ORLANDO, Fla. - News from TMW System's Transforum 2012 User Conference this week included a number of new integrations between TMW's products and other technology providers.


In an interview, TMW CEO Dave Wangler said integration between technology providers was a trend that would continue, noting that technology had developed to the point that it had created a more level playing field for technology providers.

"Technology has made integration easier."

PeopleNet

PeopleNet announced a new integration between its vehicle management engine data with dispatch and maintenance data in TMW's Data Warehouse. The integration will allow custom ad hoc reporting on a variety of data such as asset utilization, compliance to fueling programs, on-time deliveries, idle time and profit analysis.

PeopleNet and TMW also announced new integration features between PeopleNet and TruckMate and TMWSuite.

Randy Boyles, PeopleNet vice president of tailored solutions, said the integration continued the companies' focus on helping joint customers leverage their in-cab technology investment in PeopleNet's Tablet and BLU onboard computers.

For TruckMate, the integration includes enhancements that embed decision-tree forms that prompt drivers upon stop arrival. The integration also allows dispatchers to customize stop profiles with either arrive or depart geofence.

ALK Technologies

ALK announced that its PC*Miler 26 had been tested and approved for use with multiple TMW Systems products, including IDSC Expert Fuel, IDSC TripAlert, MatchAdvice, Appian DirectRoute, TMW Suite, TruckMate and Innovative products IES, Access and Access Plu.

ALK said that PC*Miler Tolls 26 had been approved for use with TMWSuite, Expert Fuel, TripAlert and MatchAdvice. ALK also announced PC*Miler 26 may also be delivered as a hosted solution through TMW Cloud Services when used with any of the TMW products mentioned above.

ALK's RouteSync, a part of PC*Miler 26 that monitors the link between a planned route and the navigated route, will soon be integrated with TWM products.

"It's the BYOD (bring your own device) concept," said Craig Fiander, ALK's vice president of marketing. "We like to play with everyone." Fiander noted the RouteSync makes sure the truck stays in sync with planned route and also syncs with ExpertFuel's fuel program.

Qualcomm

Qualcomm Enterprise Services said that Qualcomm's Services Portal is now integrated with TMWSuite, which allows TMWSuite to automatically collect tethered and untethered trailer and reefer data directly from Qualcomm's Services Portal for near real-time alerts.

Qualcomm said the integration supports both Qualcomm's Trailer Tracks 210 (TT210) untethered trailer management solution and Trailer Tracks 100 (TT100) tethered trailer tracking solution. Information collected includes trailer connect/disconnect, position, door open/closed alerts and cargo sensor updates (loaded/unloaded), as well as reefer-equipped trailer notifications and alerts. The integration helps fleets gain better business intelligence on improving trailer utilization and cargo security.

Rand McNally

Continuing the integration trend, Rand McNally and TMW announced an integration between Rand McNally's TPC 7600 and TND 760 mobile fleet products and TMW's Innovative release R9.5 transportation management software, which includes Innovative Access and Access Plus software-as-a-service applications and Innovative IES, for on-premise IBM i Systems. Rand McNally already has integrations with TMW's TruckMate, TMWSuite and TL2000 software products.

SkyBitz

SkyBitz, which offers trailer and remote equipment tracking and other information, announced last week that its product was integrated with TMW's enterprise management software. Henry Popplewell, senior vice president and general manger said the company had been a partner with TMW for about 5 years and recently decided to pursue the integration due to customer request.

"Customers didn't want the dispatcher to have to look at another screen to determine trailer status," he said. Now, trailer data appears as a pop-up window in the dispatchers screen while they are running TMW's dispatch software. SkyBitz devices monitor location, cargo status, tire pressure, door open/close and other events related to trailers.