Transportation Logistics Software for Routing & Scheduling

Salson Logistics Delivers for Gap Inc. Using PRT as their Transportation Logistics Software

 

Founded in 1960, Salson Logistics is a leading third party logistics company providing comprehensive supply chain management solutions that span the globe. Salson operates over 1 million square feet of warehouse space and employs over 1,000 people. Services include Customs Brokerage and Freight Forwarding, Transportation and Transportation Management, Value Added Services, and Warehousing.

 

Background

One of Salson’s premier customers is Gap Inc, a leading global specialty retailer offering clothing, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, children, and babies under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, and Athleta brands. Salson manages warehousing and store delivery for Gap in the North East spanning New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Connecticut.

 

From a technology standpoint Salson was equipped with WMS and TMS products from leading software providers but most of the routing for store deliveries was done manually. Trying to improve productivity and store delivery operations, Salson turned to Paradox for routing and scheduling software.

 

Time consuming planning, long hours and complex operating parameters describe the challenges faced by Salson’s dispatch team at Gap. Over 350 stores to deliver on a set weekly frequency, 40 unique store delivery windows and different windows for days vs. nights, overnight deliveries, and multiple equipment types caused Salson to look for routing software to help with daily routing and improve operational efficiencies.

 

Process

Salson engaged Paradox for a pilot to evaluate if Paradox Routing Tool (PART), a transportation logistics software, can handle the operating constraints and improve the routing solution.

 

Results

Results from the pilot included the following:

• 10% mileage savings per daily dispatch

• 5% improvement in trailer capacity utilization

• Planning time reduced from hours to minutes

 

It didn’t take much convincing for Salson to license PART, not just for the GAP operation but also to use it as a bid development tool for expanding existing operations and pursuing new opportunities. PART was instrumental in helping Salson deal with the complex and dynamic nature of GAP operations and meet GAP’s expectations.

 

Planners and dispatchers were trained online using a Workflow approach to get them start using PART the week after the pilot. Given the short learning curve of the tool it didn’t take any on-site training classes for the users to get comfortable with the tool whether they are "computer guys" or not. Automating the routing process also helped Salson avoid over-reliance on one or two routing experts in addition to eliminating a position.

 

Additionally, Salson used PART to design static routes for other operations as applicable. Salson Logistics and Paradox have built a strong relationship that will continue to develop in the years to come.