IDG’s CIO magazine announced that Con-way Inc. is a recipient of the 2008 CIO 100 award. The 21st annual award program recognizes organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology. The 2008 CIO 100 awards will be presented at The Broadmoor resort in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Aug. 26, at the conclusion of the 10th annual CIO 100 Symposium and Awards Ceremony.
“The CIO 100 honors organizations that have used technology in innovative ways to generate value to the business,” said Abbie Lundberg, editor in chief of CIO magazine. “Unlike other top lists, it’s not just about who’s biggest – it’s about who’s doing the most interesting and relevant things.”
Con-way’s less-than-truckload operating unit, Con-way Freight, needed to increase the efficiency of its dock operations by reducing planning time and forklift traffic, and increasing pounds of freight handled per man-hour. The company’s Web-based, interactive Step Saver tool, developed in 2006, automates most of the planning process for dock coordinators based on a mathematical model that creates the optimal loading plan. To date, Step Saver has been rolled out to 26 facilities and has improved pounds handled per man-hour by 5.2 percent, reduced planning time by 35 percent and decreased forklift travel by more than 21 percent.
“To be named among the prestigious CIO 100 is an incredible honor for our organization and we are thankful for the recognition,” said Jacquelyn Barretta, chief information officer of San Mateo, Calif.-based Con-way. “The award not only acknowledges our IT team for their innovative approach, but for taking those ideas and applying them in a way that both addresses our business problems and also drives real cost savings and operational efficiencies. We congratulate them for this tremendous accomplishment.”
The recipients of this year’s CIO 100 award were selected through a three-step process. First, companies filled out an online application form detailing their innovative practices in both business and IT. Next, a team of judges reviewed the applications in depth, looking for unique practices and substantial results. Finally, CIO editors reviewed the judges’ recommendations and voted on the final 100. Once the top 100 honorees were selected, several honorees were chosen to receive an additional special award.
Complete coverage of the 2008 CIO 100 awards will be in the Aug. 15 issue of CIO magazine and available online at www.cio.com on June 1.
