SYSCO chooses XATA for fleet optimization

The Trucker News Services

1/22/2008

MINNEAPOLIS — Fleet optimization software and services company XATA Corp. reported Tuesday it would provide onboard computer technology to SYSCO Corp., North America’s largest foodservice marketer and distributor.

XATA will provide SYSCO with XATANET, its fleet operations solution, and implementation and training services to ensure a smooth adoption of the solution, according to the news release. Deliveries are expected to begin the first quarter of 2008.

“This is a major step in our long-term strategy of transforming XATA into the nation’s leading software as a service (SaaS) provider for the transportation industry,” said Jay Coughlan, chairman and CEO of XATA Corp. “Once fully rolled out, the addition of the SYSCO fleet of 9,000 vehicles enhances our market leadership position and is a significant step in our plan to leverage our XATANET system to its maximum potential.”

SYSCO currently maintains North America’s largest private fleet composed of over 9,000 vehicles at 177 locations throughout the United States and Canada, XATA noted.

“We are excited about the opportunities presented by a common onboard technology platform across our organization,” said Gary Cullen, vice president, Distribution Services at SYSCO. “Ultimately, this is about improving safety and efficiency. The tools provided by XATANET should be invaluable towards increasing fleet safety, fuel efficiency, and customer service.”

SYSCO sells, markets and distributes food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers that prepare meals away from home. Its products also include equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries.

XATA introduced XATANET 4.0, the latest version of its web-based, on-demand software, in October of 2007.

Based in Minneapolis, XATA says the company revolutionized the trucking industry by being the first to introduce electronic driver logs and exception-based management reporting with automatic fleet information updates. XATANET is designed to provide customers access to vehicle data anywhere, anytime.