‘Technology can help mitigate rising transport costs’

Despite negative sentiment about the imminent toll costs in Gauteng, the reality is that companies who rely on the use of these roads on a daily basis need to start thinking strategically about the impact that this change will impose on their business models. They also need to take the necessary action immediately to manage and restrict these costs as much as possible, says Greg Vercellotti, executive director of local IT company Dariel Solutions. “Research shows that the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) will cost the commercial road freight industry an estimated R1.2 billion every year. Further studies show that freight transport costs could potentially rise by more than 20%, which will dramatically impact consumer price inflation.” Vercellotti says the answer for the freight and logistics industry lies in technology. “It’s critical that relevant considerations are made for businesses that will directly or indirectly be affected by these tolls, and one way of doing this is to turn to technology. Examining a software solution that is customised in a fully integrated goods receiving and delivery solution, for example, can ensure that fleets are managed effectively and that costs associated with this toll system are tightly monitored and kept to the bare minimum.”