Thursday, July 20, 2017 – The Winkels Getränke Logistik GmbH has opted for the integrated opheo transport control and telematics system to optimize the dispatching, notification, and monitoring of more than 2,000 orders daily in branch delivery from this fall. The solution from initions AG is to be used at the four logistics locations by a total of 12 dispatchers.
In the first step, the 180 own trucks and 50 additional trucks from subcontractors will be equipped with telematics devices. These are Android tablets that have the opheo Mobile telematics app. In the future, even the third-party vehicles used only during peak periods will be connected to the solution. opheo Mobile registers the current position and tour data in the truck and sends it back to the headquarters in real time. Deviations from the planned data are immediately analyzed and extrapolated to the further course of the tour. initions AG was awarded the Telematics Award for this innovative approach.
“We were looking for a system that supports us beyond the actual planning and recognizes the effects of plan deviations in the current tour at an early stage,” explains Ralf Müller, who is responsible for transport logistics at Winkels. With the help of opheo’s forecasting function, dispatchers can react immediately to impending delays and inform customers in advance. “Our customers expect punctual delivery within the agreed time windows and timely information in the event of deviations,” Müller emphasizes.
This service can “only be guaranteed with suitable software with up to 20 unloading points per tour and more than 230 trucks in use.” In addition to the forecast function, opheo also impressed with its clear dispatch cockpit, ease of use, and the optimization algorithms of the automated tour planning. “Here we expect savings due to fewer kilometers driven, which will quickly lead to an amortization of the investment,” says Müller.
With three logistics centers and a fleet of 180 trucks, Winkels Getränke Logistik GmbH ensures the transport of more than 70 million crates of beverages annually between industry and trade and ensures the return of empties. This makes Winkels the leading beverage logistics company in southwestern Germany. In addition to the regionally important own brands such as alwa, Griesbacher, Bella Fontanis, Rietenauer and Aqua Vitale, the portfolio of over 4,000 products includes products from breweries, mineral springs and the fruit juice industry. Winkels supplies retail chains, gas stations, beverage wholesalers, beverage retailers, canteens and restaurants from this wide range. The Winkels Group employs 805 people and generated sales of around EUR 354 million in 2016.
