SMC3 Announces CzarLite Product Update

ATLANTA – Jan. 7, 2010 – SMC3, a provider of transportation data services, technology tools and educational forums, announced today that it will update the data within its CzarLite® family of products, effective Feb. 1, 2010. The regular updates SMC3 makes to CzarLite maintain its longstanding reputation as the industry’s premier LTL base rate and benchmarking system for shipments within and between the United States, Canada and Mexico.

CzarLite pricing products are licensed to hundreds of carriers, including all 50 of the largest national, multi-regional and regional LTL carriers. Additionally, more than 2,000 shippers have used CzarLite as the negotiation base for their LTL contracts. Unlike an individual carrier’s base pricing system, CzarLite’s aggregated model offers a market-based price list derived from studies of LTL pricing on an industry wide basis. This system for developing base information supports the macroeconomic issues of LTL carriers without yielding to the micro operating and marketing issues of any individual carrier.

“Each CzarLite update reflects a proven system of economic analysis,” said Dan Acker, Sr. VP of Research and Economic Analysis for SMC3. “Rigorous checks and balances throughout the process mean CzarLite is based upon science that is repeatable, valid and applicable.”

The February 2010 CzarLite product update will reflect the overall economic impact of rising expenses to transport freight, as well as recent changes within the U.S. Postal Service ZIP code system and the Canadian and Mexican postal code systems. Consistent with prior updates, CzarLite base rate adjustments do not include the impact of fuel prices, which are in a constant state of flux and are addressed separately and individually by the carriers.

The mathematical computations SMC3 uses to update CzarLite are verified by an independent Certified Public Accountant (CPA). This verification process ensures that the input data and mathematical processes are accurate and that the CzarLite update is an equitable method for the usability and applicability of baseline rates over time.

SMC3 also utilizes an economic review panel to make recommendations related to the economic portion of the CzarLite update. The panel is comprised of outside experts whose noted familiarity with economic trends and the transportation industry, as well as their lengthy history of accurate economic research and forecasting, assures the practical, fair and unbiased nature of CzarLite rates.

Shippers who use CzarLite can confirm the competitiveness of rate offers and have a readily available and understandable alternative for their carrier agreements. Furthermore, these baseline rates allow those who purchase transportation services to standardize several critical areas of their business operations, including accounting functions, computer systems and purchasing agreements – offering truly competitive rates to their customers and creating economic value in terms of increased productivity and efficiency.

SMC3 plans to release an executive summary detailing the CzarLite update process commensurate with the Feb. 1 effective date. For more information regarding SMC3 products and services, call 800.845.8090 or visit www.smc3.com.