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California port launches hi-tech solution for truck movement efficiency

OAKLAND – 07/10/07 – The Port of Oakland has partnered with the Bay Area World Trade Center (BAWTC) and several private partners to activate a new technology-based system for the efficient movement of trucks moving cargo in to and out of the port’s container terminals.

The new Advanced Transport Communications System provides “first and last mile” visibility of cargo containers as they are nearing the Bay Area port and as they are delivered to retailers and distribution centers around Northern California.

The Port of Oakland is the first container port in the nation to utilize the new syste, which is one of a bundle of technology innovations that form the port’s overall Truck Tracker program (PTT).

In test mode since 2006, the PTT program is now operational with the port and the Bay Area World Trade Center actively rolling it out to the shipping community. Already in use by over 200 truckers and 2 major shippers and ocean carriers, PTT monitors truck movement by providing real-time tracking for more efficient cargo transport.

The technology utilizes GPS-enabled mobile phones from Sprint, tracking software from mobile workforce software provider Xora, and container-transaction processing from International Asset Systems (IAS).

The GPS technology enables ocean carriers and shippers to accurately track the progress of trucks as they make their way toward their final delivery points. This allows for more efficient operations at distribution centers and provides a simple way for truck drivers to enter container information which can be automatically imported into carriers’ and shippers’ tracking systems.

By pushing a single button on a Sprint phone, the truck driver confirms that the cargo has either been picked up or delivered. The Xora software installed on the phone immediately interprets the data entry and transmits the information via satellite to the IAS Hub, a common operating platform for container shipping moves created by International Asset Systems (IAS).

The IAS Hub automatically translates the data to the format used by the carrier’s or shipper’s supply-chain visibility system, and automatically imports it into the system.

Carriers and shippers’ container-tracking staff can log onto their systems 24/7 and see the pickup and delivery data in real time.

"Many of our customers are demanding more real-time information about their deliveries," said John Gurrad, of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, one of the ocean carrier’s linked into the new system.

"With the capabilities provided by PTT, we can provide more accurate and up-to-date information to our customers about where containers are, which helps them be more efficient in terms of inventory management and distribution center planning,” he said.

This has been a great opportunity for our truckers to learn how to use this technology and experience first hand how it benefits them,” said Bill Aboudi, President of AB Trucking.

“One of the best parts of this system, from the trucker's perspective, is how accessible it is.  It works on mobile handsets they already use, the system is user-friendly, and it makes it really easy to get accurate data,” he added.

The Port of Oakland is the 4th busiest container port in the US and handled 1.3 million containers moving through 10 container terminals and two intermodal rail facilities in 2005.

International Asset Systems (IAS) develops data-enabled solutions for equipment management and tracking in the container transport industry.

The company is headquartered in Oakland with additional offices in the EU, India, Hong Kong, and Chicago.

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