Ryder, the leading logistics and transport solutions provider, has selected Paragon’s routing and scheduling software to plan deliveries on behalf of Premdor. One of the UK’s leading suppliers of doors, doorsets and timber windows, Premdor required a routing and scheduling solution capable of handling the scale and complexity of its operation with in excess of 250,000 product combinations being delivered to a nationwide network of distributors.
Within six weeks of making the switch from manual to automated planning using Paragon technology, Ryder has achieved the results it desired for its client: consistent customer service levels; transport cost savings centred on reduced mileage; complete system confidence based on ease of use and route reliability; and a return on investment in a matter of months.
Having won the contract to provide distribution services on behalf of Premdor, Ryder sought to introduce an automated routing and scheduling solution into an operation previously reliant on manual planning. With an extensive range of products needing to be delivered to a network of over 1,000 distributor branches located throughout the length and breadth of the UK, Ryder turned to its routing software supplier of choice – Paragon Software Systems – to provide the technology required to meet Premdor’s distribution needs.
Paragon software is now used daily at Premdor’s Hedingham facility to generate efficient routes and schedules for the operation’s 16-vehicle fleet making 1,500 deliveries each month. Interfaced with Premdor’s Masterpack order processing system, Paragon software produces reliable plans which require minimal manual intervention. The Paragon-generated routes are increasing operational efficiency, for example by reducing the overall daily mileage incurred, and automatically meet the defined transport and service constraints. With routing time dramatically reduced, plans are released to the warehouse earlier than before so that warehouse teams are able to prioritise load picking, increasing operational efficiency even further.
In addition, Paragon’s user-friendly Windows-based solution has proved to be a real success with the planning team. Used daily by non-IT specialist planners with no previous routing and scheduling software experience, Paragon’s software has established itself as an easy to use routing and scheduling solution with significant business benefits. “Since the system went live,” says Ryder Operations Manager Darren Wallings, “we have so far seen daily efficiency savings that should enable us to recover our investment in a matter of months.”
“The Ryder Premdor implementation is another example of how Paragon’s routing and scheduling software can provide a fast payback for clients,” comments William Salter, Paragon’s Managing Director. “It is our goal to continue to develop and implement routing and scheduling software solutions that meet real business needs and improve operational efficiency for our 350+ clients operating in excess of 1,200 systems throughout the world.”
