Kerry Logistics
When you are still working with Excel sheets and manual actions, a mistake is easily made. Add to that many customers and you understand why order and correct data is important. That was exactly why Kerry Logistics called in help. The wish was for a correct and up-to-date file with the latest rates of shipping companies in order to easily create and send quotes. Referit provided an online portal with 'search engine' function, in which all rates can easily be looked up. Purchase orders are linked to the correct shipping company. The result? A clear, smooth and transparent system. In which loads can be booked away without problems. This also leads to satisfied customers.
Joop van Dijk is Director Seafreight at Kerry Logistics, Sander Immerzeel is IT specialist at Referit.
We take care of everything from a to b, and through c'!
Joop van Dijk - Kerry Logistics
what was the reason for seeking help?
Joop: "The shipping companies we work with supplied special rates every month in a separate Excel sheet. This was difficult to keep up in our administration and was therefore prone to error."
why did you choose Referit?
Joop: "At Referit they understand our language and they listen carefully to what exactly our goals and needs are. As a result, the implementation of the plans went perfectly."
how did the project go?
Joop: "After several personal conversations, where we dove deep into our problems and areas for improvement, we developed an initial system. The goal for this system was to be as easy to use as the search engine of a well-known website where you can quickly find airline ticket prices. We tested this with some of our shipping companies. Within our company and this project, we call this system 'the search engine'."
Sander: "The so-called 'search engine' makes a selection of shipping companies and allows you to immediately create a complete quotation and send it to a customer as a PDF document. The status of the quotation can also be easily adjusted in the system. Changes in prices can also be adjusted quickly."
expand options.
"The search engine was initially developed for the transportation of waste, paper and plastic waste and their fixed shipping routes. Later, the options in the area were expanded by developing a system that runs alongside it. Shipping companies with other types of cargo can now be entered here as well." Developing customized applications thus saves considerable time, by automating manual work.
Joop: "By linking a purchase order of a job in the system to the shipping company, everyone in the company can see what the quotation is based on. The system is now very clear and transparent, should there be any questions from a party this can easily be explained and the cargo can be booked away without any problems."
The system is now very clear and transparent.
Joop van Dijk - Kerry Logistics
Sander: "If a company called for transportation, say 3 containers to China, the people at Kerry Logistics had to arrange it. All 10 staff also had to work in the same sheets and constantly update them with current data. At first it was especially important to be able to quickly communicate the right price to the customer."
how did the cooperation go?
"Working with Kerry Logistics went smoothly. We did several visits to understand the situation. Then we held contact via phone and email and guided them through the process. In the end, we were able to solve the problem well by asking thorough questions and first researching what would fit the company."
what is the most positive outcome of this project?
Joop: "Being able to quote faster and more accurately is the most important thing. Furthermore, the follow up was also very nice, we made a few more adjustments to the system and everything was handled well and followed up to our wishes and requirements."
Sander: The pleasant cooperation results in a satisfied customer.