New Penn Adds Functions to Web Site

Regional less-than-truckload carrier New Penn Motor Express Inc., a subsidiary of Arnold Industries Inc., Lebanon, PA, has added features to its Web site, www.newpenn.com, to help customers and recruiters.

New functions include what the company calls the first completely interactive pickup-entry system and rate quotes customized to each customer's pricing program.

New Penn says the pickup-entry feature is unique in the industry because it allows shippers to interact directly with New Penn's computerized dispatch system. All pickup and delivery activity at New Penn is managed through one automated system.

Customers can enter pickup requests through the secure area of the Web site and have the pickup appear on the screen in front of their local dispatcher within seconds.

Using New Penn's customer database, the Web site stores the pickup addresses associated with each customer and the consignee names, and then locations where the shipper has previously used New Penn. Shippers can easily enter their pickup order by clicking on the shipping location and the consignee name, and then entering a weight and piece count.

Web-site pickup entry eliminates the need to call the local New Penn terminal with each request.

New Penn issues a pickup-confirmation number. Pickup status can review online. By linking on-board computers in New Penn trucks with the dispatch system and Web site, customers can monitor when the truck is en route to their location, when the truck has arrived and when the pickup was completed.

Customer-specific rate quotes are also now available through the site. Customers can request a quote based on their pricing program negotiated with New Penn. Quotes provided through the Web site use the same programs used to rate freight bills. This feature allows shippers to use the Web site to quote accurate freight costs to customers and associates.

Customers using New Penn's base rates also have the option to download the applicable PC rating software from the site. This gives them flexibility to calculate freight quotes from their personal computers.

The company also added a jobs link to recruit. Visitors can review openings and submit resumes.