XRS Blog

XUE Fleet Optimization Conference Giveaway – Samsung Tablet, Anyone?

Sarah O'Neill — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:01:45 +0000

We go to a lot of mobile technology and trucking conferences. Suffice it to say, if there’s one thing we have in abundance, it’s sponsor-branded swag. T-shirts, water bottles, tote bags—they come in handy and we’re always thankful for the … Continue reading →

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CVSA Roadcheck 2013 – Are Your Truckers Set for a Roadside Inspection?

Sarah O'Neill — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:06:21 +0000

It’s nearly that time of year again. Yep, CVSA Roadcheck 2013 is almost upon us. Are you ready? 10,000 inspectors across North America will be aggressively checking out vehicles and drivers June 4-6. If that has you on edge, remember—this … Continue reading →

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National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners Search Tool is Here

Sarah O'Neill — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:55:32 +0000

Last November, we talked about the FMCSA’s efforts to standardize truck driver qualification exams. Now, that initiative has culminated in the development of a National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (MEs). Yes, the Search for a Medical Examiner tool is … Continue reading →

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Truck Driver Retention Direction – 5 Keys To A Happier Trucker

Sarah O'Neill — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:09:42 +0000

Are you paying attention to truck driver retention? Because you should be. At our very first Driver Xperience Board meeting—an event that was open to all drivers attending the Mid-America Trucking Show—we were saddened to learn that very few professional … Continue reading →

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CTIA E-Tech Awards – Help Us Get Out the Vote!

Megan Derkey — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:18:43 +0000

We’re proud to now have the revolutionary new XRS mobile fleet optimization platform generally available in the marketplace, and are busy sharing the news with our trucking industry customers, prospects, partners and fans. The feedback has been awesome so far. … Continue reading →

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Tapping LinkedIn for Trucking Business Success – A How To

Sarah O'Neill — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:14:29 +0000

Sure, pre-teens spread Bieber Fever across the social media space like, well, a highly infectious disease, but these aren’t youth-only platforms. Increasingly, trucking companies are recognizing the importance of social media channels like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and they’re … Continue reading →

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EOBR Rule is Coming September 2013 – Are You Ready?

Tom Cuthbertson — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:54:04 +0000

Boy, whenever news of the EOBR rule hits the press, debate heats up all across the trucking community. Can EOBRs really make fleets safer and more compliant? Will the cost of the mandated technology put owner/operators and small carriers out … Continue reading →

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The 34 Hour Restart Debate Rages On

Tom Cuthbertson — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:47:32 +0000

If there’s one subject you can rely on for heated debate in trucking circles, it’s Hours of Service regulations. And the new 34 Hour Restart rule is a particular point of contention. Recently, parties on all sides of the issue … Continue reading →

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Is the New Samsung Galaxy S4 the Best Smartphone for Truckers?

Christian Schenk — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 16:43:54 +0000

If there’s one thing that rocks my world, it’s cutting-edge mobile technology. Oh, and a great party. (I guess that makes two things.) So, when you throw a party for a new, advanced smartphone, it’s sure to be a hit, … Continue reading →

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XRS Mobile Fleet Optimization Solution Now Widely Available

Megan Derkey — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:08:17 +0000

The XRS team is proud to announce from the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) Annual Conference that our new XRS product, the trucking industry’s first and only complete mobile platform for compliance and fleet optimization, is now widely available! The XRS … Continue reading →

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Hours of Service Regulations – Are You Up To Speed?

Tom Cuthbertson — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 18:17:58 +0000

It seems like every time we turn around, the FMCSA is announcing new Hours of Service regulations, CSA changes or safety initiatives. And it’s tough to keep up, especially for the owner/operators and small fleets that don’t have a full-time … Continue reading →

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Zombies on the Attack Reveal Password Security Gaps

Todd Eichmann — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 17:25:57 +0000

Every now and then, it seems the universe reminds you to do something. For example, you see a local grocer’s delivery truck drive by and you remember to pick up milk and bread on the way home. Or you hear … Continue reading →

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New Lab Gets You Hands-On with XRS Mobile Fleet Management Solution

Megan Derkey — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:12:55 +0000

Here at XRS Headquarters, we recently unveiled a new room that looks and feels more like a hip, cutting-edge cell phone store than a meeting room at a software company. The Road Science Lab is our new product immersion facility, … Continue reading →

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FMCSA Safety Management Cycle: Address Your CSA Risk Head-On

Ryan Barnett — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:29:17 +0000

The FMCSA wants to keep you–and the larger driving public–safe on our nation’s roads. And it believes its new signature tool, the Safety Management Cycle, or SMC, will help you do just that. Rather than simply identifying violations, the SMC … Continue reading →

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Tell Us: Will a Mobile Weather Alert System Help Keep You Safe?

Megan Derkey — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:29:39 +0000

Nasty weather and road travel are a bad combination, there’s no question. That’s why avoiding those heart-stopping, stomach-churning moments is a priority for everyone in the industry. And thanks to the mobile era, we have the potential to help keep … Continue reading →

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FLEMS, Your 100% Kleenex-Free Fleet Management KPIs

Ken Yeomans — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:33:56 +0000

Understanding and effectively managing key performance indicators, or KPIs, can make or break your trucking business. So, how will you harness your fleet management KPIs and drive operational efficiencies? With the right tools, dramatic improvements can be relatively simple to … Continue reading →

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XUE Registration Now Open: We’re Listening

Megan Derkey — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:12:59 +0000

We announced earlier this winter that we’re busy planning for our 2nd annual XRS User Event, XUE, this summer in Minneapolis, MN, August 18-20. Today we’ve opened the floodgates and are ready to start taking registrations! Head on over to … Continue reading →

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CES 2013 Observations

Ryan Barnett — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:18:54 +0000

For the past few years I’ve been lucky enough to attend the Consumer Electronics Show – CES 2013. Las Vegas lights up with over 150,000 visitors attending this show alone – 4,000 exhibitors and simply miles, miles, and miles of … Continue reading →

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Batten Down Data Hatches with Cloud Security Technology in 2013

Todd Eichmann — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:51:32 +0000

A recent NetworkWorld article hails, “Cloud security to be most disruptive technology of 2013.” Will that really be the case? Drawing from The Security for Business Innovation Council’s report, “Information Security Shake Up,” the article notes, “…security remains the number … Continue reading →

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Mobile Capacity Crunch Presents a Trucking Industry Challenge

Christian Schenk — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:58:11 +0000

Mobile capacity crunch: It’s just like a rush hour traffic jam in Chicago. There’s an emerging fight over transmission room on the airwaves for cell phones, smartphones and tablets, and trucking operations need to make sure they’re in line to … Continue reading →

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Vicarious Liability in Trucking Changes The Way Shippers Do Business

Sarah O'Neill — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:32:44 +0000

There was a time when liability for CMV-related accidents was limited to the driver and carrier. Shippers, third party logistics companies (3PLCs) and brokers were insulated. No longer. Vicarious liability in trucking is now opening the door to big claims … Continue reading →

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Are EOBRs an Instrument of Fleet Profitability — or Truck Driver Harassment?

Megan Derkey — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 20:29:37 +0000

EOBRs: Hours of Service compliance safeguard and fleet productivity tool–or truck driver harassment device? As you’re certainly aware, the debate continues to rage with staunch advocates in each camp. So, in preparation for a rulemaking expected on February 14 (Happy … Continue reading →

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Are You Riding the Mobile Device Adoption Wave?

Jim Cikanek — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:32:05 +0000

The world is growing more connected every day. And the rapid rise of mobile device adoption, coupled with increasing connectivity means that the trucking industry, like so many others, now has an opportunity to reimagine the way it does business. … Continue reading →

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11 CSA Trucking Regulations Changed Just in Time for the Holidays

Ryan Barnett — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 18:28:52 +0000

Well, the holidays are in full swing and the FMCSA has done its shopping early. Oh, yes… ‘Tis the season for new CSA trucking regulations. In effect as of December 1, 2012, we encourage you to determine how these CSA … Continue reading →

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A Cloud Data Center Can Protect You From the Storm

Todd Eichmann — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:29:49 +0000

Success stories detail how moving to the cloud cuts operational costs, while also allowing businesses to respond to unexpected demand. Instead of trying to guess the number of servers required to run an application or service, businesses can start small … Continue reading →

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Getting A Truck Driver Medical Card with the National Registry of MEs

Tom Cuthbertson — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:28:17 +0000

As any good driver knows, you don’t hit the road without a current CDL and truck driver medical card — a violation of the Driver Fitness BASIC could cost you big time. But, as you may have heard, getting your … Continue reading →

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Trucker Story Moves Community, Shelle Lichti Wins Tablet

Megan Derkey — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 23:04:57 +0000

In October, and with Thanksgiving just around the corner, we decided it was the perfect time to help our X Nation community say thanks to the people who support them—in life and on the road. So, we announced the 18 … Continue reading →

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Reduce Fleet Fuel Costs with These Win-Win Solutions

Sarah O'Neill — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 14:07:11 +0000

Fuel costs are down slightly since last year…but only slightly…and carriers are hardly celebrating. That means drivers and fleet managers are on the hunt for strategies that will help them reduce fleet fuel costs. Like you, they know every gallon … Continue reading →

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XUE 2013 – Mark Your Calendar For Our Mobile Fleet Management Event

Megan Derkey — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:03:25 +0000

That’s right, we’re throwing our second XRS User Event (XUE) for fleet executives, dispatch managers, operations directors, IT personnel and other leaders in the trucking industry. After the sold-out success of our first XUE this summer, we’re more energized than … Continue reading →

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Military CDL Act of 2012 Promises Jobs for Veterans

Megan Derkey — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 21:22:38 +0000

Yesterday we observed Veteran’s Day, which gave us an opportunity to recognize the amazing men and women who bravely protect America and the freedoms that will make us a great nation for generations to come. Providing jobs for these veterans … Continue reading →

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Do IFTA Fuel Tax Reports Make You Grin or Groan?

Sarah O'Neill — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 13:38:30 +0000

A few months ago, I was chatting with an XRS customer. When I asked him what he thought of Turnpike’s IFTA fuel tax reports software, he said, “Sarah, what makes you smile? When you see a really nice sunset?” (If … Continue reading →

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Asset Tracking System Charts a Course to Holiday Cheer

Kim Zaylskie — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 13:50:45 +0000

When it comes to streamlining your supply chain and keeping customers well informed—the Where and When of each delivery couldn’t be more critical. As such, anyone in the transportation biz will tell you a reliable, real-time asset tracking system is, … Continue reading →

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Household Goods Shipping Company Makes the Move to EOBRs

Steve Kull — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 13:27:39 +0000

Household goods shipping has always been an “adapt or die” business — a fact that has never been truer than it is today. That’s because once innocent mistakes are now troubling CSA violations. And regardless of whether your role is … Continue reading →

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Electronic Log Data & The “Who Controls It?” Question

Tom Cuthbertson — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 13:29:56 +0000

Who has control over a driver’s e-logs? It’s a valid question, to be sure—and one we’re asked from time to time. So, before I get into the “Hows” and “Whys,” let’s cut to the chase: Professional truck drivers maintain control … Continue reading →

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18 Wheels of Gratitude Award & Tablet Giveaway

Sarah O'Neill — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 14:13:54 +0000

Right now, I’m at the Truck Driver Social Media Convention — and I can’t help but feel a tremendous sense of gratitude. I suppose it’s not too hard to feel that way when you’re surrounded by such an incredible group … Continue reading →

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Do EOBRs Benefit Truckers?

Tom Cuthbertson — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:12:51 +0000

Allen Smith is a tireless trucking industry advocate. (Of course, you probably already knew that.) And last week, he published a piece that explored whether EOBRs benefit truckers and it’s worth a read: Making a case for trucking industry EOBR … Continue reading →

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Establishing a BYOD Policy In the Mobility Age

Jesse Chappell — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 17:59:27 +0000

This week, the importance of creating a BYOD policy has been a hot one. Now, if you’re not sure what we’re talking about, but you’ve carried your own cold brew to a neighborhood grill-out, then you know we’re talking “bring … Continue reading →

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GPS Lockbox – Unlocking the Power of Your Cell Phone’s GPS

Rob Pallante — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 17:15:16 +0000

Mobile phones have come a long way since their surge into popularity in the late 90s. Gone are the bulky, power-consuming brick phones, and in their place is a wealth of smartphones and tablets that can do everything from track … Continue reading →

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Are Bakken Oilfield Boomtowns a Modern-Day Wild West?

Sarah O'Neill — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 19:07:11 +0000

Okay, I admit it. I grew up watching Beverly Hillbillies re-runs. And yes, I often dreamed of the vast wealth I’d enjoy when I discovered my very own “black gold, Texas tea.” (I even had a grand scheme to open … Continue reading →

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Cloud Security Readiness — Is Your Trucking Company Ready?

Todd Eichmann — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 17:31:04 +0000

Yesterday, I stumbled across an Information Week article that piqued my interest: Microsoft Will Judge Your Company’s Cloud Readiness. Could the cloud security readiness tool they mentioned really provide any interesting insights? I figured it was definitely worth taking a … Continue reading →

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Highway Safety Education and Outreach from a WOW-Worthy Trailer

Megan Derkey — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 21:18:36 +0000

There’s no question — trucking industry conferences, like the ATA’s 2012 MC&E, are energizing. They’re the perfect opportunity to connect with people from all walks of life who share common goals—to see fleets operate more safely, more profitably and in … Continue reading →

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Why Eliminating Five of the Top 10 Roadside Inspection Violations is Easy as Pie

Tom Cuthbertson — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 14:38:30 +0000

Five of the top 10 CMV roadside inspection violations in 2011, and those recorded in 2012 so far, have been Hours of Service-related. Five! As former FMCSA administrator, Annette Sandberg discussed these most frequently cited violations at XUE, she made … Continue reading →

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Managing Chronic Pain with Meditation – A Trucker’s Story

Sarah O'Neill — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 15:17:41 +0000

Chronic pain isn’t exactly a stranger to the trucking community. As you already know, the long hours spent sedentary behind the wheel followed by short bursts of vigorous physical activity are tough on your body. That’s certainly been the case … Continue reading →

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XRS Xtra Mile Award Winner Battles Human Trafficking

Sarah O'Neill — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 21:47:38 +0000

It’s been a pretty inspiring week here at XRS. Not too long ago, we announced our Xtra Mile Award, which recognizes drivers who’ve gone above and beyond. It also awards them a Huawei Mediapad 7 tablet. Well, we put out … Continue reading →

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Scott Meyer Fights Children’s Cancer & Goes Bald for Good

Sarah O'Neill — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:21:21 +0000

When XRS Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer, Scott Meyer shaved his head for Children’s Cancer Research Fund, he got quite a reaction. His 14-year old grandson gave him props for the new ‘do’ and said, “Hey, you look stylish!” And … Continue reading →

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Kindness Reigns in the Trucking Community

Megan Derkey — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:40:44 +0000

Over the last two weeks, we’ve collected submissions for our Xtra Mile Award — stories of drivers who represent the very best that the trucking community has to offer. Well, you sure didn’t disappoint. From simple acts of kindness to … Continue reading →

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Wary of Digital Privacy & Mobile Data Security? You’re Not Alone.

Jesse Chappell — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 15:13:25 +0000

When smartphones and tablets first burst onto the scene, too many of us anxiously downloaded the latest, greatest apps without giving digital privacy much thought. Wading through disclosure agreements? Nah. We quickly clicked, “Next,” and continued on without a second’s … Continue reading →

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Truck Driver Appreciation — Celebrating Good with a Tablet Giveaway

John Adams — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:32:53 +0000

Truck driver appreciation? Please. How many times have you read articles about “renegade truckers” and their disregard for the law? How often has the media painted professional drivers as reckless cowboys (and cowgirls), wreaking havoc across our nation’s highways and … Continue reading →

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Motorola Atrix HD – Can it Stand Up To the Demands of Truckers?

Jim Cikanek — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 13:33:06 +0000

The life of a professional driver is demanding. If a mobile device is going to keep pace, it must be tough enough to withstand the rigors of the job, while still remaining easy-to-use and convenient to carry. And the Motorola … Continue reading →

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Hours of Service Compliance – Making Sense of the Madness

Sara Steele — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 13:35:03 +0000

If I have 12 popsicles and you’re walking 7 dogs, what time is it when little Suzie spills her finger paints? Seems ridiculous, but I’d wager many carriers feel exactly the same way about trying to manage Hours of Service … Continue reading →

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Back Pain Relief for Truck Drivers, Leggings Not Required

Teri Leigh — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 17:25:51 +0000

In part one of this series, we discussed Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), what they are, and why they affect the trucking industry with such regularity. Now we hear from yoga teacher and author, Teri Leigh, on how we can help prevent … Continue reading →

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XUE Mobility Conference Knocks Trucking’s Socks Off

Rob Pallante — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 13:27:06 +0000

I don’t know about you, but I feel energized. With the trucking industry besieged with new and increasingly complex regulations, while simultaneously trying to remain profitable under the pressures of rising operating costs, it’s exciting to sit in a room … Continue reading →

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Why Wireless Will Change the Trucking Industry as We Know It

Megan Derkey — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:39:16 +0000

The main XUE conference hall was packed with a standing room only crowd as former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver, Steve Largent, took the XUE opening keynote in for the big score. Steve—also the President and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association—discussed … Continue reading →

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Xata is Now XRS Corporation as We Launch Our New Mobile Platform

Jay Coughlan — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 14:30:44 +0000

We have two pieces of blockbuster news that we just announced at the XUE user event. We couldn’t be more excited to share the news with our blog readers, too. I’ll cut to the chase: Effective today, Xata Corporation has … Continue reading →

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XUE Giveaway—A Huawei Mediapad 7 for the Trucking Industry

Jim Cikanek — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 23:00:06 +0000

It’s Christmas at XUE. As customers check in for the first day’s events, they haven’t been handed the usual conference do-dads—a program guide, a tote bag, an ill-fitting t-shirt. Instead, attendees hit it big when they received a Huawei Mediapad … Continue reading →

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Online Identity Protection – A Wired Writer’s Cautionary Tale

Charlie Mohn — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 14:47:47 +0000

Last week, Mat Honan had a very bad day online. So bad, in fact, that you may have seen him on the news or heard his story on the radio. His online identity was stolen, all of his important online … Continue reading →

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Like Spinach, Freight Sustainability Programs Are Good For You

Jessie Gan — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 15:32:06 +0000

We wrote recently about the EPA’s Smartway program, which certifies fuel-efficient vehicles and helps fleets upgrade their trucks to take advantage of better fuel economy. One trucking company working with Smartway is Veritable Vegetable, and they’ll be showcasing their vehicles … Continue reading →

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Big Rig of Change Helps Truckers in Need

Megan Derkey — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 13:28:26 +0000

Professional driver, “Little” John Leistra is showing the trucking community he has a big, big heart. See, John has been donating his change to St. Christopher Fund since 2008. And we’re not talking mere pocket change. At the Mid-America Truck … Continue reading →

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Fatigued Driving To Run Into Wireless Roadside Inspections Roadblock

Tom Cuthbertson — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:32:47 +0000

Highway safety inspectors in Oregon and Washington found that over a quarter of truck drivers were driving without taking their required rest breaks—breaks designed to prevent inattentive or fatigued driving. We covered the FMCSA’s hours of service (HOS) rule and … Continue reading →

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Mobile Solutions and the Promise of Real Time Supply Chains

Megan Derkey — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 13:26:21 +0000

Today’s retailers rely on a wealth of information about where products exist within their supply chains, and they use that data to achieve efficiencies and cost-savings. For truckers and fleet operators, this means being able to provide real time data … Continue reading →

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Knowing Your Fuel Percentage – The Key to a Profitable Trucking Business?

Ryan Barnett — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:28:53 +0000

I recently read an interesting Today’s Trucking blog post about fuel percentage—what it is and what it means for truckers trying to remain profitable, as fuel costs soar. And I thought, while scraping out a hardscrabble living in this economy … Continue reading →

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Scholarship for Truckers Offers Hope and Second Chances

Sarah O'Neill — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 13:14:42 +0000

St. Christopher Fund has been a positive force for professional drivers facing serious medical issues. And now, the organization is taking their financial support a step further and helping its first driver—David Hollenberg—head back to school for retraining, thanks to … Continue reading →

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Small Fleet To Find Future of Fleet Management Technology at XUE

Megan Derkey — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:58:47 +0000

XUE is less than a month away, and rooms are filling up fast. If you’re still trying to convince your boss to approve your trip, check out what small fleet customer, WillTran, had to say. WillTran looking to exchange insights … Continue reading →

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Trucking the SmartWay—Blazing a Path to Better Fuel Economy

Ben Barnhart — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:32:58 +0000

Getting the most out of your fuel budget is crucial in this economy. Both fleet managers and shippers are trying to stretch their budgets farther than a double trailer, and it doesn’t look like fuel prices are going to drop … Continue reading →

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Drunk Driving in Wisconsin and My New Love Affair with Airbags

Sarah O'Neill — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 13:42:19 +0000

I’ve covered a lot of stories related to texting while driving—what seems to be our nation’s greatest challenge where highway safety is concerned. So, when I saw a black sedan fly across the barrier dividing I-94’s on and off ramp … Continue reading →

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Hours of Service Violations and the Puzzle Problem

Steve Kull — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 13:37:43 +0000

Let’s face it—we all know managing for the increasingly complex Hours of Service rule is a little bit like sitting down to a 10,000 piece Beers of the World puzzle. Remaining profitable has always been challenging enough on its own. … Continue reading →

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Musculoskeletal Disorders – Trucking Can Be a Pain in the Neck

Kurt Lach — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 17:02:31 +0000

We all know that life on the road can be tough. Poor weather conditions, inattentive motorists and traffic congestion, all while sitting behind the wheel of an 80,000 lb. rig for hours on end can leave any truck driver mentally … Continue reading →

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Cloud Stability and the “Can I Count on You?” Question

Todd Eichmann — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 14:54:31 +0000

On June 29, Amazon’s cloud outage at a Virginia data center left scores of lonely singles unable to make online love connections. As a result, What’s Your Price (yes, a site that allows you to bid on dates with Miss … Continue reading →

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Is Cloud Computing Secure Enough For Your Trucking Business?

Todd Eichmann — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 14:14:00 +0000

Cloud computing is gaining traction and users, and many in the business community are flocking to cloud-based services. But most businesses deal with information that they want to protect, and security questions are sure to arise as soon as they … Continue reading →

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Tune Out the Noise — EOBR Funding Not “Stripped” From Legislation

Jay Coughlan — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 21:52:47 +0000

There is a great deal of confusion regarding an amendment that was approved today (June 29) by the House of Representatives regarding EOBR funding. Here’s some information that will help better understand what took place. • The U.S. Congress overwhelmingly … Continue reading →

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Electronic Logging Device Bill Adopted by Congress

Tom Cuthbertson — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 21:27:02 +0000

Today is a big day for the transportation industry. Why? The electronic logging device bill has been adopted by the U.S. Congress, requiring the use of electronic logging devices to track hours of service for all carriers that are required … Continue reading →

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The Silver Lining of Cloud Computing

Todd Eichmann — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 15:51:56 +0000

When we talk about technological advances, it’s easy to sound like a grandpa (apologies to all the grandpas out there). “So you’ve got your wi-fi and your Bluetooths and blogs and YouTubes. What’ll they think of next? The internet in … Continue reading →

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Connected Vehicles – Apple Makes a Play to Lead the Revolution

Pete Anderson — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 13:57:40 +0000

What if you could tell your car to blast Led Zeppelin’s Heartbreaker—without ever taking your eyes off the road? What if you could send text messages, schedule events and book reservations, while staying focused on the road ahead and without … Continue reading →

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DataQs – Guaranteeing Accurate Highway Safety Data

Ryan Barnett — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 13:22:17 +0000

Motor carriers and drivers are just as concerned about highway safety as the federal government, and CSA goes a long way toward ranking the safety of motor carriers. But fleet managers know that a safety ranking is only as good … Continue reading →

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Your CSA Score – How To Check It (And Why You Should!)

Ryan Barnett — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 15:01:59 +0000

Today, there are 512,180 carriers actively operating in the United States, and 55,000 of them are over the FMCSA’s intervention threshold. And that’s not all—those 55,000 carriers may also be under greater scrutiny by the insurance companies who adjust their … Continue reading →

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10 Reasons Why EOBRs are a Trucker’s Best Friend

Ryan Barnett — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:27:21 +0000

Stories citing the merits (or lack thereof) of electronic onboard recorders appear on an almost daily basis in the trucking industry press, and it’s a frequent topic of conversation in our Xata Nation community, as well. Are EOBRs a trucking … Continue reading →

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Texting While Driving – Teen in Prison Following Fatal Crash

Sarah O'Neill — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 16:40:19 +0000

As I was driving home last Thursday (with hands at 10 and 2, eyes fixed squarely on the road ahead), NPR reported that a Massachusetts judge had sentenced a teen to prison for texting while driving. I later learned from … Continue reading →

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Will LTE Render Spectrum Crunch Less “Crunchy” For M2M Devices?

Matt Srnec — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 15:18:10 +0000

With the explosion of wireless networks and cheap devices, the “internet of things” is just beginning to emerge as one of the major tech developments of our age. The “internet of things” is a constantly-connected loop of devices that relay … Continue reading →

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EOBR Costs vs. Benefits Debate — The Voice of Xperience

Ryan Barnett — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:03:20 +0000

If it’s one thing we’ve been hearing a lot about lately in trucking news, it’s the EOBR costs vs. benefits debate and the price of the estimated price tag of the proposed federal mandate. But what’s often missed in the … Continue reading →

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CVSA RoadCheck Begins June 5 — Are you ready?

Sarah O'Neill — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 16:29:05 +0000

Are you operating safely and in compliance with trucking regulations? Because if you’re not, you’ll be driving with a target on your back come Tuesday, June 5. That’s when the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance will launch its annual CVSA RoadCheck … Continue reading →

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Crash Indicator BASIC: Stay Safe on America’s Busy Highways

Ryan Barnett — Thu, 31 May 2012 13:48:39 +0000

With over 250 million registered vehicles in this country, you might think vehicle crashes are an inevitability. And to a degree they are. But the US Census Bureau’s Statistical Abstract shows a steady decline in accidents and fatalities over the … Continue reading →

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Xata Tackles Tough Mudder & Serves at Ronald McDonald House

Megan Derkey — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:36:19 +0000

The last week has been a busy one for Xata, both in the office and on our own personal time. Xata employees participated in both the grueling Tough Mudder event, as well as helped out for a night at our … Continue reading →

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Give the Spectrum Some Breathing Room

Christian Schenk — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:24:53 +0000

As America’s demand for constant, on-the-go access to wireless data increases—some providers have seen their data traffic double every year since 2007—the crunch on the wireless spectrum that delivers that data continues to be a problem, and the FCC needs … Continue reading →

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Cargo Related BASIC: Keep it on four, er, eighteen wheels

Ryan Barnett — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:23:09 +0000

Preventing accidents caused by improperly-loaded or secured cargo and unsafe transport of hazardous materials is the focus of the FMCSA’s cargo related BASIC, and the latest in our series on the seven BASIC categories. Time is money when your truck … Continue reading →

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Alcohol/controlled substances BASIC: Drinking, big rigs don’t mix

Ryan Barnett — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:26:08 +0000

Laws banning driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI) have been in place for a long time, and the national limit for blood-alcohol-content (BAC) is 0.08%. But for CMV drivers, that limit is an even more stringent … Continue reading →

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Does the oilfield exemption lead to a dangerous workplace?

Ben Barnhart — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:41:57 +0000

Recently we talked about the Fatigued Driving (Hours-of-Service) BASIC and the complicated rule regarding mandatory rest times. We didn’t focus a lot of attention on one of the exceptions to the Hours-of-Service rule known as the oilfield exemption, but it … Continue reading →

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Xata User Event Registration Giveaway – Take Me to the XUE

Sarah O'Neill — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:15:13 +0000

In this day and age, eking a living out of the trucking business can be a tall order, but some are not only getting by, they’re growing. We’ll show you how—and for one insightful Xata customer, we’ll foot the bill. … Continue reading →

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Kyocera, Motorola smartphones make fleet management easy—A review

Jim Cikanek — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:40:35 +0000

CTIA may have just wrapped up, but the good news just keeps coming with even more phones certified to work seamlessly with Xata Turnpike. We’ve already reviewed Samsung’s Galaxy Note (a “phablet”), as well as a roundup of some new, … Continue reading →

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Review: These Tablets Make Mobile Fleet Management a Snap

Jim Cikanek — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:32:41 +0000

Here at CTIA in New Orleans, we’re announcing a whole slate of new tablets that are now compatible with Xata Turnpike. We’ve pioneered the notion of “device-friendly” with our fleet management solutions, and the availability of Xata Turnpike on these … Continue reading →

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Samsung Galaxy Note: Can a “Phablet” Offer the Best of Both Worlds?

Jim Cikanek — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:32:39 +0000

As part of our commitment to providing the most “device-friendly” fleet management solutions, Xata announced today at CTIA in New Orleans that we’ve added the Samsung Galaxy Note to our growing list of mobile devices certified to work with Xata … Continue reading →

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Driver Fitness BASIC: We’re Not Talking About Deep Knee Bends

Ryan Barnett — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:00:25 +0000

When I say “driver fitness” you might imagine a truck-stop parking lot filled with hundreds of big-rig drivers on yoga mats executing a perfect cobra pose as the sun eclipses the horizon. Or maybe that’s just me. I’ve been told … Continue reading →

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Golfing for Good: Quality Distribution Hosts a Charity Golf Scramble

Megan Derkey — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:03:29 +0000

FORE! It’s starting to feel like summer, and you know what that means—golfing galore. Quality Distribution, a Xata Turnpike customer, hosted their first annual Charity Golf Scramble in Tampa, Florida—and Xata took part. The tournament was a great success, raising … Continue reading →

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Spectrum Crunch: Bumper-to-Bumper (Wireless) Traffic

Christian Schenk — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:04:29 +0000

Spectrum crunch. Trendy new ab workout, or the name of that Flock of Seagulls revival band you’ve been waiting for? Well, neither. It’s what happens when the wireless signals in an area become too crowded, and the results are dropped … Continue reading →

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Trucker Buddy Launches Trucking Mentors Program

Ben Barnhart — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:45:05 +0000

Though I’ve been driving for 19 years (add a few years before that, if you count driving the two-tracks behind my grandparents’ house in Michigan), only recently did I get the opportunity to ride in a big rig. Granted, it … Continue reading →

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LastPass Password Manager – Locking Down Your Data

Sarah O'Neill — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:48:58 +0000

Password, 123456, qwerty, monkey and letmein—these represent some of the most frequently used passwords around. And, let’s face it—these common, insecure passwords are a little like waving a red flag at a bull (though it’s not “Ole’!” you’ll be shouting … Continue reading →

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Driver Fatigue BASICs: Stay Awake, Arrive Alive

Ryan Barnett — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:12:04 +0000

Over 60% of adult drivers have admitted to fatigued driving, and the NHTSA estimates that 100,000 police-reported crashes each year are the result of drivers driving beyond their ability to stay awake at the wheel. Being alert while operating a … Continue reading →

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Building your Trucking Employment Brand: Recruitment and Retention

Rosemary Friedrichs — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:56:16 +0000

How do your drivers feel about their employment situation? When they shout from the rooftops, are they saying you’re a great company to work for—or one to avoid? According to a survey conducted by The Gallup Organization, only 26% of … Continue reading →

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Green Living Tips for Truckers

Sarah O'Neill — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:12:24 +0000

Earth Day is just around the corner and we’re all being peppered with the same old (though valuable!) messages. Recycle your aluminum cans. Reduce your speed for better gas mileage. Turn the lights off when you leave a room. These … Continue reading →

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Wireless Device Theft: Protect your data, recover your device

Christian Schenk — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:04:51 +0000

A $500 smartphone snatched from an unsuspecting diner. A tablet taken from a teen at gunpoint. A bank account drained—the identity theft victim left to pick up the pieces. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, 42% of all … Continue reading →

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WiFi Security on the Road

Tom Cuthbertson — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:23:47 +0000

We’ve become increasingly reliant on access to the internet wherever and whenever we travel. And if your job has you on the road, you know that finding a wifi network can be like finding the pot of gold at the … Continue reading →

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Driver Retention: Apply a turnover tourniquet in 6 easy steps

Sarah O'Neill — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:46:10 +0000

On Wednesday, ATA reported the driver turnover rate for small truckload firms was enough to make you blanche—55%. Think that’s bad? Large truckload firms were cycling through their drivers at a head-spinning, stomach-churning 88%! With the cost of recruiting and … Continue reading →

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Unsafe Driving BASICs

Ryan Barnett — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:27:41 +0000

Traffic fatalities are on the decline, yet unsafe driving habits like speeding still account for roughly ⅓ of those fatalities. As part of its commitment to making America’s roadways safer, the FMCSA is focused on helping motor carriers keep unsafe … Continue reading →

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High Stakes Cargo Theft: Asset tracking helps nab the bad guy

Sarah O'Neill — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:20:10 +0000

A truck driver on the lam. Police officers giving chase. High-tech wizardry. This isn’t just the stuff of action films. On Tuesday, a XataNet customer’s truck went missing. And the driver, believing he had disabled the system, covered a lot … Continue reading →

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RIM: Can Blackberry Play Nice with iOS and Android?

Ben Barnhart — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:07:33 +0000

A Smartphone for Business BlackBerry burst onto the scene in 2003 and virtually invented the smartphone as we know it today. These new devices allowed users to: ● retrieve and send email ● instant message ● schedule calendar events ● … Continue reading →

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Vehicle Maintenance BASICs: Keeping Trucks on the Road

Ryan Barnett — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:34:30 +0000

Every driver has a story or two about keeping their truck running safely. Whether it’s a clutch that sticks because the flywheel was installed backwards at the garage or a rig that’s outlived its time because of close attention to … Continue reading →

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EOBR Profitability: Pepto-Bismol-free Solution

Sarah O'Neill — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:36:58 +0000

Soaring gas prices. CSA regulations. Hours-of-service rule changes. If the complexity of operating a profitable trucking company in this day and age has you considering a Pepto-Bismol IV drip, you’re not alone. You need to find intelligent ways to cut … Continue reading →

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Geocaching: A trucker’s high tech treasure hunt

Kurt Lach — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:08:10 +0000

You may have seen them. Walking, zombie-like, around the wayside or through the field behind the truck stop. Staring at something in their hands, looking way too suspicious. Who are they? What are they doing? There’s a good chance these … Continue reading →

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NFL Hall of Fame Receiver Steve Largent to Keynote Xata User Event (XUE)

Megan Derkey — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:12:40 +0000

Each day of XUE will be jam-packed with can’t-miss sessions on the future of mobile devices in our industry, Xata’s next-generation platform and the compliance storm that is hitting the transportation space. But if you only make it to one … Continue reading →

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Understanding CSA 2010 BASICs: FMCSA Gets Serious about Safety

Ryan Barnett — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:48:48 +0000

Accidents, breakdowns and paperwork oversights are a part of life, right? But for motor carriers, they can be more than annoyances. They’re the difference between making the delivery on-time and having the customer choose a different carrier next time. And … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Scott Meyer

Megan Derkey — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:15:11 +0000

Meet Scott Meyer, chief marketing & strategy officer at Xata, based at our Eden Prairie, MN headquarters. Scott has been with Xata for almost two years. What, exactly, do you do at Xata? I head a great team of people … Continue reading →

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Trucker Weather Watch: Become a National Weather Service Spotter

Sarah O'Neill — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:59:43 +0000

It’s springtime. As the world around us springs back to life—the songbirds return and flowers push their way up through the soil—we must always be mindful of spring weather’s fickle nature. Because if this season’s rash of tornadoes reminds us … Continue reading →

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Multiple Operating Authority Management Explained

John Adams — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 13:13:52 +0000

Here at Xata, we recently announced Multiple Operating Authority Management for household goods carriers. This tracking tool supports fleet managers who must supervise drivers hauling for multiple operating authorities. This is the first and only Hours of Service (HOS) and … Continue reading →

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Jason’s Law Passed by US Senate

Sarah O'Neill — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:55:58 +0000

Three years ago, Jason Rivenburg pulled his rig into an abandoned gas station parking lot, while he waited for his next stop to open for delivery. He believed he was safe—sadly, he was not. On March 5th, Jason was murdered … Continue reading →

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Hoopin’ It Up for Hope

Tony Poetz — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:25:40 +0000

Xata team members recently participated in the Hoopin’ It Up for Hope event at the Mall of America. The annual basketball free-throw contest raises money for TreeHouse, a Twin Cities teen crisis support program. Basketball hoops were arranged in the … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Tim Eiler

Megan Derkey — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:28:47 +0000

Meet Tim Eiler, Beta Test & Marketing Launch Manager, based at our Eden Prairie, MN headquarters. Tim enjoys restoring Studebaker cars and trucks. While he doesn’t have either any more, he’s also restored a 1949 one-ton truck and a 1961 … Continue reading →

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Celebrating Women in Trucking

Megan Derkey — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 13:48:40 +0000

Wearing a 10-gallon hat and never without her revolver, Lillie Elizabeth Drennan was a pioneer. But she wasn’t herding cattle or settling the Wild West. Lillie conquered an entirely different frontier—the trucking industry. Lillie was the first female truck driver … Continue reading →

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Missing Truck Driver Alert Network

Sarah O'Neill — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 19:57:35 +0000

In February, trucker Mark Williams, Sr. picked up a load in North Carolina and was headed to Texas, when he went missing. After several days, his wife, Jonda, had yet to hear from him and he hadn’t delivered his load. … Continue reading →

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Trucker Recruitment Sites: Knowing the truth and getting the job

Andrea Harper and Rachel Larsen — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:12:07 +0000

There are mixed feelings out there about using a trucking job recruitment website for company applications. Admittedly, an all-inclusive search-and-apply site can make finding a new job seem so simplified that it’s ineffective. But bear with us, because it’s not! … Continue reading →

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Annette Sandberg on EOBRs: Conversations from the road

Christian Schenk — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:22:47 +0000

What’s driving regulatory change? Why an EOBR mandate? Which wins out in the EOBR equation—costs or benefits? Our community had lots of questions, so Xata sought out the expert opinion of Annette Sandberg, former administrator of the FMCSA and current … Continue reading →

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EOBRs & Driver Harassment: Share your thoughts with the FMCSA

Tom Cuthbertson — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:45:18 +0000

Driver harassment—it’s the hot debate in the trucking industry at the moment. How might electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) be used to harass drivers, and how will the FMCSA seek to prevent carriers from abusing the technology? These questions were left … Continue reading →

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St. Christopher Fund – Last Call to Help & Twitter Chat Recap

Sarah O'Neill — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:22:22 +0000

Update: We’re “leaping” to lend a hand! Celebrate Leap Day and support St. Christopher Fund by following us on Twitter @XataNation. We’ll donate $2 for every new follower through the end of the day! When it comes to supporting truckers … Continue reading →

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Driver harassment – it’s not due to EOBRs

Tom Cuthbertson — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 12:48:28 +0000

Recently, there has been a lot of discussion in the press and at regulatory meetings on the issue of EOBRs and fleet management systems contributing to driver harassment. I’d like to offer my perspective to the mix as an industry … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Tom Ryan

Megan Derkey — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:44:06 +0000

Meet Tom Ryan, senior client manager, based at our Eden Prairie, MN headquarters. Tom has been with Xata for almost five years. What, exactly, do you do at Xata? I work with some of our largest clients, with the responsibility … Continue reading →

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Show Your CEO EOBRs = Profitable Trucking

Marc Rosenrich — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:19:50 +0000

If you’re a savvy fleet manager, you already know that electronic onboard recorders (EOBRs) are the best thing for your company. But, if your CEO isn’t the tech-savvy sort, how do you convince him or her—and other members of your … Continue reading →

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The Changing Face of the American Trucker

Megan Derkey — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:00:55 +0000

Today’s truck drivers adhere to tight delivery schedules, keep abreast of ever-changing laws and regulations, comply with a variety of paperwork and tax requirements, and know how to use a variety of technology. As a result, the stereotypical tough-guy trucker … Continue reading →

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Easy and Stress-Free Tax Tips for Truckers

Scott Christian, CFO — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:35:10 +0000

As an owner-operator, being your own boss means you’re in charge of every aspect of your trucking business—including your taxes. But filing your taxes doesn’t have to be a big headache. Here are some simple tax tips that will make … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Matt Srnec

Megan Derkey — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:21:45 +0000

Meet Matt Srnec, Mobile Systems Manager, based at our Eden Prairie, MN headquarters. Matt has been with Xata for over six years. What, exactly, do you do at Xata? I manage the technical hardware content for Xata’s mobile systems. I … Continue reading →

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Tax Relief for Truckers – Make Tax Deductions a Top Priority

Scott Christian, CFO — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:32:30 +0000

For owner-operators, the beginning of a new year is more than a time to celebrate. It’s a time to start thinking about taxes. Even though the IRS says you don’t have to complete them until the April deadline, now’s the … Continue reading →

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Preventing Heart Disease on the Road

Megan Derkey — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:16:55 +0000

Cardiovascular disease is the cause of one U.S. death every 38 seconds. That staggering statistic has led to February being declared American Heart Month with the goal of educating people about the dangers of heart disease and advocating for heart … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Tony Poetz

Megan Derkey — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:11:06 +0000

Meet Tony Poetz, Technical Communications Specialist, based at our Eden Prairie, MN headquarters. Tony has been with Xata since Halloween of last year, and mentioned that one of his earliest Xata memories is seeing someone in a 6-foot tall penguin … Continue reading →

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Safer Winter Parking for Truckers

Megan Derkey — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:23:36 +0000

Blinding snowstorms, icy road conditions and strong winds are hazards drivers can look forward to in the winter months. And while many parts of the nation have had unseasonably warm weather and a marked lack of snow, there’s still plenty … Continue reading →

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Help St. Christopher Fund Support Truckers in Need

Sarah O'Neill — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:05:40 +0000

In January, when we mentioned we wanted to do a social fundraiser, we asked you for your non-profit recommendations. “St. Christopher Fund!!! No question about it!!!” Greg Cameron’s comment was echoed throughout XataNation; the consensus was clear. About St. … Continue reading →

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Xata names Xceed Award winners

Megan Derkey — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:28:02 +0000

In December we shared a bit about our Xceed program at Xata. Today we are proud to unveil the new look of the Xceed Award program as part of our overall Xata brand update. This new look for 2012 is … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Scott Christian

Megan Derkey — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:12:46 +0000

Meet Scott Christian, Chief Financial Officer, based at our Eden Prairie headquarters. What, exactly, do you do at Xata? My leadership responsibilities include Finance, Human Resources, Internal Systems (Applications), Communications Costs, and Distribution. Finance includes the “usual suspects”—accounting, billing, collections, … Continue reading →

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Final Hours of Service Rule – Five Things to Know

Sara Steele — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:52:30 +0000

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently released the final rule that revises Hours of Service (HOS) regulatory requirements for commercial truck drivers. The origin of revising the rule is safety. According to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the rule … Continue reading →

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Managing Your Fleet Fuel Costs in 2012

Derek Singleton — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:37:32 +0000

Derek is an analyst at Software Advice. He recently had an article run on managing your fleet fuel costs this year, and we’d love to share his advice with our Xata community. While the high cost of fuel can be … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Michele Nunnally

Megan Derkey — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:39:57 +0000

Meet Michele Nunnally, Implementation Manager, based at our Eden Prairie, MN headquarters. Michele has been with Xata for more than eight years. What, exactly, do you do at Xata? I assist prospects and customers in getting Xata Turnpike setup, configured … Continue reading →

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EOBR Refresher Training on LearnXata.com

Michele Nunnally — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:09:38 +0000

In late November, we published a post about the value of online training for truck drivers and fleet managers. We’re making that easier for our own Xata Turnpike customers and prospects with recently released videos on www.learnxata.com. Xata offers two … Continue reading →

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Safe driving practices—and the texting while driving quandary

Tom Cuthbertson — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:24:53 +0000

Today’s distracted driving statistics are unbelievably sobering. The average time a driver’s eyes are off the road while texting is 4 to 5 seconds. While that may seem like an infinitesimal amount of time, when driving 55 mph, it’s enough … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Chris Pearson

Megan Derkey — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:00:35 +0000

Meet Chris Pearson, Systems Engineer, based at our Eden Prairie, MN headquarters. Chris has been with Xata for more than ten years. What, exactly, do you do at Xata? I maintain the systems that the company uses on a daily … Continue reading →

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Food Supply Chain – Trucking Industry Feeds America

Megan Derkey — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:18:35 +0000

“If you bought it, a truck brought it.” That industry adage is especially true when it comes to the food we eat. Even with the nation’s increased emphasis on eating local, the trucking industry remains the invisible force that keeps … Continue reading →

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Harness the Full Power of Xata at XUE: August 12-14

Megan Derkey — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:03:13 +0000

I’m excited to announce the upcoming XUE (Xata User Event). Scheduled for August 12-14 at the DoubleTree Minneapolis, this is the premier event for XataNet and Xata Turnpike users, as well as anyone else in the trucking industry who wants … Continue reading →

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Customer Conversations: A small fleet drives profitability with EOBRs

Steve Kull — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:57:27 +0000

After an early morning drive to St. Cloud, MN, I met fleet owner, Sal Gonzalez, at his shop. I arrived with coffee and he showed me into his office, where we sat huddled around his desk, reviewing the transcript of … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Sara Steele

Megan Derkey — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:55:45 +0000

Meet Sara Steele, Product Manager of Compliance Solutions, based at our Eden Prairie, MN headquarters. Sara has been with Xata for almost three years. What, exactly, do you do at Xata? I’m responsible for all of our products from a … Continue reading →

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Motorola Xyboard Android Tablet Certified for Xata Turnpike

Jim Cikanek — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:32:45 +0000

Committed to being the industry’s most “device-friendly” fleet management solution, we announced today at CES 2012 in Las Vegas that we’ve added the Motorola Xyboard Android tablet to our growing list of devices certified to work with Xata Turnpike. Motorola’s … Continue reading →

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Truckers — The Safest Drivers on our Roads

Christian Schenk — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:54:40 +0000

Reckless driving, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Or at least that’s how I’ve been thinking about it ever since a recent trip to the airport. It was mid-afternoon, before the start of rush hour. I was … Continue reading →

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Mobile Gyms for Truckers – Where the Workout Meets the Road

Rob Pallante — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:35:38 +0000

Our resident fitness expert, and director of business development, Rob Pallante, weighs in on staying healthy and in shape while on the road. Being a trucker often means long hours behind the wheel and fast food on the go—not exactly … Continue reading →

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Resolve to Make 2012 a Success

Megan Derkey — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:01:24 +0000

If you’re like me and most of my colleagues at Xata, you made a few New Year’s resolutions. Resolutions give us something to strive for—and even offer us hope for a healthier, happier or more successful future. But let’s be … Continue reading →

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Galaxy Tab Giveaway Winner Announced

Sarah O'Neill — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:23:47 +0000

In December, we asked our friends across the Twittersphere to share their favorite #HolidayRoad stories and memorable lines, with a Samsung Galaxy Tab going to the one we enjoyed most. We were delighted to read so many funny and … Continue reading →

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The 2011 Xceed Awards

Megan Derkey — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:31:49 +0000

At Xata we have an employee recognition program called “Xceed.” Each month, nominations are accepted for the Xceed awards, and winners receive everything from restaurant and gas gift cards to the privilege of driving one of the Xata-branded Chevy Camaros … Continue reading →

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Hours of Service – The Top Trucking News Story of 2011

Sarah O'Neill — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:40:09 +0000

Truckinginfo recently published a review of the trucking industry’s biggest news stories of the year. From CSA and a foiled terrorist plot to fuel economy standards and cell phone restrictions, there was a lot of news chatter around the water … Continue reading →

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Xata Wishes Everyone Happy Holidays

Megan Derkey — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:34:38 +0000

From everyone here at Xata, we wish you a very happy and safe holiday. Here’s a look at how we’ve been celebrating this December: Toys for Tots collection with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Employees donated toys all through the … Continue reading →

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Focus on: Apps for Fleets and Drivers (Part 3 of 3)

Karl Nilsson — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:40:23 +0000

Last week, I shared with you some good apps for fleets, drivers and the trucking industry. Today, here are some additional apps that made the list. Skype: Stay connected With free calls to any user worldwide, Skype is an … Continue reading →

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Fleet Owner Magazine Recognizes Xata Customers

David Gagne Xata COO — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:03:43 +0000

Everyone at Xata was thrilled to hear that three of our customers were recognized by Fleet Owner Magazine’s annual Fleet of the Year Awards. I’d like to take the time to congratulate those honored for their innovative management techniques and overall … Continue reading →

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Focus on: Apps for Fleets and Drivers (Part 2 of 3)

Karl Nilsson — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:23:17 +0000

Last week, I introduced some statistics about mobile apps and how they’ll soon dominate the world of computing. Today, I want to highlight some mobile apps for the trucking industry. Prices have dropped. Usability has improved. Capabilities have become more … Continue reading →

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Xata Turnpike Now Certified for Two New Motorola Devices

Jim Cikanek — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:13:22 +0000

Xata Turnpike is now certified to run on two more Motorola devices: The Motorola Admiral™ and the Motorola Atrix 2™, both of which run on the Android operating system. Since introducing the Android platform to Xata Turnpike this past spring, … Continue reading →

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Xata Nation Galaxy Tab Giveaway on Twitter

Megan Derkey — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:20:14 +0000

Happy Holidays from Xata! We’re kicking-off a holiday giveaway contest this week on Twitter, and we’re looking for your best holiday road stories and funny lines. We’ll be awarding Amazon gift cards to the tweets that touch us or make … Continue reading →

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Focus on: Apps for Fleets and Drivers

Karl Nilsson — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:34:08 +0000

In last year’s Frost & Sullivan study of U.S. mobile and wireless purchase decision-makers, 60% of responding companies recognized the business value of mobile fleet applications. That’s one reason why Gartner, a leading information technology and research analyst firm, predicts … Continue reading →

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Top 5 Trucker Tech Devices – A Holiday Wish List

Jim Cikanek — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:13:54 +0000

Making your list and checking it twice? Time to make sure you have the best and brightest gadgets on your list for this holiday season. Our new product manager of mobile devices, Jim Cikanek, took a few minutes to brief … Continue reading →

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BOBO: The Bill on Behalf of Service

Christian Schenk — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:21:10 +0000

Did you know it’s possible to use your wireless bill to pay for a variety of products and services that keep your fleet compliant and your drivers safe? I’m not talking about added coverage or unlimited data. Instead, I’m talking … Continue reading →

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Implementing EOBRs: Avoid Hiccups That Slow ROI – Part 2 of 2

Jim Showalter — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:50:29 +0000

Earlier this week I started to share the three-phase process we use at Xata for implementing an EOBR solution at a new customer. We covered the basics of Phase 1 – getting the system up and running, in this post … Continue reading →

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Implementing EOBRs: Avoid Hiccups That Slow ROI – Part 1 of 2

Jim Showalter — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:24:15 +0000

Implementing any new technology company-wide requires forethought and careful planning. And when it comes to implementing electronic onboard recorders (EOBRs), the old Boy Scout motto most definitely applies: Be prepared. A new technology thrown at your drivers without careful planning, … Continue reading →

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Restricting Mobile Phone Use in the Cab

Ryan Barnett — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:57:25 +0000

On Wednesday, November 23, 2011, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced a final rule specifically prohibiting interstate truck and bus drivers from using hand-held cell phones while operating their vehicles. This is the final publishing of a rule that had … Continue reading →

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The Value of EOBR Online Training

Dave Haas — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:42:32 +0000

The use of electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) and electronic logs are gaining acceptance as more and more companies in the transportation industry are seeing the benefits of the technology. However, EOBRs, like most new technologies, are not just an install … Continue reading →

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Managing MPG in Winter Driving Conditions

Tony Vitulli — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:03:25 +0000

As we are all aware, winter is getting closer and closer each day, if it has not already found you. You can never be too ready for it. Here are some of the top tips for fleets and drivers to … Continue reading →

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Customers Weigh-in on Fleet Software Development: Xata Xperience Board

Ryan Barnett — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:30:26 +0000

We’re looking forward to our next Xperience Board meeting on August, 17, 2013. I had the privilege of organizing an event last week that brought some of XataNet and Xata Turnpike’s long-time customers together – something we call Xperience. This … Continue reading →

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EOBRs help alleviate fleets’ financial struggles

Megan Derkey — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:30:31 +0000

Sean Kilcarr of FleetOwner published a blog post earlier this week on the financial struggles that many fleets face these days. It was a great summary of the economic problems within the industry, and I couldn’t help but think we … Continue reading →

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Get on the Bus: J1708 and J1939 Vehicle Bus Standards

Matt Srnec — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:04:07 +0000

Today’s vehicles are rolling networks of sensors, controllers and automation components, all linked together on what is generally described as the vehicle’s “bus”. In the physical world, the bus is simply a pair of wires connecting all of the vehicle’s … Continue reading →

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Monitoring CSA BASICs with EOBRs: Are you protecting your score?

Sarah O'Neill — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:47:09 +0000

Today, an estimated 59,000 trucking companies are under a CSA alert status. And now that CSA scores are publicly available, those fleets may find it more difficult to operate in this tight economy. Why? • The FMCSA and its state … Continue reading →

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Reduce Fuel Consumption with XataNet Reporting Tools

Ken Yeomans — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:12:30 +0000

Many of us remember days not so long ago when we looked at our profit and loss statements and saw that the major cost components associated with running our fleets were labor and equipment expenses. Those days are now a … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Kathryn Atterberry

Megan Derkey — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:17:37 +0000

Meet Kathryn Atterberry, Marketing Project Manager, based at our Eden Prairie, MN headquarters. What, exactly, do you do at Xata? I help drive potential customer opportunities to Xata and increase awareness of our solutions within the market. What part of … Continue reading →

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Xata Turnpike Now More Powerful and Portable

Charlie Mohn — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:42:43 +0000

Xata has added two more stunning additions to its certified device lineup: the Dell Streak 7 tablet and the Samsung Galaxy S II. Both devices run on the Android operating system, and offer a variety of features suited for different … Continue reading →

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Mobile Apps for Healthy Eating

Sarah O'Neill — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:10:55 +0000

French fries. Cheeseburgers. Pizza. Fried chicken. My pants are getting tighter just thinking about it. Trying to eat right when traveling is a challenge for everyone, but when your life is spent behind the wheel, your time is tight, hours … Continue reading →

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Fall 2011 Trucking Tradeshow Season Comes to Close

Megan Derkey — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:41:01 +0000

I had a great time meeting many industry folks, and learning more about each organization, at the tradeshows Xata participated in this fall. We already did a recap here of our time at TMW’s TransForum, but I’d like to highlight … Continue reading →

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Xata on the Edge: The CN Tower EdgeWalk Experience

Carolyn Moorman — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:49:05 +0000

Many of our departments have held team-building events over the last few months – the Finance Department attended a Minnesota Twins baseball game together, the Implementation Team went to the Minnesota State Fair as a group, and our Development team … Continue reading →

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ComplianceConnect – Helping Fleets Maximize Tech Investments

Ryan Barnett — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:31:51 +0000

I was really quite excited to see an article in this week’s Transport Topics covering Xata’s ComplianceConnect offering. In short, ComplianceConnect uses Xata Turnpike’s RouteTracker and mobile application, tpMobile, to power compliance and truck-related data inside of other applications. Data … Continue reading →

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FMSCA EOBR Rule 395.16 Still Alive

Tom Cuthbertson — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:42:53 +0000

FMCSA EOBR rule 395.16, which would require fleets failing 10% of an Hours of Service audit sample to use electronic onboard recorders (EOBRs), was recently sent back to the FMCSA. The 7th District Court of Appeals called for revisions to … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Jeremy Lewitzke

Megan Derkey — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:31:50 +0000

Meet Jeremy Lewitzke, Financial Analyst, based at our Eden Prairie, MN headquarters. What, exactly, do you do at Xata? Well, I assist in forecasting, and I analyze the actual results. I also work on our budgeting process and am … Continue reading →

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Alternative Fuels: The Future of the Trucking Industry?

Dave Haas — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:40:27 +0000

Alternative fuels: what are they and what do they mean for the trucking industry? As gas prices continue to squeeze budgets, the trucking industry actively searches for ways to do more, for less—and alternative fuels and green technology may be … Continue reading →

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Distracted Driving: Letting Go of Habits

Megan Derkey — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:06:03 +0000

I’ll admit it – before I started working here, I really was not fully aware of the “distracted driving” problem. Sure, I scoffed at fellow drivers when they were doing something foolish while talking on their phone, but in a … Continue reading →

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Effective Employee Communication: Lessons From a Hitman

David Gagne Xata COO — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:18:31 +0000

In a Harvard Business Review article, researchers noted that managers who repeated their messages at least twice were able to complete projects more quickly and invest less time in damage control than those who did not. Those same researchers took … Continue reading →

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Top 10 Android Apps for Travelers

Megan Derkey — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:57:59 +0000

I’ve been doing a fair amount of business traveling these days. For those of you who do even more traveling than me—visiting with shippers to secure contracts or exhibiting at transportation industry-related tradeshows—you might be interested in some extra help … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Bryar Nelson

Megan Derkey — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:01:25 +0000

Meet Bryar Nelson, Solutions Support Representative, based at our Eden Prairie, MN headquarters. What, exactly, do you do at Xata? I help support and maintain the operation of XataNet and MobileMax onboard equipment, as well as all related PC-based software … Continue reading →

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Google Earth: 5 Tools and Mashups for Truckers

Sarah O'Neill — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 17:15:04 +0000

One billion downloads. Yep, 1,000,000,000. So, what makes Google Earth so popular? In short, it gives you wings. It allows you to soar anywhere on Earth, viewing satellite imagery, 3D buildings, maps and terrain—from deep space to the ocean deep … Continue reading →

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Recapping the TMW TransForum Conference

Ryan Barnett — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:43:57 +0000

Xata had the privilege to be a Platinum sponsor of TMW’s TransForum conference – one of the leading trucking IT related events in the industry. This event is rare in that it brings together a huge user base of TMW … Continue reading →

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Women In Trucking: Safety Issues Drivers Face

Ellen Voie — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 19:57:23 +0000

We welcome back Ellen Voie, President/CEO of Women In Trucking, Inc., as our first guest blogger in the second part of her two-part series on women in the trucking industry. Thank you for your contribution to the Xata blogging community, … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Frank Waldner

Megan Derkey — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:51:22 +0000

Meet Frank Waldner, Senior Integration Architect, based at our Oakville, Ontario office. Frank has been with the company almost two and a half years, but he spent ten years previously working in telecom management software development for a company that … Continue reading →

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Women in Trucking: Changing Perceptions of Women in the Industry

Ellen Voie — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 17:38:36 +0000

We welcome Ellen Voie, President/CEO of Women In Trucking, Inc., as our first guest blogger on the xata.com blog! Ellen will be contributing a two-part series over the next week with her views of women in the trucking industry. Thank … Continue reading →

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Xata Turnpike Certified to Run on 3 New Intermec Devices

Charlie Mohn — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:22:52 +0000

Xata Turnpike is now certified to run on three additional Intermec devices. These devices feature the Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system and a variety of form factors suited for different fleet needs, making it easier than ever for fleets and … Continue reading →

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4 Key Hybrid Truck Benefits

Dave Haas — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:49:21 +0000

Due to the hike in oil prices and upcoming, stricter emissions laws, the trucking industry is facing significant challenges on the fuel front. These challenges have trucking companies actively looking for alternatives to standard diesel trucks to power their fleets. … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Wes Fredenburg

Megan Derkey — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:59:51 +0000

Meet Wes Fredenburg, General Counsel, based at our Eden Prairie headquarters. Wes has been with Xata for almost four years, and is in charge of all legal affairs and government relations. What is your favorite accomplishment at Xata so far? … Continue reading →

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Top 10 Benefits of Proof of Delivery Systems

Ryan Barnett — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:55:42 +0000

When companies consider solutions that aid fleet management, they often start out with how a solution can help improve costs within their fleet. It’s very common for companies to see immediate ROI from fuel savings, better performance from their drivers, … Continue reading →

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Truckers Support Special Olympics: World’s Largest Truck Convoy

Sarah O'Neill — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:26:20 +0000

Truckers: their jobs require enormous personal sacrifice. It should come as no surprise then, that the trucking community will be joining together this weekend to give their time and energy to a very worthwhile cause: Special Olympics. Special Olympics Eunice … Continue reading →

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National Truck Driver Appreciation Week: A Thank You to Drivers

XRS — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 20:05:14 +0000

This week is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week; time for those of us who don’t climb into the cabs of 18-wheelers day-in and day-out to step-back and think about the important role that truck drivers play—and to express our gratitude. … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Mirek Wojtowicz

Megan Derkey — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:58:34 +0000

Meet Mirek Wojtowicz, Senior Mobile Software Engineer, based at our Oakville, Ontario office. Mirek has been with the company for seven years. It was his first job in Canada, as he immigrated to the country from Poland exactly seven years … Continue reading →

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Rugged Communications Devices for Fleets: Are They Worth the Expense?

Ryan Barnett — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:57:23 +0000

Choosing an in-cab communications device that’s right for your fleet can be a tricky decision. Not only do you need to understand the platforms, features, data plans, options and applications available—you must also have a solid handle on the applications … Continue reading →

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Implementing Tablet Computing for Your Fleet

Rod Hardman — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:05:39 +0000

It’s not much of a secret—tablets are a breakthrough device in personal computing. Finally, we have a simple, light computer that can be understood—intuitively—by virtually everyone: my 84-year-old Aunt, my 3-year-old daughter, even my Luddite neighbor have all joined the … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Colin Warkentin

Megan Derkey — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 13:27:10 +0000

Meet Colin Warkentin, Vice President of Development, based at our Oakville, Ontario office. Colin was one of the original founders of Turnpike in 2000, which Xata purchased in 2009. Thankfully, Colin was willing to stay onboard with us after … Continue reading →

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Xata Turnpike’s RouteTracker is 395.16-ready

Colin Warkentin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:17:44 +0000

Xata made its new Xata Turnpike RouteTracker hardware available today. After months of development and successful Beta testing, the new RouteTracker2 is available to all new and existing Xata Turnpike customers. The RouteTracker2 offers 5 main benefits for Xata Turnpike … Continue reading →

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Tackle Your Next Tradeshow

Megan Derkey — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:45:09 +0000

This summer our marketing team is prepping for a busy fall, full of tradeshows and speaking engagements. If you want to meet with us face-to-face, check out where we’ll be in the coming months: September 18-21 Grapevine, TX TMW TransForum … Continue reading →

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Xata’s Mobility Matrix: Find the Right Device for Your Fleet

Steve Kull — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 19:16:27 +0000

The trucking industry is growing more and more competitive every day. In the first quarter of 2011, three of every four drivers found new jobs or left the industry entirely—meaning it’s hard to find great talent and even harder to … Continue reading →

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What Hard Braking Means to Your Business

Ryan Barnett — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:16:30 +0000

Have you looked at how slamming on a truck’s brakes could impact your business? Hard-brake events are a leading indicator of potentially unsafe driving behavior. These events could be the near-miss of an accident, the result of dangerous or slippery … Continue reading →

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Netflix vs. Hulu Plus: Entertainment Options for the Road Warrior

Sarah O'Neill — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 19:10:17 +0000

When your hours-of-service are up for the day, how do you pass the time? While some rest stops offer a number of entertainment options, others simply provide a place to fuel up and a bite to eat. When your options … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Rob Pallante

Megan Derkey — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:53:26 +0000

Meet Rob Pallante, Director of Business Development at our Oakville, Ontario office. Rob has been with Xata for a little over a year. What, exactly, do you do at Xata? I facilitate both our new and existing partner relationships, which … Continue reading →

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10 Best Truck Stops

Sarah O'Neill — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:17:21 +0000

The truck stop—both a lifeline for road warriors and a cultural icon. Unfortunately, many of the mom and pop truck stops that served as a home-away-from-home for drivers are fading away, only to be replaced by large chains. Not that … Continue reading →

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Key Considerations When Selecting Mobile Devices for Your Fleet

Rod Hardman — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 20:00:27 +0000

Here on the Xata Mobile team, I often get asked about the “best smartphone” for my organization. Naturally, the maddening answer is, “It depends.” It depends on your workforce, your operational boundaries and most important – what you expect out … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Nick Gardner

Megan Derkey — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 15:13:07 +0000

Meet Nick Gardner, Technical Product Manager at our headquarters in Eden Prairie, MN. Nick has been with Xata for over six years in a variety of roles. He came to the company in a Training role, moved on to … Continue reading →

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New Fuel Efficiency Standards for Trucks; Drivers Still Key

Ryan Barnett — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:10:46 +0000

President Obama released new fuel efficiency standards for heavy-duty trucks today, standards that will cut greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption by up to 23%. While developing more fuel-efficient trucks will certainly reduce fuel consumption, it’s important to remember that … Continue reading →

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Driver Retention: Two Questions You Should be Asking

Mark Cunningham — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 17:07:05 +0000

Let’s face it—drivers are the lifeblood of your company. And as an aging driver pool and other factors are causing a countrywide driver shortage, while trucking regulatory compliance is pushing some truckers out of the industry, hanging onto your behind-the-wheel … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Ryan Barnett

Megan Derkey — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:32:58 +0000

Meet Ryan Barnett, Market Analyst at our headquarters in Eden Prairie, MN. Ryan has been with the company for almost two years, and is truly our in-house market and industry expert. What, exactly, do you do at … Continue reading →

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Xata Turnpike: Great Sales Opportunities for Wireless Carriers

Mark Cunningham — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:57:21 +0000

I’m responsible for engaging with our wireless carrier partners at Xata. I share with them the benefits of our Xata Turnpike product and get them excited about selling our solution to over 500,000 companies that are affected by the new … Continue reading →

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The Importance of CSA Scores: Is Your Business in Jeopardy?

Ryan Barnett — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 18:41:38 +0000

Rose McMurray at FDR Safety wrote a piece that recently caught my eye. She did a great job explaining what happened to one carrier when their CSA scores started to reach “Alert levels” – not only did this firm catch … Continue reading →

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10 Things to Consider Before Purchasing an EOBR Solution

Ryan Barnett — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:21:03 +0000

Deciding on which EOBR is best for your company, drivers, and fleet managers can be a daunting task. There are over 75 companies that provide fleet management systems, and it’s often hard to determine the difference between companies and offerings. … Continue reading →

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EOBR ROI Calculator Proves the Technology is a Profit-Driver

Steve Kull — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:05:12 +0000

Are you concerned about the expense of an electronic onboard recorder (EOBR)? The FMCSA estimates that the cost of purchasing and installing an EOBR is $1,700 per vehicle. And that expense is a concern we hear over and over across … Continue reading →

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Road Science: Fleet Productivity and Profitability Made Easy

Steve Kull — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:14:20 +0000

Road Science. It’s a new concept, but one that’s long overdue. Running a profitable trucking company 20 years ago was an art. If you’ve been in the industry a while, you know that business decisions were often made based … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Chris Barbey

Megan Derkey — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:16:53 +0000

Meet Chris Barbey, Quality Assurance Analyst at our headquarters in Eden Prairie, MN. A former commercial driver himself, Chris joined the Xata Customer Support Team in 2008. More recently, he has transitioned over to the QA Team after becoming an … Continue reading →

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Ten Ways to Safely Share the Road with Trucks

Megan Derkey — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:34:00 +0000

A note to truck drivers – we know you completely understand these points, so we invite you to share this post with your non-driver friends and help us get the word out to help keep you safer! Large trucks and … Continue reading →

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Mythbusting: Uncovering the Truth About EOBRs

David Gagne Xata COO — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:41:54 +0000

Over the past several weeks, I’ve explored 12 myths that often bubble up in my conversations with fleet executives, managers and drivers when the topic of electronic onboard recorders (EOBRs) is raised. From the notion of Big Brother watching to … Continue reading →

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Employee Spotlight: Casey Hinderscheid

Megan Derkey — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:21:58 +0000

Meet Casey Hinderscheid, Product Marketing Specialist at our headquarters in Eden Prairie, MN. Casey joined the Xata Product Marketing Team in the spring of 2011 under the direction of Charlie Mohn, Director of Product Marketing. What, exactly, do you do … Continue reading →

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Find the Right Electronic Onboard Recorder for Your Fleet

Brendan Staub — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:31:28 +0000

Like anyone who feels confident about the products they offer, I can report a lot of days when I feel a little bit like an all-star. These moments happen often when I meet with a potential customer after they’ve already … Continue reading →

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Mythbusting: The Truth About EOBRs, Part 4

David Gagne Xata COO — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 17:49:03 +0000

A few days ago, I touched on three electronic onboard recorder (EOBR) myths. The fact is EOBRs do help dispatch managers plan more effectively, which in turn improves driver safety and performance. EOBRs also allow drivers to track time spent … Continue reading →

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Public Rest Areas in Minnesota Remain Closed

Sarah O'Neill — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 19:23:47 +0000

As any trucker who has crisscrossed Minnesota over the past week or so knows, the State’s 62 public rest areas have been closed as part of a government shutdown. And baring a reversal of the Ramsey County District Court’s earlier … Continue reading →

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Mythbusting: The Truth About EOBRs, Part 3

David Gagne Xata COO — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 17:48:08 +0000

In last week’s post, I shared the reality of electronic onboard recorders, or EOBRs: 1) they improve profit margins, 2) they’re scalable and can accommodate smaller fleets, and 3) they do not automatically trigger violations—they’re simply a tool that helps … Continue reading →

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Securing More Than Your Load: Health Care Plans for Truckers Part II

Michelle — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 17:46:06 +0000

Now that you’ve taken some time to answer the questions in Part I of this post, there are some other points to consider while you research health insurance coverage: Keep in mind that while each insurance carrier offers different … Continue reading →

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Xata, Truck Drivers Support Jason’s Law via Facebook, Twitter

Michelle — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:55:31 +0000

On Thursday March 5, 2009, truck driver, Jason Rivenburg arrived near his drop destination early and searched for a safe place to park and rest. He pulled his truck into a nearby gas station and was not seen alive again. … Continue reading →

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Securing More Than Your Load: Health Care Plans for Truckers Part I

Michelle — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:29:07 +0000

The search for affordable, quality health care coverage In an age when quality health care insurance is at a premium for truckers pursuing private health care plans, choosing a plan that suits your needs can be both time-consuming and overwhelming. … Continue reading →

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Fundamentals of Leadership: Developing tomorrow’s leaders

Megan Derkey — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:19:43 +0000

Many employees in today’s workplace are promoted to management-level roles without ever receiving the training to do their job effectively. Managers at Xata play a critical role in the productivity and profitability of the company, and we want to ensure … Continue reading →

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Mythbusting: The truth about EOBRs, Part 2 of a 4-part series

David Gagne Xata COO — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 16:43:04 +0000

In my June 23rd post, I addressed some misconceptions about electronic on-board recorders, or EOBRs. Namely, that they take time away from a driver’s workday, that they require driver interaction while their rig is in motion, and that they cost … Continue reading →

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Electronic Driver Logs: Knock CSA compliance out of the park

Brendan Staub — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 17:07:16 +0000

Today, I read an interesting article in Transport Topics about electronic driver logs and their impact on fleet efficiency improvement and HOS reporting accuracy. It got me to thinking… Each and every day, I spend time with customers just like … Continue reading →

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Mythbusting: The Truth About EOBRs, Part 1

David Gagne Xata COO — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:43:04 +0000

As Xata’s Chief Operating Officer, I lead a group of people whose collective goal is to improve highway safety, to help make our customers’ jobs easier and to make their operations more profitable. So, I put a lot of energy … Continue reading →

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Payment for O/Os Driving Empty Surfaces As Fuel Costs Soar

Brendan Staub — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:22:44 +0000

Like the trucker, I’m a traveler. As with anyone on the road today, I’m feeling the pinch at the pump more now than I can ever remember. I find myself throwing my hands up at extra fuel fees added to … Continue reading →

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Top 9 Reasons for Truckers to Adopt Tablet Computing

Ryan Zick — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:06:17 +0000

The tablet, tablet computer, touch-screen portable….. whatever you want to call them. Everyone’s talking about them–how they’re making computing more portable and convenient. But what about the trucking industry? If you’re not a sales rep that appreciates the ability to … Continue reading →

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Getting the Word Out: Turnpike tools sometimes overlooked by our customers

Michele Nunnally — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:11:34 +0000

Typically, I work with new customers in the implementation phase who are involved in product trials and rollouts. It’s easy for them to learn about the newest Turnpike features because part of our implementation process includes training customers on their … Continue reading →

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RoadCheck 2011: Top 10 things to consider

Ryan Barnett — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 21:01:15 +0000

RoadCheck 2011 begins today, as part of CVSA’s initiative to conduct inspections at more than 1,500 locations nationwide for the next 72 hours. Here’s how CVSA describes the initiative: Today marks the start of RoadCheck 2011. The Commercial Vehicle Safety … Continue reading →

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Hey! Watch where you’re going!

Sarah O'Neill — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 22:29:05 +0000

I was listening to the news on my commute home last night, when I heard that Minnesota drivers ranked as the 4th best in the country, according to a recent GMAC survey. Minnesota? Well, maybe that’s so, but we still … Continue reading →

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ALK Technology Summit: Making Molehills Out of Mountains

Ryan Barnett — Tue, 31 May 2011 21:14:12 +0000

I was lucky enough to attend the ALK Transportation Technology Summit in early May 2011. The event is held in beautiful Princeton NJ and brings together some of the greatest minds in the trucking and trucking technology world for a … Continue reading →

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Busting the Driver Resistance Myth: Mobile technology use can lower EOBR adoption barrier

Chris Metro — Fri, 27 May 2011 20:45:56 +0000

When a new customer is adopting and installing Xata’s Turnpike product for their fleet, I’m called in to train drivers on the tpMobile software. The great news is that this part of my job keeps getting easier. Truck drivers, like … Continue reading →

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Fleet Managers: When it comes to EOBRs, trust the ninja, not the novice

Michelle — Thu, 19 May 2011 16:25:15 +0000

Who communicates the potential benefits of using technology to improve fleet operations with a level of expertise greater than drivers and fleet managers who are using it themselves? Probably no one, except the for-hire driver or fleet manager who finds … Continue reading →

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Surprising EOBR adoption trend

Brendan Staub — Wed, 18 May 2011 15:23:08 +0000

Each and every day, I meet with trucking company executives and fleet managers, from those that operate thousands of trucks to ones that operate small fleets. And they are all talking about CSA compliance. But when it comes to EOBR adoption, I have … Continue reading →

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CSA Compliance – Weathering the Storm

Ryan Barnett — Fri, 06 May 2011 16:00:17 +0000

Xata has a long-standing heritage of working with fleets whose safety is a top priority. In fact, it was with their direction that we built the first electronic driver log over 20 years ago. Today, we continue to applaud the … Continue reading →

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Relief Drive for Alabama Tornado Victims Thanks to MN Hero

Sarah O'Neill — Thu, 05 May 2011 19:10:33 +0000

Tornado Victims have it rough. A one-man relief drive softened the blow. Allen Brenycz is the very definition of “Minnesota Nice.” When he received news of the devastation left behind by a recent rash of tornadoes in the south, he … Continue reading →

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ZoomSafer software and Xata integrate to reduce distracted driving

XRS — Tue, 03 May 2011 17:40:40 +0000

Xata Corporation, the leader in trucking compliance and fleet optimization software, today announced it is integrating and reselling ZoomSafer’s award-winning software, FleetSafer Mobile and FleetSafer Vision, both of which can be customized to a fleet’s specific mobile phone policies. FleetSafer … Continue reading →

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A View from ExpoCam 2011, Montreal

Ryan Barnett — Sun, 01 May 2011 16:38:14 +0000

I was lucky enough to spend five days in Montreal last month attending ExpoCam 2011, Canada’s largest truck show. The conference was HUGE, with more than 300 truck manufacturers, fleet performance and compliance vendors sharing 200,000 sq. ft. of exhibit … Continue reading →

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Scott G. Christian is named Xata’s CFO

XRS — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:10:54 +0000

Xata Corporation today named Scott G. Christian as the company’s chief financial officer. Scott G. Christian was formerly president and chief executive officer of Spanlink Communications, Inc., a Minneapolis-based Cisco partner focused on designing, implementing and supporting contact center and … Continue reading →

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Frost & Sullivan Price Performance Value Leadership Award given to Xata

XRS — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 02:09:20 +0000

Xata Corporation, a leader in fleet optimization software, today announced that it has received the Frost & Sullivan Price Performance Value Leadership Award in Commercial Vehicle Fleet Management. The award is given each year to a company demonstrating excellence in … Continue reading →

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Getting a Jump on Rising Fuel Costs

Sarah O'Neill — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 21:43:09 +0000

I’m not a truck driver, fleet manager, or trucking company executive. No, I’m just one of the many thousands out there traveling our nation’s highways, pumping my fist up and down, hoping a trucker might offer the thrill of a … Continue reading →

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Xata Signs Value-Added Reseller Agreement with SkyBitz

XRS — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:32:17 +0000

Xata Corporation, a leader in fleet optimization software, today announced that it is now a value-added reseller (VAR) for SkyBitz®, the global leader in remote-asset-management solutions. The agreement ensures Xata’s ability to provide the industry’s most powerful and complete set … Continue reading →

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Seeing Beyond CSA Compliance

Ryan Barnett — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 21:24:31 +0000

The majority of questions coming in to us are from trucking industry professionals looking for compliance solutions for their fleet. These types of questions got me thinking about all the additional benefits beyond CSA compliance to fleets using EOBR solutions … Continue reading →

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David Gagne Named Xata COO

XRS — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:55:30 +0000

XATA Corporation, a leader in fleet optimization software, today announced that David Gagne has been promoted to the position of chief operating officer (COO). He will report to Jay Coughlan, XATA’s chairman and chief executive officer. In this new role, … Continue reading →

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