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Where warehouse dockworkers once had to go to a supervisor’s window for their assignments, advanced software has eliminated this and other long-standing procedures — turning the process of managing distribution centers into a faster, better-coordinated system, users and vendors said.

PITTSBURGH — Christopher Barnett Sr. of Ryder System Inc., who did not place first in any individual event at SuperTech 2012, was named trucking’s top technician after a strong performance on the written test and at the 17 skill stations that are part of the premier contest.

Trucking companies once were happy if an asset-tracking system could simply identify a truck’s location on a map.

The California Air Resources Board has approved changes that give heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers more time to comply with “technology forcing” regulations that require advances to engine onboard diagnostics systems that monitor nitrogen oxide emissions levels and particulate matter filter and sensor malfunctions.

Trimble Navigation Ltd. said it has agreed to purchase TMW Systems Inc. for $335 million in a deal that will bring the largest transportation software provider under the same ownership as PeopleNet Communications Corp., which Trimble acquired a year ago.

Trimble Navigation said Monday it has signed an agreement to acquire TMW Systems for $335 million, bringing the transportation software provider together with PeopleNet Communications Corp., which Trimble purchased last year.

The top truck technicians from across the country will put their skills to the test at the 2012 SuperTech competition, scheduled for Sept. 10-13 in Pittsburgh.

The U.S. Department of Transportation last week launched a test to determine if trucks, cars and buses equipped with wireless devices that allow the vehicles and highway infrastructure to “talk” to each other will prevent crashes, and whether such connected vehicle technology should be required on all vehicles.

MINNEAPOLIS — Xata Corp. announced last week it changed its name to XRS Corp. and unveiled its next-generation platform focused on mobile devices rather than hard-wired, on-board computers.

Cobra Electronics Corp. said it has unveiled its latest truck-specific navigation system as well as a new citizens band radio.