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Sainsbury's cuts transportation costs with Paragon software
March 17 2009 11:57 AM
Sainsbury's has cut its transportation costs and improved driver productivity using special fleet management software to streamline its delivery operations. The innovative solution from Paragon Software Systems is being rolled out across Sainsbury’s national distribution network. The Paragon system has been integrated with Isotrak telematics to capture real-time data such as vehicle location and driver tachograph outputs.
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Paragon software has underpinned the efficiency of daily deliveries from Sainsbury's 19 distribution centres to 527 supermarkets and 276 smaller stores, as well as the allocation of tractors, trailers, straight-trucks and drivers to routes for over three years. Building on Sainsbury's long-term reliance on Paragon's efficient routes and schedules, the unique new system integrates planning and telematics to dramatically enhance the accuracy and execution of each day's complex transportation plans.
Using Paragon’s Fleet Controller system to integrate Paragon Routing and Scheduling Optimizer with Isotrak's Active Transportation Management System (ATMS), Sainsbury’s has been able to introduce unprecedented levels of certainty and control into the operation.
“Uncertainties are a fact of life for any transportation operation so we build contingencies into our schedules, but they add costs,” says Darren Jones, Sainsbury's Head of Logistics Strategy. “The more uncertainty that can be eliminated, the greater the control over costs.” By using Fleet Controller to monitor the execution of the delivery schedule and Isotrak's ATMS to capture real-time data such as truck location and driver tachograph outputs, Sainsbury's gets accurate data with real value. When truck turnaround time at stores emerged as a critical factor, for instance, the planned contingency was cut by a consistent 15 per cent by setting store targets.
But there's more to it than this, as Darren Jones explains: “Fleet Controller is looking forward all the time, making sure pre-set parameters such as delivery windows are met. If any criteria look like being breached, it will re-spin the schedule to avoid the breach.” The implications of this are significant. Paragon can reallocate upcoming trips when it's clear drivers will return late or early, for example, maintaining exceptionally high driver and truck use levels. “As a result we are improving driver productivity significantly at the depots using the new integrated system,” concludes Darren Jones.
“We are delighted with the success of this implementation for Sainsbury's,” says Paragon President William Salter. “It required extensive two-way integration between Paragon and Isotrak but it was well worth the development effort. Plans for large, multi-shifted operations like this can unravel during the day, losing some of their original efficiency, but Sainsbury's can now rework and optimize plans throughout their execution.”
Notes to Editors:
Paragon Software Systems, Inc is committed to excellence in providing routing and scheduling software solutions for companies wishing to optimize their transportation operations. The company has an unparalleled track record of successful software implementations with over 1,500 systems installed in more than 33 countries worldwide. Paragon provides software solutions for operations ranging from 10 trucks based at a single site to hundreds of trucks running out of several sites.
Paragon software is used by 3PLs and private fleet operators for routing and scheduling optimization on a daily basis; managing transportation resources; rationalizing fixed routes; and strategic transportation planning and modeling.
With clients including CEVA Logistics, Airgas, Exel Logistics, Toyota Material Handling, Ryder, BrandsMart, McLane, Honda, Canada Cartage, National Food Corporation, SCI Group and Safeway.com, Paragon has the experience to ensure that logistics problems are translated into software solutions that provide real benefits for customers.
Paragon solutions are helping hundreds of companies across the globe to cut transportation costs, improve operational efficiency, reduce planning time and raise customer service levels, and frequently support a company's strategic business growth objectives.
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Jane Geary |
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