Barbours Cut Intermodal Services recognizes the importance of delivering professional service. The role I.T. plays at BCIS is to facilitate this duty. By implementing the best of solutions we help you, our customer, increase your advantage over the competition.

Recently, BCIS invested heavily in a state-of-the-art information system to help us strengthen our business relationships and forge new ones. We replaced our previous internal database with a more up-to-date application. In addition, we acquired hand held units to manage our interchange lanes and have put in place a cutting edge Internet application, giving our customers 24x7 equipment data access.

The question we are asked time and time again is…"Is it worth it?" In today's economy many depot and container yard operations struggle with the decision to invest in technology for fear the return won't be there. To this question we simply answer "yes".

At BCIS, we make it a priority to prepare for the future. By partnering with the right team of I.T. professionals we have strengthened our business position and increased our ability to add value to our customer base.

The Depot Management System (DMS)
DMS is a complete business solution for our depot. With DMS we have the ability to better manage equipment pools and customer inventories. Equipment control personnel receive all the reports they need through an automated scheduling program that sends inventory, activity, and EDI on a timetable that is set to the customer's request. From the Interchange, through the estimate and repair process, to booking the equipment and tracking the pickup, we are capable of telling you where your equipment is, what condition it is in, and who is here to pick it up…anytime you want it…anytime you need it.

Handheld Technology
BCIS manages its interchange lanes with radio frequency handheld computers. These units are durable and capable of withstanding the fast paced activity our operations demand. With a very high volume of daily gate moves we must be efficient. Interchange clerks carry portable printers to print interchange receipts for truck drivers. Data is sent directly to the server and transmitted through EDI to our trading partners.

Digital Intermodal - The Internet at work
"BCIS delivers unparalleled service", that is our commitment. The Internet is a magnificent tool for delivering information in real time. Digital Intermodal is a web application allowing customer access to equipment data, through the Internet. Now, when our customers need information all they have to do is click on the web browser. There, users can download inventories and activities, approve estimates, and create their own bookings. Also, customers can flag specific equipment with an Alert. This is a message that is to be sent to them when the equipment meets a certain status, such as "repair complete, booked, or inbound". Digital Intermodal certainly helps us to be a full service provider. Our customers appreciate the fact that we make their job easier.

The Future
BCIS will continue to utilize technology to the mutual benefit of the depot, equipment owner, and equipment lessee. Our relationship with industry professionals allows us to build strategic partnerships, to properly address our customers needs, and to have those needs translated into viable solutions. We believe the next chapter in the depot industry will be based on the ability of depots to deliver accurate data in real time, anytime and anywhere. BCIS, along with our strategic partners, is helping to write tomorrow's chapter today.