The Asset Intelligence division of GE Equipment Services and TMW Systems, a developer and integrator of enterprise management software for the transportation industry, have agreed to integrate GE’s VeriWise Asset Intelligence system – a virtual “brain” developed by GE for the trailer portion of an 18-wheeler big rig – with the dispatch module of TMW Systems trucking software.
Availability is expected by the end of 2005, following successful completion of two beta tests: one with an existing TMW Systems customer, the product distribution unit of GE Consumer & Industrial, which handles logistics and delivery of GE’s appliance and lighting products; and the other with a customer in the carrier business.
Thomas Konditi, general manager of Asset Intelligence, GE Equipment Services, says the company selected TMW Systems for the initial VeriWise technology integration as its logistics and dispatch software products – TMWSuite and TL2000 – are offered in multiple operating platforms (Windows and AS/400) that are compatible with the computer systems of GE’s existing customer base.
“We see the integration of the VeriWise data into transportation dispatch software systems as another important benefit to our customers in running their day-to-day operations,” Konditi says. “No longer will the logistics manager have to manipulate two databases simultaneously in order to know the status and location of their transportation assets and react accordingly. The transportation company will now have a seamless, integrated wealth of data at their disposal to maximize their operations and dispatch efficiency, ultimately saving money in the process.”
The dual-satellite GE VeriWise system is designed to help trucking companies better allocate trailers in the face of a critical national tractor-trailer driver shortage and increased fuel prices. Once equipped with this technology that includes a trailer-mounted transceiver, VeriWise can track the location of trailers, whether hooked or unhooked to a tractor; transmit the status of the cargo inside; and determine whether the doors are open or closed, according to GE.
Incorporating the data from the VeriWise system into TMW’s fleet management software will make the job of the logistics manager easier, Konditi says. “A transportation company armed with the integrated real-time VeriWise data can almost pinpoint the estimated time of arrival of a loaded trailer to its destination – while it is still on the road – and make decisions about redeployment of those assets to maximize their utilization,” he says.
Trucking companies also can use trailer-tracking technology from GE to avoid losing trailers, locate stolen trailers and the cargo they contain, or to monitor dropped trailers to detect and prevent unauthorized transport in between loads – all situations that drive up operating costs for shippers and ultimately consumers.
Pointing to the testing with GE’s product distribution group, Konditi notes that his Asset Intelligence business has the benefit of easy access to other parts of the global General Electric Company to internally test technology on actual transportation applications prior to commercial launch in the industry.
GE customers and trucking companies may obtain more information about VeriWise from the Trailer Fleet Services business of GE by contacting their local Trailer Fleet Services GE branch or by going to www.trailerservices.com. To learn more about TMW Systems, go to www.tmwsystems.com.
