PST CLC Mitsui-Soko’s new Track & Trace application for container transport brings a number of benefits. According to Antonín Stratílek, Road Forwarding Manager at PST CLC Mitsui-Soko, dispatchers have information about the delivery of a shipment or any potential disagreements without having to communicate with drivers repeatedly, which saves time significantly. With the app, shippers have timely delivery information, including a preview of delivery notes.
For PST CLC Mitsui-Soko’s Container Transportation Department, Track & Trace is a tool for tracking shipments and recording important container transportation milestones, including container pick-up from the terminal, arrival/departure for customs clearance, arrival/departure for loading and unloading, and container return to the terminal.
Effective communication with drivers, less burden on dispatchers
Track & Trace allows you to communicate effectively with drivers and clients. “We see the development of the application as a necessity and monitor the current trends in the transportation of shipments. Although we are only at the beginning of the live mode, we already see the benefits in facilitating communication between our dispatchers and drivers and our clients,” says Antonín Stratílek. The burden on dispatchers to record routine disagreements, share information and documents has been significantly reduced. The driver only has an up-to-date overview of the shipments for which he enters information about the vehicle (license plate number) and driver, verifies and confirms the status of the shipment (seal number and any damage to the packaging/container), and records the individual stages of the shipment (tracking). It also enters discrepancies and attaches photo documentation (waiting, damage, etc.) and shares the delivery confirmation (CMR).
Recording these values gives PST CLC Mitsui-Soko the ability to track the delivery schedule of the current day’s shipments. “We are actively addressing delays and capacity for the upcoming day. Sharing driver-entered values with our TMS is also important, saving dispatchers’ work. We have the ability to address waits in a timely manner and prompt reporting to clients, including document sharing,” says Petr Haman, Key Account Manager at PST CLC Mitsui-Soko.
On-line document registration with Track & Trace
Petr Haman adds that the system also allows for the registration of container returns, which prevents extra costs for late returns. Thanks to Track & Trace, there is also an online record of documents, i.e. their archive. The company also has the ability to report on service quality in terms of on-time delivery, container returns and any damage to the shipment.
Zbyněk Slezák, CIO of PST CLC Mitsui-Soko, adds that the company chose to track the shipment without the need to track the vehicle via GPS throughout the transport because it is a simpler, cheaper, data-intensive solution. “The application has a simple and clear form, it works on common smartphones,” specifies Zbyněk Slezák.
Success in The Best of Czech and Slovak Logistics competition
The Track & Trace shipment tracking and tracing system was awarded in this year’s prestigious The Best of Czech and Slovak Logistics competition, with PST CLC Mitsui-Soko taking second place in the Best Logistics Product category. “This award is very much appreciated. I see it as a recognition of the quality work of our employees and as a marketing issue. We will also present this success to our shareholders in Japan,” says Vít Votroubek, Chairman of the Board and CEO of PST CLC Mitsui-Soko.
