bMobile Tech | The leader in mobile sales and route management systems.

June 25, 2008
Today National Public Radio featured bMobile Technology in a four minute broadcast discussing distribution route optimization. Boise affiliate for NPR interviewed President Chris Macaw, who discussed the new gas saving features of their route accounting package for the DSD industry, RouteManager v8.0.The interview and feature piece focused on the increasing need of fuel cost containment for the wholesale distribution industry. NPR was demonstrated the functionality of RouteMizerTM, route optimization package, which has been added to the new version of bMobileRoute Manager.

The demonstration used real data from a Boston area Pepsi-Cola distributor. Using the existing delivery route stop schedule from a route chosen at random, RouteMizer optimized the route and created a new path and stop order using advanced mapping technology. The new optimized route displayed a time savings and fuel cost savings, totaling $64.32 for one day.

RouteMizer also provides cost saving features such as fleet balancing which maximizes the utility of all available vehicles. The new functionality of the route management package has made this offering one the most feature rich route management software systems available to the small to mid-size wholesale distributor and DSD business.

bMobile President Chris Macaw stated, “RouteMizer is by far the most requested of all the new features, and has the greatest potential of immediate payback for the wholesale distributor. The RouteMizer addition has drawn increased interest due to the recent fuel cost surge. Over 1million delivery vehicles are estimated to be used every day in the Direct Store Delivery and Wholesale Distribution industry. With fuel costs reaching new highs almost daily, the fuel reduction functionality is becoming more valuable with each new fuel cost increase.”

Hear the complete interview: http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/idaho/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1307763

Read full press release for bMobileRoute, version 8.0: http://www.bmobileroute.com/archives/73

June 9, 2008 9:00 AM MDT”bMobile Technology, provider of Route Accounting Software, releases new route management software with gas-saving route optimization feature.”

BOISE, Idaho - Today bMobile Technology announced the new version release of its bMobileRoute Manager^TM, route accounting software, version 8.0. The route management software system is designed for small and midsize wholesale distribution companies, with focus on the consumer package goods industry (CPG).

bMobile also announced that its latest release includes a new gas-saving feature, RouteMizer^TM route optimization package. The route optimization package, RouteMizer, utilizes sophisticated route mapping technology as well as the capability to distribute workload throughout the delivery fleet and labor force, using a variety of fleet, load and personnel criteria. While fuel the savings is the obvious benefit to any route delivery operation, vehicle and labor optimization functionality was also developed to reduce operating costs for midsize companies.

bMobile President Chris Macaw stated, “RouteMizer is by far the most requested of all the new features, and has the greatest potential of immediate payback for the wholesaler.” The RouteMizer addition has drawn increased interest due to the recent fuel cost surge.

In addition to route optimization, the route management package 8.0 added advanced asset tracking features and additional in-depth sales reports. The PC portion of the package is Windows® compatible and the real-time mobile application utilizes the industry leading Windows Mobile® platform, allowing installation on most handheld computing devices. The two systems communicate via WiFi, wireless broadband, or the ubiquitous digital cellular.

About bMobile Technology
bMobile Technology is located in the Boise, Idaho metro area, and is the sister company of the custom software development firm Software Outfitters, Inc. Founded in 1996, the company is privately owned with over 650 customers throughout North America and Puerto Rico. bMobile is an authorized developer for the accounting software firms, Intuit®, SAP® and Cougar Mountain Software®.

bMobile Contact:
Chris Macaw
bMobile Technology
888-900-5667
info@bmobiletech.com

Media Contact:
M. E. Brown
208-869-9022
marketing@bmobileroute.com

Starbucks has taken the energy drink concept out of the cooler case and moved it to the coffee bar.The Seattle coffee chain will start offering customers a 50 cent “+Energy” option that they can add to any handmade Starbucks drink starting next week, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

The “+Energy” mix will include B-vitamins, guarana and ginseng, the PI said. Starbucks will leverage its North American Coffee Partnership with Pepsi-Cola next month to roll out an RTD version of Doubleshot Energy + Coffee in retail locations where Starbucks’ Frappucino is sold.

Starbucks has two other drink options in the works - one which will be frozen and another which will address health and wellness - in a bid to help the 11,000 store chain’s skidding revenue.

Federal commodity regulators are investigating a price-manipulation scheme by the farmer-owned dairy cooperative that controls about a third of the nation’s milk supply, according to a published report.Separately, the Justice Department is preparing to investigate a recently disclosed $1 million transfer to a former director of the Dairy Farmers of America, The Wall Street Journal has reported, citing people close to the matter.

The dairy cooperative, the nation’s largest, also faces antitrust lawsuits by farmers and retailers for allegedly conspiring to suppress prices it paid for raw milk in the Southeast, while raising prices to the region’s retailers, according to the Journal. The alleged scheme could have boosted its profit as a middleman in those transactions.

The Journal said the Commodities Futures Trading Commission is looking into whether DFA tried to inflate the price of milk through cheese contracts traded at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. An agency spokesman on Monday would neither confirm nor deny any investigation.

Elsewhere, the co-op on May 7 told members of a secret $1 million payment to former chief executive Gary Hanman. DFA’s new CEO Richard Smith said his predecessor arranged an improper and “unauthorized transfer of money” that was concealed through a DFA affiliate in 2001, according to the Journal report.

No, it’s not your imagination. There really is less cereal in your Cheerios box than a year ago. Manufacturers are scaling back the sizes of products ranging from dog food to chewing gum. And although some prices are staying about the same, “package shrink” could hurt your wallet.

Downsizing is not new, but the economy has made this practice more prevalent in the consumer package good industry. Ice-cream cartons now contain 1.5 instead of 1.75 quarts and bars of soap are ounces smaller than previous versions, are a couple of examples.

Because costs are rising, manufacturers can raise the price and possibly lose sales, or they can take out some content and hope the consumer doesn’t notice. But some manufacturers come right out and announce that their products are getting smaller:

• Last summer, General Mills told investors about its new “Right Size, Right Price” program in which prices of cereals such as Cheerios, Wheaties and Total went up while portion size went down 1.5 ounces per box.

• Wrigley recently announced that next year it will gradually replace current gum with reformulated Doublemint, Juicy Fruit and other flavors in packages that will contain 15 instead of 17 sticks.

• Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Shamrock Farms and the Kroger Co. have plans to start packaging soda in 16-ounce bottles and milk in three-quarter-gallon jugs.

Prices for these products will be lower than 20-ounce sodas and full gallons of milk.

Other manufacturers have shrunk products with no price reduction — or publicity. Examples include dog food, bathroom tissue, mayonnaise and ice cream.

In some states, there have been some formal customer complaints about shrinking product sizes. But with the economy many shoppers looking for smaller sizes, thus, reducing the number of complaints.

Shoppers have long been willing to pay a premium for organic food. But how much is too much?

Rising prices for organic groceries are prompting some consumers to question their devotion to food produced without pesticides, chemical fertilizers or antibiotics. In some parts of the country, a loaf of organic bread can cost $4.50, a pound of pasta has hit $3, and organic milk is closing in on $7 a gallon.

Food prices in general have been rising, but organic food lagged somewhat behind last year because of a temporary glut of organic milk and other factors. Some grocery chains adopted private-label organic products, which are cheaper than brand products, while others hesitated to raise already high organic prices.

In recent months, however, these factors have been giving way to cost pressures in the industry. On grocery shelves across the nation, sharp price increases are taking hold.

Organic prices are rising for many of the same reasons affecting conventional food prices: higher fuel costs, rising demand and a tight supply of the grains needed for animal feed and bakery items. In fact, demand for organic wheat, soybeans and corn is so great that farmers are receiving unheard-of prices.

But people who have to buy organic grain, from bakers and pasta makers to chicken and dairy farmers, say they are struggling to maintain profit margins, even though shoppers are paying more.

The price of organic animal feed is so high that some dairy farmers have abandoned organic farming methods and others are pushing retailers to raise prices more aggressively. Several organic manufacturers worry that sales may slow as consumers cut back.

Over all, grocery prices have increased about 5 percent over the last year, though some staples like conventional eggs jumped 30 percent and milk, 13 percent, according to the Consumer Price Index. That government index does not break out prices for organic food.

Organic food is typically 20 percent to 100 percent more expensive than a conventional counterpart; the gap has narrowed in recent years as discount retailers like Wal-Mart have offered organics and more private-label organic products have become available, according to the industry.

Organic corn is selling for $10 a bushel, organic soybeans for about $20 a bushel, and organic wheat is can sell as much as $22 a bushel. These prices reflect almost a 100% increase over two years ago.

Even with those prices, though, people in the industry say fewer farmers are starting the arduous transition to organic production because they can get record prices for conventional grain. Droughts, a growing global middle class and rising demand for biofuels produced from crops are putting heavy pressure on the world’s food system, sending prices up everywhere.

More owners and managers of small food and beverage businesses indicated, during the first quarter of 2008, that they are planning to increase hiring during the next 12 months and expect an increase in employees versus their 2007 statistics, according to the latest Small Business Research Board (SBRB) study released here today.

Of the owners and managers responding to the nationwide quarterly SBRB poll co-sponsored by International Profit Associates, 44% said they plan to increase hiring over the next 12 months. This was an increase of 28 points from the 16% who said, during the fourth quarter of 2007, that they were planning to increase hiring. Concerning the total number of employees, 41% of the respondents expect their statistics in 2008 to increase from 2007. Only 8% thought they would have fewer employees in the coming year.

Meanwhile, the quarterly report said 46% of the businesses have raised prices in response to increased fuel costs. For those businesses adjusting to an increase in fuel prices, 25% have reduced business travel, 22% have reduced other costs and 19% are experiencing a higher level of just-in-time ordering.

Eliminating routes, or reducing the length of delivery routes, and committing to new vehicles with better miles per gallon efficiency was the fifth-mentioned possibility for offsetting costs.

The Small Business Research Board (SBRB) previously reported that its Food & Beverage Industry Small Business Confidence Index (SBCI) decreased by more than 18 points to 30 during the fourth quarter of 2007. The responses of owners and managers of small food and beverage producers participating in the quarterly poll indicated a weakened confidence in the economy, predictions for lower revenue and less hiring. The outlook for the general economy, revenue growth and hiring expectations are three key indicators used to determine the SBCI.

The first quarter of 2008 food and beverage SBCI (set at 43) was sharply higher than the 30 registered during the fourth quarter of 2007.
The SBCI, during the first quarter of 2008, for all U.S. small businesses was 43.67, a decline of nearly 10 points from the prior period. The historical SBRB SBCI high occurred during the first quarter of 2005 when the SBCI hit 52 points. The historical low was during the third quarter of 2005 when the SBCI fell to 39.3 points.

More than 1,000 small business owners participated in the nationwide poll.
The universe of participants is developed from among small businesses across the United States. The SBRB study is a voluntary survey conducted quarterly.

Fresh off an explosive, New York City sampling wave, the ENGOBI(TM) Girls are hitting the road, bringing ENGOBI - the love child of caffeine and snack chips — to popular New Orleans attractions May 29-June 1.

Along with samples of the market’s first caffeine-infused munchie, the ENGOBI girls will give New Orleans’ Guitar Hero(TM) aficionados the chance to play the game with friends alongside the ENGOBI tour van. The ENGOBI girls will bring on the noise, bring on the crunch at Big Easy locations ranging from the Zoo and Audubon Nature institute to the French Quarter, the Superdome to Riverwalk Marketplace.

“ENGOBI is rocketing off New York City shelves as soon as it’s stocked,” says Mark Singleton, VP of Rudolph Foods, the maker of ENGOBI. “When we saw the way typically jaded New Yorkers were reacting, we knew it was time to pack up the ENGOBI van and give crunch lovers in the Deep South the chance to tank up on the tastiest, crunchiest energy source around.”

As the ENGOBI girls make their way down the Coast (see their complete, nine-city itinerary at http://www.engobi.com/engobi-tour/events/), they’ll be blogging from the van each day about the cities they’re visiting and the people they meet. “If the ENGOBI girls, our high-octane snack chips or guitars don’t perk you up, I’m not sure you have a pulse,” Singleton declared. “With ENGOBI, couch potatoes just earned a place on the endangered species list.”

According to Singleton, a 1.5-ounce, single-serving bag of ENGOBI contains approximately 140 milligrams of caffeine — about 60 milligrams more than a can of most popular energy drinks. The latest entry in the functional foods category, ENGOBI will be distributed nationwide through convenience stores and select grocery stores. High-energy ENGOBI is sold in 1.5-ounce, single-serving bags, with a manufacturer’s suggested price of $1.29 per bag.

Change your tune from hard rock to country? Wear a Klondike Bear suit at work and for happy hour? Don tightie whities and a cape around your neighborhood? Crazy antics like these could now earn you big bucks.

Klondike has announced the national “What Would You Do for a Klondike Bar?” video contest. People have been asking the iconic question for decades and now Americans can prove it on camera. Who will go to the greatest lengths for the tempting tasty treat?

The grand-prize winning video entrant will receive $100,000 and a trip for a one-on-one digital short consultation with Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone of “Saturday Night Live.” The comedy team also will be part of the overall judging panel to help select the grand-prize winner.

“We know people love their Klondike Bars,” said David Burrows, Senior Brand Director for Klondike. “And we wanted to give Americans the opportunity to show us the great lengths they will go to by answering the iconic question on camera, “What Would You Do for a Klondike Bar?”

“What Would You Do for a Klondike Bar?” video entries will be accepted starting May 13 through July 31 at http://www.KlondikeContest.com, where fans can vote on and rate their favorite off-the-wall videos throughout the summer. Semi-finalist videos will be selected based on fan ratings, as well as feedback from a panel of judges, so every vote counts. Four finalist videos will be announced in August and America also will help select the grand-prize winning video, which will be announced in September.

When you visit http://www.KlondikeContest.com to rate your favorite videos you will be entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to win $25,000 in cold hard cash. Fans can watch and vote for videos throughout the entire contest and are eligible to enter the sweepstakes once a day.

Napa Valley, CA - Vintners in California’s renowned Napa Valley on Monday launched an Internet tribute to pioneering US wine-maker Robert Mondavi, who died three days earlier in his home in the region.

The Napa Valley Vintners Association created an online “toast” to Mondavi on its website at www.napavintners.com, inviting people to share their memories of the icon in words and pictures.
“In all of the years I have been privileged to talk about Napa Valley wines I always mentioned two prominent members as the ‘god fathers’ of the Napa Valley wine industry,” wrote Peter Huwiler, who headed winery there for more than a decade. “Robert Mondavi was one of them. … His stewardship for the valley will be the benchmark for generations to come.”

The son of Italian immigrants, Mondavi founded a winery bearing his name in Napa Valley in 1966 and went on to become one of the most prominent figures of the US wine industry, making famed Cabernets and Chardonnays. He would have been 95 years old in June.

The website memorial comes as the vintners association readies for the Friday start of an online “E-Auction” of prestigious wines as part of an annual event to raise money for Napa Valley charities.

“One of the many important lessons Mr. Mondavi taught us was to always be there to help a neighbor, a friend, our community or beyond,” the association said in an introductory message at the Internet tribute. “He was one of the most kind and generous people we’ve ever known.”