Special technology report TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT
an alternative. For Felten, the summary benefits of the SaaS model for users include: the fact that ‘deployment’ of software is not needed; there are no roll-out and update issues; and the lack of upfront capital expenditure reduces the commercial risk for SaaS users.
Pieri sees SaaS as a business model that delivers substantial benefits over the traditional software licence and install model by aligning costs with value received, and by alleviating the bottlenecks found in most IT organisations that can hinder the initiation of a new software project. Pieri adds that since a SaaS solution is ‘in production’ at all times, technology providers have perfected and packaged implementation programmes to quickly configure and deploy a solution, offering a much faster time-to-benefit than a traditional software implementation.
Tomorrow’s roadmap
The transportation management solutions space may be constantly developing, but what are some of the key changes and enhancements to keep an eye on over the medium term? Hannah’s believe is that in the consumer market the capabilities of handheld user devices with integrated capabilities (phone, GPS etc.) has a firm footing. However, he also observes that the transportation management sector is starting to become aware of the possibilities such devices offer for integrating requirements into a single unit; reducing vehicle installation footprints and potentially driving standards for communication. “This will lead to less desire for bespoke systems which have a limited support life and a bigger need to use standard products,” he said. Maquignon observes that innovations are driven by industry leaders who use the software everyday and the network effectively ends up accessing best practices on the platform, which in turn drives continuous improvement for all. “At Transwide we take comments or request from
Irvin Gray, marketing manager UK & Ireland, TomTom Business Solutions.
many existing clients and work on ensuring that new functionalities will cover cases across our client base,” he said. “By understanding the practices employed by these leaders, solution providers can incorporate these ‘best practices’ into the software. This feedback mechanism links product innovation with practices proven to deliver industry-leading results.”
Gray anticipates an increased focus on greener, safer driving. He maintains that more businesses will want to capitalise on the link between these focuses and cutting costs. “Solutions which can help fleets address these major issues, such as telematics, will become more commonplace and we expect adoption rates to increase significantly,” said Gray. Pieri says many multinational companies are implementing supply chain visibility and international trade compliance solutions to achieve benefits such as: the elimination of bottlenecks and a reduction inventory at the port, at manufacturing sites and at warehouses; a reduction in fines for holding carrier equipment too long (demurrage & detention); and the identification of opportunities to shift modes, e.g. airfreight to sea freight.
Harbey foresees transportation management systems vendors being under increasing pressure over the coming years to agree
www.logisticsit.com
Bob Harbey, executive director, Microlise.
industry side standards so that a tracking unit from one vendor can deliver data to
another vendor’s system. “What will drive this requirement will be the need for transport operators to share vehicles across contracts and to sub-contract to other operators,” said Harbey. According to Felten, the integration of dynamic information, such as real-time dispatching and traffic-related features, might be the next innovation to look out for over the next year or two. He adds that support for environmental transparency requirements and intermodal concepts will also play an important role. “New requirements arise with the ‘evolution’ of transport processes – for example from cooperation, changes in supply chains and transportation networks, not only in terms of commercial but also environmental efficiency,” he said. “Transport management systems have to support these new developments and have to grow with the specific market demand.”
December 2010
MANUFACTURING &LOGISTICS
IT 45
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