The challenges of transport and logistics management across the African continent present significant opportunities for companies that can leapfrog traditional supply chain practices and adopt automation technologies.
Real time transport and logistics visibility is transforming the way transport organisations operate, providing them and their customers with live updates on the location and status of the vehicle fleet as well as the goods that have been ordered. Without this technology, companies do not have insights into deliveries, leading to inefficiencies and customer dissatisfaction, and an inability to keep up with competitors.
With the needs of customers in the region in mind, SEIDOR in Africa has developed a transport solution for SAP Business One referred to as Transport One that provides real-time, end-to-end transport visibility for SMBs that have implemented the ERP solution to automate key functions across their business.
Daisy Ndanyi, Head of Technical Account Management at SEIDOR in Africa, East Africa Region, says the Seidor Transport One solution was developed in consultation with SEIDOR’s large base of customers in the transport and logistics industry.
“What we have now is a seamless solution that integrates with SAP Business One and provides our clients with the information they need to optimise their transport and logistics operations,” she says. “Real-time visibility allows for accurate tracking and tracing of assets, and their location and status, throughout the supply chain.”
Ndanyi adds that any business that operates a fleet of commercial vehicles requires information about the whereabouts of any given vehicle at any time. Incorporating the latest GPS technology, SEIDOR’s solution is far more than just a tool to help commercial drivers to navigate from location to location. “It allows SMBs to monitor vehicle location, geo-fencing, vehicle speed, odometer reading and routes taken.”
As part of a modern mobile transport tracking software tool, the solution provides information that is critical to cost assessment, excellent customer service and improved efficiency.
Here are six key ways the solution can maximise ROI:
1. Tracking and calculating cost and profit per kilometre
Road-transport operators and logistics companies need to measure and control variable vehicle cost factors like fuel, tyres, maintenance, and repairs to gain accurate insights into actual costs and profitability.
2. Daily loading and delivery planning tools and reports
Labour planning and management is a challenge for many transport companies. Accurate and timeous reports make it possible to eliminate wasted time and spend while knowing what cargo needs to be loaded and delivered daily. Order delivery accuracy and on-time delivery are improved by planning tools that are part of the solution.
3. Monitoring fuel use
Fuel monitoring functionality reports fuel levels per vehicle, driver, and trip, recording important data from costs to consumption. This improves the company’s fuel efficiency, emphasising visibility around fuel spending and transactions at the driver level. This can result in significant fuel cost reduction and also eliminates fuel theft. A fuel tracking system also helps businesses determine if speeding is a common occurrence within the fleet.
4. Reduced downtime and increase asset availability
Preventive maintenance of vehicles minimises vehicle downtime, reduces costs and avoids breakdowns that result in safety and security risks. Alerts ensure that vehicles are serviced regularly, and parts are available when needed thanks to streamlined requisition systems.
5. Accelerated transactions and improved cash flow
By automating everyday financial tasks and integrating them with other business processes, transport businesses are always able to get the information they need when they need it. They can effectively track and access all customer-related information, for example, better servicing customers at every point of contact, helping ensure repeat business, and driving improved cash flow as a result of accurate monitoring and management of revenue and expenses. Timely billing based on real-time proof of delivery to maximise cashflow. This is enabled by the driver portal. An integration to mobile payments has eased the handling of cash to drivers and other payments.
6. Vehicle asset management
The solution enables automated tracking, vehicle details, licensing, tracking and reporting on vehicle values and costs, as well as annual depreciation as a result of distances travelled. The system also ensures that the business complies with all necessary regulations, enabling fleet managers to anticipate new regulations and avoid sanctions or fines.
“In addition to the many cost-saving and efficiency benefits, the solution is also affordable, quick to implement and integrates easily with SAP Business One,” says Ndanyi.
“The extremely positive response we have had from our SMB customers in the transport sector demonstrates just how beneficial this add-on is proving to be. We will continue to add features and functionality as the demand arises.”
