Close to 150 transport business owners, managers, administrators, and specialist consultants attended the inaugural Freight2020 Australia and New Zealand user group conference in March 2017. The enthusiastic response from participants confirmed the arrival of Freight2020 VISION as a major annual transport industry technology event.

Richers Transport, headquartered in Maryborough, Queensland, sent a team of four delegates including Matthew Richers [above] to the inaugural Freight2020 VISION conference in Melbourne

“This has been a great day,” said Sydney-based Allan Thornley, managing director of Shaw’s Darwin Transport, during the lunch break at Freight2020 VISION. Shaw’s are the market-leading freight carriers operating in and out of Darwin and were long-term users of a competitive transport management system until switching to Freight2020. “It’s enlightened us to some of the greater aspects of the [Freight2020] system and taught us a few things we didn’t know.”

Matthew Richers of Richers Transport, Maryborough-headquartered eastern seaboard carriers with more than 200 employees, said, “There are four of us from the company here today and I guess the most exciting thing for us is reconfirming Freight2020 as the right fit for our business. We use Freight2020 in its entire capacity throughout our operations, repairs and maintenance workshop, accounts… It’s been good for myself and the rest of our team to look at Freight2020 Mobility, which we’re implementing in the coming months, as well as the business analytics [Freight2020 BI360 real-time business analytics dashboard], which will be really great for our financial team and director.”

Peter Evenden, managing director of Prospect Refrigerated Transport, the Sydney-based company which carries temperature-sensitive freight for some of Australia’s iconic grocery brands said, “I’m down here in Melbourne having a great time and learning lots.”

Another Sydney-based delegate was Emerson Pierce from John L Pierce Transport (“JLP”), the bulk tanker specialists with 150 trucks and more than 330 employees. “It’s been a very interesting day, learned a lot,” said Emerson. “We’ve taken away a fair bit, so really happy to be here.”

“This is a very exciting time for us”

Siobhan Clifford was one of the delegates representing Mount Noorat Freighters at Freight2020 VISION 2017

Siobhan Clifford, one of a team representing the Victorian-based bulk haulage specialists Mount Noorat Freighters at VISION said, “We’ve had a great day today at the first Freight2020 conference. We’re looking forward to using Freight2020 Mobility in the near future.”

With Freight2020 now one of the fastest-growing Progress OpenEdge-based ERP solutions in the APJ (Australia, Pacific, Japan) region, many delegates attending VISION on behalf of their respective companies were relatively new to the system. Mark Battersby of PK Logistics said, “We are just about to go live with Freight2020 so this is a very exciting time for us. It gives us lots of new opportunities to explore with compliance and safety, possibly mobility, and also our warehouse and transport is going to be integrated, which is very important for us.”

More than 130 transport and logistics companies based in Australia and New Zealand are now using Freight2020 to drive their businesses more efficiently and competitively, a good number of these being represented by delegates making the journey to attend Freight2020 VISION 2017.

Peter Evenden, Emerson Pierce, Allan Thornley, Matthew Richers, Siobhan Clifford, and Mark Battersby were interviewed at Freight2020 VISION for the 2-minute “Freight2020 VISION 2017 Delegate Reviews” video which is now available for viewing on YouTube.

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Mark Battersby of PK Logistics, new to the Freight2020 community, attended VISION 2017

36 years strong, and the leading Australian-developed transport management system, Freight2020 is now used by more than 130 transport and logistics organisations in Australia and New Zealand.

There are more than 2,000 day-to-day users of the Freight2020 system (managers and administrative staff), and an exponential number interacting with the system through the Online Customer Portal and driver/warehouse Mobility interactivity. In 2016-2017 Freight2020 is processing almost 3,000,000 of the industry’s freight bookings and around $4bn of its combined revenue.

A user community of this size and intensity of engagement called for the advent of the annual Freight2020 VISION User Group Conference and the establishment of an online WIKI, where users can easily access system documentation and share knowledge with other users in the community.

Jane Altass previews the new development and community platforms for Freight2020

Long-time users of Freight2020 on-premise were quick to request upgrades to the latest version of Freight2020 when the new UI with new Google-like menu icons and user-friendly features such as drag-and-drop functionality were unveiled and demonstrated in action.

Users of Freight2020 SaaS (in the cloud) are automatically updated with latest version releases but if you’ve been running the same version of Freight2020 on-premise for quite a while, you should enquire about booking your system update to the new UI (via the Freight2020 HelpDesk).

Get Your Freight2020 Upgrade

Terry Bingham describes Coastal Midwest Transport’s advanced deployment of Freight2020 in some of the world’s most remote locations

While some companies are still only contemplating the integrated digital automation of their transport, depot, and warehousing operations via Freight2020, Terry Bingham (consultant to Coastal Midwest Transport) showed everyone at VISION 2017 how it’s really done by explaining their advanced deployment of Freight2020 (online customer bookings, driver/depot mobility with RF-scanning, etc), servicing outback locations in Western Australia with astonishing efficiency.

Sharing this fascinating story of technological triumph greatly impressed visiting Progress executives at the inaugural Freight2020 conference. Terry soon found himself interviewed on video and asked to feature in a case study for promotion to the international tech-community by Progress. Watch for the next Freight2020 newsletter and release of the video and Progress case study on Coastal Midwest Transport and Freight2020.

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One click on a legit-looking email and a cryptovirus disabled SRT’s business systems – never again!

When SRT Logistics suffered a cryptovirus attack which brought down all its business systems – including Freight2020 – the urgent rescue orchestrated by CMS Transport Systems through the USA headquarters of technology partner, Progress, led to a world-first services package now available to all Freight2020 users: Freight2020 MDBA.

Leigh Cripps, manager of finance and IT at SRT Logistics, shared the story of SRT’s data disaster and recovery at Freight2020 VISION 2017. There were plenty of laughs but the risks were made clear. Of course, SRT became the first customers of Freight2020 MDBA. Three international MDBA experts from Progress were at VISION to meet Freight2020 users in person and answer questions about MDBA. Freight2020 MDBA offers businesses 24/7 data protection and assurance of business continuity no matter what happens (cyber attack, hardware failure, fire, theft, calamity, etc).

More about Freight2020 MDBA

Sample screens from the launch presentation of Freight2020 BI360, the new real-time business intelligence dashboard for managers

Most business owners and managers can only dream of being able to easily analyse business performance in real-time – no waiting for data to be updated, reports to be generated, and comparisons to be interpreted (by which time it might be too late for timely decision-making).

So, it was understandable when the launch of Freight2020 BI360 – the new real-time business intelligence and data analytics dashboard – caused a great deal of excitement for manager-types at the 2017 Freight2020 user group conference. It’s “awesome” to use, and fully customisable.

More about Freight2020 BI360

At Freight2020 VISION, Denise Zumpe shared real-life case studies of heavy-vehicle accidents

Denise Zumpe, SafeSense Workplace Safety, joined with Grant Walmsley of CMS Transport Systems to walk through the forthcoming changes in CoR for heavy vehicle safety, and together suggest ways for companies to manage compliance more easily and effectively with Freight2020.

Using real-life accidents, investigations, and outcomes as recent examples, Denise was able to answer questions and offer clarification on requirements, “compliance” being a hot topic of interest for most of the transport company management representatives attending the conference.

Ask about Freight2020 Compliance

Attendance was strong for both Transtech breakout sessions at the Freight2020 user group conference

Veteran specialist suppliers to the Australian trucking industry, renowned for state-of-the-art driver fatigue management solutions, and backed by the might of TeletracNavman, Transtech partnered with CMS Transport Systems at Freight2020 VISION 2017 to showcase their latest ruggedised devices and software solutions running fully integrated with Freight2020.

With safety and compliance the over-arching priority throughout the trucking industry, particularly where long-haul drivers are concerned, there was strong attendance for each of the Transtech breakout sessions at Freight2020 VISION 2017.

Transtech and CMS Transport Systems have maintained a strong spirit of ‘mission partnership’ for many years, helping numerous trucking companies to raise their in-vehicle and system-integrated safety and compliance management standards to the highest level available in the industry.

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More on integrated Telematics

Upstream gave breakout presentations on digital document management

Achieving paper-free administration is an exciting, cost-saving, and environmentally-friendly idea that many transport and logistics organisations are keen to explore and start implementing. Jelena Quinlan and Steve Maxwell from Upstream were at VISION 2017 to run breakout sessions on digital document management in the transport and logistics industry. Some Freight2020 users are already enjoying the benefits of Upstream solutions combined with Freight2020 – taking their businesses into the future of document management, streamlining processes, and increasing efficiencies.

The Upstream sessions were very well attended. Afterward, there were incoming enquiries from delegates wanting to find out more about joining the paper-free revolution and simplifying cumbersome, labour-intensive activities.  

More on digital documents

Jim Morgan [right] talking with Freight2020 implementation consultant, Glenn Ozanne

Jim Morgan, Morgan Transport Insurance, the broker who enjoys going in to bat with insurers for companies challenged by complex claim histories and risk-management scenarios, chatted with delegates in the foyer at VISION 2017 and suggested that Freight2020 users could get claims paid much faster than companies without a fully-integrated compliance management system.

Everyone at Freight2020 VISION 2017 took home a conference bag stuffed with goodies, and one of the most welcome giveaway items was Jim Morgan’s “Championing Your Claims When Things Go Wrong” stubby cooler. It was carefully pre-tested and proven reliable for long-haul off-road drinking.

The conference bags themselves were a handy drawstring style that could be carried or worn as a super-light backpack, the reflective stripes making them ideal for cyclists. Other branded gifts in the bag for delegates included a charcoal-grey baseball cap embroidered with “Freight2020”. 

Transport depot RF scanning with Freight2020 integration at Coastal Midwest Transport

Also exhibiting in the foyer at Freight2020 VISION 2017 was Gamma Solutions, the specialist suppliers of integrated data-gathering devices and associated solutions.

Delegates were able to examine various hand-held devices over coffee and discuss with Gamma representative, Paul Pleming, the potential for integrating their Freight2020 depot/warehouse mobility with RF-scanning capabilities.

The phenomenal benefits of automating and integrating transport and depot operations by barcoding and RF-scanning were illustrated by the presentation of Coastal Midwest Transport, inspiring plenty of interest in Gamma offering the latest devices and related gear for making it happen. 

The charming streets of Melbourne CBD welcomed visiting delegates to Freight2020 VISION 2017

Several delegates attending Freight2020 VISION 2017 opted to stay around in Melbourne for an extra day or so for business meetings and the chance to see a major theatre production or footy game.

Rydges Melbourne, the venue for Freight2020 VISION 2017, is just around the corner from Melbourne’s Chinatown, in the centre of the theatre district. Musical productions in the neighbourhood at the time included the smash-hits “Book of Mormon” and “Kinky Boots”.

The timing of VISION was also intentionally close to the Australian Grand Prix which ran in Melbourne, around Albert Park Lake, on 26 March 2017.

With the dates for VISION 2017 proving to be popular and convenient for just about everyone, the VISION 2018 event will be staged at the same time of year.

The post Exciting new releases, customer stories, and partner solutions at Freight2020 VISION 2017 [downloads] appeared first on Freight2020 TMS.

Courtesy of Progress, the global technology partner of CMS Transport Systems, delegates arriving in Melbourne to attend the Freight2020 VISION 2017 conference were treated to pre-event welcome drinks and canapés at Rydges Melbourne, followed by a teppanyaki dinner banquet just a short stroll away in Melbourne’s Chinatown.

With scores of company delegates attending Freight2020 VISION from all corners of mainland Australia, across Bass Strait (Tasmania) and the Tasman (New Zealand), as well as some guest speakers and specialists visiting from the UK and USA, the Progress-sponsored hospitality provided a relaxed opportunity for transport industry executives to network with peers and meet some of the people behind the Freight2020 system which powers their businesses.

Grant Walmsley, general manager of CMS Transport Systems, welcomes delegates to the Freight2020 VISION 2017 pre-event welcome function sponsored by Progress

“We had our video producer flying into Melbourne directly from another assignment, in plenty of time for the conference the next day. Our intention was for one camera to capture the pre-event teppanyaki function. It turned out that some flights into Melbourne that evening were delayed due to bad weather in other regions, which meant our crew couldn’t arrive early enough for the informal activities,” said Melanie Williamson, the external manager of marketing and engagement for CMS Transport Systems responsible for the overall production and promotion of the Freight2020 VISION 2017 event. “I hadn’t brought my pro-camera along but decided to improvise with my iPhone. There were so many entertaining vignettes while the visiting delegates were unwinding from long flights or road-trips in preparation for what would be a very big day work-wise tomorrow.”

“Playing paparazzi gave me an excuse to get around the whole room and see how everyone was getting along over dinner, without being overly intrusive. It was great to see everyone enjoying themselves and finding common ground in a social setting, thanks to the generosity of Progress.”

“As a NASDAQ-listed enterprise with a predominantly global focus, Progress demonstrates its commitment to developer-partners like CMS Transport Systems in Australia and New Zealand by sending their international executives to spend time with end-users at events like Freight2020 VISION 2017. It makes it easier for Progress to disseminate important information about forthcoming developments, and it helps keep the organisation on-pulse with the needs and experiences of each industry sector in each global region,” said Mel.

Joe Genovese [left] and Mike Marriage [centre] of Progress met delegates including Jolene du Plessis from Australian Bay Lobster Producers at the Freight2020 VISION 2017 pre-event welcome function sponsored by Progress [Anita Latarche of Cahill Transport in background]

Joe Rozenberg [left], Mike Marriage [centre], and Joe Genovese [right] of Progress at the Freight2020 VISION 2017 pre-event dinner with Allan Thornley from Shaw’s Darwin Transport [far left]

John Bryant, CFO of Australian Bay Lobster Producers, showed safe hands in one of the teppanyaki challenges with Grant Walmsley of CMS Transport Systems [standing], Jim Morgan of Morgan Transport Insurance [centre], and Neville Aganoff, Freight2020 implementation consultant [right]

Freight2020 VISION 2017 was a “pinnacle” event for Rob Mullins, managing director and founder of CMS Transport Systems, who was able to enjoy spending time with users of Freight2020 in the relaxed pre-event setting at Rydges Melbourne [pictured with Angela Catford, John L Pierce Transport]

The large dining room of Ginza Teppanyaki in Melbourne’s famed Chinatown was totally filled with delegates enjoying the hospitality of Progress in preparation for the Freight2020 VISION 2017 conference the next day

Delegates attending the Progress-sponsored Freight2020 VISION 2017 pre-event teppanyaki banquet were either dodging the momentary flashes of flame or whipping out phones to take home colourful memories of a very enjoyable business networking function provided by Progress

While many delegates at the Progress-sponsored teppanyaki dinner were able to catch the flying pieces of omelette and rice-filled bowls with few casualties and occasional demonstrations of brilliant coordination, Emerson Pierce of John L Pierce Transport was simply unlucky to land his bowlful of rice on his lap – but it was all in good fun (and a replacement bowl of rice was swiftly provided)

Progress was the principal partner in the Freight2020 VISION 2017 event

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Any transport company using a sophisticated ERP system like Freight2020 is essentially ‘data-driven’. When an organisation is highly dependent on data, MDBA can provide reassurance to the organisation and its customers through effective data maintenance, data-loss disaster prevention, and data recovery capabilities.

SRT Logistics, the super-efficient FMCG carriers based in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Data can become lost or corrupted for many different reasons – some of the more common reasons including a building fire, hardware failure, or cyber attack. The potential for disaster cannot be avoided completely but with MDBA, the organisation’s data is safeguarded. Recovery of business systems is more rapidly achievable. Any impact on customer service and continuity of operations is minimised. For a relatively small monthly subscription, MDBA can ultimately protect the company’s reputation and revenue from the consequences of data-loss disaster.

Major freight carrier impacted by ‘black swan’ event

Freight2020 MDBA was developed following a request from the very successful Tasmania-based FMCG carrier, SRT Logistics. What happened to prompt this request from SRT to CMS serves to demonstrate how even the most well-managed and efficient businesses can become threatened at any moment in time by a serious, unpredictable (‘black swan’) event.

Leigh Cripps, manager of finance and IT at SRT Logistics, spoke about the incident at the launch of Freight2020 MDBA during Progress Exchange Asia Pacific 2016.

“The data-related horror story I can share with you today, as a case study, began very simply,” said Leigh. “One of our staff received a legitimate-looking email advising that our company was being investigated by the Australian Taxation Office. The email instructed the reader to click a link. Once the link was clicked, it was too late for anyone to have second thoughts about the legitimacy of the email. A cryptovirus attack had been unleashed.”

Leigh Cripps, Manager Finance & IT, SRT Logistics, at the Progress Exchange Asia Pacific conference, Hilton Sydney, 13 July 2016

“The effects were immediate and devastating. All of our business systems, including our transport management system, Freight2020, were compromised. We didn’t know where trucks were located, what drivers were doing, the status of consignments… the situation was potentially disastrous for a logistics-based organisation like SRT and in turn, our valued freight customers,” Leigh said.

“The system downtime was extremely inconvenient and stressful for everyone concerned. Emergency assistance from data recovery specialists wasn’t something we’d budgeted for either,” said Leigh. “Once we’d finally regained control of our systems, and everything returned to running smoothly, we were determined to protect SRT from the risk of anything like this ever happening again.”

Freight2020 MDBA offering formulated with Progress

Grant Walmsley, general manager of CMS Transport Systems, Australian developers of the Freight2020 transport management system, explained to the Australian OpenEdge developer community how the new Freight2020 MDBA service offering was formulated in consultation with Progress.

“When SRT was looking for a fail-safe data-loss prevention strategy, I recalled how Progress, the global company behind Freight2020’s development environment, OpenEdge, had been able to rescue another Aussie freight company from near-disaster just a year or so prior to the cryptovirus incident at SRT.”

“On this occasion, in late 2014, the other transport company suffered a major on-premise infrastructure failure which rendered their data inaccessible. As a 24/7 business, they needed urgent data-recovery assistance, but it was after-hours on a Friday night in Australia. Because of our close relationship with Progress, and the Australia to USA time difference, we were able to connect our stricken Freight2020 customer with Mike Furgal, principal lead software engineer at Progress in Boston, Massachusetts. Mike was able to rescue our customer’s operations in Australia overnight, during his working day.”

Mike Furgal, Principal Lead Software Engineer at Progress, Boston, USA, was in Sydney to speak about Freight2020 MDBA at Progress Exchange

“With SRT’s needs in mind, and our previous experience with this other customer being helped so successfully by Mike Furgal, we entered into collaborative discussions with Joe Genovese, Progress consulting manager for the Asia Pacific region. Our discussions led to the idea of an MDBA option for Freight2020 users, with the world’s best technical services provided by Progress,” Grant said.

“The scale and reach of Progress, and efficient packaging of services by CMS to suit Freight2020 users, would make Freight2020 MDBA not just extremely effective but also very affordable.”

SRT Logistics first to sign-on for Freight2020 MDBA

SRT Logistics recently became the first Australian transport company to sign-on for Freight2020 MDBA with CMS, representing a world-first for Progress as a white-label MDBA service offering through a developer partner.

Freight2020 MDBA is now available to users of the Freight2020 transport management system throughout Australia and New Zealand.

CMS and SRT become newsmakers at Progress Exchange Asia Pacific

Colleen Reidy, Client Success Marketing, Progress

Freight2020 MBDA was launched on Day 2 of Progress Exchange during a group presentation led by Grant Walmsley of CMS Transport Systems with special guest, Leigh Cripps of SRT Logistics, and Joe Genovese and Mike Furgal representing Progress. Attendance at this year’s Progress Exchange event was strong, and the atmosphere vibrant with new technology unveiled by Progress to reflect the theme, ‘Empowering Digital Transformation’.

“By attending Progress Exchange as a guest of CMS, and participating as a speaker, I got a very real sense of SRT’s day-to-day operations being backed by some of the world’s most responsive and capable technology experts through CMS,” Leigh Cripps said. “It’s hard to put a value on peace-of-mind for people managing a data-driven, 24/7 business like SRT Logistics. For us, and our customers, the value of data dependability is priceless. The surprisingly low cost of ongoing MDBA is definitely worth every cent.”

Tucked away in a breakout room at Progress Exchange was a video production studio set up and managed by Colleen Reidy, the Boston-based client success marketing manager for Progress. Colleen interviewed Leigh Cripps, Grant Walmsley, Mike Furgal and Joe Genovese for the global roll-out of Progress white-label MDBA services following the world-first launch in Australia by CMS. When released, the video will be featured on the Progress website and promoted throughout the Freight2020 user group in Australia and New Zealand.

Ask about 24/7 MDBA for Freight2020

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Examples of boldly branded vehicles in the Desired Transport fleet

Desired Transport was established in 2009 with just one truck and the stated passion for becoming a quality transport service provider. Today the company has offices in Perth and Brisbane, and a versatile fleet of prime movers, trailers, and rigid vehicles carrying containers, general freight and machinery between Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Desired Transport’s 24/7 service offerings include hot shots of general, oversize and dangerous goods loads to anywhere in Australia.

In the latter half of 2015, when Desired Transport started scanning the horizon for a new transport management system, Freight2020 TMS was chosen for evaluation on the strength of its Operations Management module for Container Freight, and the option of fully-integrated Driver Mobility.

“We delivered a live online demonstration of the Freight2020 system and mobile app to the executive team of Desired Transport. Less than two weeks later we were delighted when Desired Transport announced they would adopt our Operations Management system in the cloud, combined with our interactive mobile app for their drivers,” said Grant Walmsley, general manager of CMS Transport Systems, Australian developers of Freight2020 transport software.

Signing coincided with launch of jump-start capability

Freight2020 Driver Mobility app for iOS and Android devices

At around the same time Desired Transport decided to move into Freight2020, CMS was preparing to launch the new Fast-Track Implementation Pathway for Freight2020 Container Freight Operations Management, enabling any new users of the popular container freight management software solution to get up-and-running with their new system much faster than would be expected for any other type of freight management configuration within Freight2020.

Desired Transport would become one of the first examples of CMS’ rapid roll-out proposition in action. It took just a few weeks for Desired Transport to be able to use their new Freight2020 system for managing every aspect of transport operations from quoting and freight booking through to invoicing, and their drivers were soon able to interact with live bookings data, including real-time job allocations and proof-of-delivery, using the Freight2020 mobile app on common mobile devices.

More container transport companies choosing Freight2020 TMS

A growing number of Australian transport and logistics companies with container transport as a big part of their operations are taking advantage of CMS’ new Fast-Track Implementation Pathway for container freight management by deploying Freight2020 Operations Management Container Freight.

Container Freight is one of seven specialised configurations of Freight2020 Operations Management along with Contract Logistics, Earthmoving, Energy Distribution, General Freight, Heavy Haulage, and Livestock Transport. Freight2020 Operations Management combines with all other Freight2020 management modules and interactivity options for a fully-integrated transport software solution.

Advanced features of Freight2020 Container Freight Operations Management

1-Stop Voyage and Vessel integration

Coupled with a live interface to 1-Stop Voyage and Vessel data, Freight2020 Container Freight Operations Management makes light work of the management of container collection and deliver locations; slot-time management; rating management; management of reefer and general container details; container stage alerts and reminders (de-hire, empty-collect, etc); interlinked journey legs; driver allocations; vehicle allocations; fees, levies, demurrage management; de-hiring; manifesting; invoicing, and much more. As a modular system, extended features and functions can be configured and implemented from the outset or added to your Freight2020 system at any stage down the track.

Freight2020 Driver Mobility can allow drivers to interact with live bookings data by using a common mobile device. Auto-Email Notifications can be configured to distribute proof of pickup, delivery and de-hiring automatically. The custom-branded Online Customer Portal can provide freight customers with real-time track-and-trace and detailed account information, and the Item-Level Tracking option allows the tracking of individual pallet-loads, cartons or items within container freight consignments.

Convenient live demonstrations available

Take an hour or two to evaluate Container Freight Operations Management and any other Freight2020 transport management system modules in your own office at a convenient time with an easy-to-do live demonstration over the web. Even real-time interactivity options like Freight2020 Driver Mobility can be demonstrated online via the screen-sharing of an app-loaded mobile device, or on your own mobile by downloading for the free Freight2020 Driver Mobility app for iOS or Android.

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Patience Bulk Haulage

Freight2020 replacing popular horizontal solution

Freight2020 was originally short-listed for consideration by Patience Bulk Haulage in 2009. At the time, however, PBH decided to invest in SAP Business One, a horizontal solution put forward by a consultant, along with customisation services which promised to fulfil PBH’s requirements.

“Of course we were disappointed to miss out on this earlier opportunity for Freight2020 at Patience Bulk Haulage,” said Grant Walmsley, general manager of CMS Transport Systems, “but whenever a transport company chooses a horizontal solution like SAP Business One above a fully-integrated vertical system like Freight2020, we can find this decision being reconsidered before too long.”

Grant Walmsley explained the essential differences in efficiency and economy between a privately-developed or internally-developed TMS, as still being maintained by some transport businesses, and Freight2020.

“There are so many complex business processes and calculations which are specific to the Australian road freight transport industry. Horizontal solutions can’t perform any of these functions out-of-the-box, and this is where consultants become central to the value equation. The customisation of a generic solution to suit an individual business is a time-consuming and costly exercise. The need for further development, refinement, and updating in response to changes in legislation and industry-specific requirements is never-ending. These problems – commonly associated with all forms of horizontal solution development – may not become apparent during the decision-making process, nor even in the first few stages of the exercise once custom development is underway,” Grant said.

Patience Bulk Haulage are based in WA

Transport companies can focus on their core business activities

In direct contrast to a custom-developed solution, Freight2020 transport software comes ready for immediate implementation. Users can choose from 15 fully-integrated management modules which are specifically tailored for Australian road freight transport and logistics businesses, and each kind of freight specialisation. Each module is configurable to suit the operational and administrative requirements of any individual business. Whenever new features are added to Freight2020, or the system is adjusted for changes to legislation or compliance requirements, updates are immediately rolled-out to all Freight2020 users.

Access to breakthrough technology such as Freight2020 Driver Mobility and the custom-branded Online Customer Portal is also immediate for Freight2020 users – there’s no need to continually ‘reinvent the wheel’ just to keep pace with Freight2020.

“There are huge economies of scale in the continuous improvement of a commercialised vertical solution, like Freight2020, compared to all forms of self-funded bespoke development,” said Grant. “With Freight2020, the transport company can focus on its core business activities, without the constant distraction and drain on resources caused by having to maintain a separate IT agenda.”

Competitive edge of Freight2020

Location of Geraldton in WA

When the time came for Patience Bulk Haulage to prepare for moving away from SAP Business One, management took an extremely rigorous approach to determining their next steps forward.

“CMS was very confident that Freight2020 would be a great fit for the needs of PBH, so I flew from Melbourne to Perth, then drove five hours to Geraldton to meet with PBH and demonstrate the system. PBH gave Freight2020 an extremely thorough evaluation – rating it against a number of competitive options in direct performance comparisons. Freight2020 proved itself once again as the strongest and best-supported transport management system available in Australia,” said Grant.

Patience Bulk Haulage is now using the Freight2020 modules Operations Management, Fleet Maintenance Management, Payroll Management, and Financial Accounting Management.

Growing Freight2020 user community in WA

“A growing number of Western Australia-based transport operators have made the switch to Freight2020. Among them are major companies such as Coastal Midwest Transport, Hampton Transport Services, JKL Logistics, Ontraq Haulage, Road Trains of Australia, WA-based divisions of the K&S group, and most recently, of course, Patience Bulk Haulage,” Grant said. “Although CMS is yet to base a Freight2020 implementation and training team in WA full-time, our Melbourne-based implementation and training consultants have successfully completed implementations not just in the city of Perth but also very remote locations like Geraldton, where Patience is headquartered.”

Transport companies interested in evaluating Freight2020 can book an obligation-free demonstration from anywhere in Australia by calling the demonstrations coordinator directly on 03 9018 7080 or emailing info@transportsystems.com.au.

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An iconic presence on highways throughout remote regions of Australia, a heavy vehicle displaying the striking red-and-white livery of K&S Freighters

Profit from K&S operations in New Zealand rose exponentially from $277,000 to $1.48 million with further growth predicted – an encouraging indicator for any Australian transport company looking to expand their own interests and operations outside of Australia.

The main contributor to K&S’ profit growth in dollar terms remained their Australian-based operations, delivering $10.4 million net profit, up from $8 million, notwithstanding that K&S faced the same set of challenges as any company with exposure to slowed manufacturing and mining-related demand.

K&S was originally established in 1945 to support Mt Gambier and Victoria-based businesses, expanding their road freight transport operations into national rail-freight forwarding in 1976. In 1991 K&S became the first B-double combination operator in Victoria.

K&S became a public company in 1998 – growing reach, capacity, and diversity through acquisitions starting with Brisbane-based FH Transport in 2000, adding Stepnell Transport in 2001. K&S’ presence in New Zealand commenced in 2002 with the acquisition of Cochrane’s Transport, followed by McCarthy’s Transport (log haulage) and North Eastern Transport (primary produce haulage).

Acquisitions continued in Australia with the addition of DTM (Melbourne) then Brooke’s Transport (Bunbury) in 2008, and in 2010 came Pacific Transport, and Perth-based Regal Transport Group. K&S acquired Collare Transport in 2012, then in 2014 the very significant acquisition of Scott Corporation was completed via an off-market takeover bid. Scott Corporation comprises four high-profile operating divisions: Bulktrans, Chemtrans, Energytrans, and Hyde Park Tanks. K&S completed the acquisition of the FMCG freight-forwarding specialists Northern Territory Freight Services (NTFS) in March 2015.

K&S Freighters

Increases in revenue not always increasing net profits in transport industry

“Increasing the financial turnover of a transport business by expanding the fleet and diversifying services doesn’t necessarily translate into increased profit – not even when economic conditions are most conducive to growth,” said Grant Walmsley, general manager of CMS Transport Systems.

“Inefficient administrative systems, compliance and maintenance oversights, and shortcomings in customer service can undermine the profitability of any transport business,” Grant said.

Optimisation of business systems and processes

K&S reportedly attributed this latest chapter in the company’s success story in part to “new IT solutions to support customer service and operational efficiency and cost reduction initiatives”. CMS added that these new solutions included the progressive implementation of Freight2020 transport software modules for Operations Management and Warehouse Management.

“K&S was using a well-known competitive transport management software solution before making the switch to Freight2020. Following a very extensive period of in-house testing and evaluation by K&S, Freight2020 was determined to be the best fit for the group’s needs going forward,” said Grant.

Chemtrans, well-known specialists in bulk liquid transportation including dangerous and explosive goods, is one of four businesses within Scott Corporation, acquired by K&S in 2014

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Asixa, long-time users of the Freight2020 transport management system, was one of many carriers in their size-category to have been deterred from advancing into sign-on-glass (SOG) for electronic proof-of-delivery (POD), as offered by larger operators, because of the cost of specialised hardware.

“Freight2020 readily combines with any third-party mobility solution, and CMS often partners with mobility specialists for the provision of end-to-end systems – Freight2020 serving as the master solution. Yet many Freight2020 users with smaller-sized fleets would report that the investment needed to obtain specialised mobile devices – even with leasing or bundled pay-as-you-go schemes – was something they couldn’t absorb across the relative scale of their operations,” said Grant Walmsley, general manager of CMS Transport Systems, Australian developers of Freight2020.

Asixa challenges CMS research and development

“Asixa expressed these same findings following evaluation of available hardware-based mobility systems. Yet rather than accepting limitation as the status quo, Asixa persisted in the expectation that CMS would be able to develop a mobile integration for Freight2020 that could provide sign-on-glass and other key capabilities without need for dedicated hardware. It so happened that CMS was entering into mobile app development about two years ago, when Asixa first challenged the CMS research and development unit to produce an affordable mobility solution for Freight2020,” Grant said.

Starting with commonly available mobile devices

“It was logical to start with commonly available hardware – smartphones and tablets – using their native touch-screen and locational capabilities as leverage. However, it was a long road between the dawn of this realisation and the launch of a fully-integrated sign-on-glass app that would work on all common devices. It would not have been possible for CMS to build an app to fit the needs of most small to medium-sized freight business operators, and benefit their drivers and customers, without a switched-on carrier like Asixa partnering with CMS in the commitment of time and effort needed to progress through the stages of specification, development, road-testing, and integration-testing with the core Freight2020 system. The contributions made by Asixa, in the first place encouraging CMS to rise to the challenge in development, then as partners in the process of development to release, have been vital to the successful release of the Freight2020 Mobile App by CMS,” said Grant.

New Freight2020 Mobile App released thanks to joint effort

Now, thanks to the joint efforts of both CMS and Asixa, virtually any small to mid-sized freight operator in Australia can become more competitive and efficient in their respective markets by offering advanced mobility features like sign-on-glass, real-time interactivity with freight bookings, and automatic POD notifications to customers, through use of the free Freight2020 Mobile App.

Justifiably proud of Asixa’s role in the development of the Freight2020 Mobile App, Asixa chief executive Simone Turner said, “Customer service is one area we’ve really cultivated at Asixa, and I believe freight providers can’t continue to improve their customer service if they’re not investing in digital technology. This new software will deliver a service that only large logistics companies with significant budgets for tracking software and specialist hand-held devices could deliver in the past.”

Asixa have also produced their own video about their key role in instigating and working towards the successful development of the Freight2020 Mobile App.

For more information about the Freight2020 Mobile App, contact Peter Romana on 03 9018 7080 (direct) or email info@transportsystems.com.au.

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“It would not have been sustainable in the long-term for our company to continue managing a growing national transport business through the largely manual administrative processes we’d traditionally used. We needed a transport management system that would set us up properly for the future, and we found that in Freight2020,” Peter said.

Widely recognised for their high-profile carrying of iconic frozen-food lines like Sara Lee desserts and Sargents-brand pies, PRT decided it was time to revamp their entire web presence with a matching customer login page and interface environment for Freight2020 Online.

“We think our new website is really cool,” joked Mark Smith, national operations manager for Prospect Refrigerated Transport. “Seriously though, in so many ways, particularly with our new ability to offer real-time online services to our customers, PRT has reinvented itself.”

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“The technology and types of expertise involved in the development of transport management systems and mobility solutions are vastly different,” said Grant Walmsley, general manager of CMS Transport Systems. “No single provider can specialise in both fields, but one of Freight2020’s many strengths is our ability to integrate the system to any of the leading mobility solutions currently available.”

Mt Noorat Freighters was established in 1996 to deliver stockfeed, grain, fertiliser, and other bulk products throughout Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and southern Queensland. The company now runs a fleet of 20 Western Star and Kenworth trucks. Dissatisfaction with its former transport management technology provider led to its second-time-around evaluation of no less than 10 different providers against a very specific selection criteria.

“Mt Noorat Freighters wanted their new system to reduce the administrative workload for back-office staff, and help meet legal requirements regarding NHVAS compliance along with fatigue and speed management. They were also definite about wanting to work with experienced people who were dedicated to the transport industry, and had a strong cultural fit with their organisation,” Grant said. After a series of in-depth product evaluations, and assessing the potential of various technology-partner relationship combinations from those represented, Mt Noorat Freighters finally decided upon Freight2020 as its billing and operational ERP, with Transtech’s mobility offerings completing their requirement for round-the-clock, ‘everywhere’ control of their business.

Implementation of the new solution across administrative functions prompted Scott Guthrie, systems manager of Mt Noorat Freighters, to comment, “The administration side of the business has improved by 100%. The reporting capabilities we now have with Freight2020 are excellent too. For example, it’s now very easy for management to review profit and loss reports on each individual asset.” Of Freight2020 being coupled with Transtech’s in-cab system, Scott said, “Previously we were doing double the data entry, as drivers would compile their own information, and back-office staff would have to enter it into our systems. This no longer has to be done twice, and staff have more time to concentrate on what they are supposed to be working on,” said Scott.

Reported gains in administrative productivity and efficiency were just the start of whole-of-organisation improvements realised following implementation of Freight2020 with mobile integration. The chosen in-cab touchscreen devices allow drivers to receive their jobs and communicate with the office via on-screen messaging. Drivers can easily and quickly enter pre-trip checklists, declare vehicle mass, and view when their next rest break is required.  Back-office staff can track all vehicles and produce on-demand trip and driver efficiency reports. The real-time monitoring of speed and fatigue levels has resulted in fewer driver violations. Delivery performance has benefited immensely too. Jobs are dispatched directly from Freight2020 to the driver – and when the driver completes the job, all the accounting and billing information is transferred from the truck back into Freight2020.

“Mt Noorat Freighters is a relatively small yet successful company that continues its growth in a crowded market,” Grant said. “Their management team is to be congratulated for their diligence and foresight in selecting technology partners this time. Not only have they achieved real-time control over every aspect of their business, and gained efficiencies in billing and operational administration, they are definitely future-ready with the scalability and competitive edge to maintain the expansion of their market share.”

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