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Revamping Outdoor Furniture Delivery with SAP Integration
Technology Category
- Robots - Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGV)
- Sensors - GPS
Applicable Industries
- Automotive
- Transportation
Applicable Functions
- Logistics & Transportation
- Procurement
Use Cases
- Last Mile Delivery
- Vehicle Telematics
Services
- System Integration
The Challenge
Outdoor Living, an Irish family-run business specializing in outdoor furniture, faced significant challenges in their delivery process. They were using Google Maps for route planning, which proved to be limiting due to its maximum input of 10 stops per route. This led to splitting the routes across two screens and restricting delivery drivers to small delivery areas. The process was time-consuming and inefficient, often resulting in drivers delivering in the same area on consecutive days or even encountering other company vans in the same area. The lack of route optimization based on specific criteria was a major drawback, leading to inefficiencies and reduced profitability. Outdoor Living's goals were to have more efficient routing, reduce time spent on route planning, optimize routes to maximize daily orders, integrate with their SAP order management system, and have a live map for better oversight and order query handling.
About The Customer
Outdoor Living is an Irish family-run business established in 2006 by Pat Kelly. With showrooms in Co. Wicklow and Co. Meath, they offer nationwide delivery and boast one of the largest outdoor furniture showrooms in the country. They supply a wide range of high-quality products to both domestic and commercial markets. Over the past 15 years, they have expanded and diversified their brand to become one of the largest retailers of outdoor products in Ireland. Their offerings include a vast selection of outdoor furniture, artificial grass and plants, beanbags, greenhouses, and gazebos.
The Solution
SmartRoutes provided a comprehensive solution to Outdoor Living's challenges. Their Route Planning Software reduced the time spent on planning by around 60%, providing a clear view of the day's schedule and ensuring fair workload distribution among drivers. The Route Optimization Software ensured fully optimized routes, leading to increased productivity, reduced missed deliveries, and improved customer satisfaction. The SmartRoutes Desktop App provided a live map with real-time data on driver locations, remaining drops, and accurate ETAs. This improved oversight and enabled instant updates on vehicle locations. The system also allowed for automatic SMS notifications to customers, saving significant admin time. SmartRoutes integrated seamlessly with SAP, pulling order information directly and planning and optimizing routes automatically. The Mobile Driver App facilitated the collection of proof of delivery, including electronic signatures and photos, and allowed drivers to add delivery notes if needed.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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