eyefortransport announces - New eyefortransport survey reveals hot technology spends in the transport and logistics industry

Press Release

Date: 1 February 2005

For immediate release

New eyefortransport survey reveals hot technology spends in the transport and logistics industry

(London, 1st February 2005) According to the survey, the top three technologies in which transport and logistics companies are investing are enhancing / upgrading IT systems and portal technology, and forecasting/event management. Close behind were TMS and wireless applications in fleet and yard management. The three technologies currently attracting the least interest are Bluetooth and zigbee, voice recognition and ERP.

Conducted from December 2004 to January 2005, eyefortransport's Technology in Transportation & Logistics Survey drew responses from over three hundred industry professionals.

With RFID slated to be the industry's next big technology shake-up, eyefortransport wanted to dismiss the hype and find out exactly which technologies are attracting industry investment, and to determine the key drivers of these investments.

43% of the respondents stated they already have or are planning investments in RFID technology, which is low compared to others listed, but fairly high considering the industry is just one month into the WalMart initiative, and industry awareness of this technology was negligible just two years ago.

In respect of customer-driven investments in technology, WMS was hot on the heels of enhancing IT systems, which topped the list. Only 17% of respondents said their customers are demanding RFID, but more than 50% indicated customer-interest in the technology.

The survey results suggest that the industry as a whole seems to be moving in the same direction in terms of which technologies and why. While customer-driven motivations are the most important, operational efficiencies (91%) and improved customer services (86%) override direct customer requests (82%). A direct ROI is surprisingly low on the list (64%), which could reflect a less cost-conscious willingness to invest in tomorrow's technology today.

The survey results can be downloaded from http://www.eyefortransport.com/natech/survey.shtml . Much of these results will be discussed and debated at the 7th annual eyefortransport North American Technology Forum, which takes place in Chicago on April 25th and 26th this year. "This is the only industry-led conference to discuss the latest technology issues affecting transport and logistics executives in operations, management and, of course, IT." says conference director, Jessica Thurber.

The 7th annual eyefortransport North American Technology Forum brings together over 150 transport and logistics executives to discuss the latest opportunities, advancements and trends critical to the transport and logistics industries. Important technologies, and the business and operational processes that are affected by them will be discussed in real-life case studies, senior-level panel sessions and informative, interactive roundtable sessions.

Confirmed speakers at the event include:

* Steven Kretsch, CIO, Stolt-Nielsen Transportation Group * Rebecca McClendon, Vice President, Fedex * Ed Coyle, Chief AIT, Department of Defense * Jeff White, Director of Asset Protection Supply Chain, Kmart

And many more. For more information on the survey, or in regards to attending, exhibiting or sponsoring the 7th eyefortransport North American Technology Forum, please contact Chris Saynor at csaynor@eyefortransport.com, 1 800 814 3459 ext 209, or +44 (0) 207 375 7529

                   This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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