Supply chain managers are masters at ensuring company products or raw materials are readily available, wherever and whenever. In fulfilling their goals, they want inventory moved safe, secure and cost-efficiently while maintaining complete control and visibility over the shipping process, in some cases diverting part or whole consignment to newer destination(s) even during transit.
Our custom developed technology platform that applies the very latest in Cloud, Mobility, IoT, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies is making it possible for customers to implement supply chain innovations that deliver increasing quantities at a faster rate to the market and help provide the edge in a highly competitive marketplace.
Some innovative ways we use technology are:
- Piece Level Tracking
PLT is the ability to track and monitor transit of any shipment from the consignor (the person sending the shipment) to the consignee (the person receiving the shipment). Every incoming piece (of a larger consignment) is tagged with a unique barcode that contains information about the consignor, consignee, package details, date of shipping, expected date of delivery, route, etc. All this information is entered into our database and a unique number/ code assigned to each piece and are used to identify it as it moves to and from warehouses, while in transit between hubs or when out for delivery to the consignee. PLT technology has allowed us to reduce our overall error percentage by 0.07%, a major achievement, and helped reduce misrouting percentages as well.
- Warehouse Management
Electronic stock taking is another initiative we have rolled out
at all our warehouses and hubs. Inventories are taken of all the
stock present at our warehouses and hubs aided by software developed in-house.
E-stock taking allows us to have a highly organized inventory, where we can
pick-up any box/ shipment and identify its history such as where it
is going, delivery status etc by simply scanning the barcode. This software has
also helped reduce cases where we don’t have clarity at consignment level.
- Partner Enablement
We have built an exclusive smart mobile app and a portal for our Pickup and Delivery partners (PUD). Using this app or portal, our pickup and delivery partners can access all the information they need about the consignments they pick up or deliver and related commercials.
Through this app, PUD service owners can now proactively keep track of all their truck assets, remain in control of pickup and delivery operations resulting in fewer disruptions and better service for customers.
- Improved Asset Utilization
Using the same PUD portal, Spoton service centre managers can now track all PUD partner’s truck movements, loads they are carrying, consignment pickup and delivery status and planned availability for new pickup and drops. Earlier, without the app, centre managers depended totally on information provided by PUD partners and had only marginal control over PUD operations.
Improved visibility into this critical process has allowed Spoton managers to make better informed decisions. In addition, they are also able to better manage emergencies or sudden spikes in pick and delivery operations especially during peak seasons.
- Making Technology Adoption Easier – RTMS (Route Tracking & Monitoring System)
All the information presented in the PUD platform is graphically represented in the RTMS portal. Meaning one can now see pickup & delivery vehicles move on a map, analyze their travel times, rest breaks, load capacity, the status of consignments etc. presented in an easy to read and understandable interface. With a graphically presented tool, it becomes easier to absorb details and execute operations with fewer errors.
Customer enablement through technology has helped us to better integrate our solutions within
The author Rajesh Kapase is Chief Technology Officer in Spoton Logistics Pvt Ltd
