Transport / Logistics Software
Discussion
I'm looking at introducing a software solution for logistics within our teams to enable us to be more efficient, simplify our processes, enable tracking etc.
We ship product a few different ways: courier, pallet network, and using traditional hauliers. For the latter, we probably book 5/10 a day as a team, but to a variety of hauliers, to a variety of collection/delivery points, with a variety of product, including multiple lines per order.
I want to look at a cloud software solution which will enable us to upload the info and have it sent to the haulier. It would enable us to track the collections/deliveries, update with more info when we have it, and have the ability, as and when collection arrangements change, to change a set template for the respective location.
We already use Excel to some degree, but it a) relies on individuals being consistent and b) doesn't really allow joined up thinking.
Given our small usage, we are not looking at a mega system with huge cost, but is there anything out there that might do the trick?
We ship product a few different ways: courier, pallet network, and using traditional hauliers. For the latter, we probably book 5/10 a day as a team, but to a variety of hauliers, to a variety of collection/delivery points, with a variety of product, including multiple lines per order.
I want to look at a cloud software solution which will enable us to upload the info and have it sent to the haulier. It would enable us to track the collections/deliveries, update with more info when we have it, and have the ability, as and when collection arrangements change, to change a set template for the respective location.
We already use Excel to some degree, but it a) relies on individuals being consistent and b) doesn't really allow joined up thinking.
Given our small usage, we are not looking at a mega system with huge cost, but is there anything out there that might do the trick?
I may have a suggestion, depending on your workflow:
Pre-delivery: what system(s) do you have to govern the release of product(s) for delivery? Do customers buy product on account, or cash on delivery? or pay up front? Or some combination of the above?
Post-delivery - what do you do in terms of PoD and linking that to customer invoices ?
What accounts package underpins all this?
Are all deliveries within the UK ?
Pre-delivery: what system(s) do you have to govern the release of product(s) for delivery? Do customers buy product on account, or cash on delivery? or pay up front? Or some combination of the above?
Post-delivery - what do you do in terms of PoD and linking that to customer invoices ?
What accounts package underpins all this?
Are all deliveries within the UK ?
48k said:
I may have a suggestion, depending on your workflow:
[lots of questions]
Pre-Delivery - most accounts have credit terms. We receive an order from customer, we sent order acknowledgement (once paid if cash account), then send either collection details/delivery details.[lots of questions]
Post Delivery - depends. If goods coming from manufacturer, POD normally with delivery. If from stock, depends on warehouse location & haulier if POD is done or actually included with delivery. We have no wish to do POD's for deliveries not from our own stock.
We use Sage 200.
We export about 38%, including Europe and further afield, but most of those would be container work, adhoc deliveries, or customer collections.
Thanks - I have built a bespoke CRM system for manufacturing businesses but I think it's going to be overkill for what you need. And currently it only talks to Xero not Sage. Details here - https://www.techtoniq.com/elsie/ PM me if you'd like demo or just want to chew the fat about possibly having something bespoke developed for you. Some couriers have APIs which means you can have some quite slick integrations but I'm finding a lot of the haulage industry is about 20 years behind the rest of the world from a technology perspective 
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