BCOs aren’t alone in benefiting from the Company’s advanced technology. Landstar’s independent sales agents use the Internet to access and update LEADS®, the Company’s proprietary software program, which enables them to dispatch freight, process most administrative procedures and communicate that information to Landstar. Landstar continues to build strong customer relationships through its expansion of services. In November, the Company launched a new customer secured tracking and tracing system that provides shippers with completely secured access to critical information concerning their freight. Using an encrypted-encoded web address that links them directly to their secured account, customers can call up information about their pickup and delivery status. Landstar’s new tracking and tracing system also provides users with a full description of each commodity, all stop-off and transfer points and other details pertinent to each shipment.
At the same time, the Company developed a customized web-based order entry system for Honeywell. The diversified aerospace and technology company ships parts and equipment from multiple locations throughout the country. Through Landstar’s new application, Honeywell traffic managers key in their transportation requirements creating earlier shipment visibility with more timely, accurate data. The Company is working to develop similar applications to be made available to all its large customers.
Landstar Express America customers benefit from Express-Trak™. Last year, Landstar completed implementation of the software package to allow truck operators to send status reports to its independent sales agents throughout the country via @Trak, formerly known as HighwayMaster, a sophisticated voice and data communications device. The process gives its independent sales agents and customers immediate access to available capacity and progress on each load. Additionally, it offers business capacity owners more freight options, so they can better manage their business.
In April 2000, Landstar introduced a new e-mail service exclusively for its agents and BCOs. Landstarmail.com enables users to access a secure, privacy-protected mailbox system where they can send and receive e-mail, along with Landstar settlement and debit card statements. The password-protected accounts can be accessed any time, from anywhere in the world. Independent sales agents and BCOs benefit from Landstar’s enhanced name-branding efforts through e-mail addresses ending with Landstarmail.com. In February, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary Signature Technology Services, Inc. launched an online freight matching service. eFr8.com fills a growing industry need by utilizing the latest e-commerce technology to provide a faster, more convenient way to outsource additional capacity at competitive prices. The online freight information service establishes a virtual meeting place for shippers in search of additional capacity and truck operators seeking to fill their excess capacity. Users pre-program a system of alerts that bring them results of their customized searches via e-mail, fax or pager — even when they’re not online. The website is managed from the users’ point of view and is continually upgraded to better meet their changing requirements.