TMW Nabs Appian for Truck Routing

July 26, 2011 Alex Woodie

TMW Systems has acquired Appian Logistics Software, a developer of routing and scheduling optimization software for the transportation industry. Appian’s Windows-based software is often found deployed alongside TMW’s dispatch management systems, including those running on the IBM i OS.

Oklahoma City-based Appian Logistics’ flagship product, called Direct Route, is used to create the quickest and most efficient delivery routes given several variables, such as time, location, vehicle capability, and work rules.

In addition to Direct Route, the company developed several add-on solutions, including DRTrack, which provides GPS tracking; a territory planning tool, called Territory Pro; a fleet sizing tool called Resource Pro; a frequency scheduling tool called Schedule Pro; and Continuous Move Planner, which is used to optimize cross-country truckload capacity.

The Appian offerings have long been used with the dispatching solutions used by the largest trucking fleets in the country, including several from TMW, like the IBM i-based TL2000 and IES suites and the Windows-based TMWSuite and TruckMate suites. Direct Route features pre-built interfaces to IBM i-based applications and is easy to use with IBM i, as this 2009 case study of Southland Sod demonstrates.

“We already serve many customers jointly with Appian and together we work with at least 21 of the top 25 dedicated carriers in the United States,” states TMW president and CEO David Wangler in a press release. “As with our previous acquisitions, we will continue to develop, support and sell the entire Appian product line to protect our customers’ technology investments.”

Appian’s software was used at more than 1,000 customer sites, including 3PLs, courier services, and private and dedicated fleets operating in direct store delivery, grocery, beverage, building products, retail, and restaurant supply. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.