High Railing IT to Better Customer Service


Ontario Northland Using RMI Technology to Automate Services

ATLANTA-- Ontario Northland (ONT) is pleased to report that since implementing RMI's RailConnect Transportation Management Services (TMS), and Revenue Management Services (RMS) in May of 2005, their customers are increasingly embracing the transition to greater use of electronic communications for moving and managing their shipments. A large number of ONT's shippers are utilizing the e-Commerce tools made available through RMI's web-based tool ShipperConnect to gain greater visibility of their shipments, originate bills of lading, and communicate other instructions to the railroad.

Headquartered in North Bay, Ontario, Ontario Northland provides rail freight services for the transportation of mineral and forest products, chemicals, petroleum and other products to and from northeastern Ontario and northwestern Quebec, spanning some 700 miles of mainline track. Most carload freight shipments are moved on regularly scheduled freight trains connecting with Canadian National (CN) and CP Rail System (CPRS). ONT also handles special train movements for heavy or dimensional loads.

"Our customers have told us that from a tactical transportation perspective, they need to have better visibility of their rail shipments so that they can better manage the flow of goods in their supply chains," explains Brian Rogers, manager of customer service and systems, Ontario Northland. "We implemented RMI's RailConnect services to improve our operating, customer interaction and revenue settlement processes so that we can provide this type of information to our freight customers."

"Ontario Northland is a great example of how our technology can help short line and regional railroads elevate the level of service to their customers," explains Paul Pascutti, vice president of marketing, RMI. "Combined with the new processes that Ontario Northland is putting in place to improve their own efficiencies, RailConnect should enable the railroad to exceed the needs and expectations of its customers."

In addition to implementing EDI bills of lading with some of their biggest customers, ONT is implementing ShipperConnect with many of their shippers. This web-based tool provide local shippers with greater visibility of their cars while on the Ontario Northland rail system, and allows them to communicate instructions such as switch requests and releases to the railroad at the click of a mouse. ONT is now partnering with RMI to offer tracing of rail shipments from origin to destination, even beyond its own rail system, to some of its largest customers. "As an extension of our customers businesses, we are working together to strengthen the link of the supply chain in bringing their products to market" says Rogers.

About RMI

RMI is the largest independent provider of accurate, reliable, comprehensive and secure rail information services to the transportation industry. Founded in 1979, RMI is recognized as the most successful Business Services Provider (BSP) in the industry with an in-depth knowledge of rail operations and a proven ability to translate complex business processes into valuable management information services. Currently, RMI processes approximately seven million carloads annually for railroads, rail shippers and railcar owners. RMI's services are accessed via the Internet through RailConnect® (www.railconnect.com), a web-based portal to the company's integrated suite of proprietary information services, which are used to manage rail operations, improve customer service and reduce costs. Services include transportation, revenue, equipment, shipper freight and fleet management services and related executive information systems. RMI is an independent, privately owned company based in Atlanta. For more information about RMI, visit www.railcarmgt.com

About Ontario Northland

The Ontario Northland Transportation Commission, an operational enterprise of the Province of Ontario, was established in 1902 and is a recognized leader in creating prosperity in the North by providing innovative transportation and telecommunication solutions. Operating primarily in northeastern Ontario, Ontario Northland's enterprises include: the Northlander, Little Bear, Polar Bear Express and Dream Catcher Express passenger trains; rail freight services; motor coach scheduled and charter services; refurbishment services; and Ontera telecommunication services. For more information about Ontario Northland, visit www.ontarionorthland.ca

Media Contact:

Heather Graham,
404-214-0722 x103,

hgraham@trevelinokeller.com, for RMI

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