DAT Services plans to begin offering a new load matching and truck information product on a virtual private network.

The DAT Partners product uses a network on a private sector of the Internet custom-built by UUNet, a division of MCI WorldCom. It will allow fleets and brokers to be connected to DAT's load database continuously and uses Windows-based software already developed for the company's DAT Connect product.
Key features of DAT Partners will include an audible alarm which will alert users when a loads and trucks become available, instant messaging, a business directory to check backgrounds on fleets and brokers, and a yellow pages listing trucking-related products and services.
DAT hopes to release the product in the first quarter of next year.