Programmes designed for warehousing, container depots, transport
Specialist logistics industry
software solutions provider
‘We think software solutions’
has embarked on an aggressive
marketing campaign to grow
its southern African market
share with
particular
focus on South
Africa.
The
company’s
flagship
product is its
warehousing
programme,
developed
for African
conditions
and now
being used in
23 countries
around the world.
The secret of its success is
simplicity and accessibility, in
the view of managing director
Werner Pretorius.
“When we started
developing the system six years
ago our objective was clear cut.
We saw the need for a simple,
cost-effective, user-friendly
programme specifically
designed to meet the needs of
the African market.
“We developed a totally
web-based product which has
significant benefits for the
customer. We
host it all in
the cloud so
that it’s very
secure, and
being web
based the
customer’s
customer also
has complete
visibility – he
can see his
stock, place
material
delivery
requests,
advise us what to pick, and
if there are damages, he can
have the container moved to a
quarantine area.”
Pretorius, who holds an
honours degree in logistics
management, believes that
having a handle on the
customer’s needs is a dealmaker
– and he also believes in
sticking to the knitting.
“Ours is a warehouse
management package – it’s
not a financial package with
an inventory add-on. We
spend 90% of our time at our
customers’ warehouses and
tailor the package according to
the needs of the industry sector
involved – whether it’s tobacco,
cotton, tea or coffee.”
And because it’s web-based
it’s also ideal for short-term
projects because it’s quick, easy
and cost-effective to install.
While it is a 3PL system,
customers in the retail space
are also able to make use of it.
Two new systems have
recently joined the company’s
portfolio. “Sitting on both sides
– as a developer and logistics
practitioner – has helped a lot,
enabling us to see where the
gaps are and fill them,” said
Pretorius.
This led to the launch of
its container depot package.
“It’s also web-based, controls
empties, import and export
containers moving into a
depot and enables the user to
inspect the container online,
send it to the shipping line
and do a quotation.
“Most recent has been the
introduction of a transport
system – so that we now cover
the transport from port to
depot to unpacking in the
warehouse. We’re starting to
touch all the relevant spaces.”
The whole idea is to take
the risk out of transport.
“Transporters are
essentially at the bottom
of the pyramid and can’t
afford a few million
bucks for software.
So we have developed
that software and
made it available to
them for a monthly
rental.
“We are not
just a software
company. We
try to push
technology
to areas that
we think are a
problem and in
so doing provide relevant and
effective solutions for shippers
and their service providers.”
INSERT & CAPTION
We spend 90% of our
time at our customers’
warehouses and tailor
the package according
to their needs.
– Werner Pretorius
