McLeod Software announced Thursday, July 9, that it now is providing greater mileage calculation flexibility for its customers with the introduction of a new PC Miler Web Services and PC Miler Multi-Version Switch (MVS) Interface module that enables McLeod’s 9.2 Versions of LoadMaster IX and PowerBroker II to fully integrate with ALK Technologies’ MVS mileage solution.
ALK says PC Miler Web Services allows customers to easily access PC Miler functionality hosted in a secure Tier 1 data center; MVS capabilities are included within PC Miler Web Services, making it easier and less costly for customers to stay current, share data and improve efficiency. PC Miler Web Services supports the special needs of customers who prefer that the mileage version used for distance calculations be controlled.
McLeod says its new 9.2 versions also integrate with PC Miler MVS, which is an advanced function of PC Miler|Connect; it serves as an integration tool that allows multiple versions of PC Miler, version 16 thru version 23, installed on a single hardware server to be accessed from McLeod’s LoadMaster/PowerBroker mileage interface. MVS is designed to reduce the number of dedicated network servers needed, along with the associated maintenance costs and setup fees.
McLeod says many LoadMaster carriers are asked by their customers to bill mileage based on a specific version of PC Miler; one carrier may have to maintain and use several different PC Miler versions to meet each of their customers’ needs. With the new MVS Interface, McLeod says product users are able to specify a specific PC Miler version number on each mileage request.
The MVS Interface is designed to eliminate the need to manually query data from each individual version, enabling users to cut the labor costs of manual mileage entry processes, and to automatically calculate freight bills within LoadMaster and PowerBroker based on their customers’ contracted or designated version of PC Miler.
“In our continuing commitment to respond to customer needs with new product development, we are pleased to offer the important advantages of MVS to our carrier and brokerage customers,” says Tom McLeod, president and chief executive officer of McLeod Software, based in Birmingham, Ala. “This new module will help increase customer satisfaction for our carrier customers by providing accurate mileage calculations every time. This will allow for significant savings in labor costs through more efficient routing and mileage request processing.”
“McLeod Software’s industry leadership is exemplified by its willingness to offer its customers a choice of PC Miler Web Services or the traditional PC Miler interfaces,” says Roy Schijns, vice president of sales for ALK’s PC Miler Solutions. “With Web Services’ flexible service level options, both customers and McLeod Software benefit from the improved functionality while reducing costs.”
PC Miler MVS has become a customer requirement for most carriers. “Their transparent interface allows McLeod customers to manage operations based on the most current, accurate version while billing on multiple previous versions as necessary,” Schijns says. “Accounting and dispatch modules can be uniquely and easily specified throughout the enterprise.”
