MobileCast is the Roadnet module that brings tracking data and
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telematics into the system: "it tells you the difference between where you are and where you want to be," says Neville Cann.
While Intermec is 121 Systems' preferred partner for handheld mobile equipment — for signature capture, proof of delivery and so on — MobileCast can accept GPS location information from almost any tracking device.
MobileCast is primarily seen in the form of exception reporting — providing alerts when deliveries are late or a vehicle is out of its intended area, for instance. MobileCast also provides the data for management reporting, such as the five daily scoreboard — a colour-coded timeline which shows clearly whether deliveries have been made on time, Net Scheduler is a module which allows a delivery time to be specified by the purchaser at the point of order, whether via a web-based order, a call centre or an in-store transaction. It links the Roadnet Transportation Suite with data from standard retail order-taking systems.
This is not the only product of its kind, but there is no generic name for this type of system — Chris Sisson likes to call it a 'real time optimiser' or an 'order promise engine': Its not a best guess of what we think can be done — it is the best that can be done."
The system responds to changes in the other scheduling modules: "It may move an order from one delivery to another," says Sisson, or it may even reschedule all the orders, but it won't break any promises that have been made."
Roadnet Performance Dashboard (RPD) shows the KFIs of the system In graphical form, as charts or diagrams, to make it easier to spot trends and compare the performance of different areas. Each user can have a different, personalised combination of features Roadnet Information Centre, or RIC, is a web-based interface for accessing Roadnet data: it can, for instance, be used by customer service operators to give projected delivery times. And the system uses an API (application programming interface) which allows more interaction — for instance, it could be used to construct a bespoke smartphone application.
Roadnet Anywhere is a Pay-As-You-Go version of the Roadnet Transportation Suite, which is sold as Software As A Service (SAAS). This is a web-based version of the suite, optimised for fleets of between 2 and 20 vehicles, which requires no capital outlay and no software installation on the user's computers.
Currently Roadnet Anywhere is a cutdown version of the full suite, but a 'Platform 2' version coming soon will be a full version of the suite, initially to be targeted at foodservice customers.