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The opening days of the sad soap opera being played out on Capitol Hill apparently did little damage to the nation’s freight distribution system, according to what industry executives told our reporters last week.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Mack Trucks introduced the GuardDog Connect service package aimed at expediting vehicle repairs by improving communications among drivers, fleets and dealers.

Asset-tracking provider Orbcomm Inc. said it has acquired Comtech Mobile Data Corp.’s Satellite-Enabled Notification System.

A U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Del., has approved the sale of most of Allied Systems Holdings’ operating assets to Jack Cooper Transport Co. as part of a $135 million deal that would consolidate the carhaul sector of trucking.

Rand McNally said it has integrated its TND 760 telematics device with Strategy Systems Inc.’s Strategy Live software.

Work on computer systems at state employment agencies caused reported initial jobless claims to fall by 31,000 last week, the Labor Department said Sept. 12.

PeopleNet Communications Corp. said it is working with security technology firm SafeKey Corp. to provide a location-aware key fob that truck drivers can use to send “panic” signals through PeopleNet’s system.

Refrigeration-unit maker Thermo King said it has integrated its telematics system into the iSeries transportation management software for truckload fleets from Add On Systems Inc.

Payment processing provider Electronic Funds Source said it has upgraded its integration with TMW Systems Inc.’s Innovative transportation management software.