Which processes can be optimised, how can the number of empty kilometres be reduced, where can costs be avoided? When searching for answers to questions like these, Seidel Transport- und Handelsgesellschaft mbH from Gelsdorf uses our new module Management Information System (MIS), which in turn is based on the QlikView tool. Our software helps to make optimum use of loading space and working hours and thus to optimise the entire route planning.
WinSped: Modular construction for individual requirements
Founded in 1965, the freight forwarding company is a specialist for refrigerated transport. With around 120 employees, 800 cubic metres of refrigerated warehouses and a modern fleet of around 70 vehicles, it handles complex logistics tasks for well-known customers. For retailers, for example, the logistics specialist handles the handling of promotional goods throughout Europe, which have to be transported as required and delivered on time. In order to be able to handle these more efficiently, the company decided in 2015 to implement a high-performance TMS. After a comprehensive market analysis our forwarding software WinSped was awarded the contract. “At that time data extracts were very costly for us. With WinSped we can now call up and process all information digitally, which reduces our workload considerably”, explains Torben Schmickler, controller at the forwarding agency Seidel. Thanks to its modular structure the program can be easily adapted to different requirements. Seidel also uses our Management Information System (MIS) for data evaluation.
Improved route planning with MIS
“Where did we drive to most often, where do we get few or often good return loads or how many empty kilometres did we do? In the past, we didn’t have any reliable information on this,” recalls Schmickler. Today, using WinSped and MIS, all planned tours can be visualised together with the respective orders and vehicles in a so-called heat map. This detailed map display provides the user with a direct overview of the entire route planning. “Through WinSped we have access to important information such as empty kilometer quotas, turnover per kilometer and load kilometer, but also in which regions we are strong and where there is still need for action”, explains Schmickler. Via this, route analyses could be created and recommendations for action derived. “A great advantage is that the information provided by the LIS software provides information about where our sticking points are, what we have to pay attention to in the future when planning tours and which tours are particularly important,” explains Schmickler.
Reduce costs and increase fleet performance
In addition, the data improves Seidel’s position in price negotiations with customers, as the software can now also show, for example, storage and cooling costs over the weekends that were previously borne by the freight forwarder. According to Schmickler, WinSped also provides more transparency with regard to freight costs and turnover: “We discovered with the LIS software that we cannot calculate our turnover against every kilometre, but that the entire round trip must be right at the end. For this reason we now measure our round trips weekly to determine our profit”.