Feb-March 2003

Among logistics operations, one of the most sensitive to traffic delays is delivery of ready-mixed concrete. If the product is held up too long en route, it can be ruined by the time it arrives.

No wonder, then, that leading supplier RMC Group was keen to find a delivery scheduling system that would help it avoid such problems. Its British-based subsidiary, Rugby Cement, decided satellite-linked scheduling software was the answer; and it has found a solution which not only meets the immediate objective, but is also expected to cut personnel and material costs and improve customer service.

Rugby Cement supplies about 3 million tons of cement and flue ash every year to construction sites across the UK. In order to integrate 14 plants and depots and a fleet of around 300 vehicles into an optimised scheduling system, the company has chosen the ReadymixExpress solution from IVU Traffic Technologies AG.

Berlin-based IVU specialises in software solutions for traffic and logistics applications, and has provided consulting services for construction customers for many years. For Rugby Cement the company has provided a system that optimises journey planning in real time by integrating the planning process with communication to and from on-board computers on the vehicles. This allows short-term changes to be to incorporated into the schedule without delay.

 

Underpinning the system is NavTech digital map data, which includes detailed attributes such as one-way streets, speed limits and turn restrictions. Delivery times can be calculated using this network, and customers can be given a reliable time schedule when placing orders. When a new job is opened, ReadymixExpress automatically schedules the order for a suitable and available vehicle, taking the delivery capacities of the plants and depots into account.

Drivers stay in touch with the control centre via on-board computers and mobile phones, while the vehicles are tracked by GPS. The software evaluates all vehicle locations and status messages, and displays delays or delivery problems so control centre staff can respond quickly and efficiently. If necessary they can amend schedules manually, using a drag and drop interface on their computers.

ReadymixExpress is a modular system using client-server architecture, and has been integrated into Rugby Cement's existing IT infrastructure. This means, for instance, that it has been possible to create interfaces between back-office systems and loading and weighing systems at plants.

Use of Microsoft Terminal Server Client software means Rugby Cement staff at remote sites can all access information about relevant journeys.

If you're wondering why it's all necessary, it's salutary to bear in mind that even though retarding agents these days prevent the concrete from hardening en route, traffic delays or long journeys on hot summer days can still cause problems. Freshly prepared concrete must reach its destination within 90 minutes before it becomes unusable.