New Features to Be Launched at NADA
January 25, 2012Elite EXTRA is about providing the best service to you, our customers. We want to help you streamline your business, build efficiencies in your operations, and increase your bottom line.
To that end, we’ll be introducing new features that will transform the way you use the application, and the way you do business.
From geofencing, which increases the accuracy of your delivery locations, to pushing reports directly to your email, these new enhancements are sure to improve your operations.
Geofencing with “Geocertify” Technology – Geofencing with Geocertify technology means customer locations are more accurate by leveraging the exact coordinates of historic deliveries, which increases the accuracy of your ETAs. Automation reduces the need for the drivers to manually record stops, further increasing accuracy, and user error.
EXTRA ToGo V2 – For managers who are on the go, EXTRA ToGo V2 will allow you to check deliveries and other items while you are away from your computer. Version 2 provides a more streamlined user experience and an expanded set of user options. Users can view driver status, daily statistics and alerts, and search by invoice or customer.
EXTRA ToGo allows users to check delivery status and a host of other vital stats while away from the desk.
Automated Report Delivery – Automated reports will be pushed directly to managers’ emails, saving them the time of going into the system to pull the reports. The system can be customized so each client gets the information they want.
Enhanced EXTRA Dashboard – A new and improved dashboard will display user tips, new features, a link to the user manual, as well as news about EXTRA and the industry. It will also calculate each day’s miles driven for each customer.
Stop by our booth at NADA to learn more about these new enhancements that will be available to all our customers in February, or contact our Customer Support team at 1.888.484.8729.
President's Message: EXTRA Celebrates 3rd Anniversary at NADA
January 23, 2012Much has happened since Elite EXTRA first debuted at NADA in 2010.
EXTRA has grown stronger and more robust with many new features, the number of drivers being dispatched and tracked through EXTRA has increased ten-fold, our client base has spread to 28 states and Canada, and our sales and support team has nearly doubled.
We believe we’ve helped our customers change the way they do business, creating efficiencies, saving money, and satisfying clients along the way.
Like the car manufacturers that exhibit at NADA, we also like to showcase what’s new with our product.
So what’s new this year at NADA?
Well, we’ve added geofencing to increase accuracy and efficiency, a new dashboard that puts everything you need to know about EXTRA at your fingertips, and a new version of EXTRA ToGo that allows managers to check drivers, stats, etc. when they are away from their desk. Automated reporting, which sends detailed reports about your delivery day in real-time directly to your email inbox, is another addition.
It is our goal to continue to transform the way you do business, to make your operation more efficient, and to give you the edge over your competitors.
If you are at NADA, please stop out and meet our team at booth #3422. We hope to see you there!
Visit the Elite EXTRA Team at NADA in Vegas
January 20, 2012Members of the Elite EXTRA team will be traveling to Las Vegas for our third show in three years. We’ll be unveiling new features and look forward to meeting customers and partners, new and old.
Elite EXTRA now serves clients in 28 states and Canada, and we’re looking forward to expanding even further in 2012.
So, please do stop by and visit us at Booth #3422 at NADA on Feb. 4-6 in Las Vegas. Learn what’s new and meet the EXTRA team:
- Jim Ward, President
- Matt Porter, Senior Account Manager
- Ross Kleiner, Business Development Manager
- Lori Liddell, Operations Manager
- Todd Wascher, Account Manager
- Jon Ward, Account Manager
- Jen DeVries, Account Manager
EXTRA Joins the Mopar Masters Guild
November 21, 2011We are pleased to announce that we are now a Tier One Supporting Vendor of the Mopar Masters Guild (MMG). We are honored to support the MMG and look forward to an exchange of knowledge and ideas.
One Call at a Time...Enhancing Your EXTRA Experience
November 21, 2011As a customer-focused culture, we strive to practice excellent service every day. In fact, we are relentless in our efforts to continue to improve upon the “EXTRA Experience” for our users.
With two years of EXTRA support and customer feedback to draw upon, we reviewed our existing procedures to see what we’re doing well and where we can improve so customers have the optimal experience.
To that end, we are now offering more up front training. We’ve learned that better trained EXTRA users mean less frustration and fewer support calls.
While EXTRA is relatively easy for users to embrace, we know that, as with any software, users do not learn all of the functionality with one training session.
As such, we will provide one overall session, and then will follow up with more training after our users have been using it for a bit. This will allow time for users to know the system and to ask questions about features and functionality they don’t understand.
Following the training session, expect us to reach out to offer suggestions on how to use EXTRA optimally, and to see if you have any additional questions or ideas for us.
And, when upgrades or features are introduced, we’ll notify you through email and our newsletter to keep you up-to-speed on all the benefits of any new functionality.
Once users are fully schooled on all of the intricacies of EXTRA, we’ll be following up every couple of months to see how things are going and to see if we can be of assistance.
Our goal is to go the “extra mile” for all of our customers and to establish a relationship with each client to ensure they know that we are not just another faceless, nameless software development company; we have a team who stands behind the product to not only teach clients how to use it, but fully support the product and our clients whenever an issue arises – whether it’s user error, a bug that needs to be fixed or connectivity issues.
How to Get the Most from Your Reporting System
September 26, 2011The Elite EXTRA reporting system is a tool that is constantly evolving thanks to our customers.
We continue to listen to your ideas on how to make EXTRA the most suitable Delivery Routing and Tracking System for your unique delivery or service model.
To that end, we are constantly enhancing EXTRA with new reports, which can be added to your unique instance in very short order.
Here are some of the new reports. (See corresponding numbers below on the screenshot.):
- 1. Route Performance - Display the in-house and total time performance for customers within each zone.
- 2. Excessive Time at Stop - See if your driver spends an abnormal amount of time at a particular stop with this report. The arrival time, departure time, driver name and the time at location are all specified on this.
- 3. Route Departure Times Exceeded - See the route, driver, time scheduled to depart, and if the expected departure time was exceeded.
- 4. Missed ETA's - Display ETAs that were missed by a driver.
- 5. Delivery Route Details - See the route mileage with the total stops and invoices per manifest.
- 6. Driver Mileage - The mileage from the Route graphic in dispatch monitor now will be stored per manifest and is reported on the new “Driver Mileage” report on the Admin login.
- 7. Record Odometer - Enable the recording of odometer mileage on route start and finish. This tracks mileage per manifest for a driver and will be expanded upon to compare to the Route Graphic mileage.
- 8. Customer Timing - Search for a customer who a driver has already delivered to and it will show invoice numbers, driver name, and time aspects of the delivery.
Please contact our support team for more information on adding these reports to your system at 1.888.484.8729.
Announcing New Branch in Milwaukee/Chicago Area
September 26, 2011Elite EXTRA now has a Milwaukee/Chicago area presence. The new office will serve a growing clientele in the Southeastern Wisconsin/Chicago area.
Account Manager Jon Ward will head up the Milwaukee/Chicago branch. As Account Manager for EXTRA, Jon is responsible for new sales development, support and market research.
Jon has over 10 years of experience in client/member services, as well as new software implementation and support. Prior to joining the EXTRA team, Jon was involved in operations within the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), and is a certified Golf Pro.
ADC Participates on Forum That Tackles the Future of Broadband in Wisconsin
August 11, 2011Text courtesy of WQOW News 18
Eau Claire (WQOW) - Business and government leaders hope to connect when it comes to high-speed internet.
Wired Wisconsin estimates 26 percent of rural residents in the state don't have access to broadband internet. Some areas that already have it don't have adequate broadband. On Thursday, a forum was held in Eau Claire to discuss the future of broadband.
As a software and data service company, Applied Data Consultants relies heavily on the internet.
"We host a lot of those applications, a lot of them for local government we host in an attempt to keep the cost down, so we try to do a lot of our own hosting, but that of course relies on some pretty high-speed broadband internet," says Jim Ward, Applied Data Consultants President.
However, broadband internet isn't available in all parts of the state. Ward says that can slow down business.
"You lose a little bit of the efficiency this type of technology affords you in that they don't have to run all the way back to the warehouse, find out what they need," says Ward.
Thad Nation, with Wired Wisconsin, says expanding broadband to the entire state could help attract jobs.
"Whether it's for orders, whether it's for linking their employees, whether it's for getting their suppliers this has become as important to a business as electricity or a telephone, sometimes even more important," says Thad Nation, Wired Wisconsin Executive Director.
Expanding broadband to all parts of the state will require work by both the private and public sectors. Forums, like Thursday's, are a way to get that dialogue going.
"I heard one statistic that says you have to have 200 customers per mile to make it profitable," says Sen. Terry Moulton (R) 23rd Senate District. "Well that's just not feasible in some of the rural areas so maybe something like a tax incentive to provide a business the opportunity to invest in that area."
And growing broadband in an area is something Ward is familiar with.
"There was only one option when we started transitioning to internet-based software and it was costly, it certainly stymied growth a little bit," says Ward. "The state helped with some tax credits, they helped us connect up to another ISP in the area so we had two options and certainly within the last two years a third option and even a fourth has been available."
Nation says not only is broadband important in attracting businesses to the state, but employees are also looking for jobs in areas were broadband is widely available to use at home.
According to the FCC, it would cost $350 billion do expand broadband coverage to the entire United States.
Customer Web Portal Gives Clients Advantage
June 22, 2011Looking for an edge over your competitors? EXTRA’s Customer Portal is a feature that will give you a competitive advantage. It addresses a pain point for shop owners looking to schedule their time, and it makes their customers happier knowing when their vehicles will be repaired.
Many EXTRA clients are already reaping the benefits of using the Customer Portal, which contains a secure login that provides an estimated time of arrival (ETA) of 10 minutes for your customers’ parts (see customer spotlight, page 2 for an example.
For those who aren’t fully utilizing it, the Portal not only saves phone calls between all involved parties, it provides a service that is above and beyond what your competitors are offering. Notably, it provides an experience with your shop that is exceptional.
Please contact our support team at 1.888.484.8729 to learn more about this feature that will save time and money, while helping with customer retention.
2011 “Business of the Year”
May 27, 2011EXTRA parent company ADC was named 2011 “Business of the Year” by the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation.
The award, which is nominated by and voted on by peers in the local business community, was presented on May 13 to ADC/Extra Trax President Jim Ward.
Nearly 300 business leaders, community members and public officials attended the award ceremony held in Chippewa County, Wis.
EXTRA Featured on Local News
Video courtesy of WQOW News 18
General Motors Chooses EXTRA to Maximize Efficiencies in Deliveries
February 1, 2011General Motors recently contracted with Elite EXTRA, a web-based online routing and tracking system, to streamline its ACDelco parts’ deliveries.
Extra Trax LLC, owner of Elite EXTRA (Extreme Tracking and Routing Application), will be presenting EXTRA to all ACDelco Warehouse Distributors (WDs) within the Dedicated Distributor Group (DDG) at the annual ACDelco eForum Cyber Café, slated for Feb. 9-11 in Detroit.
By using EXTRA, ACDelco’s DDG will be able to reduce expenses associated with the distribution of their products by efficiently routing their drivers, creating savings in fuel consumption, vehicle maintenance and driver accountability.
According to Jim Ward, Extra Trax President, WDs will be able to maximize profitability by maintaining positive control over their parts and delivery drivers from the warehouse to the customer, and back.
“We’re confident that GM will achieve the same savings that other customers have experienced using EXTRA,” said Ward. “And, we’re extremely proud that GM chose our product to deliver a product that is associated with excellence in the automotive industry.”
Ward added that route statistics show that most EXTRA users experience up to 15 percent in savings gleaned from route efficiencies and a simplified dispatching process, and another 5 percent reduction in fuel consumption.
Attending and presenting at the eForum will be: Jim Ward, President; Matt Porter, Senior Account Manager; Ross Kleiner, Business Development Manager; and, Todd Wascher, Account Manager.
EXTRA Power Now Spans Both Coasts
January 31, 2011With the addition of our new East Coast office, Elite EXTRA (EXtreme Tracking and Routing Application) now has a presence that spans across both coasts.
The new office is in centrally-located in Charlottesville, Virg., and will be led by Business Development Manager Todd Wascher, who will continue to co-manage the Omaha branch.
As a U.S. Army Veteran, Todd has been involved in custom application development, project management, and sales for nearly 12 years. As an Account Manager for EXTRA, Todd’s responsibilities include new sales creation, customer relationship management, and strategic partnerships.
In addition to its Eau Claire, Wis. headquarters and the new East Coast office, ADC has branches in San Francisco, Denver, Omaha and Phoenix.
Extra Trax LLC President Jim Ward, owner of EXTRA, said the addition of the new office will allow EXTRA to serve a growing client base along the East Coast.
“Demand for EXTRA in the East is growing, and Todd will be able to nourish those relationships one-on-one now,” said Ward. “We’re excited to have an EXTRA presence on both coasts and throughout the West and Midwest to help spread the word about EXTRA’s efficiencies.”
The new office is located at 3023 Cove Ln., Charlottesville, VA 22911. Todd can be reached at 1-888-484-8729, ext. 254 or by calling 1-402-517-5569.
EXTRA to Unveil Release Featuring Signature Capture at NADA
January 27, 2011The newest version of Elite EXTRA™, the cutting edge web-based routing and tracking application that streamlines the delivery of auto parts, will be demonstrated for the automotive industry at the National Automobile Dealer Assoc. (NADA) Conference on Feb. 5-7 in San Francisco.
A cornerstone of the new v6.1 release is real-time mobile eSignature capture, an optional capability that allows customers’ signatures to be collected for proof of delivery (POD) and maintains delivery records in a tamper-evident, secure repository. Currently available using the touch screen of Android-based phones, signature capture will eliminate the need for paper invoices, helping clients to save time and money while moving into an environment friendly operation.
Extra Trax LLC, the company that owns EXTRA, has partnered with eOriginal Inc., a leader in electronic signatures, vaulted repository and electronic transaction solutions to offer POD signature capture for the automotive parts’ industry.
Because both Extra’s web-based routing and tracking application and eOriginal’s electronic signature solution are geared toward automating operations and straight-through processing, they complement one another in helping businesses to operate efficiently, reduce staff and cut overhead operating costs.
According to Jim Ward, President of Extra Trax, the electronic signature solution will benefit EXTRA’s customers by creating the option to achieve the benefits of a paperless system for customers who choose it. “Capturing and storing signatures electronically will streamline operations and reduce employee time and expenses for customers,” said Ward. “This is the first routing and tracking system that combines automated optimal routes at an affordable price point with real-time electronic signature capture and we’re excited to unveil it at NADA.”
Bryan Caporlette, eOriginal’s CTO and COO, said “We are excited to be partnering with EXTRA to expand utilization of the SmartSign and eCore solution within the automotive industry. Capturing a signature right at the point of delivery demonstrates the flexibility offered by mobile solutions and the power to positively affect operations across the customer’s entire organization.”
Representatives from EXTRA and eOriginal will be on hand at booth #2413S at NADA to answer questions and provide demonstrations of EXTRA and the new electronic signature component.
While created for the automotive industry, EXTRA featuring electronic signatures is available for all industries that rely on deliveries.
President's Message: EXTRA Maturing for Automotive Industry
January 24, 2011By: Jim Ward
Visitors to this year’s National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) annual convention in San Francisco will see a much different version of EXTRA than was exhibited a year ago.
In the Software as a Service (SaaS) product industry, software, as it evolves is often referred to as existing in one of three distinct phases: in its “infancy,” “adolescence” or “maturity.” Yes, there are different versions released, but each new iteration builds upon the previous release as enhancements are developed creating an on-going “maturity” within the software.
We are happy to now see EXTRA for parts delivery at the “mature” stage, as the requests for new features have slowed and much effort now is spent on stability and speed.
Version 6.1 looks to be the last major release for EXTRA-Delivery, as part of the development team shifts focus to EXTRA-Transport, EXTRA-Service, and EXTRA-Courier, as the need for EXTRA has already been found within the service, reprographic, pharmaceutical, and people transport industries.
The primary focus for 2011 within the automotive parts’ delivery industry is to continue to market and expand EXTRA’s presence, focusing mainly on dealer wholesale, aftermarket, and the salvage industries.
In addition, we are focusing on ways to enhance the stability and speed of the product as well. We will continue to partner and forge alliances with many industry leaders, which will allow EXTRA to integrate into more ordering and e-commerce systems.
So as we gear up for this year’s show in San Francisco, we encourage many of our existing customers to stop by our new booth and meet members of the EXTRA staff. On-site will be members of our sales, marketing, and operational support teams. They would love to meet you in person, putting faces with voices and to discuss EXTRA and any ideas you may have for improvements. Hope to see you there!
Read More News!
San Francisco Bay Area Branch Announced
November 29, 2010We now have a branch office in the San Francisco Bay area. Senior Account Manager Matt Porter, who previously worked in the Denver office, will be heading the new sales office.
With a growing clientele in the Bay Area, the new office will provide access for customers throughout that region, according to Jim Ward, President/CEO of ADC and Extra Trax.
“We’ve experienced considerable growth on the West Coast and we’d like to continue that momentum by meeting customers face-to-face whenever possible,” said Ward. “Having Matt physically in that area will allow us to better serve our clients.”
The new branch is located in Modesto, Calif., just outside San Francisco. The address is P.O. Box 576492, Modesto, CA 95357. Or, Matt can be reached by calling 1-888-484-8729, ext. 255.
President's Column: EXTRA is Growing!
By: Jim WardNovember 17, 2010
We officially launched EXTRA at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) conference in February 2010. At that time we had just a handful of clients and a fervent belief that we not only had a great product, but a prime market for that product.
While there were other similar services, we banked on dealerships and companies wanting a web-based routing and tracking service that was affordable, easy for all levels of employees to use, and that integrated with any order entry/delivery management system available.
Fortunately, our vision of what was needed in the industry mirrored the industry’s needs.
EXTRA is now servicing clients in nine states and will be in 19 states by early next year. Business has increased by 400 percent and in addition to servicing the automotive industry, we are now working on opportunities in the salvage, e-commerce/e-catalog, GPS-tracking, commercial truck, aftermarket distributing, courier, home-delivery and corporate service industries.
We became integrated with industry giant ADP earlier this year and have become business partners with other technology leaders, including e-Original and Networkfeet; several others are in progress.
Factory Motor Parts believed in EXTRA’s abilities early on and ran a test pilot in two locations before it was launched. FMP continues to be an integral partner in our development. EXTRA offers enhancements and new features with each version, and version 6.0 will soon be replaced with 6.1.
Thanks to our partnership with e-Original, we’ve added electronic signature capture as an add-on service for our customers. And we’re working to incorporate barcode scanning, which will increase the return on investment for clients of EXTRA.
As we approach the 2011 NADA conference and the anniversary of our launch date, the EXTRA team is thankful to all of our customers for the ideas, feedback and faith you’ve placed in all of us and our product.
You’ve taken EXTRA and injected it with growth hormones, propelling it to heights beyond even our expectatons. So, at Thanksgiving, we want you to know how much we appreciate you and are thankful for your patronage and support.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Elite EXTRA Keeps Customers Informed with new Electronic Newsletter
October 28, 2010Elite EXTRA now has an electronic newsletter, Extra Wired, to keep customers informed of all the new releases, tips and events surrounding EXTRA.
Extra Wired will be a supplement to the quarterly newsletter, Time Trax, the paper version which is sent to customers in the mail. It will offer tips and tricks for using the software, links to industry news, information about new features, and anything else that might be of interest to customers.
Jim Ward, President/Owner of Extra Trax, said the new newsletter will keep customers abreast of all that is happening with EXTRA.
“As a service to our clients, we are bringing them Extra Wired so they can be the first to learn of any news or updates regarding EXTRA,” said Ward. “It will serve as a vehicle to not only inform them about what’s happening with the product, but within the industry as well.”
To sign up for EXTRA Wired, click here.
Leading Provider of Wireless Fleet Management Services Partners with Elite EXTRA
September 21, 2010Extra Trax recently announced its partnership with Networkfleet, a leading provider of wireless fleet management services, to offer a full range of fleet management services.
The combined technology of Elite EXTRA and Networkfleet’s solution allows companies to manage their fleet like never before with real-time tracking and estimated time of arrival (ETA) reporting, simple route creation and management and detailed route and vehicle usage reporting.
“The combined power of Elite EXTRA and Networkfleet enables increased savings for fleet managers by reducing expenses through increased efficiency in preparing for and executing their daily routes while having more positive control over their fleet while it is on the road,” according to Jim Ward, Extra Trax President/Owner.
Networkfleet’s technology combines vehicle diagnostic monitoring with an online GPS fleet tracking system. It has more than 50 patents issued or pending surrounding remote diagnostics and has received numerous awards for its technology.
Founded in 1999, Networkfleet is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hughes Telematics, Inc. and is headquartered in San Diego, CA.
Electronic Signature Capture Now Available with EXTRA
May 10, 2010
Partnership will revolutionize the parts delivery process through real-time, web-based systems that streamline and automate routing, tracking and deliveryEAU CLAIRE, WI and BALTIMORE, MD – The founders of Elite EXTRA, a revolutionary new routing and tracking tool, and eOriginal Inc, a leader in electronic signatures, vaulted repository and electronic transaction solutions, have partnered to offer point of delivery electronic signature capture for the automotive parts’ industry.
According to Jim Ward, President of Extra Trax, the company that owns Elite EXTRA (Extreme Routing and Tracking Application), the electronic signature solution is a critical add-on that will benefit Elite EXTRA’s customers by providing a secured electronically signed document as proof of delivery or service, creating the option for a paperless system for customers who choose it.
“This is the first routing and tracking system that combines automated optimal routes at an affordable price point with real-time electronic signature capture,” said Ward. “Together these tools will revolutionize the way auto parts are delivered by creating efficiencies and reducing waste for customers.”
Jim Tebay, eOriginal’s Vice-President of Business Development, said “We’ve played a key role in automating automotive finance with our solutions, so we see Elite Extra’s real-time solution for parts delivery as a natural complement and one that provides a fast ROI for both dealers and parts suppliers.”
Electronic signature capture embedded into a web browser on the driver’s cell phone will be provided at the point of delivery, which will capture the signature from the person receiving the order. The signature will then be stored for the customer with the pertinent details of the delivery, invoice or work order, and accessible in real-time via Extra’s customer web portal.
Because both processes are aimed at automating and streamlining operations for deliveries, the two complement one another in helping businesses to operate efficiently, reduce staff and cut overhead operating costs.
Elite EXTRA has a proven return on investment (ROI) of 15 percent through route optimization and driver and dispatcher efficiencies, and signature capture will further augment that ROI by reducing the amount of time staff spend in searching and accessing paper documents.
“We did an extensive search for an electronic signature solution to help streamline our customer’s operations in a manner that is easy, efficient, and secure,” said Ward. “eOriginal has been wonderful to work with, and through integration offers a complete, cost-effective, cutting-edge solution for customers wanting digital, web-based signature capture.”
Introducing EXTRA ToGo Mobile Application
April 26, 2010Elite EXTRA, a product developed for routing and tracking the delivery of auto parts and other services, has gone mobile, according to Jim Ward, President and CEO of Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC) and Extra Trax.
EXTRA ToGo, Elite EXTRA’s (Extreme Routing and Tracking Application) new mobile application will allow users to track deliveries and drivers using smart phones, said Ward in announcing the new application.
EXTRA ToGo can be easily installed on smart phones and allows managers and dispatchers to receive alerts and track deliveries and drivers at any time and place through the use of mobile technology. The application also provides summaries of daily orders, sales totals, available and active drivers, and previous day’s sales and delivery summary.
According to Ward, EXTRA ToGo will be an efficient tool for busy auto dealers, dispatchers, managers, and others to use to view where their drivers and parts are anywhere, anytime.
“EXTRA ToGo gives dispatchers and managers the flexibility to move away from their computers, while still maintaining awareness of their deliveries,” said Ward. “Time is money, and EXTRA ToGo will allow users to make the most of their time.”
Elite EXTRA is a web-based real-time tracking system that streamlines the delivery of products and services for all industries that rely on deliveries, routing and logistics. The system was designed initially for the delivery of auto parts, and was first launched in May of 2009.
For more information about pricing and features of EXTRA ToGo, please call 1-888-484-8729.
Logistics’ Veteran Hired for Elite EXTRA Sales
March 1, 2010A veteran in logistics and sales has accepted a position at Applied Data Consulants, Inc. (ADC) to increase market share of Elite EXTRA (Extreme Routing and Tracking Application) throughout the United States.
Matt Porter brings over 15 years of experience in all aspects of business development and sales to EXTRA having worked for national firms, starting his own business, and working in the logistics’ industry.
Most recently Porter served as vice-president for a logistics’ firm with a growing presence in the Western United States. His prior experience includes working at Costco and Sysco foods. He also has experience in both the retail and internet markets, and co-founded two cigar companies that are still operating successfully today.
Jim Ward, President and CEO of ADC and Extra Trax, a subsidiary of ADC, said Porter’s experience in the automotive parts and delivery industries will help facilitate the launch of EXTRA nationwide.
“Matt has been on the front lines of the parts’ delivery business and understands the part process from the warehouse right down to the customer’s hands,” said Ward. “We’re thrilled to have someone of Matt’s caliber and experience onboard to help gain a national presence for EXTRA.”
Elite EXTRA is a web-based real-time tracking system that streamlines the delivery of products and services for all industries that rely on deliveries, routing and logistics. The system was designed initially for the delivery of auto parts, and was first launched in May.
ADC recently opened an office in Denver, where Porter will be headquartered.
ADP Selects EXTRA for Integration
February 18, 2010Extra Trax, LLC, a subsidiary of Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC), announced the successful completion of the approval process for ADP Dealer Services’ Third Party Access Program. Being part of ADP’s Third Party Access program offers automotive dealers full integration between Elite EXTRA – a routing and tracking tool developed by Extra Trax – and ADP’s ordering and invoicing system.
The only on-line routing and tracking tool that is in development to become ADP-integrated, Elite EXTRA (Extreme Tracking and Routing Application) will streamline the dispatch process for dealers who use both systems by automating the order entry system, saving dealers both time and money, while also increasing accuracy. With ADP integration, when a dealer orders parts for delivery, the information for all orders will also be loaded into Elite EXTRA as unassigned orders for dispatch.
ADP’s Third Party Access Program provides an open, secure, and integrated channel for Third Party dealers wanting access to the Dealer Management System. ADP currently has over 100 Third Party application providers participating in its Third Party Access Program.
According to Jim Ward, President and Owner of Extra Trax, this will be a time-saving convenience for dealers who use Elite EXTRA because it eliminates the need to enter orders twice.
“Elite EXTRA was built to streamline the routing, tracking and distribution of auto parts and is already reducing costs and increasing efficiencies for users,” said Ward. “With ADP integration, that process will be even more seamless, allowing auto parts to be dispatched even more quickly and efficiently.”
According to Clifton Mason, Vice President of Product Marketing for ADP Dealer Services:
“ADP has always understood that dealerships own their data and enjoy having choices on how best to share and utilize that data with others. Accordingly, our continuing goal is to offer an open, secure and integrated Dealer Management System (DMS). That is why we are excited to have Extra Trax and Elite EXTRA be part of our Third Party Access Program,” states Mason.
Announcing a New Branch in Denver
February 5, 2010DENVER, CO – Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC), one of the largest web and geographic information systems (GIS) firms in the Midwest, is expanding its operations to the Denver area, according to Jim Ward, President and CEO of ADC.
Ward said the new Denver branch was opened to extend the company’s proven geospatial and web service offerings to GIS users in southern Rocky Mountain region, and to support several key clients in the automotive industry who are using the Elite EXTRA (Extreme Routing and Tracking Application) application to route and track their auto parts in the Denver area.
“We’re pleased to be expanding our services to the Front Range, and with the population growth in Denver and the presence of other high-tech firms, we saw Denver as the right opportunity,” said Ward. “In addition, the growth in sales of our Elite EXTRA product in the Western United States has spurred us to open an office in Denver to ensure that we can provide face-to-face customer support, in addition to online support.”
Heading up the new Denver branch will be Jen DeVries, an ADC employee since 2005. DeVries will serve as Account Manager, Western Region. She previously served as a GIS Technician and Web Analyst for ADC. DeVries has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
“Jen was a clear choice to head up the Denver office,” said Ward. “Not only does she have excellent customer support skills, her technical abilities are top-notch and we’re excited to have her launching our new branch.”
The new office will be located at 5450 South Broadway, Englewood, Colo. ADC’s headquarters are in Eau Claire, Wis. and another branch is located in Omaha, Neb.
Elite EXTRA is a Software as a Service (SaaS) real-time solution that provides optimal routes, tracking, and a web portal for customers to check on their deliveries. First launched in May 2009 for Elite Logistics, a driver staffing firm located in Denver, Elite EXTRA is being used by clients across the nation.
Factory Motor Parts Selects Elite EXTRA for Routing and Tracking of Drivers, Parts
January 20, 2010Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC) and its subsidiary company Extra Trax LLC announced today that Factory Motor Parts has signed a contract to implement Elite Extra (Extreme Tracking and Routing Application) in its warehouses throughout the country.
Elite EXTRA is a web-based real-time tracking system that streamlines the delivery of products and services for all industries that rely on deliveries, routing and logistics.
The system was developed for the delivery of auto parts, and was first launched in May. According to Jim Ward, President and CEO of ADC and Extra Trax, the deal with Factory Motor Parts marks the first national client to purchase the new Software as a Service (SaaS) product.
"We are honored to be working with a national company that has such a long-standing and stellar reputation in the automotive world for quality products and services," said Ward. "We value the trust they have placed in us and our product to make their deliveries more timely and efficient."
Factory Motor Parts is a leader in the auto parts distribution industry in the United States, distributing for companies such as ACDelco, Motocraft, Bendix, Denso, Cardone, FelPro, and KYB.
Prior to choosing ADC, Factory had conducted a global search for a routing and tracking tool, according to Tim Cordell, Vice-President of Operations. It had narrowed the search down to two international companies prior to choosing Elite EXTRA to pilot test at warehouses in Eau Claire, Wis., and Plymouth, Minn.
"We heard about Elite EXTRA emerging onto the scene, set up a demo, and haven't looked back", according to Cordell. "As a product, Elite EXTRA is an extremely efficient and lightweight tool for routing and tracking our drivers and our parts. As a company, ADC has provided customer support and services that have exceeded our expectations."
Ward said Elite EXTRA was developed in conjunction with seasoned service delivery professionals who knew what was truly needed in a routing and tracking application. Key features include optimal routes, real-time ETAs, and a cost that is less upfront and less per driver than competitors.
"We conducted extensive research prior to developing Elite EXTRA so we knew what features were truly needed, and which made other systems cumbersome and confusing," said Ward. "As a result, we are confident that we have the sleekest, most lightweight, and easiest-to-use system on the market today."
