McLeod Launches Carrier-Branded Mobile App for Drivers
McLeod Software has launched a mobile application for drivers, its latest tool designed to boost productivity and improve driver retention for its fleet customers.
The Carrier Driver App, which carriers can brand with their own company logos, enables drivers to perform a variety of functions outside the cab on their Apple and Android mobile devices, McLeod said Oct. 5 at its annual user conference.
The app is available to carriers using McLeod’s LoadMaster Enterprise system. Those customers can in turn offer the app to their company drivers and owner-operators for download.
McLeod said drivers can use the app to view paid and pending settlements on their mobile device, thus reducing phone calls and e-mails to the fleet’s accounting department.
The app also enables drivers to transmit images of trip documents with the device’s camera and electronically capture signatures for proof of delivery.
In addition, drivers can view and respond to mobile communications and dispatch messages on their mobile devices while outside the cab.
McLeod said the Carrier Driver App provides customers with an off-the-shelf option that already is integrated with the McLeod system, avoiding the cost and effort of purchasing or developing such an app and integrating it with their dispatch and management software.
The company first announced plans to offer customer-branded mobile apps at last year’s user conference. In addition to the app for carriers, McLeod said it intended to develop a similar app for brokerage customers.
The Birmingham, Alabama-based software company, which is marking its 30th year serving the transportation industry, said it has been adding to its employee base to support its software and increase the pace of product development. The company said full-time staff has been expanded to 383 employees, up from 263 in September 2013. McLeod expects to surpass 400 by the end of this year.
Meanwhile, several other technology suppliers announced product integrations with McLeod during the conference:
• Pegasus TransTech said its Transflo Mobile+ application for mobile devices soon will integrate with McLeod’s LoadMaster system. This collaboration will enable McLeod customers to transmit information to their drivers’ smartphones through the Transflo Mobile+ app, giving carriers greater insight into their operations while improving communication with their drivers on the road.
• ALK Technologies announced that the latest version of its PC Miler routing, mileage and mapping software has been tested and approved for use with McLeod’s LoadMaster and PowerBroker products. With PC Miler 29, McLeod users can access ALK’s newest truck-specific routing and mileage information, including updated toll roads and points of interest.
• Asset-tracking provider Orbcomm said its two-way communications features now integrate with McLeod’s LoadMaster software, enabling joint customers to capture trailer data for their refrigerated and dry-van assets through one system. Through that integration, customers will be able to access trailer data such as temperature, location, mileage, fuel levels and alarm events.
