According to recent reports, almost 130 million people in the United States owned a smartphone during the three months ending in January 2013. That represents 55 percent of all mobile phone users in the country.

Mobile phones have definitely come a long way from just making calls and sending texts. It seems these days there is an app for everything from getting real-time sports scores to monitoring your exercise routines. In fact, the average smartphone owner checks his or her smartphone 150 times a day.

In an increasingly connected society, people need to be able to conduct business on the go. That’s why MetroGistics developed an iPhone app – the first on the market – back in 2010. As a forward-thinking vehicle transport company, we are always looking for ways to employ technology to make the customer experience as easy as possible.

Available for free through the App Store (you can find it by searching for “MetroGistics”), the MetroGistics iPhone App can give you instant quotes from anywhere you can get a signal. If you like the quote and want to book an order, our contact information is right at your fingertips. You can tap the screen to call us directly or send us an email, and we will provide a prompt response.

Many of our customers also use the app to track and trace their shipments and get ETA’s 24-7. This is all done through the smartphone, with no laptop or PC required. All you have to do is type in the last 6, 8 or full 17 digits of the VIN of the vehicle you want to track. The returning information will include the current status, a dispatch comment (including pickup and ETA), and a recap of the origin and destination of the shipment.

For smartphone users who don’t have an iPhone, you can still access our mobile application through http://www.metrogistics.com/mobile/ on your mobile Web browser.

If you prefer to converse directly with one of our service reps, we’re available from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Central Time seven days a week through our toll-free line at 1-877-571-6235.

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Who would have thought ten years ago that you could get transport quotes or track your shipments on your mobile phone?

Technology has significantly changed the vehicle transport industry over the past decade, and MetroGistics has always been at the forefront of these advances. In fact, we introduced the industry’s first iPhone app nearly three years ago.

We believe the fusion of insight, talent and technologies make companies run better, and have backed that up by hiring the right people and investing in the right systems.

That investment helps our customers manage transport easier and faster, freeing them up to focus on internal operations and sales. Our technology can improve their efficiency and drive better business decisions at every level and every step along the supply chain.

One way we do that is by helping dealers, new car manufacturers and rental car companies know instantly where their transported vehicles are at every moment. Our track-and-trace processes give our clients instant, seamless access to this data. Nightly status reports are also available.

Our technology also facilitates information via text. By texting “QUOTE” to 35819, users can obtain vehicle-shipping quotes by responding to a series of text prompts. After the information is collected, an official quote is sent to the user’s mobile phone. MetroGistics customers can also text “STATUS” to 35819 and receive an instant status report via text.

The way we see it, the power of technology is not in apps, platforms, operating systems or individual devices. The power – and the real benefit – lies in getting more work done faster and more efficiently. Our tools and information are readily accessible, so clients don’t have to make a bunch of phone calls and wait for return calls. This allows them to do their jobs more efficiently, and allows us to verify performance and make the most of the data we collect.

If you currently work with MetroGistics, you know how responsive we are via traditional email and phone. However, our cutting-edge technology helps you benefit from our reporting features and extended shipment visibility, pricing and order placement anytime, anywhere. You can get shipment status and delivery information through real-time tracking on our website whenever you want.

This gives your business a distinct advantage, and can improve your “speed to market.” That term gets thrown around quite a bit, but it’s important that your transport provider not use the term loosely, and has the means and technology to support this claim.

Next month, we’ll provide more details about our unique iPhone app. In the meantime, to learn more about how MetroGistics employs technology, visit www.metrogistics.com/why-ship-your-car/vehicle-transport-technology/

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On this website and in most of our promotional materials, we tout MetroGistics’ technology and service. None of that would be possible without a talented and dedicated staff, many of whom work behind the scenes to ensure that our customers and contractors have a positive experience.

This month, rather than have this blog focus on an aspect of our industry or our operations, we’d like to feature three of our wonderful staff members. Customer service truly is a team effort, and each individual contributes from his or her area of expertise to make it happen.

Chad Range recently transitioned from dispatch to an inside sales position with us. He’s been with us since September 2011 and brings great enthusiasm and energy. “I feel like I’m on the ground level of a great opportunity that will continue to expand,” says Chad. “The level of service we provide is unique in the transport industry, and we take a lot of pride in that. You can call us on the weekend and talk to a real live human being.”

As an enthusiastic sports fan, Chad plays softball and hosts a radio show on mixed martial arts (MMA). He and his wife Cassy are expecting their first child in May, which means their dog Cali will need to adjust to having another family member around.

Sabrina Summers has been in our billing/accounting department for about five months now. She enjoys the great atmosphere at work and all the positive perks like having personal trainers on site twice a week. “I always try to be nice, be calm and help solve problems for our customers,” she says. “They might not be having a good day when they call, but I’ll do what I can to help them.”

As a former employee of St. Louis Community College, Sabrina selected the school’s Foundation as the recipient of her Metro Giving Back company donation. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors and playing with her four-year-old son.

Director of Operations Jeremy Cope has been with us for about two years. He says the best thing about working here is the environment and the people. “It’s a good place to work, and you’re surrounded by people that you like to spend time with,” he says. In regards to customer service, he says it starts with a simple “The customer is always right.”

Along with five other brothers, Jeremy is also involved with Cope Brothers Landscaping and Lawn Care, which has been honored with an Angie’s List Super Service Award. For his Metro Giving Back charity, Jeremy selected Stray Rescue of St. Louis where his mom occasionally volunteers.

On behalf of Chad, Sabrina, Jeremy and all of our staff, we thank you for doing business with us and hope to have you as long-term customers and partners.

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You’re already on Facebook all the time anyway, right? Now you can help one of four very deserving organizations receive a $750.00 donation from MetroGistics!

We are currently running a charity contest, and want to encourage all of our friends to get in on the action. Responder Rescue, Shriners Hospital for Children, Grace Hill Patch Neighborhood Food Pantry and the Humane Society of Monroe County (Helping Strays) are all vying for the title of “Favorite Charity”, and it is a very tight race so far. You can vote once a day and your vote could be the difference maker!

Just visit the MetroGistics Facebook contest page at http://bit.ly/13IS8lp , “Like” us, and cast your vote! The contest only runs through March 8th, so be sure to vote soon to help your charity win!

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Here’s a scenario perhaps many of you can relate to. You hire a local company to move your possessions to a new home or office and later find out some of your belongings are broken. The moving company told you they are insured, but you find out they aren’t. What can you do?

Now imagine a similar situation involving shipping vehicles across the country. The broker says they and their carriers are insured, but then the cargo arrives dinged up and all you get are excuses, not compensation.

Any broker can say they have coverage, but verifying it through naming them as additionally insured provides verification that they indeed have coverage. Let’s face it, many companies are trying to cut costs, and most brokers don’t provide contingency cargo insurance as it’s a large expense.

In this day and age, we’re also seeing carriers send in certificates claiming to have $250K in cargo insurance but then calling their agent afterward to lower the amount drastically.

At MetroGistics, not only do we require that every carrier have sufficient A-rated cargo coverage for each load, we offer $500K of contingency cargo insurance on every order we process. As an extra safeguard, our in-house Safer Ship program checks carriers’ insurance daily. If there’s ever an issue with their insurance, our policy kicks in.

Melissa Trautman leads our Carrier Compliance team, which verifies and monitors new and existing carriers. The Safer Ship program confirms and verifies that the carrier has active authority, has at least $1 million in liability insurance, and has appropriate cargo insurance. Our system checks nightly with the FMCSA (DOT) site, and we are notified immediately if there are any failures or changes. If so, that carrier is turned off and not allowed to haul for us until we verify that the issues have been resolved.

All of this is designed to ensure that our customers’ shipments are covered even in the event they or we receive a falsified document or the carrier’s insurance is cancelled or expired. Now that’s peace of mind.

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In just over two-and-a-half years of operation, MetroGistics has helped ship more than 180,000 vehicles across the country.

We’re very proud of our success but understand that our customers have options. They could choose to go with a local or regional transport company. Perhaps they think they’re saving money or time by going that route.

That’s not always the case, however. On pricing, many times our vast network allows us to be very competitive in terms of generating quotes for shipments. Local doesn’t necessarily mean cheaper.

Here are three more reasons why it’s important to go with a national carrier like MetroGistics when selecting a vehicle transport provider.

• We have the ability to handle any move within the lower 48 states. We’ve shipped vehicles to and from places as far away as Florida and Washington. Local carriers don’t necessarily have the means to service the entire contiguous 48 states. When we first launched MetroGistics, our average move was 400 miles. Today we’re seeing averages of up to 600 miles per move. That shows we’ve definitely been able to expand our customers’ reach. They can purchase vehicles from greater distances to add to their inventory.

• We can find the right size hauler to handle any order. Local carriers are limited by the number and type of transport vehicles they own. We tap into a nationwide network with far greater variety in size and types of haulers. We’ve even helped ship large boom trucks, ambulances and shuttle busses.

• MetroGistics can handle all your needs, regardless if you’re transporting one or 100 vehicles. Most local carriers have limited capacity.

Of course there are other things that differentiate us from our competitors – like our technology, customer service, and great staff – and we’ll address those in future blog posts. Until then, MetroGistics wishes you great success in 2013!

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Our first ever MetroGistics Moster Mash is rapidly approaching and we couldn’t be more excited. We have had tons of great contributions by some of our valued customers and friends that are going to make this event a big hit and ultimately raise a bunch of money for the Stray Rescue of St. Louis. Lots of hard work and planning have gone into this event by our team here and we hope that everyone that attends will have a great time! Our ultimate goal is to raise $25,000!! It’s an ambitious goal but with the team we have here and all the great people we know that have contributed and are coming to the event, we are really hoping to acheive it! If anyone is interested in attending or has any contributions we are still taking items for the silent auction. Please visit www.metrogistics.com/monstermash/ to get all the details on the event as well as make a donation!

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MetroGistics is excited to announce our first fundraising event held at our new location. On October 20, 2012 at 6:00pm we are hosting The MetroGistics Monster Mash in which all proceeds will go to The Stray Rescue of St. Louis. There will be fun and excitement all night long to help raise lots of money to benefit such a great organization. Everyone here at Metro are avid animal lovers so choosing this organization was simple. If you are interested in donating to this great event please visit our webpage for the Metro Monster Mash.

Our goal is to raise $25,000 for The Stray Rescue of St. Louis. We appreciate everyones help in contributing to this goal!

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As of June 1, 2012 MetroGistics has been successfully shipping cars for two years. We were all excited to have our anniversary celebration dinner yesterday evening at Bartolino’s South in St. Louis. It was a great time filled with stories and laughs of the memorable moments that have stuck with us so far in the two years of doing business. We have a great team here at Metro and have a great time both outside and at work. Thanks to all of our great employees and management that help me this company a success!

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I just wrapped up the 2012 FVLNA conference in Newport Beach CA. Great show!! Truly impressed with the quality of the show, topics covered, entertainment venues including the Newport Beach dinner cruise. I found it to be a great way for us to promote our services in front of a very direct OEM cliental. I had a great opportunity to open up the conference wide discussion of “Solving the Capacity Challenge” which was a very exciting opportunity for both MetroGistics and myself. Tried to really show the OEM’s the value in working with a 3PL and keeping them close when the needs arise. All I heard all conference was the need for additional capacity. There are over 8000 unique auto hauling companies out there. We are connected to the best in the business and can bring that capacity. Technology and process gives us the ability to link all these players together, which is our major value add. I think I had people listening and thinking about the potential, which is all you can ask for when presenting right??

My favorite part of the presentation was my random plug for helping at the local humane society and animal shelters. I put a picture of my Golden Kash up the big screen and talked briefly to our involvement to the local shelters and I had a tremendously positive reaction after I was through. I was nervous about going off on this tangent speaking to a group of 300 executives, but I really think people connected and hopefully will bring this home with them even though they might not care about using our services.

All in all it was a great show and really appreciated the opportunities, great job Matt, Louis, Ashleigh, Joanna, Alexa, and Gavin for running the show! http://fvlnorthamerica.com/

~Scott Naz

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