Using Podfather’s electronic Proof of Delivery has also improved the speed and accuracy of delivery reporting, which directly feeds into the company’s invoicing process, again reducing queries and credit notes, and improving cashflow.
GBW has been trading as an established industrial gas agent since 1989. With a reputation for competitive prices, knowledgeable staff and a wide range of different types of gas in a variety of sizes, GBW offers a 6-day-a-week delivery service across Surrey, West Sussex and South London from its Betchworth depot. GBW operates its own fleet of vans which deliver gas products, heating solutions, solid fuels, specialist cleaning supplies and beverages to members of the public, the hospitality sector, and other industrial and commercial gas users.
GBW supplies Gaslight and Handygas propane and butane products, is a proud partner of FLOGAS and a stockist of ALbee Pro bottles, and partners with Shepherds Neame brewery and Singha beer.
"My father and his partner worked hard to build a successful business which, when the time was right, he was keen to pass on to his sons,” commented Ryan Gwyther, Director at Gas Bottles Wimbledon, “One of the first things that became apparent, using our previous experiences, was that we knew we needed to automate to improve efficiencies and service.
“The business relied heavily on resource-intensive admin and paper-led processes and this was inefficient, slow and open to errors. Following a personal recommendation, we looked at Podfather logistics software and to be honest we haven’t looked back.”
Using Podfather, which includes logistics planning, route optimisation and proof of delivery (POD) functionality, GBW has transformed its delivery operation in a matter of months. Loads and routes are automatically planned and optimised, taking into account customer requirements and weight restrictions, and ETA notifications and live-tracking links are shared with customers. Podfather produces a picking list for each vehicle and delivery details are shared with drivers using the Podfather app. The app is also used to collect proof of delivery, complete with date, time, and location stamped signatures and photographs, information that can be shared with both the customer and back office, in real-time, to further improve service and inform invoicing and reporting.
“Before Podfather everything was paper-based,” Ryan continued. “Although our drivers knew their regular routes, changes due to new customers, larger orders or temporary staff were difficult to manage. Using Podfather its easy. Podfather creates pick lists and assigns orders to routes based on delivery instructions and weights, which means our customers are happy and we operate safely and within our plated restrictions. Podfather ensures our customers are kept informed at every stage of their delivery and they can self-serve information without having to contact us and the real-time capture of delivery notifications means invoices can be issued, with confidence, as soon as delivery is made.
“The overall impact of Podfather on the business has been phenomenal,” he concluded. “We have gone from paper-reliant to virtually paper-free, our customers are kept informed so know what to expect and when to expect it, and our whole delivery operation is just more efficient. With support from Podfather we are ready to respond to the opportunities and challenges ahead and take the business to the next level.”
