Shippers and carriers can tap a new, proprietary mapping database to calculate accurate address-to-address mileages and create reliable address-to-address routes with new commercial trucking software available from Rand McNally. The IntelliRoute Streets module is built on Rand McNally’s MapEngine Web Services – the frequently updated proprietary digital data behind the company’s venerated Street Guides, Thomas Guides and online business-locator – to provide fleet owners and managers address-to-address distances and routes with street-level directions.
To create and maintain MapEngine, Rand McNally augments, corrects and enhances raw vendor datasets and cartographically improves their presentation. The result is a product that Rand McNally says contains more complete, accurate and true-to-the-locality maps. The IntelliRoute Streets module – which also includes full map presentation, highlighted route, pan and zoom, and street-level distances in the mileage breakdown – is the first in a series of forthcoming “add-on” software modules.
The IntelliRoute base software includes guidelines and restrictions for all Class 7 and Class 8 tractor-trailers, including tankers and HazMat carriers operating on national interstate highways, U.S. highways, primary state highways, Canadian province highways, and Mexican federal and state highways. IntelliRoute also correlates to the Rand McNally Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas, providing drivers a quick-reference print solution, complete with a truck-navigable highway network, reference information and phone numbers.
The new address-to-address module, forthcoming modules and Internet updates represent major improvements to Rand McNally’s IntelliRoute software, which the Skokie, Ill.-based company says is the only trucking solution to include every industry mileage standard: practical, quickest, lowest-cost and Household Goods, the industry’s freight-settlement standard.
Bernie Hockswender, Rand McNally’s director of sales for Commercial Transportation, future Rand McNally IntelliRoute modules – also designed to optimize the IntelliRoute base software – will enable operators to develop and execute strategies related to fueling, tolls and “lane rates” for routes between locations.
“The new IntelliRoute suite of products, which will roll out later this year, marks the revitalization of Rand McNally’s Commercial Transportation group and showcases our rate and mapping experience,” Hockswender says. “Through depth and breadth of functionality, the easy-to-use IntelliRoute suite will help fleet managers and executives dramatically reduce fuel costs and operating expenses, earn new business and keep drivers competitively compensated and safe on the road.”
Companies interested in more information about IntelliRoute Streets should contact Hockswender at 800-234-4069.
