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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.

MINNEAPOLIS — ABF Freight System truck driver Ralph Garcia had to make a choice between being at the hospital for the birth of his first grandson or competing here in the 2012 National Truck Driving Championships.

UPS Inc. said it has deployed a new type of “wearable” scanning system that speeds up loading of packages and delivery of shipping data to customers.

Rand McNally Inc. said it has upgraded the hardware for its TPC 7600 mobile communication fleet-management system.

Allied Systems Holdings Inc., the largest U.S. car hauler, last week filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the second time it has done so, saying it’s continuing to provide service and blaming weakness in the car and light-truck business for the move.

Vehicle hauler Allied Systems Holdings said it is restructuring its finances after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sunday.

We live in an age of electronic information. Computers, the Internet, iPhones, iPads, GPS . . . all these technological wonders work to make our lives easier, reduce paperwork and give us all more time to do other things.