(BALTIMORE, MD -- MARCH 13, 1997) The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) will showcase street level computer software at a seminar scheduled from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on April 16 at the Council's meeting rooms at 601 North Howard Street. The event, titled " Distribution and Logistics- Profiting From the New Information Technology," is part of an on-going effort to familiarize the local business community with the Council's computer resources.

"The cost of moving goods and people within the region is an important component of doing business," noted Paul Farragut, BMC's Executive Director. "Computers can help improve the bottom line by setting up efficient routes for sales and service calls and deliveries.

"In the past, computer software to assist in planning and managing vehicle-based activity was available only to major corporations. However, Pentium processors, shrink-wrapped software and accurate local computer maps have changed all that. This seminar is an opportunity for the business community to see how packaged software can be customized to help reduce costs. Demonstration disks will be provided so that participants can try the software on their own computers.

The software demonstrations will be preceded by a briefing on transportation issues in the Baltimore region, including a discussion on current and future traffic problem areas. Attendees will be able to review computerized vehicle routing systems which BMC created for local governments.

"For a number of years, the Baltimore Metropolitan Council has maintained the computer base map used by local jurisdictions to route school buses and emergency vehicles," said Harford County Executive Eileen Rehrmann, who serves as BMC Chair. "It's appropriate to make this technology available to the business community to support economic growth and development in the region.

"Seminar attendees will also tour the Regional Information Center, located at BMC's facilities. The Center, part of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, is the focal point for business and economic information about the Baltimore region. Call Dick Mautino at 410-333-6585 or Stephanie Walsh at 410-333-8998 to reserve space at the seminar. The $15.00 fee includes a buffet luncheon and the demonstration diskettes.