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| Fortec |
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An innovative new web-based collaborative software platform
from the UK's leading web applications software house Deltion
Ltd has resulted in far reaching improvements in the speed
and accuracy of information flow 'beyond measure' for major
client Fortec Pallet Distribution Network.
Believed to be the first web based system of its type for the
European transport and logistics sectors, Rugby-based Fortec
has benefited enormously since the introduction of the CarrierNet
system by Deltion.
Fortec Pallet Distribution Network has invested
a six-figure sum in this new information technology system.
It is Fortec's biggest-ever investment in IT since its launch
in 1996 and is a clear demonstration of the company's commitment
to develop the Fortec Pallet Distribution Network as a major
player in the flourishing UK pallet distribution sector.
Fortec
Pallet contracted Deltion to implement the new IT system, which
provides on-line access to all users, allowing network licensees
and their customers to access the system via the Internet.
There are no expensive up front costs in terms of dedicated
hardware or software involved.
Deltion, which specialises in
web solutions for the logistics industry, has developed this
innovative Internet-based solution that allows participants
in the supply chain to have unprecedented control, collaboration
and visibility of all transport and communications matters.
Deltion
were asked to provide a specific solution to meet Fortec Pallet's
requirements for a new IT system to manage their pallet distribution
business. One of the key requirements was for a centralised
operational system which provided real time access to all of
Fortec's licensees and their customers via the Internet and
which would effectively replace the existing system based on
their IBM AS400 mainframe implemented some five years ago.
The main features of the new system include:
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Online order entry by licensees and
their customers |
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Licensees can arrange third party collections and
deliveries |
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Track and Trace by licensees and customers |
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Centrally managed input and delivery tariffs and
service levels applied automatically |
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Multi hub capability and automated routing of pallets |
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Full postcode gazetteer |
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Automated billing of hub, input and delivery charges |
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Ability to use Barcode and RFID radio tags |
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Interface to Transport Management Systems used
by licensees |
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Automated messaging and on-line resolution of exceptions |
The immediate benefits of the new Fortec Pallet CarrierNet system are as follows:
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Secure access |
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Automatic messaging and visibility reduces phone, fax, paper and queries
notification of jobs and exception resolution |
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Removing duplication of job entry and elimination of keying in errors |
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Customers can enter their own orders on the web and can check status
of their orders |
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Competitive advantages for Fortec Pallet |
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Improved customer service because exception reporting is immediate |
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The results have been immediate and have added value to both Fortec Pallet's
licensee network and, most importantly, to the bottom line.
In terms of detailed
benefits through the Deltion System, these cover operational, administrative,
financial and overall service.
Indeed, the benefits achieved by Fortec Pallet
and its licensees since the implementation have been immediately far-reaching:
Operational:
All pallets have always been scanned both in and out of the Fortec Pallet hub
but now each licensee knows exactly how many and what type of pallets they need
to collect from the hub, they can plan in advance how many and what type of vehicles
to send to the hub for the 'trunk' journey, saving on fuel costs and the possible
need for return journeys on exceptionally busy nights.
Administrative: The duplicated keying in of entries has been completely removed,
negating the possibility of errors, lost or undelivered pallets.
Financial: several
licensees claim their administrative work has been cut in half, enabling them
in some cases to reduce headcount and cut costs.
Service: customers no longer need to provide written orders and can check at any time where their consignment is, reducing on query calls to Fortec Pallet or its licensees.
Rod Abrahams, Director of Fortec Pallet Distribution Network,
commented: "This is a major investment which demonstrates
our commitment to develop Fortec Pallet as a serious major
operator in the UK pallet distribution industry.
"Our growth during 2003 and our projected further
growth in 2004 required a more advanced IT system to accommodate
the expansion that we are already experiencing this year.
"Deltion's CarrierNet is a collaborative system that will not only bring huge, measurable benefits to our existing and new licensees, but also their customers and, indeed, our customers," he said. "It
is the future for the transport industry -now - and offers
us a leading edge against the competition."
Piyush Shah CEO of Deltion Ltd commented: "The Fortec
Pallet experience of the Deltion collaborative platform
is a good example of how a transport operator can benefit
in terms both of operational efficiency and on the bottom
line from this innovative new system.
"We believe it will shape the future in how distribution
networks, their licensees and their customers will work
together cohesively in the future. That not only applies
to pallet distribution networks, but parcel carriers and
haulage operators. Indeed one nationwide parcels carrier
has said that the Deltion system is where the industry
will be in five years time, but of course it is available
today.
"Our team has worked closely with Fortec Pallet senior
management to develop a solution to meet their exact requirements.
In fact the system has potential applications across all
sectors of the transport and logistics industry. The use
of the web as a tool for managing operations such as the
Fortec Pallet Distribution Network is becoming more and
more established in the UK and internationally and our
partnership with Fortec is a model of how a solution can
be developed to meet the functional needs of all three
stakeholders - the Fortec Pallet Network, its licensees
and licensees' customers.
"Without doubt web based IT systems such as Deltion
are the shape of things to come in the future for the distribution
and logistics industry," he
added. |
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This service enables us to compete with information technology equal - and in most cases better - to our biggest competitors.Mike Denison, Operations Director, TH Brown Caretakers
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