2002 Industry Leaders
Penske Logistics
CONTACT: Reading, PA.;
610-775-6000; www.penske.com
A subsidiary of Penske truck leasing based in Reading, PA., Penske Logistics has made innovative use of data warehousing and analysis technology, radar-based collision warning systems, and wireless networking. The company provides shipping management services through 220 locations in the Canada, Mexico, and United States, which means there are a lot of trucks constantly on the road and a lot of customers who want to know where their shipments are.
The company has developed Web-based applications using Business Objects WebIntelligence package to generate reports that tell customers what services Penske provides, how it provides the services, and how well the company performs in providing the services, said Tom Nather, senior systems analyst with Penske Logistics. For example, the reports allow Penske to show customers that it delivered an on-time performance level of 98 percent, he says. "Even when we do fail to deliver on time, it's not necessarily our fault. We can use the tool to find out where in the supply chain is the problem so they can fix it," Nather adds. By using Business Objects, "we made ourselves a better service provider and made our customers better competitors," he says.
The company has also equipped its trucks with wireless terminals developed by Qualcomm Inc. of San Diego, which allows the company to keep in touch with drivers and track the progress of shipments as they move around the country.
Penske is also using technology to try to improve road safety. The company is installing the Eaton Corp. VORAD Collision Warning System on all new trucks that it adds to its fleet. The Eaton system is a high-frequency radar system that transmits signals from the front and sides of Penske trucks. It warns drivers of potential traffic dangers up to 20 vehicles ahead and in blind spots on the side. —J.P.
Problem:
Provide an efficient way to keep track of how the company performed in shipping products between warehouses and customer distribution centers
Solution:
Installed business objects netintelligence package to enable customers to use the internet to get status reports and performance details.
