SKOKIE, Ill. — November 20, 2008 — In a move to provide professional truck drivers with the necessary tools to maximize productivity and profits, Rand McNally, creator of the best-selling Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas, has introduced new, affordable commercial truck routing and business management software for the PC.

Rand McNally’s RouteTools software is a routing, mileage and business management solution that allows professional drivers to plan routes on truck-drivable roads, navigate using detailed route itineraries, integrate fueling stops and calculate precise mileage for accurate billing and fuel tax reporting — all tasks that are critical for saving time and money in a slowing economy.

Feedback helps drive product development
In developing the new software, Rand McNally drew on its knowledge and expertise of the commercial transportation market, as well as on suggestions from hundreds of over-the-road commercial truck drivers.

“The feedback we received from professional drivers was instrumental in helping us tailor the product to their needs, equipping them with the most essential tools at an affordable cost from the company they trust to provide accurate routing,” said Donna Koppensteiner, vice president of the enterprise division for Rand McNally. “They stressed the importance of truck-attributed directions and features that allow them to locate truck stops as well as the quickest routes and mileage options. These, in addition to other cost-saving features, are available in the new RouteTools software.”

Improve routing, reduce operating costs
In addition to calculating fast, fuel-efficient, multi-stop routes, RouteTools generates trips based on user-defined truck configuration to help avoid hefty fines. Rand McNally’s GIS experts and cartographers draw on the company’s own proprietary data, which is then enhanced from a variety of sources to equip drivers with very specific, truck-drivable routing. The result is reliable point-to-point mapping and routing for the U.S., Mexico and Canada. With RouteTools software, drivers can plan their route ahead of time on truck-legal roads, leading to more on-time deliveries.

The software also features detailed descriptions of almost 6,000 truck stop locations and their amenities to help drivers maximize their downtime. For example, drivers can ensure that an Internet connection, a truck wash, an ATM and a full-service restaurant are available in advance of an overnight stay. For drivers who use Rand McNally’s trusted Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas, the software provides full-color maps and directions that reference the appropriate pages in the 2009 edition of the book.

Manage business efficiently, control expenses
As business management software, RouteTools equips professional drivers with features that help them bill accurately, record expenses and calculate mileage quickly for accurate fuel tax reporting in each state or province. RouteTools also helps manage fuel expenses by directing drivers to their preferred fuel retailer through a listing of nearly 6,000 fuel stops. For an additional monthly fee, professional drivers are given access to a fuel-optimized routing service via the Web that helps them navigate based on lowest fuel prices available that day. This helps further reduce costs and increase profits on each load.

For drivers not familiar with routing software, the RouteTools product also provides user-friendly menus and pop-up screen tips of each feature.

“Rand McNally’s goal is to build on RouteTools’ routing, mapping and business management tools to eventually offer a full suite of products designed for the professional driver,” Koppensteiner said.

RouteTools software is available as a one-time online download for PCs, or on CD-ROM, beginning in December, 2008. Suggested retail price is $79.95. Visit go.randmcnally.com/routetools for more information and to purchase the software.

About Rand McNally
For more than 70 years, Rand McNally has provided innovative print and digital mapping, routing and mileage solutions to the commercial trucking industry. Shippers and carriers rely on the company’s suite of software solutions, IntelliRoute® and MileMaker®, for Household Goods (HHG) rating and routing, as well as practical routing and mapping. Truck drivers across the country depend on the best-selling Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas line.

Rand McNally provides thousands of mapping, routing and trip-planning tools to the consumer, business, education and commercial transportation markets. For more information, visit www.trucking.randmcnally.com.