Logistics software developer Dovetail recently released its new MobileControl solution, which boasts its new estimated- time-of-delivery functionality allowing for on-board vehicle scanning and near-real-time tracking of collection and delivery processes.
This enables customers to receive accurate and timeous updates on the status of their requests.
Many logistics companies cannot monitor their drivers while they are on the road because visibility is lost when drivers are out in the field, says Dovetail business solutions director and sales account manager Ralf Rolle.
The MobileControl solution enables companies to track their drivers’ location and whether deliveries have taken place, including which deliveries were made according to schedule and which ones were not. Informa- tion can thus be gathered to improve deliveries, which, in turn, will lead to better service delivery.
MobileControl also enables drivers to notify the system’s control panel of any changes. For example, if there is heavy traffic or a vehicle breaks down, awaiting customers can be informed and alternative plans can be made accordingly.
Owing to constant increases in expenses, such as fuel, labour and operational costs, a solution like MobileControl, which offers time and cost savings, will result in a positive response from the market, notes Rolle.
The new MobileControl technology uses a Google optimisation engine, which assists in finding the most efficient route, taking into account different factors, such as distance, highways, traffic and back roads.
In South Africa, a lot of logistics compa- nies waste fuel, time and resources owing to inefficient route planning. “Often, this is unintentional and companies are not even aware that they are using inefficient routes,” says Rolle.
He explains that, at the start of each day, drivers plan their routes to improve the efficiency of their deliveries. As they depart, they will sign out at a security checkpoint, which allows for the MobileControl system to record the departure time of the vehicle and whether the vehicle correlates with the right goods and driver. An estimated time of arrival is then calculated and the client is notified. If the driver is forced to deviate from the planned, most efficient route, the route will be recalculated and the client will receive a revised estimated time of arrival.
“This enables our clients to provide their clients, in turn, with more information on delivery so that they can plan and, thereby, ensure greater efficiency of the supply chain,” states Rolle.
At the end of the day, the MobileControl system will debrief the drivers, demonstrating how much time and money was lost owing to inefficient route planning, and what can be done to improve the efficiency of set routes. The aim is to create awareness among the drivers, who receive this information on how to improve deliveries. Drivers will begin to follow these set routes as they realise the benefits, says Rolle.