VeriWise RAIL and VeriWise INTERMODAL enhance safety, security and productivity of moving goods by rail
CHICAGO - September 18, 2007 -- GE Equipment Services today introduced VeriWise™ RAIL and VeriWise™ INTERMODAL, remote asset management solutions that provide customers with on-demand visibility into the status of their fleet and the cargo it carries.
GE's VeriWise technology, already in service on more than 150,000 transportation assets in North America and Europe, can provide decision support data directly to cargo shippers and carriers, helping them enhance safety and security, improve shipment delivery cycles and increase productivity.
VeriWise uses remote monitoring devices, an array of sensors, algorithms and satellite and cellular-based communications networks to gather and provide information about a fleet's location and the environmental conditions inside each railcar or intermodal unit. Customers manage their fleet operations through a secure Web interface at their discretion and on their own schedule.
Whether a shipment contains hazardous materials, agricultural commodities, coal, high-value electronics or automobiles, the ability to monitor location and a range of conditions offers shippers a wealth of information to plan arrivals, unloadings and restockings more efficiently.
"GE aims to solve fundamental problems, and moving goods more safely, securely and efficiently is one of the biggest challenges in transportation," said Jay Wileman, president and CEO of GE Equipment Services, Rail Services. "With approximately 150,000 VeriWise units already installed on over-the-road assets, a monitoring solution for rail and intermodal units is a natural progression for us and a necessary tool for the management and protection of railcar and intermodal fleets."
"Given our increased homeland security concerns, federal regulations on the tracking and monitoring of hazmat materials are inevitable," added Wileman. "GE is anticipating these regulations and delivering the technology to address security concerns today. VeriWise provides the industry with a solution for keeping an eye on fleets and cargo through all points of the supply chain."
Rail Services customers have been experiencing the benefits of VeriWise since mid-2006. Materials being transported by those customers include hazardous chemicals and agricultural commodities.
"Hazardous materials play fundamental roles in manufacturing and economic growth," said Greg Buza, Global Marine and North America Rail Manager at BASF. "As the world's leading chemical company, we are involved with shipping chemicals across multiple industries, therefore, it is vital we do our part to keep our shipments safe. VeriWise technology enhances the safety and security of our shipments. To help increase overall productivity, we look forward to the added benefits VeriWise can provide, such as the monitoring of conditions inside our cars and other decision support tools."
GE's VeriWise solution, including equipment, sensors and communications platform were the first in the rail industry to be UL-913 certified. UL-913 is a North American design and performance standard applied to electrical apparatus intended to be operated in explosive or flammable environments.
All of GE's VeriWise solutions are designed for use in harsh operating conditions, and include advanced power management software required for assets without their own captive power source. Trickle-charged solar units and embedded algorithms stretch usage with no loss of performance.
VeriWise was developed for rail and intermodal assets by Equipment Services' Asset Intelligence division, producers of the successful VeriWise™ TRUCKING solution. Using in-depth research garnered from rail and intermodal customers and leveraging GE's extensive experience in the transport industry as well as its telematics expertise, including that of the Pervasive Decisioning group of scientists at GE's Global Research Center, Asset Intelligence has built VeriWise RAIL and VeriWise INTERMODAL on a proven platform that can meet industry needs as they evolve.
About GE Equipment Services
GE's Equipment Services business is a global provider of transport solutions for the world's supply chains. Offering a full range of equipment leasing and intelligence-based asset management and logistics services for manufacturers, retailers, and shippers, Equipment Services enables the timely movement of raw material and cargo for the global economy.
Its Rail Services unit, headquartered in Chicago, is a provider for all aspects of railcar and intermodal fleet management. The unit provides a range of flexible leasing products as well as a full suite of services, including Maintenance MAX®, VeriWise RAIL and VeriWise INTERMODAL asset intelligence, and the Repair Solutions Program. Offering one of the most diverse fleets in the industry, Rail Services leases approximately 165,000 railroad cars and 120,000 intermodal trailers, containers and chassis to shippers and railroads in diverse markets across North America. For further information, visit http://www.ge.com/railservices/
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®GE VeriWise is a registered trademark of the General Electric Corporation.
™ VeriWise is a trademark of the General Electric Corporation.
Media Contacts
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Britta Kons
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