Apex Maritime Adopts IAS Dispatch Suite of Intermodal Transportation Solutions

OAKLAND, CA--(Marketwired - May 28, 2013) - International Asset Systems® (IAS), provider of cloud and integrated technologies that connect intermodal trading partners to enhance visibility, optimization and collaboration, announces that Apex Maritime, the second largest NVOCC carrying imports from Asia to the US in 2012, has selected IAS Dispatch as their work order management solution. Apex will use the full IAS Dispatch suite to gain first and last mile visibility within their transportation network, to enhance customer service, and to improve operational efficiencies. With Apex joining the IAS community, IAS now supports four of the top five Trans-Pacific freight forwarders by volume.

"IAS helps both large and small freight forwarders, 3PLs, and ocean carriers to better manage intermodal transportation in order to increase efficiency and profitability," said Mike Nedrow, Vice President of Sales at IAS. "The best-in-class InterAsset platform will provide one-to-many connectivity to Apex's trading partner network and IAS Dispatch will provide monetary savings, transparency of costs and motor carrier performance, and the first and last mile visibility that their customers require."

"The IAS Dispatch suite provides Apex with the tools we need for scalability, for continual performance enhancements, and for standardizing processes across our motor carrier network," said Kevin Bulger, COO of Apex Maritime. "As many of our partners are already IAS Connected, we expect a quick implementation time and a fast return on investment. After working with IAS, we knew that IAS Dispatch was a must-have solution for our business and our customers."

IAS Dispatch is an integrated suite of solutions that brings together drayage assignment, appointment times, amendment management, invoicing, visibility, rates, optimization, and business intelligence, while coordinating resources in the IAS transportation network to improve profitability, customer service, and equipment utilization. Apex will use the following IAS Dispatch modules:

• DispatchManager automates work order management and provides a common platform for communicating with trading partners. Apex will gain a standardized, traceable, repeatable process across their complete motor carrier network and will be able to easily record proof of delivery (POD) on completed work orders.
• DispatchInvoice streamlines the invoice receipt, verification, and approval process while enhancing controls regarding the accuracy of drayage and accessorial costs. More reliable data will result not only in direct savings, but will also decrease the number of days outstanding on incoming invoices and allow Apex to bill their own customers more quickly.
• DispatchOptimizer provides decision support for drayage assignments by showing street-turn opportunities that combine disparate jobs matching trip-specific criteria. Apex will lower empty mileage, and reduce repositioning, per diem, gate, storage, and handling charges. 
• DispatchTariff gives Apex a centralized view of all their freight rates, allowing them to quickly discover the best partner for a particular trip.
• DispatchTender enables Apex to broadcast work orders and receive individual quotes from any motor carrier within their network. This reduces the time taken to find the right service provider, opens new opportunities for optimization, and lowers operational costs.
• DispatchInsight allows Apex to look at their operational activity for a better understanding of freight costs and provides actionable areas to lower transportation spend. Apex can also measure the performance of their partners against established KPIs. Previously, data was gathered from multiple systems, aggregated, then assimilated into reports; now the data is automatically updated in real-time.

As a growing company, Apex is in the process of upgrading their internal systems. IAS Dispatch will integrate into the back end processes of Apex's proprietary system, which is an expanded TMS with general business capabilities.

About IAS
IAS provides greater visibility, control, and optimization of assets through a collaborative platform uniting the global trade, transportation, and logistics industry. IAS solutions, quickly implemented and immediately beneficial, can be operated as standalone web-native applications or integrated into existing transportation management systems. The IAS platform and solution portfolio create a more valuable network by enabling clients to interact seamlessly, optimizing the inland intermodal process, and lowering the cost of routine business transactions. IAS connects thousands of trading partners including leading ocean carriers, motor carriers, railroads, logistics providers, equipment lessors, repair depots, and terminals, and enables them to increase revenue, margin, and service. The IAS team of transportation experts is dedicated to providing world-class solutions and combines personal, 24x7 service worldwide with one of the intermodal industry's most comprehensive service level agreements. For more information, visit http://www.interasset.com.