Motus Commercials drivers customer service improvements with Podfather
Overview
Motus Commercials, the UK's largest DAF dealer group, is the largest Independent Commercial Vehicle Dealer Group in the UK and the biggest DAF Trucks Dealer Group in the world. Operating from more than thirty depots and offering tens of millions of items from stock, Motus offers same-day delivery to commercial garages, owner-operators, and major fleets.
The company maintains significant stock (around £250,000 worth in Scotland alone) at customer sites, and also offers a collection option from trade counters across the UK. Non-stocked parts can be ordered from a central parts depot or European supply hub with next day delivery. Across the UK, Motus currently makes around 130,000 deliveries a year using Podfather.
30
depots nationwide
130,000
Deliveries a year
Millions
of stocked items
Challenge
Prior to implementing Podfather, Motus Commercials relied heavily on manual processes to handle its intensive automotive parts supply operation. The company faced a high-stakes environment given the short timeframes associated with vehicle parts distribution and the market dominance of the DAF brand.
- Core reliance on traditional pen and paper systems for managing delivery workflows, notes, and invoices
- Difficulty keeping up with the modern imperative to automate and stay ahead of competitors using legacy processes
- Hesitancy to adopt new technology after previously attempting a system integration a few years prior that left them with their "fingers burned"
Solution
Motus Commercials rolled out Podfather across all nine of its regions after an initial successful trial in Scotland. The logistics software integrates seamlessly into their supply operation, where orders are automatically logged on the Podfather system once received, giving drivers instant visibility of outstanding deliveries.
Drivers utilise the Podfather mobile app to digitally capture evidence of delivery, including date, time, and location stamped photographs and signatures. Live-tracking from web-connected devices provides complete visibility of the mobile operation, while customised automated vehicle checks ensure vehicles and drivers are roadworthy. Advanced reporting tools and dashboards are also deployed for audit purposes and KPI management.
Results
The implementation of Podfather has streamlined Motus Commercials' supply operation and brought its delivery processes firmly into the 21st century. Operational improvements include a significantly reduced reliance on paper delivery notes and invoices, pushing the company closer to paper-free deliveries. Back-office support teams, management, and customers enjoy enhanced visibility and safety compliance by capturing, storing, and accessing detailed digital records for health and safety and audit purposes.
Furthermore, customer responsiveness has heavily improved through a self-serve customer portal that gives clients instant access to delivery records. Drivers benefit from running both Podfather and their internal telephone system on a single device with no paper, allowing the entire team to escape wading through piles of paperwork and concentrate on helping customers access the right part at the right time.
"In a move to get with the times, and stay ahead of the competition, most of which, like us previously, use pen and paper, we knew we needed to automate. However, we had tried a system a few years back and had our fingers burned."
Alex Lennox
Head of Parts, Scotland Region, Motus Commercials
