Enterprise software provider McLeod Software, Birmingham, Ala., has released its new Detention Module for customer fleets that use McLeod’s LoadMaster software

with the Mobile Communications Module.
Fleets can now use the detention information stored in their system to automatically notify and bill excessive detention time. According to McLeod, detention billing will help offset the cost of new hours of service rules.
The Detention Module calculates charges for particular customers based on specific shipping or receiving locations. A new detention record is created on the receipt of an arrival message from the communications system.
At the time of arrival, the system will determine if the site is eligible for detention charges. If so, a record is added to the Detention Module history screen to start detention monitoring.
Similarly, departure times are recorded. The system calculates detention charges along with the other charges in the billing record. All charges are then automatically sent via e-mail or fax to the customer.
The Detention Module can be set up to allow a designated amount of “free time” at each location before detention charges are accumulated. A “warning time” is also available so that within the free time, a warning message may be emailed or faxed to the appropriate parties. After the free time has expired, detention charges begin.
Two detention periods are available, with different billing codes and rates. In addition, the system can identify trends by customer, location, tractor or driver for investigative inquires. Manual updates can be made to the record as needed.
For more information visit www.McLeodSoftware.com.