Rail and intermodal transportation software varies widely depending on what services your company offers as well as what specific needs best suit your company. Your computer operating system comes into play as you will need software that works with your present system or you will have to upgrade the entire system to fit the software. Make sure that the software is network-ready for multiple sharing over departments and branches.

Many software systems will contain information that you do not need so do not pay for options that do not work for you. Select a software system that will grow with your institution. Alternatively, upgrading your present software with new functions may be the best option if you have a system that is already working for you. Look for these features when choosing railway software:

1. Purchase the intermodal software solutions that is right for your institution.

2. Work with rail transport software you already use.

3. Find help with railway software products through customer service support.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate intermodal software providers with programs you can use

Software programs come in all shapes and sizes and there is a price tag that goes with that. Check the features of the software you are considering and purchase what your institution needs.

I recommend: Comp Care Services offers a software program that allows manual or automatic order entry, auto rating, driver settlements and management reports. Horizon Services Group offers "Inland Suite" which has dispatch functions to interact with truckers; it also has functions to integrate with the railroads, cost control and shipment routing.

Choose rail software that integrates with the system already in place

If your present software is working for you, consider upgrading it to add a few features that you need instead of replacing the entire system. There may be a small charge to upgrade but this would be minimal compared to replacing the entire system. Find out if the new necessary features are available with your present software. Alternatively, choose a software program that adds these features but integrates with the program in place.

I recommend: Butler Associates offers software that tracks activity, tracing customer reports and makes quotes. This software works from day one with your PC and phone system. Power Intermodal offers a fully integrated software suite that provides financial management, driver settlement, fuel card and per diem management and documentation control.

Select intermodal transport software that has live customer support

The best software in the world is no good to you if you cannot reach someone to answer questions when that need arises. Software has an online guide but sometimes that is not enough when you run into a difficulty. Choose software systems with live customer support features to get the most out of program.

I recommend: Profit Tools offers a software program that aims at controlling expenses, billing, dispatch, paper management and settlements. Contact them by phone, fax or email. Trinium offers a complete software package for intermodal transportation with phone or email support.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When purchasing your rail and intermodal transportation software, consider purchasing other business software programs at the same time. Many companies offer a discount for multiple purchases.