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Kansas City Southern and TFM S.A. de C.V. are developing a business model that would enable KCS to implement its computerized Management Control System (MCS) operating platform on TFM to offer more seamless NAFTA service.


TFM Chief Transportation Officer Manuel Zulaica, Director of Fleet Management and Transportation Support Federico Diaz, and Project Leader Steve Radney recently met with KCS Chief Information Officer Scott Arvidson to discuss MCS, which is designed to knit together shipment schedules through interchange using customers' own data and provide KCS more accurate performance measures (such as velocity and terminal dwell time).


Although KCS implemented the system in July 2002, TFM has different cost-reduction strategies and operating procedures that both railroads plan to address before launching the platform in Mexico, according to a prepared statement.


The railroads are creating templates for various components, including system integration, change management and training. The roads also are analyzing the difficulty, cost and benefits of implementing each component.


KCS plans to launch MCS on TFM in first-quarter 2004.