“When I started here at Etex, I became responsible for the improvement processes within the Supply Chain,” says Liesbeth Hermans, Supply Chain Analyst. “Implementing Peripass and changing the logistics flow on the site was the first thing I did.”
The reason for this swift action was the urgent need for change. At the location of the previous check-in office, Liesbeth explains the previous situation. “Before Peripass, drivers had to come to this office to announce their arrival. To do that, the drivers parked their trucks at the parking lot, or when that was full, they parked in the street. The problem is that we are right next to a residential neighbourhood, which created irritating and dangerous situations, like parking in people’s driveways and walking across the road between these trucks.”
With Peripass’s software and the advice of our implementation consultants, Etex now has a completely different flow and great signage to help drivers find their way. All without blocking the driveways of neighbours or creating dangerous situations. Let’s examine the processes we changed, implemented, and phased out.
The parking lot at Etex is always busy. In this waiting area, drivers are requested to self-register. In an office on the side of the parking lot, multiple kiosks are placed where drivers can check in in their preferred language. Once this new process is completed, they receive an SMS message on their phones with their unique PIN code to access and leave the site and instructions on the next step in their flow. This process goes quicker than the previous flow: queueing up at a desk with an administrative employee who has to cross-check information and assign docks to all these drivers.
“Now, we can offer 12 languages to our drivers, which is much more than any receptionist speaks. The whole process is much quicker and much easier for drivers now.”
Another element of the improved logistics process is the new signage on location. “I believe good signage is crucial for an efficient flow. You want everyone to understand where they are supposed to go and do that in the safest way possible.” Etex always tries to optimise its signage but is mindful not to “over-sign” to reduce confusion.
“Over-signing can be dangerous. People can get confused when too much information is given. We improve signage by asking for feedback from people on-site and implementing what we find when comparing notes.”
At the dispatch office, there are many screens lit up. The Etex dispatcher on shift keeps an eye on movements on site and assigns loading and unloading docks to drivers and tasks to operators. “Here we are at the beating heart of our yard. We are tracking arrivals and registrations and checking permissions. When someone is ready to load, we assign them a location from here.”
Even the process of leaving the Kapelle-op-den-Bos location is automated.
“Most trucks that want to leave are weighed. They were weighed when arriving and needed to be weighed when leaving. We have some exceptions to this weighing process, but that is not common.”
“When drivers and trucks access the weighbridge, they put their unique PIN in the truck-height code pad and don’t need to leave their trucks. This code connects them to their profile, and the truck’s weight is immediately stored. The profile tells us the type of goods transported, their time slot and more. It is very useful to have all information neatly together.”
Etex has also connected Peripass with SAP. “So, by the time the truck is loaded at the dock, SAP has sent all documents to Peripass, and they are available when the drivers arrive at the weighbridge. These documents can be signed on the kiosk, get printed here, and they can just leave with all administration in order.” Peripass then pushes these signed documents back to SAP; everything is correct and stored digitally.
“Our logistics flow is much more efficient, smoother and safer with Peripass.”
“If I had to give any piece of advice to companies looking to introduce a yard management software to their yards… I would say create a dedicated team. You need to know all the processes and flows you want and need to change. Peripass is very user-friendly and really thinks along with you, but you need to know what you need. This moves things along, and the sooner everything is up and running, the better for your site.”
Find out why companies like Bridgestone, Alpro, and Saint-Gobain use Peripass to manage their yards. Please fill out the form to see how our software works.
