Online transport app enables immediate invoicing

Software solutions provider
‘We Think Software’ has
developed an online app for its
transport package that can be
downloaded from the app store
and works offline.
“It enables trucks to work
out route optimisation, it has
access to google maps, and
when the driver gets to the
customer he can sign the proof
of delivery (POD) which means
the customer can be invoiced
immediately,” says MD Werner
Pretorius.
If there’s no signal it saves
on the device and as soon
as it gets into range it syncs
automatically.
“We are trying to make
it possible for smaller guys
to start competing,” says
Pretorius, “and have developed
the programme in such a way
that we can interface with the
likes of ACCPAC and PASTEL.
“The
smaller
operator who
can’t afford
a financial
package
can use it to
manage his
fleet and his
broking – and
from there
invoice his
customers.
It evens the
playing field.”
And
Pretorius
believes that the full benefit
comes into play when dealing
with African challenges where
there are often long border
delays before documents are
signed.
“With this type of technology
the driver can keep you updated
– and when he crosses the
border you immediately get
your POD and move through
the events to invoicing. When
he returns you can then
attach the physical
documents.”
It’s all part
and parcel of the
company’s objective to provide
a seamless solution through
the integration of its transport,
warehousing and container
packages.
“On our warehousing
product, we are developing
a point of sales side,” says
Pretorius, “over and above the
ongoing enhancements like
improving the way our scanners
work and improving ways of
doing stock-takes without
shutting down the entire
process.”
But the company's container
package is providing some of
the biggest growth potential.
“We are moving over to
the more modern HTML5
platform and are working with
shipping lines to assist with
vessel packing.
“We’ve got the yard design
and now want to go a step
further to cater for port
terminals. But to cater for
a terminal we need a vessel
plan and that’s what we’re
investigating right now. “
‘We Think’ is in discussions
with a company in Kenya that
is keen to pilot the system.
And the company’s packages
are not only gaining traction
locally but in over-border and
global markets as well.
“Globally our systems are
up and running in Miami
and Doha while a Nigerian
company has just signed onto
our system and wants us to roll
it out in five countries.
“We are starting to become
a recognised brand name in
Africa and can now start giving
European companies visibility
of their cargo in the region.”
Pretorius, who is a trained
logistician, believes that he has
a handle on what his customers
need. “We spend 90% of our
time at our
customers’
premises so
we are able to
gauge what
they need.
We don’t
just supply
software –
we supply a
solution.”
INSERT
When the driver
crosses the border
you immediately get
your POD and move
through the events to
invoicing.
– Werner Pretorius