Neele-Vat Logistics: ''Tracking delivery progress in real time''

Besides faster and better information, the family business from Rotterdam wanted more efficient and automated planning, real-time insight into the status of shipments, and better possibilities to communicate via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Another requirement was for the customer to be able to see proof of delivery immediately.

The advanced graphical plan screen played an important reason for the choice. This planning screen allows Neele-Vat to plan automatically and also plan from the map. Miriam Winkel, IT manager at Neele-Vat: "We had a computer system that we could connect to driver apps and customer portals. It was adequate, but we wanted to do more and be ahead of the curve." Neele-Vat chose Centric's Plan&Go. In combination with the fleet management app, trip information from the planning screen is relayed from the home base to the drivers. In this way, the progress and handling of the trip including 'proof of delivery' can be monitored in real time. In addition, the plan screen can be used to respond quickly to disruptions in logistical execution.

Planning speed

"Anyone can transport from A to B, it's all about what you can provide extra. If you order or send packages privately, you can track the package, so should you do the same for business. Plan&Go fits our business perfectly. We first group our shipments by loading and unloading address after which we can plan the grouped shipments by resources," Winkel explains the choice.

Currently, Neele-Vat is still in the process of implementation. The first two departments should be live by November 1. "Setting up these processes takes time, but you will earn that back later and will increase the acceptance of new software because users will immediately see the added value." Among other things, Winkel refers to the speed of planning. "Planning is currently still done by experienced planners, they do a great job but it costs extra handling. Handling that is eliminated by automating this process. In addition, we have better insight into figures and margins." With the implementation of Plan&Go, Neele-Vat Logistics is taking a big step toward paperless transport.