Platform Science has announced its Internet of Things (IoT) fleet management platform is now a Certified Integration partner of McLeod Software. The integration means that fleets can now “offer their drivers a next-generation in-cab experience, enhancing the power of their McLeod Software LoadMaster Enterprise system with a streamlined mobile experience through the Platform Science ecosystem of edge applications,” the company said.
“McLeod Software is pleased to announce the integration of our LoadMaster dispatch solutions with Platform Science’s telematics platform,” said Robert Brothers, vice president of product for McLeod Software. “We have worked together to provide the highest-quality user experience for drivers and back-office users. We look forward to continuing to support our customers as they select the best-in-breed products from the marketplace.”
The Platform Science integration is within McLeod Software’s Symphony Mobile Communications module and enables users to easily monitor hours of service and directly manage dispatch operations, the company noted.
The integration spans the entire suite of Platform Science products. This includes the Platform Science Workflow and Messaging applications, key components to the Platform Science Productivity suite, the company said.
The Workflow app offers automation and unconditional logic capabilities so dispatchers can easily plan, match and dispatch loads, with the flexibility to react to changes in the load, such as new shipping document information, and send updates to drivers in real time.
For drivers, forms are automatically filled out to speed the process of documentation.
The Platform Science Messaging app allows dispatchers to quickly connect with drivers through Loadmaster by sending messages that will appear in real time and provide flexibility based on who needs to communicate with whom.
“A robust TMS is the foundation of any large fleet, and we know that McLeod enables fleets to become best in class,” said Darrin Demchuk, vice president of product for Platform Science. “The Platform Science Workflow app enables our McLeod TMS customer to plan, match and dispatch loads more efficiently, reduce out-of-route and empty miles and diversify and create new lines of business.
“By shifting the driver’s job from data entry to simply confirming the automated data capture is accurate, and pairing that with an advanced TMS, fleets can achieve massive efficiency gains with their drivers with a simple, drop-in integration. We’re proud to dramatically upgrade the driver experience in partnership with an innovative TMS,” Demchuk said.
Last month, Platform Science announced that Werner Enterprises (NASDAQ: WERN) would be rolling out Platform Science’s technology across its 8,000-vehicle fleet. The rollout, called EDGE Connect, will be complete in the first quarter of 2021, Werner said.
Werner trucks will be outfitted with Platform Science’s full suite of products, including its catalog of applications and third-party app marketplace. According to a press release, Platform Science’s open platform will “enable Werner to easily customize and scale its in-cabin and back-end experiences, ensuring an unprecedented level of flexibility and control over all of its technologies.”
Danny Lilley, vice president of fleet systems and technology for Werner Enterprises, said, “Our drivers require best-in-class technology to keep them efficient and safe on the road, which is why we remain focused on developing new technology-rich solutions and offerings through our innovation initiative, Werner EDGE.”
Werner has been making a push to incorporate more flexibility technology into its fleet. The fleet was among the first to widely adopt electronic logging devices ahead of the 2018 mandate and in May announced the Werner EDGE platform, which allows it to develop new solutions and offerings for customers and Werner associates.
“Our drivers’ and customers’ challenges require best-in-class technology, innovation and talent. Anything we can do to make their experiences more productive and rewarding while simplifying their lives deserves our focus and attention,” Derek Leathers, president and chief executive officer, said at the time of the announcement on May 6. “Werner EDGE combines our asset-backed history with our forward-looking logistics strategy to deliver innovative solutions that support our company and the industry at large, now and for the road ahead.”
EDGE includes an untethered, tablet-based telematics solution, critical event management tools and a breakdown management solution to streamline repair orders.
Platform Science’s open platform fits into this approach. The company’s connected vehicle platform technology allows for the development, download and inclusion of custom-built apps or third-party-built apps on a single platform. The system is designed to allow users to manage, track and configure in one place all the smart devices in their vehicles, including tablets, telematics and even individual technology from third-party vendors.
“Incorporating Platform Science into our new tablet-based telematics solution allows us to provide a smart workflow, reduce manual data entry and improve navigation and safety features, an important step in furthering our company’s unwavering commitment to our drivers and moving the industry forward,” said Lilley.
Jake Fields, co-founder and CTO of Platform Science, said, “As one of the largest and most progressive enterprise fleets in the nation and a pioneer of electronic logs, Werner has consistently been a leader in developing and implementing cutting-edge technologies to improve its fleet operations and keep America moving. We worked closely with the Werner team to hone in on their fleet’s unique needs and provided them with the necessary tools to execute their operations easily and efficiently, while seamlessly controlling all of their technologies on one easy-to-use interface.”
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