Iowa 80 Group Keeps on Truckin’ with Help from IBM and Classic Software

Information Technology Helps Midsize Company Grow



WALCOTT, Iowa .- What started as a truck stop with a small store, lube bay, and restaurant in the quiet town of Walcott, Iowa, is today an international trucking powerhouse boasting the world’s largest truck stop.

The Iowa 80 Group has 13 locations and 1,200 CAT Scale point-of-sale locations in the U.S. and Canada, incorporating the latest ideas and technology in fueling islands, service centers, truck washing, truck weighing and the biggest trucker store in the U.S.

Iowa 80 Group is owned and operated by the Moon family who will tell you that the Iowa 80 Group’s success is due, in large part, to their ability to minimize the cost of daily operation through the skillful use of innovative information technology.

“We are experts on trucking business and by collaborating with the innovators in other fields, like the technology industry, we have been able to provide quality products and exceptional services at a fair price,” said Carolyn Moon, president of Iowa 80 Group. “Classic Software, Inc. and IBM are the experts that we have partnered with to help us achieve our mission.”

It truly is a partnership. Classic Software is the software architect. “They are great listeners who understand our daily business challenges and have helped us create a competitive edge,” said Moon. “IBM has worked closely with Classic Software to help the Iowa 80 Group create and implement the hardware and software solutions that have supported our rapid growth and allowed us to focus on customer satisfaction instead of computer issues.”

This close relationship has allowed Iowa 80 Group to lead in innovative state-of-the-art business practices while reducing employee training, increasing productivity and enhancing customer service.

IBM and Classic Software have been helping Iowa 80 Group not only with technology but also with forming and implementing their business strategy since the 1970s. Over the years Classic Software has developed every component of Iowa 80 Group’s corporate financial application software that provides instant communication to and from remote locations, banking partners, customers, vendors and government entities. The software simultaneously interfaces with more than 1,200 point-of-sale locations producing accurate electronic financial transactions allowing Iowa 80 Group to communicate vital information immediately, providing a real-time view of critical financial information.

Classic Software also provides, as part of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) applications, a corporate payroll system that implements corporate and government requirements for the entire enterprise. The application allows secure access to their IBM Power Systems servers (System i) so remote locations can print required forms, process new hires and report hours worked for all employees. This allows corporate to review and approve new hires and hours worked electronically. The system automatically submits required reports to all levels of government. In addition, the payroll system automatically interfaces with accounts payable, producing payments for taxes, deductions and garnishments automatically.

“Efficiency is the key to productivity. Our software is principally designed to optimize efficiency which allows our clients to increase productivity, decrease cost, and augment customer satisfaction across the board,” explained Mike McCullough, CEO of Classic Software, Inc.

IBM Power Systems i servers run seven days a week, 24 hours a day, just like the trucking industry. IBM provides technical assistance and Classic Software provides support to establish and support Iowa 80 Group’s ERP environment. IBM middleware provides a critical foundation for Iowa 80 Group’s ERP environment including DB2 relational database and WebSphere application servers.

Iowa 80 Group also uses a Lotus Domino server that processes and handles all company e-mail communications. Additional IBM systems manage credit card processing and the company’s Web site.
Iowa 80 Group’s information technology is an IBM Built on Express solution that combines world class offerings from IBM Business Partners like Classic Software, with IBM’s Express Advantage portfolio of hardware, software and services that are designed and priced for midsize companies.