Mandata systems continue to lighten heavy workloads at Shepherd Distribution Services

CRAMLINGTON, U.K. - Sept. 22, 2016 - PRLog -- Founded in 1946 by Jack Shepherd as a full-load steel haulier, the company specialised in transporting steel throughout-post-war Britain from its base in Oughtibridge, South Yorkshire. Throughout its 70 year history, the company has seen a number of significant changes to its operations and as a result, the business has grown dramatically over time.

Now in the very capable hands of proud owners Laurence Abel and Ian Davis, the company looks set to continue to go from strength to strength thanks to its honest, hardworking, customer-centric work ethic, and the capability and efficiency of its transport management systems.

Shepherd's are one of Mandata's longest-standing customers, having been using the company's transport management solutions since they were first launched over 20 years ago.

Managing Director at Shepherd Distribution Services, Laurence Abel, said:

"As a business, we're very technology-focused. We first adopted a computerised transport management system to help us manage the business through a period of growth, and it has been helping us to achieve tangible results ever since."

"In the last 70 years, we've more than doubled the size of our fleet; we've re-located to our existing site in Birley Vale Sheffield; we're one of the founder shareholding members of the Palletline Network and are actively working with over 500 different customers. If it weren't for the visibility provided by Mandata's integrated systems, we wouldn't have been able to manage the increased workload."

Complete visibility with integrated systems

Shepherd's use a server-hosted Mandata TMS, complete with a bespoke EDI link to integrate its TMS to its Palletline carrier system, which effectively enables the smooth transfer of job information between the two systems. Shepherd's also utilise Mandata's Web Services Customer Portal; an add-on module which enables their customers to log-in and book jobs on-line, as well as view job status updates and POD information. All of the data within the Web Services Portal is mirrored into the company's Drag and Drop Traffic Pad within the Mandata TMS, and is updated in real-time throughout the day for complete operational visibility.

In-Cab solutions for drivers

In addition to the company's Web Services modules, Shepherd's have also equipped all of their drivers with handheld PDA devices to enable them to capture digital signatures as proof of delivery. The POD information is automatically time and date stamped by the device and then uploaded to Shepherd's Web Services system for customers to view almost instantaneously, radically reducing the time customers have to wait for POD details and invoices to come through.

Shepherd's PDA devices also track the GPS locations of its vehicles, using the data captured to create a real-time visual map so the traffic office can retain full visibility across the fleet. The software maps each vehicle's route and generates job status alerts and traffic congestion alerts which automatically updates the information in the company's Mandata TMS.

"For Shepherd's, the Web Services Customer Portal and our PDA devices have been a worthy investment. The systems we have in place push us to the forefront in terms of the latest technology, and allow us to focus on delivering operational excellence and the highest standards of service to our customers," Laurence said.

"The level of visibility provided by our Mandata systems enables us to react quickly to the everyday requirements of an often challenging sector, and provides our customers with added confidence that their goods are in safe hands."

Looking to the next 70 years

As the company prepares itself for continued business growth, Shepherd's is now offering specialist groupage services to the metals and engineering sectors, and is a shareholding member of the Palletline network, enabling the business to offer an even broader range of services to both new and existing customers. Ian Davis, Director at Shepherd Distribution Services who took over the business with Laurence back in 2010 said:

"Since the turn of the century the company has gone from strength to strength, and as we celebrate 70 years of service it's exciting to look to the future and see what it holds for Shepherd Distribution Services."

Laurence concluded:

"It's an extremely exciting, extremely proud time for the business and we have lots of events planned to mark our Platinum Anniversary. Looking back it's great to see how the company has evolved and just how much it has achieved in the last seventy years – I prefer to think of us not as 70 years old but seventy years young!"

Find out how an integrated transport management system from Mandata could add value to your business. Request your free, personalised demo today. (http://www.mandata.co.uk/products/request-a-demo2.html)