Wolseley Extends Use Of Descartes Solutions To Include Intelligent AVL Capability
Descartes Evolution 2009 User Group Conference — Descartes Systems Group, a global on-demand software-as-a-service (SaaS) logistics solutions provider, has extended its services with Wolseley North America to include intelligent Automated Vehicle Locator (AVL) capability.
Wolseley has added Descartes' AVL solution to provide integrated two-way wireless communication and monitoring capabilities for enhanced logistics execution for its Ferguson division fleet of over 3,000 vehicles, which serve thousands of customers daily. The AVL solution extends visibility to delivery status in the field and allows for delivery route changes on-the-fly when exceptions occur.
By combining route planning and enabling the free flow of information between dispatchers and the field, Descartes' intelligent AVL solution extends the traditional route planning process and provides real-time visibility into the execution of the delivery plan. This solution makes assignment and execution of multiple or same-day pick-ups and deliveries more effective. The solution helps improve customer responsiveness through real-time status updates, forward predictability of service failures and provide enhanced exception alerting, which can reduce the need to track every aspect of a schedule and instead emphasize the implications of service interruptions and exceptions.
"Extending our services with Descartes to add AVL capability is a natural progression for Wolseley and a commitment of our brand and service to our customers," said Brad Marsh, Director of Transportation of Wolseley's North America Division. "Descartes routing and dispatching solutions, combined with Descartes AVL, provides real-time visibility of our assets in the field and enables us to update the status of our deliveries on-the-fly and provide unparalleled service to our customers. Essentially, Descartes' intelligent AVL solution puts us right next to the driver every step of the way."
"Wolseley is focused on differentiating its customer service while reducing costs," said Adam Moore, Senior Vice President, Application Solutions, Sales and Strategy, Descartes. "By integrating route planning and optimization with real time visibility gained from AVL, dispatchers and customer service staff gain access to an up-to-the-minute view of delivery status in real-time. It also provides rapid notification of critical events affecting deliveries, enabling operators to make customer-focused decisions on routes and delivery reservations in real-time to reduce costs, streamline operations, and ensure consistent quality of service."
Descartes AVL provides field data updates and tracking in real-time, from basic GPS coordinates to more complex black-box engine diagnostics. With visibility to this depth of data, operators can also measure delivery performance against planned routes, and notify dispatch and/or customer service operations of changes made during the delivery cycle. Field workers also have visibility into relevant shipment data to keep up-to-date on delivery status to more effectively coordinate arrival times.
Part of the Descartes Wireless Global Logistics Network, Descartes' AVL solution enables dispatchers to address issues before they affect customers. Descartes' wGLN integrates wireless mobile with enterprise route planning and customer back end applications to provide a truly end-to-end shipment management solution.
About Wolseley
Wolseley plc is the world's largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing and heating products to professional contractors and a leading supplier of building materials in North America, the UK and Continental Europe. Group revenues for the year ended July 31, 2007 were approximately $31.6B. Wolseley has approximately 75,000 employees operating in 27 countries. In the U.S., Wolseley trades on the over-the-counter market (OTC) under the symbol WOSLY. For more information, visit www.wolseley.com
About 2009 Descartes Global User Conference
Descartes is hosting its Global User Conference and Global Logistics and Customs Advisory Council meetings in Atlanta, Georgia on March 24, 25 and 26, 2009. Details on the events can be found at http://www.descartes.com/usergroup . The primary sponsors for the event are Xata, Avocus Group, BSM Wireless, CombineNet, Intermec, Motorola, Navteq, NationLink Wireless, SMC3, TeleAtlas, Telogis, Turnpike Global Technologies, and Viewnyx. Descartes customers speaking at the event include the Vice President of Engineering at DHL Express, as well as spokespersons from CVS/Pharmacy, Delta Cargo, The Home Depot, Ideal Supply, Panalpina and others. Samuel Banks, Executive Vice President of Sandler & Travis Trade Advisory Services and retired Deputy Commissioner of US Customs will also be speaking at the event covering key issues and strategic global trends for international trade, customs and public health/safety agencies.
About Descartes
Descartes, is making the world a better place by enabling global organizations with logistics-intensive businesses to save money by improving the productivity and performance of their operations. Underlying Descartes' offerings is the Descartes Global Logistics Network (GLN), one of the world's most extensive multi-modal business applications network. As a federated software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, the Descartes GLN combines with component-based ‘nano' sized applications to provide messaging services between logistics trading partners, shipment management services to help manage third party carriers and private fleet management services for organizations of all sizes. Descartes' solutions and services deliver results by enabling organizations around the world to reduce administrative costs, billing cycles, fleet size, contract carrier costs, and mileage driven; improve pick up and delivery reliability; and optimize working capital through fleet visibility. Descartes' hosted, transactional and packaged solutions deliver repeatable, measurable results and fast time-to-value. Descartes customers include an estimated 1,600 ground carriers and more than 90 airlines, 30 ocean carriers, 900 freight forwarders and third-party providers of logistics services, and hundreds of manufacturers, retailers, distributors, private fleet owners and regulatory agencies. The company has more than 350 employees and is based in Waterloo, Ontario, with operations in Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Montreal, Miami, Minneapolis, Washington DC, Derby, London, Stockholm, Shanghai, and Toronto. For more information, visit www.descartes.com.
SOURCE: Descartes Systems Group