Logistics has always been a paper-heavy business, and going paperless brings significant benefits without disrupting the f low.“The logistics industry is undergoing a phase of deep transition,” says Renko Bergh, COO Forte Group.“In addition to addressing the traditional paper-intensive routine, the need for end-to-end visibility of the movement of goods is of critical importance at this time. Retail clients not only want more visibility and transparency on the progress of goods movements, but the ability to interact or integrate within the process digitally.”He says more and more transporters understand this need to transform and are therefore embra cing technolog y.“Employing internal skills to be able to drive a culture of innovation and utilisation of logistical software is a must. From being technology 'late adaptors' to now 'the driving force' of logistical software is where we find the industry at present.”According to Bergh, being truly paperless within the logistics industry is one of the top goals. “This requires a real shift for logistical operators who have been accustomed to submitting original documents for proof of delivery before payment is received. Today, more and more retailers accept electronic proof of delivery without the need for any physical paperwork to process payment.Bergh says in making this transition it is important that the industry understands what it means to be a paperless logistical operator.“Does paperless mean submitting scanned copies of documents, where the original document must first reach the office before it can be scanned – or scanning documents to send, but still sending the original documents batched once a month?“This means transporters still need to keep a paper-based delivery note with each of their drivers for completion due to the fact that a certain percentage of retail clients still only pay on original delivery notes signed,” he explains.But is taking photographs of the written proof of deliveries – to send a digital picture – truly paperless?Bergh says as the momentum shifts, and more and more role players within the supply chain accept digitally originated proof of delivery notes (EPOD), there will come a time when there are no preprinted delivery notebooks, there is no waiting for paperwork to reach the admin office before it can be scanned, and no photographs taken of written delivery notes so that they can be sent as pictures.“Instead, there are driver applications, usable on any device and capable of being used during no data or off line capability. As soon as loads are completed and the required fields are submitted on the APP, a digital copy is instantly available for receiving or sending instantly. Signatures of the relevant parties to validate the delivery, are made authentic by signing on the electronic device.”He says geo stamping and timestamping every signature further authenticates the process.“Photographs of supporting documents can be taken via the device and APP software, and the result is a set of completed delivery notes without a scrap of paper being used or scanned.“The sharing of these pure digital documents via a web-based portal login means they can be shared between stakeholders.”He said Forte prided itself on offering this truly paperless solution through its FLOW portal and driver application FLOW Mobility.“The application allows for custom form creation with the ability to apply sign-on glass signatures that are time-stamped, and geo-stamped for official payment processing. Operators complete the steps and questions within the application for seamless submission.”
