PHOENIX, AZ — Feb 10, 2005 — Swift Transportation Co. (Swift), a truckload shipper to widespread retailers, is using new IBM ThinkPad notebooks and ThinkCentre small form factor desktops to better support the workload of business applications essential to the flow of shipment orders, tracking and billing, IBM and Insight, an IBM leading Business Partner, announced today.
As a leading shipper to large companies, such as Lowe’s, Target and Wal-Mart, Swift uses IBM ThinkPad R51 and T41 notebooks and ThinkCentre S50 small form factor desktops to be sure the right goods are delivered on time at the right customer location. IBM products and services have enabled Swift to accommodate rapid business growth, improve network performance, experience less downtime and achieve greater customer satisfaction. For example, in 2003 and 2004, Swift was awarded “Carrier of the Year” from Dollar Tree, FedEx, Lowe’s, Quaker Oats, Ryder Logistics, Target and Wal-Mart.
“With the help of Insight’s expertise in PC acquisition, integration and configuration, we have begun a process to standardize Swift’s Information Technology desktop and server infrastructure using IBM hardware,” said Michael J. Beaudry, Swift’s Information Technology Services Manager. “IBM PCs have been building blocks to our success in satisfying customers and growing our business.”
In addition to IBM ThinkCentre desktops and ThinkPad notebooks, Swift taps an iSeries server running Linux, as well as OS/400 and the Windows operating systems, to power its payroll, financial, HR systems and trucking logistics systems, helping accommodate the growth of the company in recent years. IBM Global Services — Integrated Technology Services help operate and manage Swift’s network more efficiently and effectively. IBM Remote Network Management Services monitors, manages and maintains the Information Technology infrastructure around-the-clock through connectivity provided by the IBM Network Operations Center.
IBM Ships 100 Millionth Personal Computer IBM also announced today that Swift is the recipient of IBM’s 100 millionth personal computer, benchmarking a record milestone for IBM personal computers since the introduction of the company’s first PC in 1981.
The 100 millionth PC, an IBM ThinkCentre S50 small form factor desktop, features a tool-free chassis design, which simplifies and enhances usability and IBM ThinkVantage Technologies that improve security and simplify PC “fleet management” for IT organizations. Encased in a durable steel chassis, components inside the machine, such as the hard disk and memory, can easily be removed by the customer, making the PC easy to service and upgrade, helping to limit the downtime and cost associated with on-site support. Available IBM ThinkVantage Technologies further simplify PC ownership by helping with such tasks as wired and wireless connectivity management, back-up and restoration of data and the deployment of security patches and fixes.
About Swift Transportation Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Swift Transportation is one of America’s leading trucking companies that serves as a core carrier for several large shippers, transporting goods such as paper products, nonperishable foods, building materials, and retail and discount department store merchandise. The company has a network of 35 terminals, and its fleet includes approximately 16,900 tractors and 49,600 trailers. For more information, please visit www.swifttrans.com.
About Insight North America, Inc. Insight North America, Inc. (Insight) is a leading provider of Information Technology (IT) products and services to businesses, government and educational institutions in the United States and Canada. Insight’s offerings span the entire IT lifecycle with more than 200,000 name-brand hardware, software and peripherals — the largest selection in the industry — along with a full line of services tailored to support the changing and unique needs of technology buyers. Insight is a wholly owned subsidiary of Insight Enterprises, Inc. (NasdaqNM:NSIT – News), ranked number 537 on Fortune Magazine’s 2004 ‘Fortune 1000’ list. For additional information call (480) 902-1001 or visit www.insight.com .
About IBM ThinkVantage Technologies ThinkVantage Technologies are designed to create a competitive advantage that helps businesses and individuals succeed. They help make Think-branded personal systems less dependent on IT staff or user intervention for basic tasks such as deployment, backup, maintenance and security, freeing up users and IT staff to focus on competitive advantages in their business. According to industry analysts, costs associated with deployment, support and disposal account for approximately 80 percent of the entire PC lifecycle cost. Additional information can be found at www.lenovo.com/think .
