A vehicle tracking system implemented for Forecourt Express by Dimension Data i-Commerce Services has enhanced customer service and broadened Forecourt`s business opportunities.
Fred Roberts, operations manager of Forecourt Express, is confident that the company now has the best vehicle tracking system in South Africa. "The need to track vehicles efficiently and accurately is critical for any motor ferry operator," he says. "To date, however, we are the only motor ferry operator to offer an on-line tracking system."
Dimension Data i-Commerce Services won the business due to their track record and technical knowledge. Forecourt Express ferries vehicles for Volkswagen and Daimler Chrysler nationally as well as to Namibia and Botswana. From the time a vehicle is released to Forecourt Express by the manufacturer, it has just three working days to be delivered to the dealer.
Commenting on the benefits of the system, Roberts says queries are answered immediately, and that it is impossible for vehicles scheduled for transportation to be left behind. Furthermore, Forecourt Express now has the flexibility to adapt to changing requirements.
Forecourt`s previous system was not meeting its needs and needed to be replaced with one specifically designed for its strategic business requirements. Due to extensive, long-term experience in the motor ferry business, Forecourt Express was able to define parameters for its requirements.
The system developed by Dimension Data i-Commerce Services enables Forecourt Express to know where each vehicle is from the time it leaves the manufacturer`s plant to the time it arrives at the dealer. Forecourt Express makes up loads for its carriers and two-tier trains electronically. Parking bays in its transport yard, which caters for 4,500 vehicles, are also allocated by the system.
Once the documentation for the sale is complete, the vehicle is electronically assigned to a specific carrier. "We are able to track the driver of the vehicle as well as the time of departure and arrival," Roberts says. "A full log is created which spans the delivery cycle of the vehicle. The delivery notes are barcoded, and can therefore be scanned for information."
Forecourt`s dealers have access to the system, enabling them to track the vehicles and keep their customers informed of expected arrival times. By entering a dealer code and personal identity number, dealers can also access a restricted Web site for more detailed information.
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Dimension Data Holdings Limited
Dimension Data Holdings Limited is a global network integration and e-business enabler operating in 36 countries on five continents. The Group`s service offerings range from network integration and management to the integration of technology channels and applications to enable business-to-business e-commerce. The Group has achieved a compound annual growth rate of 98% in turnover and 57% in headline earnings per share over the past five years.
A division of Dimension Data Holdings, Dimension Data i-Commerce Services focuses on the transition of customer organisations into interactive commerce businesses. This is accomplished by assisting corporations to achieve multiple, integrated channels for customer and supplier interaction.