Paragon improves transport efficiency at Eden Farm
Eden Farm, the frozen food and ice cream wholesale distribution company, has implemented a Multi Depot routing and scheduling solution from Paragon Software Systems to help improve transport efficiency and customer service. The Paragon Multi Depot system provides a high level of specific driver, vehicle and route planning capabilities across the company’s nationwide transport operation.
Prior to implementing the Paragon system, Eden Farm’s sales team would accept orders whilst being unable to take into account the delivery logistics. The drivers planned their own routes and the company’s head office had no real-time visibility of the fleet to check that deliveries were running according to schedule.
Following a trial of the Single Depot system at one of its operations, Eden Farm upgraded to Paragon’s Multi Depot routing and scheduling software to cover operations across its depots. Further functionality was added with Paragon’s INRIX-based road speed data and HERE Map Content with street level mapping for daily operational planning use.
“We use fewer vehicles in the depots now, and have greater visibility into our delivery operations, which in turn means improved customer service,” says Robert Gee, Strategic Manager of IT & Operations, Eden Farm. “Head office can track all our delivery vehicles, and, not only does the system give us visibility into our actual operations, but it is also a scenario planning tool. Ours is a seasonal business, and the system allows us to plan for high-volume summer orders as well as to react to what-if situations, such as accommodating a customer’s request for an extra delivery.”
Eden Farm’s system includes Paragon’s Fleet Controller module, which links Navman Wireless vehicle tracking with Paragon’s route planning system, and enables the Control Room to monitor the position of all vehicles in the fleet and check they are on-route and on time. It also includes Paragon Resource Manager, a software option which enables specific drivers to be matched with specific vehicles and specific routes, taking into account driver’s hours regulations and any planned vehicle maintenance.
