The Value
Scheduling with Optrak
As is often the case with scheduling implementation, initially, the
use of Optrak was treated with scepticism. The Optrak team invested a
lot of time in working with local management and staff to grow their
understanding and win support.
The system deals with daily weight variations, supporting the
planning of deliveries from 36 depots, each with an average of around
800 visits per day. With several newsagents on the same street, the
right visiting sequence is critical. The Optrak solution goes right down
to street number accuracy, using eight-figure grid referencing to allow
location of each premise right down to a ten metres square.
Optrak was to prove invaluable when the newstrade introduced its
'Focus On Distribution Initiative', setting the groundwork for the
introduction of mutually agreed retailer delivery times. Menzies found
Optrak to be an excellent tool for planning how to best meet the optimum
window for delivery.
Strategic and tactical use
The system is now used strategically and tactically around the United
Kingdom on a depot by depot basis, assisting manual schedulers in the
re-design of delivery sequences. It is also used strategically to test
the effects of alternative scenarios and has enabled Menzies to venture
into new markets confident that they know what to expect. The move into
evening newspaper distribution was supported by an evaluation using
Optrak.
Award winning software
Optrak software has proved to be a worthwhile and valuable tool for
the Menzies Toolkit. Menzies Distribution and Optrak Distribution
Software were jointly awarded the Fleet Management Systems Partnership
Award.
To find out more about Optrak's award winning vehicle routing solutions, please visit www.optrak.com