Technology Integration and Automation Keys to Creating Efficient Transfer Point at New Intermodal Terminal
Seattle, WA — Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tideworks Technology®, Inc., a leading provider of full-service terminal management and planning software solutions, today announced that CSX Intermodal Terminals (CSX) has successfully implemented Tideworks’ comprehensive terminal operating system (TOS) for its operations at its new, state-of-the-art Northwest Ohio intermodal terminal (NWOH). Tideworks’ innovative solutions helped CSX create an efficient, cost-effective, and fully-integrated transfer point, as well as maximize automation and productivity for the entire operation at NWOH.
The new CSX facility has been hailed for its cutting-edge technologies and green design, including ultra-efficient electric cranes that lower emissions, optical scanners that reduce truck idle times, and automated car tracking technologies and remote switches that increase operational efficiency. Setting a new standard for the freight rail industry, it is one of the country’s most environmentally friendly and technologically-advanced intermodal terminals.
“CSX’s goal of building the most advanced intermodal terminal in the world was ambitious and required technology from a variety of partners,” said Michael Schwank, president of Tideworks Technology. “NWOH needed a solution to help manage container and railcar inventory, container stacking, coordination of truck activities, and control of complex container movements, including the rail-to-rail transfer of containers. We were honored to be selected as the TOS provider and take a lead role to ensure the tight integration of third-party technologies and the high-level of automation of terminal operations sought by CSX. With Tideworks’ TOS, terminals of all sizes and configurations can efficiently manage their terminal operations from end-to-end.”
The TOS solution deployed at NWOH includes Tideworks’ Intermodal Pro™ terminal operating system, the Traffic Control™ move dispatch and equipment control module, and Tideworks’ new System Integration Module (SIM), which serves as a powerful message broker, providing an efficient and straight-forward means to integrate Tideworks’ TOS with virtually any third-party technology. Additionally, Tideworks implemented its industry-leading Automated Gate System (AGS) solution, GateVision®, with a partner’s optical character recognition (OCR) system. Tideworks also provided all associated implementation services, including project management, software customization, user training, and go-live assistance, in addition to Tideworks’ platinum maintenance and support services, including 24/7 technical support and all software upgrades.
Representatives of Tideworks Technology will be in attendance at the CSX Intermodal Terminals Open House in North Baltimore, Ohio, on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET.
About Northwest Ohio Intermodal Terminal
The hub is part of the National Gateway, a public-private partnership which supports the movement of double-stacked intermodal containers on rail cars by raising bridges, increasing tunnel clearances and building new terminals along existing rail routes. When complete, the National Gateway will benefit CSX customers by improving service reliability and transit times, reduce highway congestion, and enhance the environment by converting more than 14 billion highway miles to rail and decreasing fuel consumption by nearly 2 billion gallons.
To learn more about the National Gateway, visit www.nationalgateway.org. Be sure to follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/Nat_Gateway) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/NationalGateway).
About Tideworks Technology
Tideworks is a full-service provider of cost-effective, reliable software solutions for growing terminal operations and shipping lines worldwide. The company helps more than 65,000 users at 100 facilities run their operations more efficiently and profitably. From optimized equipment utilization to faster turn times, Tideworks works at every step of terminal operations to maximize productivity and customer service. For more information about Tideworks Technology, visit www.tideworks.com/.