PeopleNet automates crude hauling workflow processes with integrated solution

April 29, 2014

PeopleNet, a Trimble company and provider of fleet mobility technology, announced April 28 during the National Tank Truck Carriers Annual Conference & Tank Truck Equipment Show in Las Vegas NV that it has expanded its current integration with McLeod Software to provide energy services fleets greater efficiency with the addition of Crude Oil Workflow.

Randy Boyles, PeopleNet senior vice-president of tailored solutions, said: “Integrating PeopleNet Crude Oil Workflow with McLeod’s LoadMaster dispatch software extends savings and efficiency opportunities to energy services fleets by automating their unique market-centric processes. In essence, it creates an end-to-end solution that integrates dispatch, driver-vehicle activity, and accounting.”

Rick Halbrooks, vice-president of sales for McLeod Software, said: “We are excited to announce this new integration solution with PeopleNet for our oilfield customers who use the PeopleNet in-cab solution. We are always looking for ways to add more value for our many bulk and tank truck customers who serve this industry.”

Notable for energy services fleets, the integration enables the immediate capture of delivery/pickup station information to eliminate the need for hand-written tickets or bills. Automating ticket creation and in-cab volume calculations not only reduces driver on-station time, but also improves information accuracy. What’s more, accurate calculations are seamlessly transferred to customer reporting and invoicing in LoadMaster to expedite the billing process.

Phillip Penn, president of Ft Worth TX-based PennCo Transport Inc, talked about how his fleet will use the PeopleNet-McLeod integration to enhance its competitive position. “Everyone in the crude oil business is asking for real-time ticket information,” he said. “The integration lets us cut our timeframe from 10 days to two weeks down to the next day and enables customers to track our vehicles.”

In addition to eliminating the need for time consuming phone-based dispatching and communication, the integration provides visibility into fleet activities with real-time updates about location and order status (including immediate notifications for rejections and on-station delays).

The integration blends PeopleNet’s reliable mobile communications (cellular, satellite, WiFi), GPS, and engine data with McLeod to improve data accuracy, driver efficiency, and expedite settlements and invoicing. PeopleNet automates dispatch-driver communications and provides dispatch real-time visibility into drivers’ hours of service with electronic logs for facilitating compliant scheduling.

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