Mobile technology’s critical role in the trucking industry was the hot topic of conversation and education among more than 400 fleet managers, owner-operators, drivers and industry experts during XRS Corp.’s first annual Xata User Event (XUE) in Minneapolis Aug. 12 – 14. The event provided participants with an education program that targeted mobile trends and the role mobile technology will play in trucking, and tips on maximizing technology, improving profits and making compliance easier.
“Mobile technology is the future of the trucking industry,” says Jay Coughlan, chairman and chief executive officer of XRS Corp. “The use of handheld devices, including smartphones and tablets, is exploding, and they’ve already become a crucial part of life on the road for drivers and in the office for fleet managers. The mobile revolution is undeniable. Eighty-six percent of drivers have mobile devices, and 44 percent of drivers use smartphones. Our mission is to lead the mobile revolution that is transforming the trucking industry and driver experience.”
During XUE, industry experts shared their insights on this hot topic with participants, including how to harness mobile technology to improve fleet management for financial success and comply with numerous regulatory changes.
The event kicked off with a keynote presentation about the mobile revolution by Steve Largent, former congressman, National Football League Hall of Fame receiver and current president and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association, and two announcements made by Coughlan: a new company name and direction, XRS Corp., and the introduction of the company’s all-mobile platform for fleet optimization and compliance, also called XRS.
To demonstrate the company’s dedication to mobile technology and the new XRS platform, XRS Corp. provided free Huawei MediaPad 7 tablet computers and one month of free premium service for all participants. Rather than distributing paper handouts, all traditional conference materials and activities – agenda, handouts, speaker feedback and trading business cards and contact information – were run through apps loaded onto the tablets.
The tablets also were loaded with the new XRS app, providing participants the opportunity to experience the new product immediately. Attendees also used the tablets to access additional information by scanning QR codes placed throughout the event.
