Automating Route Planning: A Case Study of Colorado Boxed Beef Company
Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Transportation Management Systems (TMS)
- Networks & Connectivity - 5G
Applicable Industries
- Food & Beverage
- Transportation
Applicable Functions
- Facility Management
- Logistics & Transportation
Use Cases
- Last Mile Delivery
- Vehicle Telematics
Services
- System Integration
About The Customer
CBBC serves a wide variety of customers that operate a diverse range of businesses. Their customers include supermarkets, restaurants, cruise companies, military bases, and schools. The company's branded product lines include High River Angus beef and Diamond Reef seafood. Despite the diversity in their operations, most customers have similar expectations from CBBC. They expect timely deliveries, good service, and drivers who understand the product and are respectful to customers. They also appreciate proactive communication about delivery times and real-time tracking of delivery vehicles.
The Challenge
Colorado Boxed Beef Company (CBBC), a major distributor of refrigerated and frozen food products, was facing challenges in managing its delivery operations. The company was dealing with over 6,000 deliveries per week, using approximately 180 tractors and 220 drivers. The primary challenge was handling one-off requests from the sales department or customers for uniquely timed deliveries for the following day. These requests often required changes to the existing route plan to meet a very small time window. The company was also dealing with the evolving customer demands in the food industry, where customers expected products to be delivered in the shortest time after ordering, with better rates. They also demanded more frequent, proactive communication about delivery times. The company was struggling to meet these demands with its manual approach to delivery operations.
The Solution
CBBC implemented Paragon from Aptean's route planning software across its operations in July 2018 to increase efficiency. The software was later connected with CBBC’s telematics system, allowing real-time tracking of delivery vehicles across the network. This technology enabled the company to automate its delivery operations, drastically changing the way it worked. The automated route planning system allowed the company to work more efficiently with drivers, tractors, trailers, and all its resources. The company also introduced automated route execution software, which enabled them to track where the driver is and when they’ll arrive. This allowed the company to send out a message via email or other formats to let customers know when a delivery will arrive, ensuring the customer’s location can be staffed properly.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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