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When Gregg Price founded Bannockburn Express in June 1998, it employed two contract owner-operators. A little more than 15 months later, that number is up to 18.

Price’s wife, Sheri, with whom he founded the carrier in Bremen, Ind., says the company’s expansion has been fueled by a solid plan for growth, 32 years of combined experience in the industry, a good reputation and the availability of drivers in the area. She also credits computer software that performs internal functions and helps the company improve customer service.

The system the Prices bought from Show-Me Software of Springfield, Mo., performs a slew of office tasks, including order entry, dispatching, freight billing and driver settlement. By automating functions that were traditionally performed on a typewriter, Bannockburn has a leg to stand on when competing with larger carriers.

More small companies are gaining access to relatively high-tech information systems as the associated costs come down. For example, companies now can set up advanced communications on the Internet at about one-tenth the cost of five years ago, and they don’t need full-time technical staff to run them, according to Fred Nichols, president of CSIroad.com a software company in Mechanicsburg, Pa.

For the full story, see the Sept. 27 print edition of Transport Topics. .