One of Ireland’s best-known and long-established transport operators reports significant time saving, faster invoicing and improved job management since switching over to a new transport management system.
Martin Ryan & Sons, based in Cappamore, Co Limerick, specialises in container transport and provides a diverse range of logistics and warehousing services for numerous industry sectors, including waste, dairy and agriculture.
Run by brothers and co-directors, Brendan, Declan and Martin Ryan, the family firm was established over 60 years ago and now operates over 100 vehicles, including container carriers, curtainsiders, refrigerated trailers and tankers. Regular routes outside Ireland and the UK include France, Germany Belgium and the Netherlands.
“With over 150 separate movements each day, says Brendan, “we needed a TMS system which could control and integrate all aspects of the operation while giving us the ability to connect the people and processes involved at every stage – from initial job creation to invoicing and everything in between.”
To achieve this, Martin Ryan & Sons switched from a less capable system in November 2021, to Eureka’s MoveIT TMS. Since then, says the company, it has increased efficiency and raised the bar concerning day-to-day communication between customers, drivers, office staff and sub-contractors.
“The MoveIT system has everything in one place,” says Brendan. “We use EDIs (electronic data interchange) to connect with customers and bring jobs in using excel and PDF files. The web portal then allows customers to view work in real time and to download PODs (proof of delivery) at any point. The documentation is automatically completed and filed, while at the same time allowing invoices to be quickly raised via direct connection with Sage 50 accounting.”
This, synergistic and ‘paperless’ process, says Brendan, saves at least one day a week in admin time – just for one customer.
“We used to manually enter all information, including job creation, new deliveries, sudden changes to shipping lanes, driver info’, sub-contractors, POD’s and invoices etc. Now, the MoveIT TMS ties it all together in digital form and saves all documents to the correct place, for quick and easy retrieval. Good for us and great for our customers.”
Furthermore, adds Brendan, the system’s Live Planning and Resource Boards enable each business unit within the company to view a daily summary, including priced and unpriced jobs, vehicle utilisation and sub-contractor involvement.
“The resource boards use automated charts to give us a snapshot of how each day is going,” says Brendan. “We can see all info regarding consignments and deliveries etc. and can instantly let the customer know the status of each job. Also, we can see how many vehicles are employed, make adjustments where needed and monitor overall performance against set targets.”
According to Brendan, Drivers too are able to take a proactive role in day-to-day operations, by using the Transics In-Cab communication solution, integrated with Eureka’s MoveIT TMS.
“Just as our customers are able to submit, monitor and view all kinds of useful information pertaining to ongoing jobs, so too are our drivers,” says Brendan. “With 90 to 100 drivers on the road, that’s a lot of individual records and job-related data to manage. However, the driver portal not only allows drivers to keep track of and reply to real-time job information, but it also enables them to submit timesheets and holiday requests; report any vehicle damage or incidents and keep on top of any infringement or licence issues – all invaluable for effective HR management and compliance control.”
Moreover says Brendan, messages can be sent from the traffic office in English and received in the language of any non-English speaking driver, who can respond with updates in their own language, which are instantly translated and received in English.
“The MoveIT TMS provides us with a host of operational efficiencies, fingertip management control, and significant savings. Plus, it is aligned to satisfying individual customer needs,” concludes Brendan Ryan. “Thanks mainly to the knowledge, commitment and close support from Eureka’s General Manager, Mark Healy, the system proved to be simple to install, easy to operate and above all, a comprehensive management tool.
Martin Ryan Haulage also supplies a fully accredited warehousing service including unloading, palletising, storage, pick & pack and distribution. The company is a long-standing member of the Irish RHA.
More about Martin Ryan & Sons here: https://www.martinryanhaulage.ie/
More about Eureka here: https://www.eureka.ie/
