PODFather delivers Track and Trace for Tarmac’s 1,800 strong fleet network
Tarmac, the UK’s leading building materials and construction solutions business is now working with Edinburgh-based PODFather to deploy a logistics planning and live customer delivery tracking solution across its 1,800-strong vehicle fleet and that of its extensive subcontractor network.
The fleet, which operates from more than 400 UK sites, now has complete track and trace monitoring functionality of customer deliveries, giving the Solihull-headquartered Tarmac real-time visibility of all orders throughout the day, to its planning teams and despatch locations located across the UK.
The PODFather system is being deployed on both Android and Apple devices, making it easy for Tarmac’s sub-contractor network to deploy it on mobile devices. Enhancing the traceability of deliveries enables Tarmac to boost productivity and efficiency, as the company’s weighbridges and logistics teams can better manage their vehicle fleet, closely monitor availability of resources and react more quickly in the event of any unexpected delays or urgent customer needs.
Colin McCreadie, Managing Director of PODFather is delighted to add such a prominent and distinguished UK construction materials giant to the company’s growing roster of ‘blue chip’ users. “We have been working closely with Tarmac for four years and have collaboratively developed a logistics planning system which is used to plan the distribution of customer orders. This system connects to drivers through our smartphone app to communicate details of their current and next jobs.
“The app relays live GPS tracking information and also captures real time data which enables Tarmac to rapidly respond to any unforeseen changes to the delivery schedule.
The PODFather system is generating tracking emails and sms messages, to inform customers when the delivery will arrive at their site. This may not be a new thing in the home delivery sector, but it is a considerable innovation for the construction industry.”
For Tarmac, Mark Wood, Managing Director, Materials – South at Tarmac and national sponsor of the project, said: “The new ‘track-and-trace’ technology has immediately improved the experience for everyone involved in our delivery process. By giving access to the same real-time information, we are revolutionising the way customers access delivery information, providing additional convenience and reassurance to further improve the way we communicate.
“Enhancing the traceability of our deliveries equally enables us to boost productivity and efficiency, as our weigh-bridges and logistics teams can better manage their drivers, closely monitor availability and react more quickly in the event of any unexpected delays.”
The implementation of the new technology forms part of Tarmac’s wider ePOD (electronic proof of delivery) project. ePOD will see all drivers working with Tarmac use their tablets or smartphones to digitally record proof of deliveries, eliminating the need for paper tickets and ensuring these are issued to the customer and haulier instantly.
