Enterprise Information Solutions Inc. (EIS), a systems integration and computer-engineering firm, and CrossCountry Courier, an LTL carrier serving the Dakotas, Minnesota and portions of Iowa and Montana, announced that CrossCountry has selected an EIS solution
for use throughout its operating network.
CrossCountry, which provides direct overnight delivery and offers nationwide service, said it has successfully completed a four-week pilot phase of the EIS software, dubbed Patriot, and will immediately roll out use of this new Enterprise Application to support its entire operation of 16 terminals.
The new system unites the functions of order entry and rating with the creation and routing of in all terminals. It provides access to documents across all user desktop PCs and extends processing based on this data through the creation of invoices, which print with imaged copies of supporting paperwork.
Enterprise Information Solutions, founded in 1994, developed the new enterprise software system as an extension of its pre-existing EIS Transportation Solution Set, built entirely in the Java programming language. Beyond the rich graphical user interface (GUI) built using Swing components from the Java Foundation Classes (JFC), the application also employs Java solutions for image rendering and display, document scanner control, barcode recognition, Web access and email.
The new system lays the groundwork for further automation that will be deployed as part of the second phase planned for completion by the end of the first quarter of 2003. This includes pickup request entry and dispatch tasks, as well as web-based functions that allow customers to request pickups, trace shipments and retrieve paperwork via the Internet.
"This new IT solution enables CrossCountry to leverage additional Open Source solutions for database services and general server operating systems," said Marc Mitchell, transportation practice director for EIS. "Costs related to ongoing software licensing and proprietary hardware components are greatly reduced or eliminated. CrossCountry has even embraced the freely available Linux Operating System for use on many agent workstations to further drive down the expense associated with more traditional commercial desktop operating systems."
"For a one-time cost of around $400 per workstation, we delivered e-mail, office document management and Internet access to our locations across three states," said Dan Polk, IT manager for CrossCountry. "Having Patriot developed in Java was a no-brainer. Not only is the Java SDK available for free and based on the open systems idea, but we have cross-platform capabilities, making these low cost desktops even more valuable."
"We had used three different canned software packages over the past 10 years and always ran into roadblocks as our growth continued at a rate of over 20% for the past 20 years," added Ken Walter, business manager and west operations manager of CrossCountry. "Each previous software system was a challenge for us in terms of adapting our operation to the specific capabilities of the package. We clearly needed a software system that could be modified to fit the specific needs of our individual customers, but were continuously told it couldn't be done at all or at least at a cost that was justifiable." The Patriot system, with its new and open approach to development, provides CrossCountry with a true customer-focused solution.
For further information, visit www. eisolution.com .