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Truck and Track Winter 2018 18
BUSINESS NEWS
A fast growing West Midlands-based courier has achieved
significant time saving advantages after rolling out new cloud
transport management technology.
R&G Logistics, based in Wednesbury near Walsall, adopted the
TMS Go! system, from specialist software provider Mandata, 12
months ago in a move to simplify its financial processes and cut
administration.
The firm, which employs 20 people and operates a range of 15 flat-
bed, rigid and articulated vehicles, delivering to more than 200
customers across the UK and Ireland, has subsequently reduced by
80% the time taken to complete its invoicing.
More than100 invoices arenowprocessedand issuedbyoneperson
in less than an hour thanks to Mandata’s technology. Previously,
using a paper-based system, two people would take upwards of five
hours a day to expedite a similar volume of work.
R&G Logistics, which was established in 2016, was one of the
first adopters of TMS Go!, a system designed for owner/driver and
small transport operators looking to cost-effectively benefit from
computerised transport management technology but at a fraction
of the cost of larger systems.
The easy-to-use, ‘out-of-the-box’ subscription-based cloud
technology, enables operators to simplify and manage better
‘order-to-invoice’ processes via cost-effective paperless technology.
The systemdelivered a quick returnwithin a fewweeks of going live
at R&G Logistics, said Ross Flynn, the firm’s managing director and
owner, who added that it’s proving “fantastic”.
He’s been particularly “impressed” by its capacity to deliver
measurable time saving benefits for fast turnaround, 24/7
operations like his.
Upwards of 700 jobs per month are currently processed by the
system, making it easier to manage workloads and save “huge”
chunks of time. “It’s a very capable, easy-to-use tool; ideal for
independent operators like us,” he said. “It’s a big improvement on
how we previously did our invoicing. Now, one person is able to do
the work of two people, in a fifth of the time.
“A feature that allows us to allocate a PO number to every job,
ensuring orders are properly and duly processed, is also particularly
beneficial in transport operations and helping to reduce billing
queries.”
The capability to connect directly to Sage and other accountancy
software providing automatic updates as well as electronic proof of
delivery via theManifest app will be “beneficial” to R&G Logistics as
they roll out new technology over the coming months.
The flexibility to bolt on additional modules as needed is a key
requirement when adopting new technology, added Ross Flynn,
which TMS Go! offers.
He added: “It also gives us flexibility around where people can
interact with the systemand when, while the dashboard-style drag
and drop traffic pad enables us to see at a glance current jobs and
their status.
“Also, the ability to quickly add or remove information at the touch
of a button is proving easy and extremely useful, particularly during
peak periods of operation.”
Efficiency savings provided through the paper-less cloud transport
management technology has allowed the courier to redeploy
resources to other aspects of the business, notably frontline
transport operations, administration and other office duties.
This is helping to improve the overall running and management of
the business, and supporting growth, added Ross Flynn. Now, as he
considers future expansion, he foresees that reliance on TMS Go!
will only grow as more services are adopted.
“We are seeing huge savings in time and money. Mandata’s
technology is enabling us to optimise resources and improve other
areas of frontline operations,” he said.
R&G Logistics’ use of TMS Go! has revealed a system that’s proving
capable, user-friendly and easily accessible by personnel. Moreover,
its simplicity, well engineered features “have made it easy to move
away from their old paper-based systems and they haven’t looked
back”.
“I’d encourage any small haulier currently using diaries or spread
sheets to plan and paper invoicing to look at the advantages offered
by TMS Go! People may be put off by having to do things differently,
but they’ll easily get the hang of it, and quickly see the benefits in
time and money.
“There’s no doubt it’s going to be a key tool in helping to drive-up
standards of service and quality as the business continues to grow
and expand operations in the years ahead,” concluded Ross Flynn.
New investment in cloud TMS
delivers on time for courier
Ross Flynn, managing director of R&G Logistics, is saving costs thanks to Mandata’s TMS Go!