Morgan Southern Upgrades to PeopleNet's Onboard Computing System
Intermodal carrier looks to PeopleNet technology to aid in expansion
LAS VEGAS - TRUCKLOAD CARRIERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONVENTION, March 7, 2005 - PeopleNet, the leading provider of onboard computing and mobile communications systems to the nation's transportation industry, today announced that Morgan Southern, one of the country's largest intermodal drayage companies, has converted to PeopleNet's onboard computing
and mobile communications system.
Based in Atlanta, Morgan Southern was started in 1982 by David Morgan with one truck. Today it has grown into a 450-unit truck fleet providing national service coverage to over 80 percent of the largest intermodal markets in the United States. As part of its service portfolio, the company also operates a 100-unit over-the-road fleet serving the 48 continental states and Ontario
All of the tractors in the over-the-road fleet are equipped with the PeopleNet onboard communication and tracking devices to ensure "on-time service, every time," according to Vice President of Operations Ben Kirkland. Morgan Southern's reputation for high quality service makes it the OTR trucking partner of choice for many Transportation entities, including service conscious companies such as FedEx Ground, Watkins Motor Lines, Central Transport and JB Hunt. To maintain the expected level of performance, Morgan Southern's customer base needs to know their scheduled loads are going to make on-time service.
To provide the required level of visibility and to ensure the most efficient level of dispatching, Morgan Southern operated a competitive onboard system for the past seven years that, according to Kirkland, was "kind of a disaster" because it never integrated properly with the company's operating system.
"PeopleNet came to us with an integrated web-based operating system that allowed Morgan Southern to automate the process from order entry to dispatch, without duplicate document handling," says Kirkland. The system was able to link his 15 terminals located in major cities throughout the U.S., allowing him to better meet his customer needs by identifying and dispatching the closest unit.
The strategy appears to be working. "We've doubled our OTR Fleet size in the past 18 months," says Kirkland. "And we're looking to double again in the next 18 months. The PeopleNet system will help us grow by providing value-added service to our customers with real-time information, and limit our out-of-route miles so that we can improve pick-up and delivery service while focusing on the most efficient routes and future areas for expansion."
Another added benefit of the decision to switch onboard vehicle computer suppliers has been PerformX, PeopleNet's onboard performance tracking system. This feature allows Morgan
Southern to monitor key operating and maintenance data so that units can be routed to either its Atlanta or Memphis maintenance facilities when needed.
The PeopleNet system has become the standard for GPS-based location tracking, two-way voice and data communications, electronic driver logs, and Internet-based fleet business tools
to provide consistent, reliable communication between business owners, dispatchers, drivers and shippers.
Headquartered in Minneapolis, PeopleNet is the fastest-growing provider of Internet-based onboard computing and mobile communications systems to the transportation industry,
including truckload, LTL, private, and service fleets. The company serves several Fortune 500 companies in the U.S. and Canada and has signed more than 1,000 customers since our inception
more than 11 years ago.
# # #
CONTACT:
Ellie Walradth
PeopleNet
