Third-party logistics provider selects software to optimize its distribution operations and customer responsiveness
Shanghai, China — August 18, 2003 — The Descartes Systems Group Inc., a provider of logistics solutions, today announced that Shanghai Rainbow Logistics, a third-party logistics provider operating throughout China, has selected the Descartes Routing and Scheduling solution, Descartes Roadshow, to optimize its distribution operations and customer responsiveness.
Shanghai Rainbow Logistics manages deliveries for more than 100 customers in the consumer goods, auto and chemical industries. The company makes over 2,000 direct deliveries on a daily basis to supermarkets and convenience stores in the Shanghai area alone.
Faced with the challenge of scheduling customer orders and then meeting delivery commitments both on time and on budget, Shanghai Rainbow Logistics sought a routing and scheduling solution that would help balance service levels with cost while gaining greater control over its distribution operations.
The company said that with the new software it could optimize its daily routes and schedules, contributing to regular deliveries to customers. Information from the system helps Shanghai Rainbow Logistics to better plan service schedules for the use of driver resources. This enables fleet utilization and contributes to lower mileage and operating costs, according to Descartes.
"Before Descartes we relied mostly on paper-based processes to manage our delivery operations, which were periodically reviewed and revised," said Edward Wu, general manager, Shanghai Rainbow Logistics. "With Descartes Roadshow we are now able to make changes to schedules as they happen. This capability makes us more responsive to our customers and helps to improve our overall distribution efficiency."
