During McLeod Software's annual users' conference in Birmingham, Ala., last week, the company introduced a new EDI module for its PowerBroker enterprise management system.

The EDI capability allows brokers to handle higher volumes and do business with larger carriers that use EDI.
The module allows brokers to tender offers to carriers, receive acknowledgments, responses and status updates in real-time without manual intervention.
"This new module eliminates the manual process that takes place," Richard Brothers, manager of product development said. "You don't have to negotiate every movement, things are automated." The system eliminates a number of phone calls, faxes and redundant data entry that are typical when brokers use a manual system.
Brokers represent an important growth area for software providers such as McLeod, Brothers explained. Most small carriers can't afford or don't have the volumes to require an integrate enterprise system such as McLeod's LoadMaster. "But a broker can take a number 10-truck operations and turn those into a fleet," he said.
That's where PowerBroker comes in, providing the capability to negotiate with shippers and carriers. The new EDI module automates much of this work in real-time and provides enhance visibility of EDI transactions, improved accuracy and faster order fulfillment.