Technology news and briefs for the week of Feb. 26, 2023:
Bestpass expands offerings with legal service
Toll payment and management solutions provider Bestpass Inc. has partnered with CDL legal protection services provider Open Road Drivers Plan (ORDP) to expand its offering for fleets and owner operators.
ORDP assists truck drivers and fleets with legal protection by connecting drivers with local licensed attorneys if they receive a traffic citation. Attorney fees, bond or bail postings, and appeal fees are covered with an ORDP membership plan.
Through this partnership with ORDP, Bestpass customers will have integrated access to ORDP services through their Bestpass account. Bestpass customers that sign up for ORDP, or existing ORDP customers that add Bestpass for toll management services, will have a bundled monthly payment with special pricing available through their Bestpass account. With this integration, Bestpass will provide additional customer support for customers managing their ORDP membership plan or assistance uploading citations.
This partnership is part of Bestpass’s goal to expand its product offerings to broaden its network of critical fleet and driver management services beyond toll management.
API platform HyperTrack launches new features
HyperTrack, an API platform for builders who are developing technology for on-demand labor, field work and delivery, has added new features to its last-mile logistics platform, including a new Logistics Map that provides granular insight into the entire order fulfillment process and significant enhancements to its Orders API and driver app development kit (SDK).
Orders API combines live location with order batching and routing into one API to help logistics teams plan, assign and track orders for on-demand and same-day use cases. With new dynamic order planning for same-day fulfillment, businesses can now batch and route orders by incorporating a driver’s live location and work status into a maximized fleet, increasing operational efficiency and improving the utilization of on-demand labor and gig workers, delivery drivers and field-service workers completing orders. With more efficient planning, operations teams can now fulfill on-demand orders that have short customer fulfillment promises such as two to four hours.
In addition, HyperTrack is introducing Logistics Map, a global map developed using tracking data from millions of orders that addresses specific requirements of logistics fulfillment and aligns with the ground truth behavior of delivery and gig workers. For example, rather than be routed to a parking structure that is difficult and time consuming to navigate, delivery drivers will be routed to the most convenient temporary stopping zone using the Logistics Map. It gives teams the ability to automate the correction of addresses and geofences and provides the tools to intelligently identify service times and route deviations. With this granular map data, operations teams can capture service times and deviations quickly and use per-order data to improve overall performance and efficiency in the field.
The SDK powers applications across the globe for organizations managing deliveries, visits and rides for their fleets. The new zero-code API is easy to use and integrate with existing applications and gives developers the tools to build systems that react to errors in real time. Upgraded with features that focus on driver behavior, the new SDK enables logistics operators to make immediate decisions based on live data from driver applications. Additional upgrades include push notification integration for iOS with improved battery usage and reliability.
Blume Global partners with trucking fintech startup
A fintech startup that offers financing options for the trucking industry has integrated with supply chain orchestration platform Blume Global. This integration allows Blume Global's network of trucking customers to use BasicBlock for freight factoring services at their disposal through Blume's online platform.
BasicBlock, launched in 2018, has evolved from a simple trucking document capture tool to a leading freight factoring company that has become a complete payment platform for trucking companies nationwide. Extending BasicBlocks' services to Blume's network will help trucking customers of any size, including companies with small fleets, expand their cash flow and revenue and ensure drivers are paid on time.
Blume Global and BasicBlocks were matched by ZEBOX, a global incubator and accelerator that aims to foster innovation by forging collaborations between early-stage startups and corporate stakeholders in supply chain, logistics, transport and energy.
Platform Science adds education platform to app catalog
Connected vehicle platform Platform Science has added another service to its app catalog with instructional design and learning company Luma Brighter Learning.
The collaboration includes Luma eNugget Learning and Luma Emerge learning management solutions.
Luma Brighter Learning provides engaging online and blended learning programs and has been making a measurable difference in learning outcomes for the trucking industry for almost a decade. Luma's approach to learning is grounded in scientific methods proven to enhance learning engagement. The company's comprehensive mixed-medium products help trucking carriers improve safety, communication and compliance through focused, on-demand, micro-learning lessons.
Luma Emerge supports carriers with a simplified, effective solution and a monthly subscription to Luma's eNugget program. These programs allow for a broad range of learning mediums and modes that appeal to all users.
Isaac to unveil new smartphone app
Isaac Instruments will showcase the new Isaac Connect smartphone app at TCA’s Truckload 2023 in Orlando. Isaac Connect will be available for Android devices on Google Play starting in March and Apple’s App Store later in the second quarter.
Isaac Connect is the companion technology to the core Isaac InControl solution and rugged tablet. The smartphone app enables drivers to remain connected with their fleet on personal devices when they are not in the truck cab or not on duty. With the app, drivers can view hours-of-service (HOS) information, check with dispatchers for updated load schedules, access messages and view important documents or Isaac Coach reports.
All information is automatically synced between the in-cab tablet and smartphone app for a unified communications channel for all work-related activities, separate from personal text messages and voicemails.
“Our fleet clients told us they needed a way to further simplify communications to better cater to drivers’ needs,” said Isaac CEO and co-founder Jacques DeLarochelliere. “For the 500 fleets and 50,000 drivers using our technology every day, mission-critical functions need to run on a rugged, in-cab tablet. For other tasks, however, a ‘bring-your-own-device’ option is good enough.”
That includes giving drivers greater control of their communications outside of working hours, such as when they want to begin preparing for their first shipment of a new week. Likewise, the new smartphone app lets drivers connect with dispatch at their convenience when they are away from their vehicles at a truck stop or shipper facility.
