Podfather Logistics Software Helps UBCivils Reduce Admin and Save Work-Hours
Overview
UBCivils, a civil engineering company based in the Highlands of Scotland, has a proven track record of delivering major infrastructure, energy, and construction projects for both private and public sector clients. Often working in challenging and remote locations, the experienced team operates a rock quarry, a 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 across up to a dozen projects, using tipper, HIAB, and low-loader vehicles.
Challenge
Before implementing Podfather, UBCivils relied heavily on manual processes that created bottlenecks in their daily haulage operations. The lack of a digital solution meant that managing deliveries, especially across remote construction sites, was time-consuming and highly inefficient.
- The company operated a purely paper-based system, which meant duplicating delivery tickets numerous times.
- The remoteness of some of their sites added extra delays to the physical completion of paper dockets.
- There were significant delays in receiving physical paperwork back at the head office for processing.
Solution
UBCivils undertook a comprehensive benchmarking process, comparing Podfather against other solutions based on functionality, user interface, price, and implementation timeline. Aware of Podfather's capabilities through an external haulier and major suppliers like Breedon and Tarmac, the company chose the software to modernise its logistics.
The system was implemented to provide route planning and optimisation tools, real-time tracking, and notifications. UBCivils also deployed the electronic Proof of Delivery (ePOD) capture to digitally record date, time, and location-stamped photographs and signatures, alongside automated vehicle checks and advanced reporting dashboards.
Results
Since implementing the logistics solution, UBCivils has significantly reduced the amount of paperwork it produces and consumes, improving the accuracy and currency of its record-keeping. This direct reduction in the administrative resource required to manage and report on the mobile operation has contributed to a major overall boost in productivity.
Podfather has also given UBCivils far better visibility of its haulage operations and service providers. With real-time tracking and digitally captured POD evidence, authorised users can access delivery information at the touch of a button and monitor every vehicle movement, prompting the company to consider using the software for equipment and plant movements in the future.
Any system that saves work-hours is a great tool and will have a noticeable impact on the business, 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.
Iain Peteranna
Contract Manager, UB Civils
