Xata Corporation, a provider of fleet optimization and compliance software, and McLeod Software, a provider of transportation software systems, announced joint-development projects to help fleets comply with hours of service (HOS) regulations and to more effectively collect, integrate, sort, share and view driver and vehicle data to improve fleet operations.
The projects were announced at the McLeod Software Users’ Conference on Sept. 26 in Chicago.
“Our hands-on partnership with McLeod demonstrates Xata’s ongoing commitment to remain at the forefront when it comes to helping fleets leverage technology to keep their operations compliant and efficient,” said Christian Schenk, vice president of product marketing, Xata. “Our partnership also demonstrates our commitment to working with other industry leaders to ensure fleets have the robust functionality they need.”
The two companies currently have two joint-development projects underway, each of which is focused on integrating Xata functionality into McLeod’s product offerings. The specific two projects are:
• Real-time hours of service (HOS). To meet customer demand for greater visibility into drivers’ available hours, the companies are integrating each XataNet’s and Xata Turnpike’s HOS applications into McLeod’s LoadMaster dispatch software. This will give fleets a real-time view of exactly how many hours a driver has available, both for current and future drive cycles. This make it easier for fleets and drivers to comply with industry 70/60 regulations and the 34-hour reset rule, the company says, and will also help dispatchers more effectively utilize driver availability and plan and route deliveries.
• Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR).To enable fleets to proactively manage inspections and better utilize maintenance data, XataNet’s DVIR functionality is being integrated into McLeod’s third-party vehicle maintenance modules provided by Cetaris and SquareRigger. This integration will include automatic notification of a vehicle’s mechanical problems so proactive maintenance can be scheduled before those issues become more expensive to fix. The integration will also increase line of sight to both in- and out-of-service tractors and trailers, enabling dispatchers to better utilize existing assets, the company says.
Other functionality, including the automatic generation of purchase orders and detailed reporting whenever maintenance work is performed on the road, will also be included.
“We’re excited to join forces with Xata and look forward to providing the private and for-hire fleets we both serve with more high value solutions,” said Tom McLeod, CEO of McLeod Software.
