Interim results of the digitalisation projects „Next“

Fulda, 09 November 2020 – In spring, VTL Vernetzte-Transport-Logistik GmbH gave the signal for the comprehensive future project “VTL Next”. With this project, the general cargo cooperation wants to set the course for a realignment and transform VTL into a more modern, even more attractive network with a wide range of logistics services. An first interim result now shows: the efforts of the last few months have been worth it.

“Since the kick-off in April, we have made great steps forward, so that we can now show our first successes,” says VTL Managing Director Johanna Birkhan. For example, the general cargo cooperation has expanded its portfolio to include an online transport cost calculator, which addresses small businesses, tradespeople and shop operators. In just three steps, customers can ship their goods professionally and safely. The advantage: “Customers can get price information even without prior registration,” explains Birkhan. The new freight cost calculator was integrated into the VTL website at the beginning of November.

To use the professional VTL transport service in general cargo format, customers simply enter their data online and receive an up-to-date price quickly and easily. Now the customer decides: If he accepts the offer, he can seamlessly continue the booking process by entering his contact details. The only thing left to do is the final payment and the transport process is initiated. „The freight cost calculator is an inhouse development in cooperation with our IT service provider itRessort. In this way, we can continue to react flexibly to the needs of customers and partners as well as to the demands of the market,“ says Birkhan.

Everything in view

For process optimisation, VTL has also launched another digital innovation: the ETA main run calculation. This makes it possible to display the estimated time of arrival of the trucks easily at the Fulda HUB or at the depots. The advantage: the employees on-site can plan processes even better. For the information, the drivers sign into an app that includes data on the current traffic and weather situation in addition to location data. A live preview then shows the exact arrival time of the trucks. In the next stage of expansion, VTL wants to add a telematics solution., so that an even more precise calculation will be possible.

“With our combined forces, we have already achieved a lot in the last six months. Nevertheless, we are far from being on the home straight,” says VTL Managing Director Andreas Jäschke. Now it is important to hold on and consistently continue on the path we have taken – even if there may be one or two hurdles to overcome.