Earl Taylor

      WISL's first exposure to Earl Taylor came during a golf game in South Carolina circa 1985. This was not surprising as we learned that golf is a major passion with Earl and he can often be found on the course. At that time it was discouraging to Earl that his computer system did little to address the particular operational needs of his company. He had a "mini" computer that offered an accounting system which was being adapted to attempt to help him to audit freight bills. A cursory investigation revealed that arrangements between carriers and shippers regarding charges for freight can be very complex. Clearly a lengthy period of analysis would be required to understand the problem and determine a developmental approach. Earl proved to be quite patient and an active participant in the analytical process. It was not until 1988 that we were in a position to install a solution, the Transportation Audit Control System(TACS), which was specifically designed to automatically rate freight bills. Earl was also impressed with the dramatically smaller footprint of the hardware and the fact that special air conditioning was no longer required. Still the business model at the time dictated that the major cost in the transaction was for the acquisition of the hardware platform.

    Earl is a career freight person. He spent 13 years with Canadian National in their Operations division and 5 years at BF Goodridch before deciding to join Triangle Traffic in 1975. He purchased the company in 1982. Triangle Traffic Services's first office occupied the old train station near the entrance to the Riverside Park on Highway 8 in Cambridge. This unique structure presented some cabling challenges but its squeeking wood floors and high ceilings offered a refreshing alternative to the usual office venue.

    In 1996 the initial WISL supplied system was replaced by an Intel based platform with SCO as the operating system. TACS was also replaced by the relevant modules of FAIS which had been designed by WISL to address the broader needs of the freight management marketplace. This transaction dramatically illustrates the change in the computer information systems business model as the hardware platform acquisition cost was approximately 10% of the cost of the mini-computer purchased by Earl from WISL only eight years earlier.

    There was a formal retirement party for Earl in 2002 but he can still be frequently found at Triangle Traffic's office. Earl has been building a retirement home in Port Dover but the drive back to the office is not that long and there are some pretty good golf courses on the route.