“Before Podfather, we were purely paper-based,” commented Iain Peteranna, Contract Manager at Inverness-based UBCivils. “We were duplicating delivery tickets numerous times, and, due to the remoteness of some of the sites, this added extra delays in completing paper dockets and receiving them back to head office for processing.
“We had heard about Podfather from one of our external hauliers, and we were aware that suppliers such as Breedon and Tarmac were also using it, but we needed to know how it stood up against other products on the market and if it was right for our needs.”
UBCivils undertook a comprehensive benchmarking process, comparing Podfather with other solutions on the market, and meeting with the Podfather team before selecting the solution based on its functionality, user interface, and price. The timeline for getting the system implemented and up and running was also a consideration.
Using Podfather, which includes route planning and optimisation tools, automated vehicle checks, real-time tracking and notifications, electronic Proof of Delivery capture, and advanced reporting dashboards, UBCivils has significantly reduced the amount of paperwork it produces and consumes. This has reduced the admin resource required to manage and report on the mobile operation, contributing to an overall increase in productivity.
Podfather has also given UBCivils better visibility of its haulage operation and service providers. Real-time tracking and digitally captured date, time, and location stamped photographs and signatures means UBCivils can see every vehicle movement and authorised users can access delivery information at the touch of a button.
“Any system that saves work-hours is a great tool and will have a noticeable impact on the business,” Peteranna concluded, “and Podfather does exactly what it promised! Having delivered on our original expectations we are now looking at other ways Podfather can be used including the management of equipment and plant movements, additional integration with back-office systems such as invoicing, and potentially the introduction of vehicle checks.”
UBCivils has a proven track record of delivering projects for both private and public sector clients. Often working in challenging and remote locations, an experienced and focused team has the capability to successfully complete complex civil engineering projects across a wide range of sectors. UBCivils also operates a rock quarry, sand and gravel quarry, as well as an aggregate recycling yard. Working with third-party hauliers from its trusted supply chain, UBCivils manages around 100 movements a day, working on up to a dozen projects, using tipper, HIAB and low-loader vehicles.
