Scotlynn Longhorn Group Chooses PeopleNet Canada's Tracking, Communications and Onboard Computing Solutions
MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO - June 14, 2004 - PeopleNet Canada, the fastest-growing provider of onboard computing and mobile communications systems, today announced that Scotlynn Longhorn Group has equipped its 100-tractor fleet with PeopleNet's g2x tracking, mobile communications, and onboard computing technology.
Scott Biddle, President of Scotlynn, made the decision to equip the trucking company's fleet with the PeopleNet system in the fall of last year. "We have been using cell phones to communicate with drivers," he stated, "but an advanced tracking and communications system offers more capabilities and benefits. With it we can preplan dispatch, locate vehicles and communicate with our company drivers and owner-operators. That will improve our productivity and efficiency and help meet our customers' demand for load status information."
From its Simcoe, Ontario base, Scotlynn utilizes 40 company-owned tractors and 60 dedicated owner-operators to haul refrigerated freight, focusing on carrying produce from Ontario, Florida, Texas and California. In business since the 1970s, the company was originally a private carrier for a family farming business that grows sweet corn, ginseng, strawberries and apples, as well as produces apple juice. Separated from the farming business in 1993, the for-hire carrier still counts its sister company as a primary customer.
With almost all vehicles in the Scotlynn fleet equipped with PeopleNet's mobile units, Biddle reported favorable initial responses from drivers. "It takes just 15 minutes to train a driver," he noted, "and after that they learn quickly how to fully utilize the system. All of our drivers like it very much so far, and especially appreciate the free e-mail access it provides.
"We are also anticipating an equally enthusiastic response from our dispatchers once the PeopleNet system is fully integrated with our Fleet Manager dispatch software from TransPlus Systems," Biddle continued. "PeopleNet is working on the interface, and the go-live date for that is in late June. Once it's running, we'll be using it to its full capability for preplanning loads and transmitting load information to drivers instantly and easily. We're doing that now with e-mail but it takes more time to set up forms and enter the data needed."
Among the reasons that the PeopleNet system was chosen by Scotlynn, according to Biddle, was its Internet-based design that enables information to be accessed from virtually anywhere. Also on the list of considerations was PeopleNet's OTAP (over-the-air programming) feature and the time and cost-saving benefits it offers by upgrading each of the fleet's 100 mobile units without taking vehicles off the road. In addition, the modular nature of the PeopleNet system and the size of its mobile hardware were also considered.
"The overall cost for the value we expect to receive from the PeopleNet g2x system is what sold us," Biddle stated. "Not having to pay per character, just per message, was a big part of that decision. And not to be overlooked are the people we deal with at PeopleNet. Whether we're buying vehicles, tires, fuel or a tracking and communications systems, people are always a big factor in our decision. The staff at PeopleNet shines in that regard."
Looking ahead, Biddle reported that additional integration of onboard computing solutions through the PeopleNet system will bring even more time and cost savings to Scotlynn. Among the steps he plans to take are to supply TransPlus with GPS-based location data from the PeopleNet system for fuel tax compliance. Later, he added, plans call for considering the use of PeopleNet's eDriver Logs and eDocument scanning tools.
"With the PeopleNet system we can begin taking steps in that direction," Biddle stated. "Without the capabilities of the solution from PeopleNet we couldn't even consider doing many of these things. Since we installed the first the units in March, in fact, we already know that we'd be in trouble without it."
The PeopleNet g2x system has become the standard for GPS-based location tracking, two-way voice and data communications, and Internet-based fleet business tools to provide consistent, reliable communication between business owners, dispatchers, drivers and shippers. A key feature of the system is OTAP (over-the-air programming), which allows PeopleNet to make system upgrades without taking vehicles off the road.
Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, PeopleNet is the fastest-growing provider of Internet-based onboard computing and mobile communications systems to the long-haul transportation and metro-based fleet industries. The company serves carriers throughout the U.S. and Canada and recently signed its 1,000th customer. For more information about PeopleNet, call 888-346-3486, e-mail info@peoplenetonline.com, or visit www.peoplenetonline.com.
