Xata and McLeod Software announced joint-development projects to help fleets comply with hours-of-service regulations and to more effectively use driver and vehicle data to improve fleet operations.


The projects were announced at the McLeod Software Users' Conference in Chicago.

The two companies currently have two joint-development projects underway, each of which is focused on integrating Xata functionality into McLeod's product offerings.

Real-time hours of service: To meet customer demand for greater visibility into drivers' available hours, the companies are integrating each XataNet's and Xata Turnpike's hours-of-service applications into McLeod's LoadMaster dispatch software. This will give fleets a real-time view of available hours, both for current and future drive cycles.

Not only will this make it easier for fleets and drivers to comply with industry 70/60 regulations and the 34-hour reset rule, it will also help dispatchers more effectively use driver availability and plan and route deliveries.

Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports: To enable fleets to proactively manage inspections and better use maintenance data, XataNet's DVIR functionality is being integrated into McLeod's third-party vehicle maintenance modules, provided by Cetaris and SquareRigger.

This integration will include automatic notification of a vehicle's mechanical problems so proactive maintenance can be scheduled before those issues become more expensive to fix. The integration will also increase line of sight to both in- and out-of-service tractors and trailers, enabling dispatchers to better utilize existing assets.

Other functionality, including the automatic generation of purchase orders and detailed reporting whenever maintenance work is performed on the road, will also be included.

For more information: www.xata.com