worked hard to aggressively grow our business while keeping a sharp eye on the bottom line. Our improved credit rating proves that we have our financial house in order when other organizations are clearly crumbling. Our top tier credit status allows our partners to trade with us in complete confidence.”
The Dun & Bradstreet Rating is the most widely used credit rating in American business, and provides an accurate assessment of a company’s overall creditworthiness and risk of default. A company’s Dun & Bradstreet rating is made up of two basic components:
• Rating Classification, which indicates a range of the company’s net worth or equity as computed by D&B when a company provides D&B with financial statements. A rating of 3A is reserved for companies with net worth between $1M and $1B.
• Composite Credit Appraisal, which reflects D&B’s assessment of overall credit worthiness (risk of default).
Despite the toughest economy in decades and the most difficult post-war freight volumes to hit the trucking sector, Interstate Transport managed to elevate its credit rating while also adding office space to its headquarters, hiring staff, and most recently opening its InMotion Global TMS software division to critical acclaim. InMotion Global TMS is already profitable and is on track to double revenues in 2009.
“We will continue to execute our very strict business model,” Higham said. “2009 will be the year that Interstate Transport and our InMotion Global TMS division, usher in our largest growth phase yet. Our elevated credit rating from D&B simply reaffirms that we are on the right track.”
To find out more about Interstate Transport, go to www.interstate-transport.com. Learn more about the InMotion Global TMS software platform at www.InMotionGlobal.com or call Mike Olson at 727-822-9999 x 1444.
About Interstate Transport:
Interstate Transport is one of the fastest growing logistics providers in the United States. Based in Saint Petersburg, Florida, Interstate provides logistics services and complete logistics outsourcing solutions including transportation management software (InMotion Global TMS) to customers across the United States. Interstate’s Freight Management Center (FMC) and Disaster Freight Management Center (DFMC) provide: capacity and Internet load tracking for every shipment, routing and load optimization, Internet load tendering, guaranteed appointment setting, and complete efficiency reporting. InMotion Global TMS allows customers to manage every aspect of their logistics needs via the Internet or telephone, using the latest IVR (Integrated Voice Response) technology.
About InMotion Global TMS:
InMotion Global TMS, Inc. is a wholly owned division of Interstate Transport, Inc., and provides the industry-leading Transportation Management System, InMotion Global TMS™ with its companion web portal LoadLink©© to customers across the United States. InMotion Global TMS™ is fully integrated with the Interstate Transport, Inc. Freight Management Center to provide: freight capacity, Internet load tendering and tracking, routing, load optimization, guaranteed appointment setting and complete efficiency reporting. InMotion Global TMS, Inc. and Interstate Transport, Inc. are headquartered in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Learn more at www.InMotionGlobal.com.
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InMotion Global TMS featured in Inbound Logistics- 2009 Logistics Planner
Mar 17 2009
InMotionGlobal_Planner09Saint Petersburg, FL – March 17, 2009
The following InMotion Global TMS corporate profile was published in the January 2009 - Logistics Planner issue of Inbound Logistics magazine:
InMotion Global TMS is a “different” company to say the least. You won’t find stodgy offices located in a neutered office park. You won’t find dull personalities who remind you of your cousin Walter. What you will find is a buzzing and growing company based in the trendy downtown district of Saint Petersburg, Florida, a mere stone’s throw from Tampa Bay.
From the moment you walk into the office building you can feel the vibe of fresh thinking, new ideas, and the energetic staff. The office walls are glass, flat screen TV’s dot the walls, and team members regularly huddle-up to engage passionately about where to go next with their class-leading technology.
The InMotion Global TMS technology, which has led the way in the “Web 2.0” world for several years, is distinctly different than other TMS offerings. From the ground up, it is based on ASP.NET technology and showcases several features and functions rarely seen in any TMS system. The system is fresh to look at, easy to use, and it literally takes 15 minutes to get a new client up and running. Ask InMotion Global TMS about their Common Ground technology – I think it will be something everyone will want to follow.
InMotion Global TMS sent shockwaves through the logistics industry by announcing a flat per user pricing of $50 per month, establishing itself as the “Salesforce.com” of the TMS world. Their success has allowed InMotion Global TMS to introduce the lowest cost online TMS with the highest feature set available.
The team at InMotion Global TMS can do this because they are in an enviable position – they are 100% debt free and have been profitable since they opened their doors – something that is important to know when selecting a vendor today. Moreover, they are part of the highly respected Interstate Logistics Group, encompassing leading 3PL and capacity providers.
With such a solid foundation, we found InMotion Global TMS to be a “must see” proposition. It is slick, inexpensive, and will make any decision-maker look like a hero when review time comes around.
© 2009 Inbound Logistics
InMotion Global TMS
Interstate Corporate Center
324 First Avenue North
Saint Petersburg, FL 33701
800-990-8283
www.inmotionglobal.com
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InMotion Global TMS sends shockwaves through the Transportation Management System industry with innovative pricing model of $50 per month
Feb 16 2009
Saint Petersburg, FL – February 16, 2009
InMotion Global TMS, the world’s most advanced on demand Transportation Management System, sent shockwaves through the industry today by announcing a new pricing model of $50 per month for its flagship product, InMotion Global TMS. The price includes unlimited loads, unlimited clients, unlimited carriers and unlimited locations, all with no annual contract. What makes this offering unique is that there are no upfront licensing fees, no load fees and no annual maintenance fees - an unprecedented model in the TMS industry, until today.
Tim Higham, CEO of InMotion Global TMS, described the decision-making factors involved, “You know, we have been very fortunate to enjoy tremendous success with both our products and services. We are also keenly aware of the challenging economic factors at play right now for both our clients and prospects. Our vision is to continue expanding while offering affordable products and services to existing and future clients. By offering a modular pricing structure, clients select only those components that are needed rather than purchasing a large, bundled package that is more than their operations demand.”
InMotion Global TMS is a fully hosted, web-based Transportation Management System that requires no software or hardware installation, making it a true, on-demand TMS that can be implemented in minutes. The system includes hundreds of features that centralize and streamline the entire transportation process from load inception through final delivery, and it allows shippers to seamlessly manage their entire transportation operation. Whether the logistics operation is conducted out of one location or across multiple locations, users log in through their web-browsers and have instant access, in real-time, to every aspect of their operation, providing them with total situational awareness.
Mike Olson, Manager of Client Relations for InMotion Global TMS, added, “Given the bleak economic landscape businesses are facing, we’re elated to bring such a compelling pricing model to the marketplace. Many companies are in survival mode right now, tightening the budget belt, reducing man hours and looking to squeeze every bit of cost out of their transportation operations. The InMotion Global TMS pricing model and product features support all of these initiatives.”
InMotion Global TMS clients report savings of 11 percent to 17 percent or more on their transportation cost from day one, which translates to an average savings of $272 per load shipped. Because InMotion Global TMS completes 100 percent of the distribution “paperwork” electronically, it is a critical component of any “green” initiative.
Nathaniel Engelsen, CIO of InMotion Global TMS, points out that technology enabled this huge price cut, “Utilizing cloud computing and outsourcing our data center has allowed us to lower our overhead significantly. Capturing the economies of scale made possible by this approach enables us pass the cost savings through to our customers.”
InMotion Global TMS also offers a collaborative web-portal, LoadLink©, that provides carriers, customers, locations, sales, and field staff with real-time “light access” to their load and order information inside of InMotion Global TMS. LoadLink© runs on any web-enabled device including laptops, PDAs, and even cell phones. Similar functionality can also be accessed over a standard telephone via a bilingual, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system.
InMotion Global TMS is connected in real-time to Interstate Transport and its 24/7 Freight Management Center. With the click of a button, loads can be tendered electronically to Interstate Transport for such freight management services as dispatching, carrier advances, settlement, POD scanning, appointment setting and load tracking & tracing.
Learn more about InMotion Global TMS at www.InMotionGlobal.com, or call Mike Olson at 800-990-8283 x 1444.
About InMotion Global TMS:
InMotion Global TMS, Inc. is a wholly owned division of Interstate Transport, Inc., and provides the industry-leading Transportation Management System, InMotion Global TMS™ with its companion web portal LoadLink© to customers across the United States. InMotion Global TMS™ is fully integrated with the Interstate Transport, Inc. Freight Management Center to provide: freight capacity, Internet load tendering and tracking, routing, load optimization, guaranteed appointment setting and complete efficiency reporting. InMotion Global TMS, Inc. and Interstate Transport, Inc. are headquartered in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Learn more at www.InMotionGlobal.com.
About Interstate Transport:
Interstate Transport, Inc. is one of the fastest growing logistics providers in the United States. Interstate provides logistics services and complete logistics outsourcing solutions including transportation management software (InMotion Global TMS) to customers across the United States. Interstate’s Freight Management Center (FMC) and Disaster Freight Management Center (DFMC) provide: capacity and Internet load tracking for every shipment, routing and load optimization, Internet load tendering, guaranteed appointment setting and complete efficiency reporting. Learn more at www.interstate-transport.com.
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Interstate Transport Bucks Trend and Continues Expanding in Saint Petersburg, Florida
Feb 2 2009
Saint Petersburg, Florida - February 2, 2009 - Interstate Transport, Inc., the leading US freight management and logistics company, announced it has broken ground on its expanded US headquarters in downtown Saint Petersburg, Florida.
In light of the toughest economy in decades, and the most difficult post-war freight volumes to hit the trucking sector, Interstate is adding space, staff, and recently opened its InMotion Global TMS software division to critical acclaim. InMotion Global TMS is already profitable and is on track to double revenues in 2009.
Tim Higham, CEO of Interstate said, “We are extremely proud to be able to offer our team members a stable work environment in light of such a dire economy. Our past planning has allowed us the enviable position of expanding the company, hiring staff, and starting a new division to capitalize on our proprietary software platform, InMotion Global TMS.”
Higham stated that the two major reasons for Interstate’s ability to expand are good past planning and remaining debt-free. “So many companies borrowed money when things were easy, but we remained true to our plan of growing with free cash flow. If we did not have the cash, we waited until we did,” Higham said. “The end result is that Interstate is a debt-free company that is now watching our competitors struggle and fall. Our competitors’ debt loads are too high to support the shrinking available business.”
Higham went on to state that more fiscal responsibility is needed in business and that taking on debt for growth’s sake is a fool’s game. “Is it better to have $100 million in sales and $1 million in profit, or $50 million in sales and $5 million in profit? It is a simple math question. More revenue does not mean more profit – and business owners need to remember that,” he said.
Interstate is adding room at its headquarters for up to 40 new members and has an existing Tier 3 Data Center in Tampa. Construction will be completed on the headquarters expansion in March 2009.
To find out more about Interstate Transport, go to www.interstate-transport.com. Learn more about the InMotion Global TMS software platform at www.inmotionglobal.com or call Mike Olson at 727-822-9999 x 1444.
ABOUT INTERSTATE TRANSPORT: Interstate is one of the fastest growing logistics providers in the United States. Based in Saint Petersburg, Florida, Interstate provides logistics services and complete logistics outsourcing solutions including transportation management software (InMotion Global TMS) to customers across the United States. Interstate’s Freight Management Center (FMC) and Disaster Freight Management Center (DFMC) provide: capacity and Internet load tracking for every shipment, routing and load optimization, Internet load tendering, guaranteed appointment setting, and complete efficiency reporting. InMotion Global TMS allows customers to manage every aspect of their logistics needs via the Internet or telephone, using the latest IVR (Integrated Voice Response) technology.
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Interstate Transport readies for hurricanes Gustav and Hanna with the state of Florida
Sep 10 2008
Saint Petersburg, Florida - August 29, 2008 - Interstate Transport, Inc., the leading US freight management and logistics company that coordinates disaster response freight for the state of Florida, is readying itself for 2 more major storms expected to hit the area within the next week.
Interstate runs the freight “Movement Coordination Center” at Florida’s State Logistics Response Center (SLRC) in Orlando and dispatches a full-time team to run freight operations before and after disaster events. The multi-million dollar state-of-the-art operations center in Orlando is strategically located to provide both pre- and post-storm relief in 8 hours or less. The SLRC in Orlando stores more than 400 truckloads of general commodities and disaster relief supplies such as water, food, cots, tents, tarps, and other emergency equipment. The center is fully redundant in every area and is the functional operations response center for the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Tallahassee.
Tim Higham, CEO of Interstate said, “We are extremely proud that a Saint Petersburg company has so much responsibility for the citizens of Florida. The state chose our company because of our state-of-the-art InMotion Global software system that provides ’Total Asset Visibility’ for all disaster freight, including tracking and tracing of every truck load being moved. Total asset visibility has been the benchmark for freight movement since the lessons learned during Hurricane Katrina. We know of no other state in the nation that has achieved total asset visibility other than Florida. Using Interstate’s technology platform, the state EOC, staff, and responders gain real-time visibility regarding where commodities are and when they will arrive.”
“Florida leads the way in disaster preparedness and response. Nobody comes close to what we have built with the state of Florida,” Higham said. “At its simplest level, it is a matter being ready. It’s not like we are unsure we are going to see hurricanes –it’s a case of how many and how big they are.”
To find out more about the Interstate Transport disaster management team, go to www.interstate-transport.com. Learn more about the InMotion Global software system at www.inmotionglobal.com or call Mike Olson at 727-822-9999 x 1323.
ABOUT INTERSTATE TRANSPORT: Interstate is one of the fastest growing logistics providers in the United States. Based in Saint Petersburg, Florida, Interstate provides logistics services and complete logistics outsourcing solutions including free transportation management software (InMotion Global) to customers across the United States. Interstate’s Freight Management Center (FMC) and Disaster Freight Management Center (DFMC) provide: capacity and Internet load tracking for every shipment as needed, routing and load optimization, Internet load tendering, guaranteed appointment setting, and complete efficiency reporting. InMotion Global allows customers to manage every aspect of their logistics needs via the Internet or telephone.
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The Co-operative Movement
Jun 9 2008
Co Op Movement May 2008Difficult times call for interesting ideas - and the cooperative idea is one that has had varying levels of success.
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InMotion Global successfully completes 2008 Florida Hurricane Exercise
Jun 9 2008
IMG Completes 2008 Florida Hurricane ExerciseSaint Petersburg, FL: InMotion Global, Inc. announced today its successful completion of the 2008 Florida Statewide Emergency Response Hurricane Exercise which concluded last week.
“As one of the newest members of Florida’s State Emergency Response Team, it was an amazing experience overall and very rewarding to apply our technology and teamwork in a ‘live’ simulation of this magnitude” said Mike Olson, Client Relations Manager for InMotion Global. “We’re grateful to be on this team and proud to be part of a project whose sole vision is to quickly provide relief to our citizens in the aftermath of a disaster.”
The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) conducted the week-long exercise as part of its annual preparations for the 2008 Hurricane season, which officially started on June 1, 2008. FDEM State Director, Craig Fugate, used the statewide exercise to test the full capabilities of the enhanced logistics program. The exercise also tested the new State Emergency Resource Management Network (SERMN), which now includes the InMotion Global Transportation Management System (TMS) and its companion web portal LoadLink©.
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InMotion Global awarded logistics contract with the Florida Division of Emergency Management
May 15 2008
InMotion Global awarded FDEM ContractSaint Petersburg, FL: InMotion Global, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded a logistics contract with the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM). As part of the contract, the InMotion Global Transportation Management System and its companion web portal LoadLink© will be integrated as the key logistical components of FDEM’s State Emergency Resource Management Network (SERMN), which is used to manage the state’s relief response efforts for major disasters.
Mike Olson, Client Relations Manager for InMotion Global said, “We are thrilled that FDEM has selected InMotion Global to provide the logistical components for such a visionary and vital project. Considering how highly respected FDEM is in the emergency response community, we feel especially honored to be included in its mission to quickly provide relief to our citizens in the aftermath of a disaster.”
Initially created in 2007, SERMN combines the capabilities of multiple software and hardware solutions into one integrated catastrophic Event Planning and Response system. In the wake of a large-scale disaster, SERMN can provide “Total Asset Visibility” to the FDEM decision-makers who are coordinating the relief response effort, allowing them to see, in real-time, the location and status of various resources they are directing. SERMN capabilities include resource acquisition, searching for resources locally and statewide, satellite tracking and resource geo-coding, ground, air and sea-lift transportation management, warehousing, bar-coding, shipping and receiving.
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Distribution Cost
May 13 2008
Distribution CostsShred one of Your Biggest Expenses Overnight
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Hines Cover Story
May 5 2008
HinesCoverStoryHines Horticulture one of the largest growers in the world turns to InMotion Global for a transportation solution.
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Software as a Service for Shippers
Feb 18 2008
The next time you’re in the market for some new software, you may encounter some new vocabulary as well, like “SaaS” (pronounced like sass). Software as a Service (SaaS) is a blanket term for any type of software that you don’t purchase to own, but instead only pay for what you use:
“Software as a service (SaaS) is a software application delivery model where a software vendor develops a web-native software application and hosts and operates (either independently or through a third-party) the application for use by its customers over the Internet. Customers do not pay for owning the software itself but rather for using it.”
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_as_a_Service)
What does this mean to you? In plain English it means that you can use the power of the internet to access a wide range of features to make your life easier and your business smarter while only paying a fee for the amount you actually use. Instead of paying thousands of dollars for, say, a “customer relationship management" system, you can log into Salesforce.com and be online within minutes, paying for your employees to utilize the software on a daily, monthly, or transactional basis.
The top business applications today bring information from many different sources into one location so that users can get a glimpse of their data and how it relates to the business as a whole. These applications can take information from accounting, human resources, production, and sales and paint pictures that describe how the business is doing and what you can do to help it grow. They can also use other resources, such as stock information, news, and weather to enhance the already vibrant information overview until it becomes a method of managing every nuance of every aspect of their company.
Because it is built for and maintained on the internet, a Software as a Service offering can tie into these many sources of information on the fly. You might be able to pull up a map of where your product is going, or perhaps the weather at the destination. You might want to access third-party applications that help drive your supply chain by integrating your order & production applications with your SaaS transportation management system.
A shipper’s needs are manifest along the supply chain. They have important production matters that require their time and attention, but they also must manage their customers’ expectations and provide their products along fixed schedules. If you are a nursery growing flowers for a large retailer, you need to worry about your cuttings, their size, age, and health, before you worry about getting them planted. You then need to get them harvested and prepped before you get them to the warehouse. Once there, you need to make sure you have provided a means to get these plants to their myriad locations in a timely fashion. In today’s Vendor Managed Inventory world, there is the additional step of merchandising their goods to the customer.
Software as a Service is an excellent choice for such a cyclical business. Instead of paying up front for an application that you use predominantly over the course of a few months and then much less during the off-season, you can use software that will scale smoothly along with your needs. One of the features of SaaS is that it is 100% scaleable behind the scenes, meaning that no matter what your needs are, or how they fluctuate, you can count on your software to handle your changes with aplomb.
By providing the software over the internet, a SaaS application is therefore able to erase IT headaches so that you can focus on your core business. By managing the critical database and application infrastructure, the IT staff, the Support staff, the hosting and bandwidth, a SaaS provider allows you to pay one low cost without having to worry about this overhead yourself. And by maintaining control of the application they can provide additional hardware or software upgrades quickly and on a regular schedule without any downtime that an installed application might necessitate.
In the end, the cost of “renting” software is a new concept that has many attractive features. Besides “renting” the use of the software, you are also renting IT and support employees, hardware, access to a wide range of third party information and cyclical surge capacity. The costs of all this information and overhead can easily be made manageable via a Software as a Service application, and the ability to pay for only what you use can be an attractive benefit to a company that has either a cyclical business model or the need to “try before you buy”.
Next time you are shopping for new software, make sure you show off your industry savvy by asking, "Do you offer this in a SaaS model?"
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Routing, And Optimization Software -- You NEED It !!!
Mar 12 2007
If there is one area of transportation that you can get the most from technology, it is reducing the number of miles your deliveries are routed and maximizing how full your trucks are.
There is a reason the “C” in “PC” stands for “computing”. Computers are designed, by their very definition, to take in data and to analyze it according to rules set by the operator or program. For example, let’s take a simple route that goes from point A to point B (one pickup and one delivery). Any reasonable person may think that with this simple scenario they can be as efficient as a computer in calculating the route. This may or may not be correct (and you would probably have to resort to using PC mapping software to get your results in the end – I mean, who routes with a map and a pencil anymore).
The bottom line is that even between 2 points on a map there are literally millions of route permutations regarding the route that could be taken. Most simple mapping software bought in a store can do a routing based on the shortest miles, scenic miles (great for vacation traveling), or avoid toll roads (to save money) etc. However, these simple mapping systems have one major flaw – they only do one trip or journey at a time and are designed for car travel. Therefore, they do not allow you to input data about your orders (their size, shape or constraints etc). You need to calculate that yourself – a recipe for disaster. And if you have, for example, 50 deliveries to make, forget about even getting close to being efficient if you do this calculation on your own. The number of possible routes and trucks needed are so large that it is not uncommon for you to be 20% less efficient that even the simplest routing and optimization system. Take this from a guy who sees this every day of the year…a well honed routing and optimization program will save you up to 20% (or more) in miles traveled, trucks needed, and money spent. It is that simple and easy to prove (e-mail me at thigham@interstate-transport.com for a real world sample from a medium sized grower...all names protected, of course).
So, you believe me. Now what? How do you make sure (and know) that every time you process your deliveries that you are not giving away thousands (sometimes tens of thousands) of dollars due to simple inefficiency. Inefficiency that is easy to eradicate.
Fortunately, there are several solutions available to you. But, first, the “government warning” (well, not really a “government warning” but more of a “get ready to get your check book out warning”). Routing and optimization software is not cheap. You don’t go down to your local “Computer Universe” store and pick up a shrink wrapped box for $29.95. In fact, you won’t even find the software on sale there. The software you need is available for the bargain basement price of – are you sitting down - $10,000 or more. It is not unusual to spend $20,000 or more by the time you have a few user licenses, all the bells and whistles you need, and the hardware to run it on. Moreover, you can expect an annual license fee (for updates, fixes, and technical support etc) of 10% to 20% of the initial price. So, it is a major investment. On top of this, you will likely need an actual mapping system (such as PC Miler from ALK Technologies or Microsoft MapPoint) to interface to. This will add $2,000 or more to the total acquisition cost if you do not already have one of these products in your office.
You will also need someone to actually use the software at your company. Now, while they are generally easy to use, it is not as simple to use as Microsoft Word or your chosen e-mail program. These are powerful and full featured systems designed to allow the user to play with a whole host of variables in order to massage the results that best fit your needs. In fact, a reasonably intelligent user will be able to squeeze an extra 5% efficiency from the system by just using it correctly. So plan on making sure you have someone in the office identified that will take the time to understand the software and how it should be used. Yes, this could add cost. However, I am sure the savings will more than offset the costs in a matter of weeks or months.
The next question to ask is if routing and optimization software is right for you. While this is hard to answer, I think it is not a question of if it is right for you but rather a question of how long will it take to see a return on your investment. For example, if you send out 3,000 trucks a year your return will be almost immediate and you will start “making money” right away. If you send out 100 trucks a year you will see benefit – but it could take years. Also, if you find your deliveries are very predictable – going to the same places weekly, and you are confident you are running things efficiently, you may not need to invest in this type of software. But, if in doubt, you can contact a vendor (see below) and ask. Most are happy to look at your information and tell you whether their system is right for you (again, e-mail me at thigham@interstate-transport.com for a real world sample from a “medium” sized grower to get an idea about what can be saved. You might be surprised at the savings possible).
There are several vendors out there that can help. MicroAnalytics (www.bestroutes.com) is used by 2,400 customers worldwide, and, according to Dan Buttarazzi, it is the most used routing software in the world. Their own calculations show savings of over $16,000 per year for a user with only 10 trucks per week and saving only 50 miles per day. Essentially this means your investment is paid for in year one and then the money saved stays in your bank account. Your return will be faster if you run more trucks per week or your mileage savings are larger. In fact, MicroAnalytics has found several of their grower clients, including Metrolina Greenhouses and Stacy’s Greenhouses, saving $30,000 to $40,000 per year of use!
Another solution is Direct Route from Appian Logistics (www.appianlogistics.com). This company just celebrated 20 years in business and provides a system that integrates to GPS tracking systems. They also have several variations of the system to solve solutions unique to certain growers. While more expensive than other systems, it is a good choice for “mega growers” or growers with many multiple locations or very complex delivery needs.
There are other vendors that can also help. Try a quick Google search on “Truck Routing Software” and you will hit the top providers in the first few pages or results.
Most growers will benefit from routing and optimization software. In fact – I will go as far as saying you need it. Unless you have the simplest of operations you will see results the first time you use it – and that is money in your pocket.
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Using Distribution Technology To Save Money (and to make your life easier)
Mar 8 2007
Using the right technology for your transportation and distribution function will almost certainly save you 5% to 10% off your expenses in a matter of days. Transportation is often referred to as “logistics”. Computers are great at logistics” – people are not. I have yet to see (ever) a human being do a better job at routing and optimizing customer orders for shipping better than a computer. The reason is simple, computers are designed to quickly run through millions upon millions of permutations in order to arrive at the most efficient result. People simply cannot process this data like a software program can.
Any large company you can name would grind to a screeching halt without effective transportation and distribution software. These programs are commonly known as a Transportation Management System” or “TMS” for short. As your nursery grows in size, and you find you are shipping to multiple states for multiple clients, you will quickly realize that growing your product is not the major limiting factor – getting it to the client is! This is especially true in “shipping season” (for most of us – the Spring).
Moreover, in today’s competitive landscape, and to complicate matters, you may even bring in brokered material to fill out your orders, or contract grow material at other nurseries. And, for those that use racks to ship on, you need an efficient and effective way to know where your racks are and to get them back to your dock as quickly as possible.
An effective TMS can handle these needs with aplomb. Some growers using an inventory and sales software system may already have a “mini” transportation module built into their software. But these systems are almost exclusively designed for growers shipping short distances on their own trucks – and the functionality is limited because it was an “add on” to the inventory and sales system. However, for most small to medium sized growers these “add on” modules may suffice. The easiest part is all you need to do is contact your software vendor to ask if they have a module that fits your needs.
At some point, however, as you grow as a company, you may need to look at a comprehensive and dedicated transportation system that will unify your entire shipping function – whether your material is shipped on your own trucks, common carrier, via transportation broker, or even rail transport. Moreover, you need to be able to organize all the necessary paperwork to make the shipping function run smoothly.
For growers with an existing technology framework this can seem a little daunting. All of a sudden you need to figure out how the system will work together and to change your internal processes accordingly. But this is exactly what sets apart the larger growers from small growers – the willingness to go through painful change for the greater good.
Starting The Journey
Many growers’ first transportation system is simply a spreadsheet and some mapping software. I still see this even as growers get to $10m in sales or more…quite amazing when you consider many growers spend 30% or more of their total variable expenses on transportation and distribution. So, you would think that an obvious place to install technology would be in this area.
So, where do you start? Well, there are hundreds of software options to handle the transportation function. Some will cost as little as $500 and others well over $1,000,000. Generally speaking, you “get what you pay for” and there are many considerations to be made. While many growers don’t have dedicated IT staff to analyze all the options and manage a complex installation procedure, you can rest easy because there are readily available solutions that are more “plug and play” than “pay and pray”.
One option is the new ASP.NET solution from Microsoft. The only full featured TMS system designed and built for growers runs on this Microsoft platform and is called InMotion Global© (www.inmotionglobal.com) and requires nothing more than an
Internet connection to use it. If you can surf the web you can access the system. The pricing can’t be beat…free of all upfront costs and a “pay-per-load” fee of $17. It supports an unlimited number of offices and users for no extra charges and
connects you to a 24 hour freight management center for those last minute needs (and your customers can track and trace their shipments over the Internet). InMotion Global© is used by some of the largest growers in the country.
Mitigating Problems
At Interstate, we have found that 90% or more of potential shipping problems can be eradicated by having the correct paperwork. Technology is also good at this “business process” function – allowing you to flow smoothly from order to truck with minimal fuss. When problems do occur (they will) a good technology solution will “fix” the problem before it becomes an “issue”.
The funny thing about our business is that “if we can just get through the spring” we seem to think we can avoid spending the money and enduring the pain of installing a transportation technology solution. But, ironically, if we had the technology solution in the first place, our spring shipping season would be more profitable and a lot easier to bear.
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Interstate Transport Spins off Software Company
Dec 6 2006
Press Release Source: Interstate Transport Interstate Transport Spins off Growing Software Company, InMotion Global, Inc.
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Interstate Provides Free Load Optimization and Routing Service for Customers
May 31 2006
Interstate Provides Free Load Optimization and Routing Service for Customers
Service saves customers millions of dollars by efficiently optimizing, loading, and routing.
Saint Petersburg, FL: Interstate Transport, Inc., the leading freight management and logistics company, today announced it would provide free load optimization and routing services for its customers. Clients have already been successfully using this free service on a trial basis for several months – saving them up to 14% on their overall transportation costs (up to $140,000 in bottom line savings for each $1,000,000 in transportation costs). The free service is available immediately to both existing and new customers.
In addition to this free service, Interstate is allowing both existing and new clients to submit historical load information for free optimization and load analysis. Interstate’s powerful computer systems will analyze the most efficient loading and routing of past loads and provide an analysis of savings compared to actual past transportation costs. Recent analysis for customers show up to 14% in total savings if loads are loaded and routed in the most efficient manner.
Tim Higham, CEO of Interstate, said, “This service is an extension of what we already do for our clients. Customers were asking us to help with larger segments of their business and we used our powerful software systems to analyze the data. In almost every case we have been able to help our customers save significant amounts of money. We decided to provide this valuable service free of charge as a goodwill gesture.”
Interstate can provide the results of each load optimization and routing in as little as 15 minutes, delivered via fax, e-mail, or their protected website. Moreover, a 10 year historical analysis can be provided in less than one business day after the information is received by their dedicated analysts. Interested parties should contact Tim Higham at 800-966-6183 ext. 1323.
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Select the attachment below for a brief history of Interstate Transport.
Mar 6 2005
St. Pete TimesA company that transport plants around the country fits easity in an unexpected St. Pete, FL location.