Expedited Packages opts for Ortec

Ortec has announced that the Western US provider of overnight package delivery solutions, Expedited Packages, has selected its advanced routing and scheduling solution. Ortec's software will enable the company to increase its customer service levels, optimise inbound and outbound routes, gain real-time visibility to the routing and scheduling processes and reduce transportation costs.

Expedited Packages is a technology-based, expedited parcel distribution company that provides expertise and superior service in fixed route, distribution, logistics management and dedicated fleet services. Expedited Packages has a long tradition as a technologically innovative company that provides best-in-class services to its customer-base. To continue in that tradition, the company selected a partner with the same commitment to technological innovation. Ortec's routing and scheduling solution is functionally robust, scalable and highly configurable and will enable Expedited Packages to manage three primary challenges: automating its manual, static routing process, optimizing routing and scheduling for inbound and outbound routes, and managing an increasingly complex line haul business.

Ortec was selected because it provides a proven, sophisticated route optimization solution designed to develop both static and dynamic, cost efficient transportation schedules. In addition, the solution integrates easily with mobile devices to ensure route compliance and provide Expedited Packages the ability to manage by exception. Ortec's solution will provide the company with more dispatch and real time capabilities, functionality for interspersed local delivery and pick up operations and scheduling optimisation of its inbound and outbound routes. Optimising these routes will help the company reduce its overall transportation costs through minimised fuel, repair, maintenance and labor costs while also improving customer service levels. In addition, the solution provides:

Digitised road maps for different states and levels of detail, thus providing Expedited Packages with improved driving time and distance calculations as well as data representation;

Spreadsheet-like data interface for easy data management; and

Visibility to events as they occur, enabling real-time updates for events such as resource status and location, plan changes due to real-time occurrences and improved communication with resources in the field.

Expedited Packages' previous system lacked the functionality needed to efficiently and effectively manage its line haul business. As a result, the company was managing that portion of the business outside of the system.

"We really needed a complete routing optimisation, scheduling and dispatch solution that would handle everything from local parcel deliveries to line haul deliveries spanning distances from Washington to Texas, and everything in between," said Joseph Shemesh, VP of Information Technology for Expedited Packages. "Providing forward visibility into our operations was critical. We also wanted a solution that is highly scalable to handle our future business expansion. ORTEC's solution can handle it all." Expedited Packages will utilise Ortec's routing and scheduling solution in a hosted environment.

"Ortec is thrilled to welcome Expedited Packages into our family of customers," commented Don Addington, Ortec's President of the Americas. "We are committed to helping Expedited Packages reach even higher service levels and improve its transportation network through reduced mileage and fuel consumption."