Transport managers looking to optimise use of their vehicle fleet and resources can see the latest developments from Paragon Software Systems at the upcoming Commercial Vehicle Operator Show. Running from 13 to 15 April 2010 at NEC Birmingham, visitors are invited to meet the Paragon’s experts on stand #5970 to learn how operators worldwide are benefiting from the company’s advanced logistics software.
Paragon will demonstrate the latest versions of its user-friendly Single Depot and Multi Depot map-based routing and scheduling products. These automate and simplify the arduous task of creating and managing accurate transport plans. Both versions of the software remove the guesswork and reliance on individual schedulers and bring new operational efficiencies and savings to any size of commercial vehicle operation. The Multi Depot version delivers the additional benefit of a single enterprise-wide system that schedulers can access from various locations.
The latest developments include resource management functionality which gives a bird’s eye view of all drivers and vehicles with their availability and capabilities. The advanced resource-managed planning solution compiles data about all drivers and vehicles used by a company, including their availability and hours worked each day. Transport managers use this information to create Working Time Directive (WTD) compliant schedules with even workloads that limit use of agency drivers and vehicles. By levelling driver workloads over a period, this reduces overtime costs and the need for extra agency drivers, as well as giving transport managers greater flexibility at peak times.
Meanwhile to improve transport planning further, Paragon is offering an option to utilise INRIX-based road speed data (formerly ITIS). The Paragon enhancement incorporates road data including a calculated average speed, for each direction, at road link level. This is based on a history of observations of vehicles travelling on that road link. It means route plans will be more realistic and hence both more accurate for transport managers and more acceptable to drivers. This improvement is useful both for companies using Paragon to plan their daily delivery operations and the many third party logistics companies using it to quote for new business.
Vehicle operators are also able to integrate real-time feeds from their vehicle tracking systems with Paragon planning using the Route Execution module. The real-time status of each vehicle can be compared against the plan, allowing it to be rescheduled as the day’s work progresses. Benefits include automatic updates of delivery times for customers and enhanced Duty of Care. In addition, because vehicles are monitored live on screen and plans are refined using real-world data, further reductions in fuel usage and road miles can be achieved.
