ORLANDO, FL -- Rand McNally unveiled Rand McNally Connect, a new software platform that allows integration between Rand McNally's FleetWatcher web portal and most major fleet management systems.

The news was announced at the Truckload Carriers Association's 74th Annual Convention this week.

Rand McNally is currently working with customers implementing Rand McNally Connect with TMWSuite/Total Mail and TMW's TruckMate as the initial customers to use the platform.

When combined with Rand McNally's mobile communications systems, TruckPC and TND 760 Fleet Edition, Rand McNally Connect enables data go from the FleetWatcher portal into a company's existing fleet management system to support decision-making and reporting needs. For example:

* Maintenance platforms can use vehicle fault codes in real time to trouble shoot or diagnose more serious issues and to provide instruction to the driver on next steps. Vehicle fault codes include items such as tire pressure, engine temperature, brake pad wear, oil pressure and more.

* Fuel tax applications can use the miles-by-state capture to assess tax liability.

* Dispatch software can accurately match a load to a trailer, a trailer to a truck and a truck to a driver based on the driver's HOS availability, the position of the vehicle and the destination of the load.

"Rand McNally's goal is to make the implementation of our systems, including installation into the truck and integration with third party software, as turnkey as possible," explained Dave Muscatel, CEO of Rand McNally. "We know our customers work with a wide variety of service providers for their back-office needs. Rand McNally Connect significantly decreases the development cycle for integration, making implementation of our mobile communication systems much easier and faster for our customers."