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'End to End' Software System Internet Dispatch for Towing Contractors

17 September 1999

Two Software Companies Announce Alliance to Offer 'End to End' System, Internet Dispatch for Towing Contractors

    PLANO, Texas--Sept. 17, 1999--Lavelle Engineering Technologies, Inc. (LET), Indianapolis, and Praxis Solutions, (Praxis), Bellevue, Wash., today announced a marketing alliance which will offer an enterprise management system for the towing industry featuring seamless Internet and cellular links to dispatching centers of auto clubs and insurance companies, and to individual truck drivers.
    Announcement of the integrated package was made in conjunction with Tow Expo `99 here, which is being held here today through September 19.
    The package will link Tow Track's Management Solutions Software for towing contractors, and LET's On+Site Dispatch (TM) software package, which uses a combination of Internet and digital cellular telephone technologies to support integrated dispatching.

    20%-30% PRODUCTIVITY GAINS REPORTED

    The announcement was made jointly by Steve Fitzwilliam, President of Praxis Solutions, and Michael R. Lavelle, President of Lavelle Engineering Technologies.
    "By linking Tow Track Management Solutions Software and On+Site Dispatch, dispatching information can be expedited from auto clubs and call centers. Companies using On+Site's technology report improvements in dispatch productivity of 20% to 30%. With our integrated package, productivity improvements can be realized at the call center level, and again by dispatch personnel at towing contractors," Lavelle indicated.

    SYSTEM AVAILABLE, CAN BE INSTALLED FOR PEAK SEASON

    "Key productivity gains occur during peak demand periods when it is imperative to maximize efficiency. The timing of this partnering arrangement is ideal because it enables users to bring up the system prior to the upcoming peak winter season," Fitzwilliam said.
    "All dispatching information which is taken and entered at the call center can be seamlessly transferred into the Tow Track system at the contractor's office via OnSite, over the Internet. This eliminates duplicate data entry and greatly reduces the need for telephonic contact between call centers and contractors' dispatch personnel," Fitzwilliam added.

    IMPROVED LINKS WITH AUTO CLUBS BOOST EFFICIENCY, PROFITS

    "Most communications packages offer one user or the other -- the call center or the contractor -- an increase in productivity. Integrating On+Site and Tow Track will boost productivity for the call center, and for the towing contractor," Lavelle noted.
    One of the features designed into the package is the ability to directly deposit towing information from the club or call center data base without manual intervention, using high speed data access to keep all information up to date at the auto club or call center level, as well as at the contractor's office.

    LEADING AUTO CLUBS ENDORSING INTERNET DISPATCH

    Migration in the towing industry to an Internet-based end-to-end communications solution is rapidly gaining momentum, as leading auto clubs are endorsing the concept. An informal industry group is nearing completion of a revolutionary single open standard which would allow contractors to receive dispatches over the Internet from any auto club which adopts the standard.

    ABOUT LAVELLE ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (LET)

    Lavelle Engineering Technologies provides Internet and wireless services for dispatching applications to a variety of markets. The company has pioneered dispatching over the Internet using the World Wide Web as a low cost, rapid method for transferring data to other personal computers, wireless Internet phones and Internet pagers. Additional information about LET may be found at www.let.com.

    ABOUT PRAXIS SOLUTIONS

    TowTrack represents one of several products and services that Praxis Solutions provides to the Transportation Industry. All software products are built in Visual Basic, utilizing an Access/Sequel/or Oracle database, and Crystal Reports.
    With offices in Bellevue; Chicago; and Boca Raton, Fla.; Praxis Solutions is a service organization focused on providing the Transportation Industry with improved technological solutions to enhance the demands of day-to-day operations. The company's software programs includes solutions for the TaxiCab, Limo, Package Delivery, Vehicle Transport, Fleet Maintenance, & the Towing Industries. Additional information about Praxis Solutions and Tow Track may be found at www.towtrack.com.