XRS Corporation, a provider of mobile fleet optimization software, announced that Xata Turnpike is now fully integrated with BOLT fleet management and trucking dispatch systems. Integration with the company’s new mobile fleet management platform – XRS – is forthcoming.
The companies said the integration will help drive productivity and convenience for drivers and fleet managers using the BOLT system by automating key functions throughout the load planning and back-end processes.
“In an increasingly connected world, the transportation industry benefits from shared technology and information,” said Jay Coughlan, chairman and chief executive officer of XRS Corporation. “Integrating with a widely-used system like BOLT will improve workflow and enhance data-sharing for both XRS and BOLT customers, with the primary goal of saving customers time and money.”
Using Xata Turnpike’s GPS data, BOLT can detect site arrival and departure events and update loads in Dispatch without manual intervention. Eliminating manual data entry by dispatchers based on check calls from drivers will save time for both drivers and dispatchers, and improve data accuracy, the companies said.
“Our fleet dispatchers have been toggling between Turnpike and BOLT for years, so we are 100 percent on board with this integration,” said David Coleman, transportation manager for Academy Sports + Outdoors, a national sporting goods retailer. “Now, we can give our dispatchers a fully integrated way to reference hours of service, tractor position information, load actualization and dozens of other key data points, all on the same screen. It’s really going to simplify the entire process for us.”
The integrated system provides additional convenience to planners and dispatchers by displaying critical information – remaining driver hours, stop arrivals and load completions – and controlling all dispatch activities from one screen. It also allows dispatchers to get more accurate and more timely information from shippers, so they can close out orders and initiate billing without waiting for manual updates or driver paperwork.
As XRS launches its new mobile fleet management platform, a planned BOLT integration is already in the works. A key feature of an XRS/BOLT integration will be two-way communication between drivers and dispatchers.
With the all-mobile XRS system, there are no up-front hardware costs and no capital requirements. The subscription-based monthly service features varying pricing levels, dependent on package and functionality. Every XRS package includes an XRS Relay in-cab device that communicates via Bluetooth with the driver’s existing smartphone or tablet.
