Wincanton uses Microlise Transport Management solution on Marks & Spencer home delivery contracts

Having successfully secured the contract for Marks and Spencer Home Delivery last year, Wincanton used Microlises Fleet & Distribution portfolio to help the company manage its delivery operations in order to more readily meet Marks & Spencers service level targets. Microlise has supplied modular Telematics, Transport Management & Proof of Delivery solutions to a number of Wincanton contracts in recent years.

In the case of Marks & Spencer Home Delivery, Wincanton has rolled out Motorola Handheld devices running Microlises Proof of Delivery software to its 2-man Home Delivery operation.

Using the solution, Wincanton drivers are able to download, review & carry out their delivery schedule, supported by integrated Co-pilot 8 Satellite Navigation. At a customers address, the driver can scan the delivered or collected items and ask the customer to sign for the delivery on the mobile data terminal. Any delivery issues are captured as they occur and communicated to the back office system in real-time using standard reason codes along with, if required, a digital image of the problem captured using the devices built in camera. Additionally, any tasks, such as vehicle inspections, can be managed using the application.

All of the captured data, transmitted back via the GPRS data network, is processed by Microlises back office software, before being interfaced out to various management information and customer service systems. The Microlise Proof of Delivery system is a link in the chain of what is an entirely integrated Wincanton-M&S Home Delivery operation, with all transactions linked seamlessly from the initial order to the end customer.

The benefits Electronic Proof of Delivery provides include, increased real-time visibility, improved delivery accuracy, reduced paperwork management and reduced administration overhead with all of the electronic delivery information being seamlessly processed and readily accessible both to support customer queries, should they arise, and to support Wincanton in its contract management activities.

Chris Wallace, Microlises Sales Director commented: Our partnership with Wincanton continues to grow, the benefits our technology is delivering in this particular project allows Wincanton to more easily manage their delivery & customer service processes as well as readily measure their contract service performance. Most crucially, we are helping Wincanton ensure that Marks and Spencers customer experience is of the highest level throughout the delivery process including on the door step.