The Co-operative, one of the UK’s best known brands, has deployed a new telematics and transport management solution from Microlise to support its ambitious store development plan to open 120 new shops in 2016.
The mutual, which is the UK’s leading community food retailer, has a priority to increase technology integration and drive a reduction in carbon emissions and fuel usage. The new deployment covers 1,344 heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and extends the long-term nine year partnership between the two companies.
The new implementation includes Microlise Fleet Performance, which encourages drivers to adopt a fuel efficient driving style. Microlise Journey Management, also deployed, features a Schedule Execution Board to give the insight and visibility to debrief drivers by exception against route and schedule adherence and facilitates proactive customer service. The Co-operative is also rolling out Microlise Electronic Proof of Delivery (EPOD) to manage delivery and collection processes electronically.
Trials of Microlise’s Fleet Performance product were carried out at selected depots to establish if improvements in driving style could deliver tangible business benefits. After realising improved safety and significant savings in fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and a reduction of accidents the decision was made to undertake a full-scale rollout across its entire fleet.
The Microlise solution measures a driver’s fuel efficiency and safety performance; presenting the information in an easy to understand way that supports continuous driver engagement. The solution also includes temperature monitoring of trailers and utilises the rugged Zebra MC-67 Enterprise Digital Assistant for 2-way messaging, vehicle checks, integrated satellite navigation appropriate for HGVs and manifest management.
“We needed a technology refresh and had a clear objective to realise further reductions on our environmental footprint by reducing fuel consumption yet further. We also wanted to ensure greater integration across our fleet,” said Jon Paul Brown, National Transport manager at The Co-operative Group. “The trial we carried out proved that the Microlise upgrade was the right way to go without disrupting our business.”
During the trial the Co-op also realised improvements in vehicle utilisation and gained benefit from having full visibility of its fleet against schedule and real time arrival and departure displays.
“It’s always great when a long-term customer takes a look at the market and then continues with an extensive rollout such as this. It has been great to work together over the last decade and we are looking forward to helping to make yet further savings together whilst helping to improve the experience for Co-op customers,” said Nadeem Raza, chief executive officer of Microlise.
The solution is integrated with Paragon routing and scheduling with Manhattan Warehouse Management Software to ensure the vehicle routes are optimised and the Proof of Delivery application has the trip and manifest information available to the driver.
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