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11/17/2015

Bourque Logistics: YardMaster software/Umler system integration

Bourque Logistics has introduced an Umler system integration within its YardMaster software. The integration provides terminal operators real-time access to essential rail-car data.

Car details supplied from the Umler system are pivotal to the load and offload process, and ensure a rail car is safe for shipment, according to Bourque Logistics, which develops logistics software for industrial shippers. With easy access to rail-car characteristics, terminal operators will no longer have to rely on third parties to supply rail-car information, the company says.

Developed by Railinc, the Umler system provides a centralized resource to specific characteristics on all rail equipment in North America. First released in the 1960s, UMLER was an acronym for Universal Machine Language Equipment Register. After a redesign in 2009, Railinc dropped the acronym and rebranded it to the Umler system. Utilized by railroads, shippers, suppliers and maintenance facilities, the system is considered the foremost resource for rail-car reference information.

Bourque Logistics' YardMaster software provides industrial shippers with in-plant rail-car receiving and shipment management functionality. Features include rail-car request and release, switching, onsite inventory, order assignment, scheduling and rack assignment, car inspection and BOL submission. In addition, YardMaster provides load/offload optimization by performing load bay verification, advanced outage and volume correction calculations.

Integrating the two systems provides terminal operators with on-demand access to rail-car characteristics such as: capacity, car type, allowable weight, load limit, tare weight, car length and shell specifics. YardMaster will populate pertinent rail-car characteristics as cars enter a facility, providing terminal operators the ability to immediately perform load/offload calculations. Auto capture of the data reduces terminal downtime by alleviating dependence on third parties to provide essential car data.

Maximizing loading efficiency and identifying overloaded rail cars unfit for shipment is crucial and can save companies thousands of dollars, according to Bourque Logistics. Additionally, by automating this process, manual data entry is eliminated, reducing the likelihood of errors and maximizing asset utilization, the company says.