A pre-fabricated modular system that features all of the necessary equipment to safely load and unload liquids is now available to chemical industry shippers and receivers. Until now, companies that shipped or received bulk liquids have had to assemble loading/unloading stations in piecemeal fashion on their premises—most of which were permanently anchored and could not accommodate change or expansion. This new system gets around that problem by installing a complete system—unloading devices, storage tanks, fall protection devices and controls—on the back of a skid that can be moved wherever it's needed. Carbis Inc. (855) 518-8677 www.carbis.net

A new Internet-native appointment scheduling application from Elogex Inc. enables online collaboration between suppliers, receivers and carriers. According to the developer, the software completely automates the scheduling of pickup and delivery appointments while providing improvements in shipment visibility, resource and capacity utilization, compliance with appointment schedules, and product flow. By creating a shared online "appointment book" that can be updated in real time, users can eliminate the need to confirm or adjust scheduled pickups and deliveries by phone or fax. The correct appointment-time window is calculated based on the supplier, size of the order, and loading method. Each individual calendar may be configured for length of appointment, maximum dock capacity and scheduling cutoffs. Even specific dock doors can be configured with shipping and/or receiving hours and limited by the vendors, carriers, products or shipment types that may be serviced. Elogex Inc. (866) 302-1936 www.elogex.com

Shippers, carriers and freight forwarders that ship hazardous materials by water can improve their compliance with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG) with a new training manual from Currie Associates. Eight Easy Steps to Navigating the IMDG Code includes a CD-ROM with more than 250 PowerPoint slides and an instructor's guide.

The program progresses through eight steps that cover such topics as organization of the IMDG Code; hazard classification; the Dangerous Goods List and U.N. Number Index; marking, labeling and placarding procedures; and correct stowage and segregation. Each step includes checklists, work projects and exam questions to improve comprehension and test subject retention. Purchasers will receive one free copy of the IMDG Complete Comply student manual. Eight Easy Steps to Navigating the IMDG Code is available for $495 plus shipping. Currie Associates Inc. (518) 761-0668 www.currieassociates.com

Parts PL software improves productivity and picking accuracy, giving operators of AS/RS systems the ability to enter a part number into the system and have the stored items automatically delivered to them. It installs quickly and can interface with host systems such as WMS, LESA, ERP and industry-specific parts systems. Easy-to-use supervisory reports offer enhanced inventory control and analysis. Requiring minimal operator training, the software can be upgraded as storage and retrieval requirements grow. FastPic Systems (800) 897-8379 www. fastpicsystems.com

The WPC Plus Web-based printer control allows users to control, communicate with and configure the manufacturer's thermal transfer bar-code printers via any Web-enabled wired or wireless device. WPC Plus gives users menus and screen options, allowing them to check printer detail information, printer server information, printer settings and advanced user settings. The software will be standard in the maker's plug-in ethernet adapters and for its "e" enhanced printers. Sato America Inc. (408) 745-1300 www.satoamerica.com