Case Study
Rothkegel Baufachhandel GmbH is a building materials dealer steeped in tradition with an extensive range for almost all areas of construction. The company supplies both commercial customers (trade businesses and construction companies) as well as private builders and DIY enthusiasts. In addition to consulting and sales, reliable delivery directly to the construction site is a central element of the value chain.
With eight locations in the region and its own fleet of 24 trucks, including special vehicles with cranes and semi-trailer trucks, Rothkegel is able to deliver large volumes flexibly and on schedule every day. The special feature: Construction material logistics is highly complex. Vehicles must be able to transport very different materials at the same time, from bagged goods and pipes to insulation, tanks or concrete parts, and unload them directly at the site. Often even on upper floors or in hard-to-reach areas.
Before the introduction of opheo, transport planning at Rothkegel was largely paper-based. At the main location alone, between 70 and 100 orders had to be planned and coordinated manually using slips of paper every day. With growing order volumes, this system reached its limits. The management realized: Without a digital solution, it would not be possible to increase efficiency or meet the increasing demands of customers for flexibility and information.
Introduction of opheo
In 2014, after an intensive selection process, Rothkegel decided on opheo in combination with opheo MOBILE. The decisive factor was the unique combination of clarity, functionality and usability. While other systems seemed either too complex or too inflexible, opheo impressed with a clear user interface that intelligently linked different views (orders, Gantt chart, map). opheo was integrated into the existing ERP system Unitrade via an interface.
Since then, the orders have been automatically entered into the tour planning, planned there and then commissioned via the warehouse management system. The delivery process is supported via opheo MOBILE: Drivers receive their tours directly on the tablet, document the unloading with photos and thus provide transparent proof for customers and planned route. For Rothkegel, this telematics addition was a decisive criterion from the start.
The introduction was closely supported by the opheo project team and, according to Rothkegel, was “very structured, goal-oriented and impeccable.” Release changes and support are now also seamlessly integrated into everyday life. The low susceptibility to errors of the software was also praised.
Results and benefits
With opheo, Rothkegel was able to improve the planning and logistics processes
optimize sustainably:
- Increased efficiency in planning: Route planning is now much faster and clearer. Changes and queries can be taken into account at short notice without affecting the overall planning. This makes it possible to reliably schedule orders received on the same day.
- Higher vehicle utilization: Thanks to intelligent planning, the available resources can be used better. Rothkegel now handles a significantly larger order volume with the same fleet without additional vehicles or personnel.
- Relief for drivers and route planners: The number of phone calls has been significantly reduced because all relevant information is available digitally. Route planners and drivers work together more transparently and efficiently.
- Better customer communication: The transparency about deliveries and time windows has improved. Customers receive more reliable information and complaints have been reduced.
- Strengthening of the locations: The central route planning and the digital mapping of the processes have significantly strengthened the synergies between the individual locations.
Looking ahead
opheo is now an integral part of the Rothkegel fleet: opheo MOBILE is standard equipment for all new vehicles. With opheo, Rothkegel has taken an important step in the digitization of its logistics processes and can thus reliably and efficiently meet the increasing requirements in the building materials trade.
FAQ
How Does the Solution Ensure Traceability (Track & Trace)?
Via our TMS, end-to-end tracking with batch/serial numbers, UDI for medical devices, scan points in real time and a complete audit trail can be tracked down to shipment, package and article level.
Are the Solutions Suitable for Pharma, MedTech, Blood and Sample Logistics?
Yes. Workflows for sensitive goods (e.g. blood products, diagnostic samples) including temperature zones, time windows, priorities, QA approvals and special documents can be planned as a tour in opheo or tracked during transport via service provider in our TMS LP2.
How Do We Integrate ERP/WMS?
Via standardized APIs/EDI; master data, orders, measured values and documents flow bidirectionally. Sensors and telematics can be connected, ETAs and status visible in portals.
What Functions are Available for Clinic, Pharmacy and Homecare Delivery?
Fine planning according to time windows/ramps, city logistics restrictions, contactless POD, returns and homecare routes with patient-related time windows.
Does the Software Support Audit Trail and Electronic Signatures?
Yes. Tamper-proof audit trail, role-based approvals and electronic signatures.
How Does Freight Audit/Invoice Matching Work in Regulated Environments?
Automatic reconciliation of tariffs/surcharges, plausibility checks per service level, clean account assignment/cost centers and audit-proof approvals.
Which KPIs are Crucial for Healthcare?
OTIF, compliance rate, excursion rate, ETA accuracy, damage rate, cost-to-serve, CO₂/shipment as well as throughput and ramp times.
How Do the Solutions Support Recalls and Returns?
Targeted tracing of affected batches, blocking/stop functions, prioritized collection, documented destruction/return and regulatorily compliant documentation – Everything can be mapped in our solutions.
How are Data Protection (GDPR), IT Security and Client Separation Implemented?
Encryption in transit/at rest, roles & rights, client separation, deletion/retention rules, logging and regular pen tests.
Is there Live Transparency for Purchasing, QA and Recipients?
Yes. Dashboards/portals with shipment status, ETA, POD, alarms and KPI reports; fewer queries, faster decisions, both in route planning and in carrier management.
What Does GDP-compliant Transport Logistics Mean in the Healthcare Sector?
GDP-compliant means: qualified processes, complete documentation, trained employees, validated IT and controlled transports for safe drug and MedTech deliveries.