11/05/2011

Swanson Transport Cuts Admin Time by 40 Percent and Lifts Customer Service with TransLogix

Sapphire Transport Management & Mobility System maximises productivity of specialist Hiab and general freight business

Auckland, 11 May 2011: TransLogix, Australasia's leading transport and logistics software provider, today announced its Sapphire Transport Management Suite is now responsible for 40 percent administration time savings and improved customer responsiveness at Swanson Transport.

Auckland-based Swanson Transport implemented the TransLogix Sapphire Transport Management and Mobility Suites to provide a robust booking, dispatch, pricing and invoicing system, backed by a high level of support for its Hiab, over-dimensional and general freight customers.

Swanson Transport ran a largely manual system where, as Managing Director Jeff Smith described: "The information we had was only as good as the dispatcher's hand writing. There was no way to track anything.

"Our customers look to the bottom line and we needed a strong system to help us provide competitive pricing with high levels of service, reliability and safety compliance," Smith said.

Since implementing the Transport, Workshop, Purchase Ordering and Warehouse modules of the TransLogix Sapphire suite, Smith estimates Swanson now enjoys administrative time savings of 40 percent, while access to high quality data is allowing management to monitor performance and make better decisions: "Because all the details and specifications are entered just once, Sapphire allows us to correctly schedule and allocate the most suitable truck to maximise our productivity.

"With all relevant pricing structures as part of the Sapphire system - hourly rates by pallet or weight - any staff member can hit the Auto Rate button for automatic pricing of a job. Any of us can now turn around even the most complex quotes in five minutes meaning we can respond to opportunities very quickly."

Swanson subsequently expanded the automation of its business by integrating the Mobility Suite, and incorporating Navman Wireless Tracking and Messaging in every truck.

Each day messages with complete job details are sent from the TransLogix system to the display units in the Hiab trucks. The drivers' acceptance and completion of the jobs are automatically captured, with proof of time and date. Smith said: "Our drivers are now fully prepared and enjoy being able to operate so professionally."

Swanson Transport is currently trialling the Web Portal to enable direct internet access by customers into the TransLogix system for bookings, tracking the progress of deliveries, as well as invoicing and account histories. The administrative savings expected from this latest improvement will see a significant efficiency gain with the move away from the inherent problems of a fax, email, spreadsheet based system.

"This latest addition will give us even tighter, more efficient control across the company," Smith said.

TransLogix' Managing Director, Anselm Waterfield, said: "Swanson Transport is maximising the potential of its investments in people and assets. The company's integrated Sapphire solution will ensure its processes are completely visible to its management and its customers for streamlined operations. Jeff Smith and his team should be congratulated for their continuing analysis of their processes and available technological advances to further improve the business."

ENDS

About Swanson Transport Ltd - (www.swansontransport.co.nz)

Swanson Transport is a specialist Hiab, over-dimensional and general freight provider with more than 60 years' experience in New Zealand's transport industry. The company's employed drivers operate a fleet of 40 Hiab, curtainsider and flatdeck trucks.