WAWA, Pa.--Wawa Inc. has chosen to deploy Descartes Systems Group's Descartes AVL (Automated Vehicle Locator) Service for its direct distribution operations.
Wawa, a long-time Descartes Routing & Scheduling solution user, is leveraging Descartes AVL Service to efficiently reallocate drivers to other parts of its operations, increasing its capacity utilization to greater than 90% and reducing operating costs.
Descartes' Intelligent AVL provides a web-based view of real-time information on delivery arrivals at distribution centers [image-nocss] or hubs, enabling dispatchers to adapt routes quickly and efficiently according to exceptions.
The AVL Service also features a wireless application that uses Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) locating capabilities to provide real-time data on driver progress against established route plans and enable on-the-spot decision making to meet customer commitments. Both are designed to work with Descartes Routing and Scheduling solutions.
As a high-end convenience store and producer with a distribution network that spans five states, having up-to-the-minute information on driver and fleet activities is critical to maintaining high levels of customer service, said Don Kane, distribution manager at Wawa, based in Wawa, Pa.
By integrating AVL services with its existing Descartes Routing & Scheduling solution, Wawa has improved security, is better able to manage driver salaries and overtime, has more balanced routes and introduced the ability to compare planned versus actual truck locations, the Waterloo, Ontario, tech firm said. In addition, customer service representatives can now access the system to advise customers on the status of their deliveries.
With a fleet of more than 225 trucks and trailers, it is a constant challenge for Wawa to have its time-sensitive deliveries make it to their destination on time, said Joanne Cochrane, implementation consultant at Descartes. AVL and MobileLink Tracker enable Wawa to gain even greater insight into whether hourly paid drivers are following planned routes and making the scheduled stops. Having this level of visibility empowers them to save significant costs relating to added miles and overtime hours, among other areas.
Wawa operates more than 540 convenience stores in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Descartes, a leading provider of software-as-a-service (SaaS) logistics solutions, serves organizations that operate logistics-intensive businesses. Descartes' logistics management solutions combine a multi-modal network, the Descartes Global Logistics Network, 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. These solutions and services help Descartes' customers reduce administrative costs, billing cycles, fleet size, contract carrier costs and mileage driven and improve pick up and delivery reliability. It offerss hosted, transactional and packaged solutions.
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