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When Atlas Van Lines, a $300 million transportation
company, opened up its information systems to its North American
agents nearly a decade ago, the result was more efficient
operations and better cooperation among Atlas' 600 independent
agencies. But as technology advanced, Atlas' mainframe-based
system failed to capitalize on many of the advantages of
the PC-based graphical computing environment that evolved
in the 1990s.
So Atlas is now turning to what is rapidly
becoming the ubiquitous wide area network and GUI - the World
Wide Web - to simplify access to, and use of, its information
systems. The key to web-enabling Atlas' agent information
system is OnWeb from NetManage. OnWeb facilitates development
of web-based intranet applications with an object-based framework
and provides access to a wide array of legacy and client/server
data sources.
Driving Business
Atlas' business success depends upon smooth
interactions among its 600 independent agencies, several
of whom may be involved in moving any one shipment - typically
household goods - from the origination point to the ultimate
destination. As the coordinator and facilitator of these
interactions, Atlas has developed systems that handle each
phase of a shipping transaction, from order entry and quote
generation, through driver assignments and order settlement,
including revenue distribution among participating agencies.
In total, Atlas' system has some 300 functions. Currently,
about two-thirds of Atlas' agencies, representing 1,100 individual
users, access the system via remote terminal emulation.
Atlas' Dick Arneson, former Vice President
of management information services, believes that by moving
to the Web and making standard web browsers the client interface,
it will be easier for users to navigate through the system
- and more agencies will use it. "We're customizing some
of the more complex 3270 screens so they fit the web browser
metaphor," Arneson said. "The point-and-click interface will
be much simpler for PC users than traditional mainframe function
keys."
Looking Ahead
Arneson regards the transition to the Web
as a critical step in Atlas' gradual migration to client/server
architecture for its enterprise information systems. "The
web interface we're creating now with OnWeb will be consistent
with what we use down the road in a client/server environment," Arneson
said. In addition, by moving to the Web, Atlas is laying
the groundwork for future customer service applications. "We
plan to create an on-line customer inquiry system over the
next year or two," Arneson said. "And we'll open up other
Atlas systems to our agencies to further improve our shipment
process."
So in the future, Atlas' agencies and its
major account customers, who also have direct access to Atlas'
information systems will be able to drive more of the shipment
administration process, leaving only the driving of the trucks
to the transportation professionals.
"The Web interface we're creating now with
OnWeb will be consistent with what we use down the road in
a client/server environment," said Dick Arneson.
Atlas Van Lines, Inc. is a large carrier of
household goods and special products with 800 agents worldwide.
As a result of its NetManage OnWeb solution,
Atlas Van Lines is:
- Improving the shipment process and
customer satisfaction.
- Increasing its market share and revenues.
- Laying the groundwork for future
web-based customer service applications.
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