Water cooler manufacturer Ebac has launched a new logistics management system, aimed at simplifying the administration of customer transactions and driving down operating costs for cooler companies.

Ebac Water Logistics has been designed to remove the long paper trails that are essential to run a water cooler business by offering a completely automated and paperless system which promises to significantly reduce the risk of errors and eliminate lost paper work.

The web based system works in conjunction with a customer’s existing accounts package by integrating sales orders into an optimized route management system. Dynamic scheduling means that the system can handle 1000s of re-arrangements a second into a logical delivery schedule giving real time visibility. Live updates to customer information also mean that delivery dates can be confirmed to end users within 1 keystroke while they are still on the phone.

Key features of the software include optimised delivery route planning to calculate the most fuel efficient routes, a GPS-based Delivery System, real time vehicle tracking and bespoke management reporting such as driver lossage reports and stock audit trails.

Hand-held driver devices are available as an optional extra with integrated satellite navigation to minimise route completion times and single real time information that is synchronised with head office allowing customer requirements to be changed based on visit observation. The system can also be completely paperless if desired, with electronic signatures and delivery confirmations sent by email.

Ebac Water Logistics has been in development for the past five years with the software performing in a commercial environment for subsidiary companies, Aquasplash in Germany and Fuente Isabel in Spain since 2006.

Fresca Springs have been using the system since August 2008 and MD, Frank Rossi feels that it has already made a substantial improvement to their operations: "Within the first six 6 months alone, Ebac Water Logistics has already helped us to increase water sales by 60%. We are now more efficient as a business and our client base has also increased by 25% as we can look beyond pure order fulfillment to exploit new sales opportunities. We can now concentrate on expanding as a business without worrying whether our structure can cope with demand."

Tony Carlson, Driver at Fresca Springs, also added "Using the hand-held system is so much easier than having to carry delivery notes and pens. It really has saved me hours of time in the week. Plus, I no longer get complaints when I get back to the office with dirty folded bits of paper!"

In addition to water transport, Ebac Water Logistics also promises to deliver many operational benefits for POU operators including improved administration efficiencies and optimised scheduling of installations, trial cooler drop offs, routine site checks and sanitisation visits.

For more information about Ebac Water Logistics please contact Graham Currie on 01388 605061 or email graham.currie@ebac.com