Chep SA, the local subsidiary of Chep International, a US-based organisation that markets distribution solutions to logistics, transport and manufacturing companies, has developed a pallet-tracking portal for its staff and customers. The system is currently in pilot phase, and following testing will be rolled out to bring Chep SA`s 3 000 local customers online.
Chep Online is an extranet site giving customers direct access to Chep`s services, including monitoring solutions for product tracking and tracing, supply chain modelling and management systems, and EDI-based reporting tools.
Durban-based Chep SA used the Oracle Database as the foundation of its e-business concept for Chep SA, and Oracle9i Application Server to deploy applications to the extranet site.
According to Vic Leftwick, IT director at Chep SA, the Chep Online e-business site simplifies interaction with customers and - although not designed to entirely replace the human interface - is an ideal complement to the personalised service that Chep SA offers.
Leftwick says the site is the forerunner of a national - and possibly an international - extranet solution.
"We are currently undertaking a survey to gauge the success of the project at local customer level," he says. "The concept may well be adopted globally should feedback from current users be positive."
The entire infrastructure is hosted by Chep SA; customers need only a browser to connect to the Internet.
According to Andre Muzerie, regional manager at Oracle SA`s Durban office, the solution developed by Chep is a model solution for the logistics industry. "Chep SA is a leader in transport and logistics, and after viewing the solution we believe it could successfully used by all companies in this industry."
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