Our Software continued...

From the job creation screen, the consignment appears on the Controller’s Whiteboard. 

The whiteboard contains all the necessary information to efficiently administrate the pending consignments and assign them to vehicles and drivers.  The size of the vehicle required is represented by the colour of the text.  A small symbol indicates that a consignment is ready to be invoiced and allows for one final visual check in case extra charges are due to be added.  Hit F11 and that consignment will be added to the list of invoices awaiting printing. 

Instead of entering addresses, some businesses only require the town. This is perfectly acceptable to our system, as is the use of the optional postcode database for rapid address entry should it be required. 

Wheels also allows the details of each consignment to be forwarded to the driver using SMS.  A simple idea, this avoids the inevitable confusion and waiting while a driver writes the details down… while not incurring the expense associated with PDA systems. 

Continuing on the SMS theme… an optional add in allows drivers to text their pod details directly back to the computer.  Effectively marking that consignment as complete and making that information immediately available on screen.  The pod details may then be automatically emailed to the client or stored for later use depending on the settings you have configured. 

Of course no system would be complete unless it supported the paperless office.  We know from our own experience that it is simple to build up huge quantities of paperwork, at which point filing becomes a real issue.  With Wheels it is simple.  Scan the paperwork when it comes back into the office.  Next time a client asks for a pod or paperwork regarding a consignment you are invoicing for it will be right at your fingertips and may be emailed to them automatically! 

As and extra service for some clients we have created a secure web facility within their own web site.  This allows the client to log in and see their own consignments and POD details without the need for telephone enquiries.  Of course this solution is not ideal for everyone, but of you are handling large quantities of consignments with a small staff it may be worth reducing the time spent responding to these simple enquires.