Fleet managers have discovered how essential it is, in effective fleet management, to have a system which provides real-time control and scheduling systems that determine the vehicle routing plan based on the current status of the system. As a result of the in-depth research conducted in this area, the Institute has found that DPS's vehicle routing software, LogiX, does just this.
DPS International was established in 1982 and is primarily known as a vehicle scheduling and routing software supplier. They provide services such as transport and logistics consultancy, vehicle scheduling software and in-cab control and monitoring systems.
DPS's scheduling system, LogiX, allows fleet management to ensure that significant fleet objectives are being met effectively. For instance, having an inter-connected communications network system allows the operator to minimize the total distance that must be travelled through interactive scheduling. Secondly, it allows for a balance of workload among employees, as much as possible, through the interactive monitoring of the fleet en-route.
Aside from DPS's standard vehicle routing system, DPS also recognises a significant market niche for a web-based, transaction cost-based version of their LogiX product (a transport and logistics planning solution). And hence have launched the "logixcentral" product as a pay-as-you-go pricing model. This cost-based product approach allows smaller companies to reap the benefits of a vehicle scheduling tool, which previously may have been too costly a product to warrant purchasing for a company of their size. One of the main attractions is the fact that there is no need for capital expenditure, onlgoing maintenance and support costs nor for costly upgrades.
It is product innovation and market responsiveness like this that makes it hardly surprising that DPS are the market-leaders in providing software solutions for both inbound and outbound transport and logistics planning. Thus, making them deserving winners of the "Best Vehicle Routing System 2007" ITM Award.
Commenting on the Research Report and DPS's success in this award category, Mr. Patrick Sheedy, Media & PR Director for the Institute said: "DPS provide an invaluable service to clients who want to overcome traditional logistics scheduling obstacles and fully maximise all the information available on their travel routes in order to make the best decisions for themselves and/or their business and improve traffic fluency. The proven trustworthiness of the company, coupled with the innovative approach to launching new products in response to growing market needs makes them the ideal candidate for this award."
Mr Sheedy concluded by saying: "DPS's great experience as an information provider has stood up to scrutiny and in our opinion, has out-performed its rivals in every criterion examined. For my part I would like to congratulate all at the company on their success and wish them continued success in the future."
ENDS
Editors' notes:
About the Institute of Transport Management
The Institute of Transport Management was formed in the UK in 1977 with the express aim of providing further education and information to transport managers as its raison d'être. The Institute would work as a forum for the exchange of ideas and solutions in the building of what were then the equivalents of today's supply chains. The idea for the Institute was based on the precept that transport managers in membership would share what they knew about transport and distribution with their fellow members.
In anticipation of members' demand for information on an ongoing bases, the Institute created its Awards of Excellence programme, whereby those supply partners who were the most popular choices made by members, would be honored. Who could have foreseen in 1977 that the Institute would, by its coming of age in 2004, have grown to become the leading provider of accreditation to the worldwide transport industry?
The impact of the Institute's accreditation programme operated over the last 30 years is summed up in the Awards Committee's statement issued at teh time of our Silver Jubilee in 2002 in which it said:
"The Awards Committee reports that there has been a gratifying rise in standards among members since we began our work in 1978. We are of the opinion that the competition for accreditation created by the awards has had beneficial effects right across the industry spectrum. Over the last 30 years, British and International recipients have served as a benchmark to companies aspiring to success in their respective segments."
Recipients of the ITM's awards through the years include some of the world's leading port authorities, airlines, shipping lines, vehicle manufacturers, freight forwarders and many more.
Today the ITM represents some 10,000 transport managers and logisticians throughout the UK and Europe and continues to pool the knowledge of its members annually and to answer questions on the best and most efficient ways of improving its members' supply chain and distribution needs.
