Cloud Computing, Software as a Service and CarrierNet are all new approaches to the delivery of software solutions, how they are paid for, the range of companies they are suitable for and the richness of functionality offered. Please click on the following headings to find answers to some of the more common questions we are asked.
What is Cloud Computing?
The Times newspaper describes Cloud Computing as; “Technology that promises easier, faster, cheaper computing for all”. We can think of no better description!
“Cloud computing will change how you work and play, and how much it will cost to do both. Essentially it divorces computing services from your computer hardware and shifts them to a server, or several servers, on the internet; somewhere in the ether. Hence the cloud. Your data is accessible from anywhere, and from any device: from your laptop, your mobile phone, an internet café or from your granny’s laptop.” - The Times Leader Column, November 6th 2008.
What is Software as a Service (SaaS)?
SaaS is software available over the web - a form of Cloud Computing. There is no capital expenditure involved because the service is web based, payment is made on a pay-as-you-use transaction basis, and users do not have to invest in software licences or hardware. There is no on-going maintenance charge or need to increase in-house IT support resources and costs.
What are the significant benefits over traditional software licensing?
Cloud Computing is now accepted by most analysts as the software delivery model of the future. This is because of its technical and financial benefits. We have detailed these benefits and to view them
Click Here
What makes CarrierNet different from other web systems?
Many web applications for the logistics industry are shallow systems which handle order entry and POD. CarrierNet is a rich supply chain and logistics software service which incorporates order entry, resource assignment, routing and scheduling, sub-contractor management, carrier selection, scanning and billing. To view the functionality,
Click Here: It also employs and benefits from the most sophisticated web application tools available.
Which type of company is CarrierNet suitable for?
CarrierNet is ideal for companies striving to offer high levels of customer service in challenging supply chain environments. These include companies in sectors such as manufacturing, retailing, logistics, wholesale, home deliveries, general hauliers and pallet networks. Companies with own fleets, outsourced or mixed operations are successfully using the service. Because CarrierNet is based on a highly scalable transactional cost model, it is designed to support growth and fluctuations in your business matching cost to need.
Will CarrierNet help me if I outsource my operation?
CarrierNet is designed for operations with own fleet, contracted out operations or sub-contractors. Standard or customised KPIs will ensure that the total operation is carefully monitored and best practice - whatever the source - can be applied as a bench mark to the total operation. Because multi-depot capability is standard, you can utilise resources across depots.
Is CarrierNet future proof?
Software is developed usually to take advantage of WEB tools. CarrierNet is 100% designed as a web based application, taking advantage of all of the latest technology developments. New features and functionality are automatically included in your service, without the need to interrupt the operation for updates, and there is no charge for this maintenance and support. The features you do not need and use, you do not pay for.
Will my customers and supply chain partners benefit from CarrierNet?
By providing customers, suppliers and logistics companies with visibility of order progress and access to track and trace capability, combined with advance notice of potential delivery problems, companies can genuinely delight customers with high service levels.
Does CarrierNet link to my ERP, WMS or accounts system?
CarrierNet has been successfully linked to many systems, including: accounting packages (Sage and Pegasus), ERP systems (SAP and Oracle), WMS (Red Prairie, Despatcher), routing and scheduling packages, in house systems, and vehicle tracking systems.
What is included in the pricing and how do I pay for the CarrierNet service?
The CarrierNet SaaS transaction based charging model means that clients pay only for what they need when they need it. Included in these transaction costs are access to the Deltion online support system, maintenance and upgrades. CarrierNet provides a future-proof and readily scalable platform, with a central and secure repository of data; fully maintained; regular back-ups with hosted system benefits
How does CarrierNet help my transport planners?
CarrierNet provides the facility for automatic or assisted routing and scheduling of your orders, and also allows you to make last minute changes to a route or schedule if there is a change in requirements. You can also set parameters which determine the choice of carrier for certain orders. This carrier selection can be based on order size, urgency, delivery zone, and cost or customer preference.
Does CarrierNet provide links to in-cab, mobile phone and handheld devices?
Although hardware is not supplied, CarrierNet can link to any handheld or mobile device, including: Mobile phones (GPRS) for: manifests, journey progress, named PoD, date and time
Handheld terminals or PDAs for PoD signature capture; GPS/GPRS enabled devices; Exact location tracking; TomTom vehicle/driver tracking information; Imager and barcode scanner.
Barcode scanners at hub, depot and collection/delivery locations.
Alerts/messaging, including: SMS sent from within CarrierNet can include driver language specific messages (e.g. Polish), various automated alerts such as email or SMS when order despatched to delivery vehicle, configurable onscreen messaging, job PoD received, delayed, re-attempt.
Is the service scalable?
The whole platform and the underlying technology are designed for immense scalability which can be achieved by the use of multi-core processors, multiple processors, multiple servers, or servers hosted at multiple sites in almost any combination that is appropriate for a specific application. The core platform has been extensively stress tested at IBM’s research labs at Hursley. The scalability works in both ways - you do not have to pay for extra capacity before you need it; if logistics volumes decrease, you pay only for what you actually need.
What management information is available and can I create my own reports?
CarrierNet addresses head-on the problem of visibility, control and long term management of logistics service providers and sub contractors. The Decision Support reports include the ability to determine key performance indicators (KPIs) for both in-house and contracted operations, and to monitor and compare them. This allows you to identify best performance benchmarks to drive continuous improvement.
How often and how is CarrierNet updated?
CarrierNet is constantly updated, taking into account the experiences and feedback of our users, their customers and their supply chain partners. Because it is Software as a Service, updating, upgrades and maintenance all take place centrally and are made available immediately to users - without any disruption to the business. There is no charge for these upgrades.
Is my data safe on the web?
CarrierNet uses the most secure web application tools (Oracle Application Server and Database) to ensure that your data is safe. Moreover, your data is backed up on a regular basis and you benefit from high performance bandwidth and failover systems which normally only the biggest corporations can afford.
Can other users access my data?
Access to the system is limited to web access only by authorised users using web-enabled devices, including computers and handheld devices. The access security is multi-level, first level of security is a unique email username and password. The second level of security is a PIN which needs to be loaded onto each web-enabled device; this prevents users accessing the system outside of work from unauthorised devices.
