Sylectus Users Group Meeting Shows the Power of Strength in Numbers

WOODHAVEN, MI - Competition is the lifeblood of the U.S. economy, but users of Sylectus' trucking management software have discovered that strength in numbers is an even more powerful force. During Sylectus' 9^th Annual User Group Conference in Kissimmee, Fla., its customers used the time to strengthen the bonds that they had built while using the company's software, which is designed to help truck fleets meet customers' needs by leveraging a network of 9,500 trucks that form its alliance of customers.

If a fleet operator doesn't have a truck that can handle a load, the Sylectus trucking management software can be used to find an empty truck at a nearby competitor that can be used to haul the load. The fleets will arrange a price and the Sylectus trucking management software can then be used to track the load from A to B and every point in between in real time. There are currently about 560 truck fleets that are members of the Sylectus alliance ranging from shuttle services to long-haul truck fleets. In order to be part of the alliance, fleets must have a minimum of five trucks. There are several levels of Sylectus membership - Alliance Connect, Alliance Virtual Fleet, and Alliance Pro. A number of attendees noted that one of the advantages they found with the software is that it can be tailored to meet their individualized needs. In general, updates are frequent and painless, and users can suggest improvements, that, if Sylectus sees as beneficial to all, will apply globally. Global updates are provided at no charge.

During the User Conference, competitors who have become de facto business partners and subsequently friends learned how to use the software more efficiently, while being inspired and a little shocked by key note speeches by Brad Jacobs, managing director, Jacobs Private Equity, LLC, and Rick Globbell, president of Globell Transportation Safety LLC.

Jacobs related his road to success first in oil futures trading then equipment rental and finally in the waste management business - which was his introduction to fleet. Jacobs has now turned to expediting, where he sees tremendous opportunities and growth.

Globell's presentation discussed how the Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA) initiative is leading to increased vicarious liability for trucking companies.

While the software was the means that forged the Sylectus alliance, it's the personal relationships between users that is its glue. In fact, one of the most popular items on the agenda was a speed networking event that, according to organizers was deemed as "too short" by the attendees at 90 minutes. According to numerous attendees there is a trust among the members, and that's strengthened by the fact that Sylectus strictly adheres to its rules, for instance, not allowing fleet drivers to independently bid on jobs.

During the opening presentation, Sylectus President Stuart Sutton noted that 2011 was the best year for Sylectus customers in the 10-year-history of the company, with members seeing a 20.3-percent growth rate on average.

Sylectus is based in Windsor, Ontario, and was purchased in 2011 by San Diego-based Qualcomm, a provider of on-bard information technology for the trucking industry. Sylectus continues to operate as a strategic business unit of Qualcomm.