For a long time, it seemed, you needed a dedicated information technologoy staff and an AS/400 server to catch the attention of developers working on fleet and driver management software. Fortunately, that's not the case anymore.

Take, for example, the Express-Pak automated fleet management and dispatch system from ASCAR Business Systems. Express-Pak can operate on a desktop PC running Windows 95 or 98 (200MB of hard disk space and 32MB of RAM are required).

When a fleet operator receives a shipment order, it's entered into Express-Pak, which co-ordinates the transport job with the firm's pricing, and electronic map of the relevant area, and a listing of the proximity of available trucks. Optionally, the system can also link to a driver-paging system.

Express-Pak is also available for WIndows NT and UNIX environments. The ASCAR software covers the following areas: operations, dispatching (paperless dispatch aid, as well as automatic artificial intelligence dispatch) and load building, rating, billing, accounts receivables, accounts payables, human resources, independent contractors and drivers settlements, general ledger and marketing.