Plumbing World
“With Navman, we’ve definitely improved service to our customers. Now we deliver to specified timeframes, dispatching more than 200 jobs a day.”
| Benefits of Navman |
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For over 3 years, Plumbing World Auckland's Cross docing facility (CDF) has been using Navman in association with SoftPlus to receive jobs from branches and dispatch and track deliveries to plumbers. Plumbing World has Navman tracking devices and MDT’s installed in all of their 13 delivery vehicles and OnlineAVL software on dispatch computers so dispatchers can see where each truck is at all times and each driver can send and receive messages regarding jobs.
Chris Bowers, Plumbing World National Operations Centre’s Transport Manager CDF says, “Our service is very reactive. Jobs come in all day and we have to prioritise them appropriately. Navman makes it easy for our dispatchers to route trucks, organise pickups and ensure we meet our promised delivery times.”
With Navman on board, Plumbing World reaps these benefits:
More Deliveries Per Day
On average, they receive 200 jobs a day via SoftPlus that they dispatch using Navman. The system has improved efficiencies so greatly that Plumbing World estimates 2 hours for most deliveries.
Mr Bowers says, “Navman gives us an indispensable visual reference. Being able to tell a customer where a truck is means that they don’t have to wait at a site for us.”
Fewer Discrepancies
When dispatching was done by phone, radio and hand-written log, dispatchers (Jim Carter and Peter Spooner) were often called by branches and plumbers who said they didn’t receive their goods.
Now, if a discrepancy gets called in, Jim or Pete can print the automated job log plus the map with the truck at the site and a copy of the recipient’s signature. They fax this information to the branch or plumber and the problem is solved. Such evidence has reduced phone calls to the dispatchers by 75% and saved Plumbing World thousands in potential claims.
Cost Saving
In addition to saving dispatching time, Mr Bowers says that Plumbing World saves money as well. “Since using Navman, our fuel bills and vehicle maintenance costs are down as our trucks now travel the most effi cient routes by not back tracking and the dispatchers send the nearest vehicle to a job. Phone bills are down too since dispatch and drivers can send messages over the MDT.”
Increased Business
After having Navman installed, Plumbing World was able to reduce their fleet by one truck due to increased efficiencies. Today, they’ve added that truck back because they’ve improved customer service. Mr Bowers says, “Plumbers have a choice - they can get their goods from us or they can go to another supplier. With our average 2 hour delivery time, proof of delivery and quality products, we’ve increased business in the Auckland region.”
“We constantly want to raise our customers’ expectations and Navman has helped us do that quickly and cost effectively down to the smallest detail.”
