A well-developed Transport Management System (TMS) is key for any large company that needs to keep on top of all the moving parts within varied production and distribution processes. Having a transport management system that functions well and is tailored to the needs of the company can drive supply chain optimization, reduce costs related to logistics, and improve operating processes in general – and the choice of which system to go with is an important one.

Varied logistical needs

Norsk Stål truck

For Norsk Stål, having a dynamic and well-functioning TMS is a necessity. With the many complexities related to planning, optimization and implementation of transport management, the company relies on having an excellent logistics system. With these needs in mind, they turned to Locus, a logistics company with over 30 years of experience providing logistic solutions within the Nordic region. Locus is a subsidiary of Enghouse Systems, and has supplied a range of products and services to the transport industry, public safety market, security, value and assistance companies in the Nordics since the company was founded in 1991. Locus delivers solutions that focus on security as well as efficient communications between all relevant parties and stakeholders, and for Norsk Stål, it was the ideal choice for their TMS supplier.

“We wanted a user-friendly system that could provide great transport planning adapted to our production.” -Ole Johnny Blomquist, Logistical Director at Norsk Stål

Norsk Stål employs around 300 employees, with 13 branches across Norway. With an annual turnover of around NOK 2 billion, it is the oldest, largest steel and metal distributor in the country. The company works in a range of different industries, and on a day to day basis, their needs for a logistical system are varied. “We also needed a system that could provide great reports for follow-up of filling degree and delivery precision. TransFleet TMS has delivered what we needed, and we are very satisfied with both the system and the supplier,” Blomquist says.

In 2016, Norsk Stål used TransFleet TMS in order to put in place a well-functioning planning tool for its transport planners across the country. “The system splits the driving into several stretches, so that the different departments can take into account what parts of the driving is their responsibility,” Blomquist says. “Precise coordination is required so that the number of people involved will be able to plan parts of the driving. Also, we’ve been able to collate all relevant documentation for the driver with just one keystroke”.

A simplified and streamlined process

For this large company with complex business needs, the TMS delivered by Locus has streamlined their logistics process. TransFleet TMS is seamlessly linked to Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Norsk Stål’s ERP system, and the TransFleet system takes both production times and transport capacity into account.

“Arrangements and routines for business reporting related to transportation have been simplified, and TransFleet TMS can extract advanced reports in a simple and efficient way.”

-Jo Are Aslaksen, Sales Manager at Locus

 

“TransFleet TMS is a standard system with several hundred users around the Nordic region. Customers have seen benefits such as improved on-time delivery, increased financial control, improved route planning, better utilization of transport capacity and the correct level of control over transport performance. TransFleet TMS is currently used by both multinational groups and smaller companies within the Nordic region,” Aslaksen says.