A E Rodda and Sons has deployed fleet logistics software from Podfather to drive improvements in its direct-to-market service for its world-renowned clotted cream.
Rodda’s Direct uses a mixed fleet of temperature-controlled vans to supply a range of dairy and delicatessen products to businesses across Cornwall – and now has complete visibility of its delivery fleet thanks to Podfather.
The new system means Rodda’s can capture and communicate live updates as schedules unfold and optimise the transport operation to reduce its environmental impact.
Rodda’s selected Podfather to integrate with a new ERP system as part of a larger IT transformation project.
“Our previous system was outdated and was failing to perform. The PDAs we were using only had WiFi connectivity and we relied on mobile thermal printers to produce delivery notes,” commented Wayne Glanville, IT manager at A E Rodda and Sons.
“When we replaced this system with centralised cloud-based ERP, we knew we needed to address the transport side of the operation at the same time,” he continued.
“We had a number of options available, including one recommended to work with our new system, but on closer inspection the costs were unpalatable and the functionality left us wanting more. A review of options including consideration of what our peers and competitors were using pointed us in the direction of Podfather.”
Rodda’s selected Podfather based on its ease of use and the fact that users didn’t need extensive training or specialist equipment.
Since implementing the system in January 2024, Rodda’s has ditched the old PDAs and thermal printers and removed around 98% of paperwork from its delivery operation.
Integrated with the IFS ERP, warehouse operatives use Podfather to process the previous day’s orders and load product according to vehicle capacity predetermined routes. Delivery manifests are sent to the Podfather app and drivers are allocated a vehicle, before being guided through a series of vehicle checks.
The app then guides drivers through their daily delivery schedule, capturing evidence of deliveries made using Podfather’s electronic proof of delivery features.
The system enables real-time visibility for Rodda’s transport and sales departments as well as end-customers, helping Rodda’s to improve standards and the quality of service. It’s also enabled drivers to validate and update customer records in the back-office ERP system, saving considerable amounts of administration time and resource.
“Podfather has removed the complexities from our existing delivery operation,” Glanville concluded. “We have already seen that the company behind the solution listens to its customers and develops the system in response to feedback and we are therefore confident the system will grow with us as we develop new products and services and will minimise future pain points in our delivery journey.”
