As a result of increasing operating cost of transport due to the fuel component, management needs to continuously focus on ever improving the Rand/ton/kilometre ratio that realizes benefit for both the Carrier and the Client. Collaboration between these parties is thus needed to streamline docking processes, attain maximised payload and optimum journey time. The most common challenge is to find real-time visibility for both parties not only to establish collaboration but also to assign reasons for deviation from agreed service levels.

"The Loading of Long Haul Trucks Study" published by WoodSA in 2006 identified queuing and loading time, and access to the landing as some of the operational features influencing forestry haulage costs. It was concluded that by optimising the scheduling system, creating visible benchmarks for performance and making the landing more efficiently accessible, would go a long way to improving the supply chain.

"What we bring to Sappi is logistics solutions - the scheduling of vehicles and managing that part of their business operation for them," says Rocky Smith, Operations Manager of Buhle Betfu Carriers. Buhle Betfu and CargoSolutions started their contract with Sappi's Ngodwana plant in October 2006.

The solution implemented was, according to CargoSolutions GM Johan Myburgh, to provide all stakeholders with real-time supply chain visibility in measuring and reporting on each process in the collection and delivery cycle against a set of standard performance measurements.

We tailored our FleetLogiX software for Sappi to improve on scheduling, routing and planning together with an integration of the fleet tracking system for real-time activity and location feedback. Sappi's specifications were quite definitive and 'non-negotiables' were to include real-time and accurate information, system automation with no manual intervention, redundancy, and customised reporting."

"With Sappi there are several factors that our solution needs to accommodate to work efficiently. Sappi Ngodwana has eight to 12 different zones and outsourced partners within the supply chain which all need to be managed and monitored. Additionally, we must ensure optimum loads, work to benchmarks and real-time problem solving. It's a bit like an air traffic control unit," says Myburgh.

For example, FleetLogiX provides the Controller with real-time on screen prompts when a vehicle for example will possibly deviate from its planned arrival time at the loading zone. Any time overruns requires an intervention by the Controller and requires him to log the reason for the default. These non-conformance details are then collated and assigned to the specific service provider, and in this ultimately rests accountability.

"This exciting project is paving the way for greater optimisation intervention driven by the various partners," Myburgh enthuses. Possibilities include broader visibility of the system via an internet interface, and dynamic buffer management of raw material.