The Trucking Nerd

As I mentioned in my previous post, at Tradewinds we had developed a very simple and easy to use imaging system that we have integrated into TMWSuite to provide one click document retrieval.  Prior to my arrival at Tradewinds, we had originally been scanning bills and confirmations and had been labeling them in folders and using file names.  This was slow since it was a batch process, it was cumbersome since it relied on manual labeling and it made it hard to find images…naturally the business had progressed and a system was needed.

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Popularity: 25% [?]

This week I attended the TMW Systems 2007 user conference down in Orlando, FL with some fellow colleagues from Tradewinds.  As usual, the event was jam packed with sessions and great opportunities to meet other users of the software.  This was the third TMW conference that I have personally attended and am most impressed with how well put together the conference is.

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Popularity: 22% [?]

I’m not sure how many other small to medium sized trucking companies are making the leap into the virtual server market, but I know we are certainly pushing into this arena. 

If you have not heard of virtualization, you certainly will.  Diane Greene (the CEO of VMware) made the statement last week at their VMWorld conference “A year ago, we were talking about virtualization becoming mainstream; now we’re talking about it as industry.”

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Popularity: 18% [?]

Being a .NET enthusiast and having embraced the technology since it’s inception, when I decided to start the technical blog I of course assumed I’d use a blogging platform built on .NET.  Like all projects, I start out doing my homework researching what would be the “best” solution.  Interestingly enough, that is where .NET (as of this date) falls short.

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Popularity: 8% [?]

What

The trucking nerd is a blog that focuses on technology and other ramblings that relate to the trucking industry.  There are many blogs that exist out there today that focus solely on technology, but not on the application of this technology to the transportation industry.  Here you will find periodic updates and general information as it relates to technology and trucking through the eyes of a technologist in the trucking industry.

Why

The start of this blog is for three main reasons.

1. To document - There are many times when I’ll be talking with someone and we will discuss a particular tool or technology that I have worked with and they’ll ask me for more information.  Rather than having to regergetate the same information repeatedly, this blog will serve as my primary resource.
2. To collaborate - Sharing the problems, ideas and solutions that I encounter will hopefully inspire discussion and even open the door for some collaboration opportunities. 
3. To learn - Documenting what little I know will open the opportunity for others to enlighten me.  I am passionate about technology and its application to business, so hearing what other’s have done or how someone else solved the same problem is always of interest to me. 

Who

I am Ben Becker, the CIO of a mid-sized trucking company called Tradewinds.  I worked for a consulting company doing business intelligence work for fortune 1k companies for 7 years before joining Tradewinds as the CIO in 2004.  I loved consulting work, however the hectic lifestyle and travel were something that I decided wouldn’t work well trying to start and raise a family.  I am the father of four children and an avid technologist.

Popularity: 9% [?]