BigChange Mobile Workforce Management Software Drives Business Growth for Brewster Bros.

Posted on 2 September 2021 by Martin Port

Recycled aggregates and waste management specialist Brewster Bros. has doubled its business with the help of the latest mobile workforce management technology from BigChange.

The cloud-based system has completely automated the sales process, from initial enquiries through to order fulfilment and invoicing, as part of a move to paperless working. Providing an end-to-end solution, BigChange is also reducing the back-office administration required to manage the mobile operation and is improving customer service with an online booking and tracking portal.

Scott Brewster, Managing Director of Livingston-based Brewster Bros commented:

“We initially introduced BigChange’s JourneyWatch product when we took over the company a few years back to monitor driver behaviour and track our vehicles”.

“We just needed to know who was doing what, where and when! However, after six months we realised the full jobbing system has so much more to offer. BigChange is now fundamental to our business and has helped us grow the operation by around 100 per cent from 2018 to 2020.”

A resource management company for the construction industry, Brewster Bros operates across the central belt of Scotland. Offering environmentally compliant waste disposal as well as supplying quality recycled aggregate products, Brewster Bros. can transport up to 500,000 tonnes of waste and product per year in its fleet of HGV tippers.

Brewster continued:

“Heavy bulk haulage is quite different from other types of haulage as it is local, high frequency work and our drivers have to return to base and/or visit the same customer site multiple times per day. “

“Prior to BigChange we were heavily reliant on large volumes of paperwork which could be incorrect, incomplete or even go missing, and therefore consumed a significant amount of back-office resource to support.”

Brewster concluded:

“Using BigChange, we have complete visibility of the whole transport function of the business. We know where our vehicles are, how they are being driven and even when they tip! We capture this data, including complete proof of delivery and waste transfer note evidence, to improve our customer service offering, ensure regulatory compliance and expediate our accounting, which is improving cashflow and in turn fuelling continued business growth.”

Providing a single platform CRM, Job Scheduling, Vehicle Tracking and Mobile Workforce App, the BigChange solution is further supporting Brewster Bros as the business continues to expand. It is hoped the recently introduced BigChange powered portal will help customers self-serve, booking and tracking collections and deliveries online, and automating waste transfer and delivery notes and invoices.

Brewster Bros. vehicle using BigChange to boost efficiency

BigChange Transforms Utopia Sales, Service and Delivery platform

Posted on 5 December 2019 by Martin Port

Utopia Furniture Group has rolled out a 5 in 1 cloud-based system from BigChange that combines mobile apps including electronic POD and vehicle tracking, with customer relationship management system (CRM).

After the successful implementation of BigChange as a real-time transport management system, Utopia has now begun extending BigChange to improve back office and sales force automation.

Utopia is the UK’s biggest manufacturer of made-to-order bathrooms. Established for over 25 years and employing 190 people, Utopia designs and builds high quality bathroom suites, bathroom furniture and accessories, supplying through an extensive network of over 600 specially selected retailers across the UK and Ireland.

David Conn, MD of Utopia Furniture Group, comments:

“At Utopia, we found a niche in the market with fitted bathrooms and we have always strived to be the Master of what we do,”

“We have developed a unique build-to-order manufacture and logistics business and that requires us to innovate and invest when it comes to technology. It’s that technology that ensures we retain a competitive advantage.”

Utopia has developed a bespoke enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to underpin its growing business but needed to further automate logistics and especially the transport operation. BigChange was introduced initially to provide electronic Proof of Delivery (POD), having replaced their existing system.

Conn explains:

“When we discovered BigChange we realised that their technology was way ahead of anything else. What particularly appealed to us was the fact that they had an end-to-end solution that would provide seamless integration of our delivery services with our sales, manufacturing and business functions. Previously we suffered from having disconnected silos of data and that was frustrating. BigChange was also much more affordable so we did not hesitate to switch.”

Utopia drivers are equipped with Zebra ultra-rugged enterprise touch computers that run the BigChange JobWatch App that includes delivery and collection reporting, with line item fast scanning and electronic proof of delivery ePOD, timesheets, expenses and vehicle inspections. With a 28-strong fleet including drawer bar trailers and drop bodies, deliveries are made to retailers and trade customers across the UK from Utopia’s purpose-built manufacturing plant and HQ in Wolverhampton.

Conn adds:

“We really like the fact that BigChange is easy to customise,”

“It means you can get exactly what you want and that’s important in view of our fairly unique business process that involves literally thousands of different, often bespoke, items being loaded on each vehicle for delivery. BigChange offers a complete delivery consignment solution.”

BigChange has already been implemented to manage all transport related activities, provide real time tracking and electronic PODs, with vehicle inspections, driver performance monitoring and a link to route optimisation through comparing actual with planned journeys. With integration between Utopia’s delivery planning and Oracle ERP, BigChange CRM is now being implemented to manage the sales function.

Carl Darby, IT and CRM Controller at Utopia, says:

“BigChange CRM is perfect for us providing exactly the functionality we need. It’s a lot easier to use and less costly than other solutions,”

“Of course, it is also part of the wider BigChange management and mobile solution so has the added benefit of being seamlessly integrated with everything we do.”

With the adaptability and wide scope of the BigChange system, Utopia took advantage of help offered by BigChange for implementation and embedding.

Darby who also praised the ongoing support, continues:

“This suddenly made implementation much easier,”

Darby adds:

“The support provided by the BigChange ‘RoadCrew’ team has been exemplary, with someone always available to pick up the phone 24/7 and that support is available to anyone including our drivers. Getting that level of personal support is a rare thing these days.”

Conn explains:

“We set a high bar when it comes to our suppliers and for us it is very much about a working partnership. BigChange demonstrated that they wanted to be part of our business and from the start it was clear they were receptive to working with us. In fact, we were behind the development of their POD solution and were the first adopters of it.”

Silentnight and BigChange are Logistics Awards Finalists, thanks to 400,000 litre fuel saving

Posted on 2 July 2018 by Martin Port

The UK’s leading bed manufacturer Silentnight has saved more than 400,000 litres of fuel in the last five years, cutting CO2 emissions by over 1,000,000 kilos as part of its sustainability drive.

The leading manufacturer identified an opportunity to enhance its delivery experience for both the independent retailer and the home-delivery customer and implemented the BigChange Transport and Delivery Management technology in 2013, before upgrading to the latest version in July last year. The move has now seen the business named as a finalist for a Technology and Innovation award at the prestigious Logistic Awards 2018.

From its state-of-the art factory in Barnoldswick, the Silentnight Group manufacturers over 500,000 beds per year and delivers direct to consumers, via a network of independent stores and through some of the UK’s leading furniture retailers.

The BigChange platform offers an all in one system combining back office delivery planning, a proof of delivery app for drivers, defect management and real time tracking, alongside paperless delivery which ties into the company’s wider sustainability agenda.

Robert Livingstone, Operations Director at Silentnight said:

“Our aim is to not only deliver the best night’s sleep for our trade and home delivery customers with market leading products, it’s also about ensuring we lead the market with our delivery service.

Robert Continued:

“The BigChange technology has ticked so many boxes for us; it’s driving tangible savings, transforming customer service and is a key part of our sustainability drive.”

Silentnight has prevented a staggering 105 million plastic bottles from going into oceans and landfill in just one year, after launching its Eco Comfort mattress manufactured from 150 plastic bottles. It has also pledged to support the Marine Conservation Society as part of its drive towards a greener planet.

The Logistic Awards is an annual celebration of excellence in the logistics and supply chain sectors, recognising the most impressive achievements throughout the industry over the past 12 months. The winners of the 2018 awards will be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday 20 September at the Swan, Shakepeare’s Globe, London.

BigChange for Scotland’s Premier Transport Company Pollock Scotrans

Posted on 17 May 2018 by Martin Port

Pollock Scotrans has introduced the latest cloud and mobile technology from BigChange to improve its transport and logistics operations.

The 160-strong fleet operation is being managed with the BigChange 5-in-1 cloud-based platform that live connects in-cab mobile tablets to back office management software and real-time vehicle tracking.

Drivers use BigChange tablets for recording their timesheets and expenses, as well as for vehicle check reports and capturing timed-stamped photographs. Clipped into dashboard mounts, the tablets provide messaging, navigation and traffic reports on the move. Vehicles are also live tracked for monitoring journeys to ensure efficient routes are used and vehicles are on time, backed up with reports on fuel consumption and driver performance.

Fraser Pollock, Managing Director of Pollock Scotrans commented:

“Pollock Scotrans has embraced BigChange in all areas of the business from Driver, Vehicle and Job Management, we have seen tangible benefits and can honestly say the system is helping us streamline our 80 year old business”.

Pollock continued:

“Our ultimate aim is to go completely paperless and BigChange will be playing a big part in that transformation. The move to electronic reporting with a one-system-does-all solution will allow us to deploy a seamless end-to-end digital process that will have far reaching benefits to the business. With real time operational visibility there are big management and customer service benefits and BigChange is already boosting efficiency and productivity.”

Driver performance is important for improving safety and reducing fuel consumption and BigChange has proved very useful according to Mark Jackson, Operations Director at Pollock Scotrans, who also sees the driver check app providing big benefits.

Mark comments:

“The driver check app has eliminated paperwork and ensured drivers complete inspections properly. Real-time reporting of defects including photographs means we can immediately alert the workshop about crucial defects allowing immediate scheduling for repairs”.

Pollock Scotrans’ customers are benefiting directly from BigChange and already live tracking information is being sent directly to clients to monitor transport of their goods.

Pollock commented:

“Integration with our customer systems will provide a significant saving in time both in creating jobs and in providing post job information, whilst also improving customer service with speed and quality of information if a query arises”.

Greys of Ely Brings Peace of Mind to Passengers with BigChange Online Coach Locator

Posted on 8 July 2016 by Martin Port

Greys of Ely has employed the latest technology to provide instant locations of each of its coaches, so that customers and passengers can live track their coach through a simple online app. The solution from BigChange Apps integrates on board telematics with mobile apps to power the real-time Coach Locator app on the homepage of the company’s website. This gives operations managers a continually updated view of the entire fleet and gives customers detailed information about a specific vehicle.

Richard Grey, Managing Director of Greys of Ely, commented:

“We are one of the few, if not the only coach operator, to share – free of charge, on the homepage of our own website – the real time location of every vehicle. Powered by BigChange, this is extremely useful, not only for our clients, but also for their customers – the end users of the service. We get lots of feedback from parents of children on the daily school run or longer excursions, who love the peace of mind this service offers and appreciate the real time information which allows them to accurately plan drop offs and collections.”

The tracking app is part of the JobWatch solution from BigChange. This integrated web-based solution combines back office software, mobile apps and real-time vehicle tracking in one simple to use system. It provides a paperless way to plan, manage, schedule and track Greys’ coach hire operation, and it integrates fleet management, a ‘driver productivity app’ and automated daily driver checks.

“We are long term users of vehicle telematics, and understand the significant business advantages that real time monitoring of the fleet can provide,”

continued Grey.

“However, the integration of the coach tracking app and JobWatch takes this to the next level. We have boosted our customer service beyond expectations, improved driver performance and increased efficiencies across all aspects of the operation. With support from the 24/7 RoadCrew team, we can continue to achieve day to day improvements, maintaining our award-winning service.”

BigChange founder and CEO Martin Port added,

“Outstanding customer service is something we aspire to, at all levels, and helping our customers achieve it and helping them to stand out from the crowd is even better. The innovation and business acumen shown by Greys of Ely is akin to our own, and we are proud to work with them.”

Contacts:

BigChange Apps: Alex Epstein, [email protected], tel +44 (0)113 457 1000

Reader enquiries: email: [email protected], phone +44 (0)113 457 1000, www.bigchange.com

BigChange cost-effective trailer tracking optimises Elddis fleet

Posted on 5 July 2016 by Martin Port

Specialist logistics provider Elddis is transforming the efficiency of its transport operations with a trailer tracking solution from BigChange. Fitted to 300 trailers, the company are using the system to streamline servicing, measure fleet utilisation and manage trailer availability in-real time for blue-chip FMCG clients who have specific trailer availability measures within their overall service level agreements.

“Prior to the introduction of the trailer tracking solution from BigChange, we were reliant on manual daily checks and a spreadsheet that listed the location and journey history of each trailer. Locating individual trailers was a real challenge and the manual processes resulted in up to 4 hours of additional administration each day.” commented Richard Toner, Commercial Director at Consett based Elddis. “The trailer tracking solution from BigChange has completely automated this process and gives us true visibility across the operation.”

Elddis now receive real-time alerts when the number of trailers at a customer site drops below an agreed threshold, enabling them to rapidly make additional deliveries. One of their confectionary clients requires 7 trailers to be on site at any one time so the system is essential in responding rapidly to customer needs. Elddis also uses the solution to manage the servicing requirements of the trailer fleet, with a daily location report enabling the effective scheduling of routine activities and live tracking assisting with the rectification of defects and adherence to the company’s re-torque policy.

With sophisticated KPI reporting, Elddis is now receiving reliable data on trailer utilisation across the fleet, enabling robust and accurate capacity planning and streamlining of the trailer pool.

According to Commercial Director Richard Toner, Elddis evaluated a number of solutions but chose BigChange based on its superior user interface and hardware. “From the start we had total confidence in BigChange’s ability to deliver and our team favoured the easy and intuitive look and feel of the system. Our customers recognise and appreciate the added value that BigChange is helping us to deliver. In terms of return on investment, we expect the solution will be self-funding through better utilisation and reduction of the overall trailer pool.”

BigChange founder and CEO Martin Port added “The Elddis business is over 40 years old, with family heritage dating back over 100 and is the choice provider to some of the world’s most respected FMCG businesses. We look forward to continuing our partnership and providing Elddis with further benefits.”

Contacts:
BigChange Apps: Alex Epstein, [email protected], tel +44 (0)113 457 1000
Reader enquiries: email: [email protected], phone +44 (0)113 457 1000, www.bigchange.com

Silentnight Go Greener with a 10% MPG Improvement thanks to BigChange

Posted on 22 December 2015 by Martin Port

Silentnight Group, the iconic British bed manufacturer has reported improved fleet safety and a 10% improvement in vehicle Miles Per Gallon following the implementation of BigChange’s JobWatch system that helps Silentnight Plan, Manage, Schedule and Track their transport operations. The company has rolled out the system to its entire fleet of tractors and trailers and is using the technology to coordinate delivery of their products throughout the UK.

Group Logistics Director Neil Birch chose BigChange after carefully evaluating the market: “Having used vehicle telematics for a number of years, we were looking for something more sophisticated and integrated than just a tracking system. We immediately liked the rich functionality of JobWatch, especially the Driver Safety and Productivity mobile app that we are currently rolling out. The BigChange team gave us real confidence and we now see them as being a key part of our business processes moving forward.”

The JobWatch system was implemented as part of Silentnight’s new technology programme that seeks to empower drivers, improve safety and fuel efficiency and ensure the brand delivers a consistently fantastic experience for retail and home delivery customers.

Silentnight’s integrated JobWatch system combines CANbus connected vehicle telematics, a mobile app for drivers and a cloud based back office used by the transport planning team. At the start of each day, drivers now carry out paperless walk-around checks, logging and photographing defects that are securely logged and alerted.

The app also provides a daily driver scorecard, underpinned by data on MPG, speeding, harsh acceleration and braking, idling and cornering. Rewarding safety and fuel efficiency efforts at Silentnight is not just ‘flavour of the month’; driver behaviour is now built into the company’s KPI reporting. Meanwhile, integrated truck-nav with live traffic is ensuring that drivers can be quickly re-routed using roads appropriate for the size and height of their vehicle.

Real-time visibility is critical for Silentnight, with their logistics operation making daily deliveries into the Regional Distribution Centres of the UK’s largest retailers, explains Neil Birch:

“Everything must be perfect and nothing can be left to chance. Retailers have very strict booking slots so it’s critical that we have an up to minute view of progress against the plan 24 hours a day. With JobWatch, our team can anticipate any potential problems before they happen and take proactive steps to ensure that we stay on track.”

“The JobWatch app is also enabling our drivers and back-office team to communicate and solve problems in real-time. For example if there’s a problem with accessing a customer’s property or in the unlikely event of a product fault, the driver can take photos and liaise with customer service in real-time to resolve and ensure a positive customer outcome.”

BigChange founder and telematics pioneer Martin Port has had a working relationship with the Silentnight Group for over 10 years;
“Silentnight has always been a fantastic company to work with and I look forward to working with Neil and the team as they continue to roll out their technology strategy,” said Martin Port.

Stalkers drivers’ basic pay up 18%

Posted on 30 September 2015 by Martin Port

Our customer Stalkers Transport has shared the success of its JourneyWatch vehicle tracking system with drivers, boosting their basic pay by 18%. The company has achieved significant fuel savings, with an overall MPG improvement of 8.2%.

This has been driven by friendly competition between drivers using the daily de-brief on our JourneyWatch mobile app.

Stalkers’ success story was featured in a very recent edition of Commercial Motor and below is an extract of the story. We wish Karen Stalker and her team continued success.

Stalkers drivers’ basic pay up 18%

DRIVERS at Stalkers Transport have seen their basic pay soar by 18% this year after working with the company to cut fuel costs! The increase follows last year’s installation of BigChange Apps’ telematics system across Stalkers Transport’s 62-vehicle fleet. The system monitors drivers’ fuel economy and driving behaviour.

The company chose the telematics system because it allows drivers as well as managers to monitor their scores creating a league table.

Stalkers’ MD Karen Stalker said, “The system has created friendly competition between drivers which has seen a significant impact on fuel usage and driving standards.”

“We had the kits installed in all of our trucks and each one is driver-specific. It scores their overall driving behaviour so at the end of the day when they log off they can see where they are ranked against their colleagues,” she said. Stalker said the firm made it clear to the drivers that any savings would be passed onto them in the form of pay rises and monthly £100 bonuses. “We were aware that we weren’t paying the best rates of pay to our drivers in the leaner years. But for us to be able to change that, the drivers had to help us to help them.” Stalker said fuel savings have been significant. “MPG has improved by 8.2%.”

“It has massively reduced idling time and generally improved driving standards. This has also resulted in much lower numbers of accidents and incidents.” She added, “We have been able to give the savings back to the drivers first in terms of a significant wage rise, which equated to 18% onto their basic rate, and secondly as a fuel bonus if they get a perfect 10 score for the whole month.”

Adapted from Commercial Motor – 20th August, 2015.