AKRON-Goodyear has begun offering its G-TRACS computer software program-touted as the first nationwide cost-monitoring and control system for truck retreads-to its 156 Goodyear Authorized Retreader locations. The G-TRACS program, developed jointly by Goodyear and Compu-Power Inc. of Columbia, Md., debuted last April at the American Retreaders' Association's convention and trade show.
The computer program helps retreaders provide detailed status reports on a fleet customer's retreads and helps customers make cost-effective decisions on the management of their tires, according to Tom L. Ford, general manager for Goodyear retreading systems.
In addition to streamlining inventories and monitoring retreading activities at the plants, the software helps fleet operators track what retreads are currently running, the number of times each tire has been retreaded and how much money has been spent for retreads, tire casing sizes and retread types, frequency of retreading, delivery dates and billing control, Mr. Ford said.
All the information on a retreaded tire is entered via a bar-coded tag from the point it arrives as a casing through inspection, repairs and retread applications. And the system allows data on a fleet's retreads to be transmitted to other Goodyear retreading plants across the country.
Goodyear said it hopes to eventually have all its authorized retread plants equipped with a G-TRACS system, which costs between $20,000 and $30,000.