LTL Rates - Going up!

Following the lead of UPS Freight, ABF Freight System announced today it will raise its rates by roughly 6.9 percent, effective July 25.

ABF said that this increase applies to its general rates and charges for its less-than-truckload (LTL) freight division, with the effect on specific lanes and shipments varying.

ABF officials were not available for further comment at press time, but a company statement noted that shippers will be able to view and download the new rates on or before July 25 at http://www.abf.com.

On July 1, UPS Freight, the less-than-truckload (LTL) subsidiary of UPS and the fourth-largest LTL carrier in the country, said it is rolling out a rate adjustment in the form of a general rate increase (GRI), effective August 1.

The GRI will be 6.9 percent and covers non-contractual shipments in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, according to UPS. It also applies to minimum charge, LTL rates, and accessorial charges. UPS added that shippers will be able to view and download the new rates at http://www.ltl.upsfreight.com.

(Jeff Berman - LM Editorial, picture by AA Direction Blog)

Quick Response (QR) barcodes - scan it to see where it takes you!

Initially used for tracking parts by Toyota, these next generation bar codes are appearing everywhere from supermarkets to concert posters.

A QR (Quick Response) code is a two dimensional code (matrix) that is readable by devices such as a dedicated QR reader device or Smartphones. Being a two dimensional matrix (horizontal and vertical) allows more data to be encode than a traditional barcode, where data is only encoded horizontally.

This increase in data representation, not only in size but also the ability to hold numbers and characters, allows for quicker data input where otherwise the same data would have been manually typed in.

Examples of usage range from business cards, parcel shipping labels, airline boarding passes to ‘like’ something on Facebook.

More over when scanned using a device such as a Smartphone, instructions can be embedded within the QR code to direct the phones web browser to launch to a specific website where more information can be found.

In today’s world where digital content can be accessed instantaneously via Smartphones, QR Codes allow convenience for both businesses and consumers to send and receive information quickly and accurately.