In many respects, the user experience has become more important than what the software actually does. Users become engaged with technology when they are guided through a process and given immediate feedback.
Paul’s Hauling improves the work environment for its drivers and gives the company a new level of confidence in their compliance.Winnipeg, Canada-based petroleum hauler Paul’s Hauling created a new user experience for its drivers by working with three technology providers to create a system it calls “journey management.” This integrated and unified workflow ensures driver compliance to its carefully designed routes and operational procedures.
Paul’s Hauling uses the ALK CoPilot Truck navigation system on PeopleNet’s BLU computing platform. As part of the integrated system, drivers see the same order details and forms the back office sees. Order forms are replicated in the cab for drivers just as they appear to office users of its TMW Suite platform.
Through ALK RouteSync functionality, the onboard navigation is synchronized to the company’s custom route settings in PC*Miler and order information from TMW Suite. The result is operational consistency in safety, billing and driver pay.
“We want to make sure that what the back office sees is what the driver sees. When two people have the same information it is easy for them to make decisions,” said John Erik Albrechtsen, manager of operations during a presentation at the ALK Technology Summit.
Paul’s Hauling used to print out detailed route plans for drivers. From a driver’s perspective, today’s journey management system is visual and engages drivers with turn-by-turn navigation.
“You need to do everything you can for your most scarce resource, your driver, to make his environment as easy and as effective as possible,” he continued. “If I can take all that text and all that information and put it into a graphical interface and I can see it in real time then that is going to add value to me.”
