Express logistics is important for mass COVID-19 testing in the canton of Zurich

The express service provider swissconnect organizes the pickup and delivery of the Corona mass tests in the Canton of Zurich in collaboration with the Canton of Zurich, the Hirslanden Group, Rikscha Taxi Schweiz AG, Xplanis AG, and the Veloblitz Cooperative. The purpose of these mass tests can certainly be debated, but as long as they are ongoing, there needs to be logistics behind them.

Report and questions by: Michael Hauenstein (swissconnect)

Businesses, schools, and institutions in Zurich have had the opportunity to participate in the Corona mass testing program since the end of March, thus contributing to the containment of the pandemic. The Hirslanden Group has received the mandate from the Canton and collaborates with several experienced companies for the rapid reverse logistics of the Corona samples. The swift and ecological city logistics ensure that the collected samples are brought to the laboratory for analysis in the shortest possible time. The following article provides detailed information about the pilot project, made possible by the excellent collaboration of the Canton of Zurich, the Hirslanden Group, Rikscha Taxi Schweiz AG, Xplanis AG, the Veloblitz Cooperative, and swissconnect ag.

Massive Acceleration of Reverse Logistics

Interested companies, institutions, and schools from the Canton of Zurich can register on the Hirslanden Group’s digital platform “Together we test” and receive the testing materials sent by Swiss Post. After collection, the Corona samples must be picked up as quickly as possible from the various locations and brought to the laboratories for analysis. If the samples are sent to the laboratory via A-Post, the results are only available after 24 to 36 hours. This duration was too long for many companies and schools. Therefore, the City of Zurich and the Hirslanden Group sought a solution to massively accelerate the reverse logistics with the aim of delivering the analysis results more quickly.

In a very short time, the companies Rikscha Taxi Schweiz AG, Xplanis AG, the Veloblitz Cooperative, and swissconnect ag established a special courier service for a pilot project. This was implemented within a few days and operates not only quickly and reliably but also ecologically, as the pickups are carried out by bicycle couriers. The Corona samples are now picked up as quickly as possible and arrive at the laboratory within a maximum of four hours. The express logistics play a significant role in the success of the Corona mass testing program of the Canton of Zurich. It shows that close collaborations between different companies are the most effective.

Gieri Cathomas: You are the external project manager of the Hirslanden Group, the largest medical network in Switzerland, for “Together we test.” Companies, schools, and institutions can register on the IT platform “Together we test” for repetitive testing. What is the significance of repetitive testing?

Gieri Cathomas

Thanks to repetitive testing, asymptomatic Covid-19 infections can be reliably detected, thereby interrupting infection chains early. Alongside vaccination, contact tracing, and adherence to distancing and hygiene rules, repetitive testing is a crucial pillar in overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic and returning to normalcy.

To collect the samples and quickly bring them to the laboratories, a special courier service was established within a few days. How satisfied are you with the solution developed for reverse logistics?

I find it fascinating how different partners in the “Together we test” project pull together towards the same goal. This is also evident in the reverse logistics, where several courier services are involved and doing a great job.

Pascal Nydegger: You are the managing director of Rikscha Taxi Schweiz AG, which offers ecological transport solutions in Zurich, Basel, and Bern. What is the role of Rikscha Taxi AG?

Pascal Nydegger

Rikscha Taxi Schweiz AG is responsible for the concept and planning, acquiring and coordinating all involved partners, as well as the operational implementation of the project’s reverse logistics.

What was the biggest challenge during implementation?

The high logistical complexity, the rapid establishment of all processes, and the coordination of all involved instances and partners.

Rudolf Hänni: You are the CEO of Xplanis AG, which develops transport logistics concepts and operates the transport management software X4fleet. What is the role of Xplanis AG?

Rudolf Hänni

Xplanis is responsible for the logistics concept and design, the processes and their representation in the transport management software X4fleet, as well as providing the driver and picking APP.

What was the biggest challenge during implementation?

Due to the requirement of four hours from transport call to arrival at the laboratory, the task could only be managed through a multi-stage transport logistics approach. For each stage, specific routes and tour areas (clusters) had to be planned, which are linked through defined transfer points and processes with the lower or upper level. Since there were hardly any reliable data on the expected volume to be handled, the chosen solution had to be fully scalable. The time constraints from the assignment to the start were certainly also a challenge, as only a few days were available.

Thierry Bossard: You are a bicycle courier at the Veloblitz Cooperative and collect the Corona samples. How do these pickups differ from your daily work as a bicycle courier?

Thierry Bossard

Operationally, these pickups do not differ much from the daily business, as the bicycle couriers from Veloblitz have been handling sample pickups and medical deliveries in and around Zurich for many years. During the testing program, the biggest difference is that a bicycle courier operates within an assigned area (cluster) and practically does not leave it. One moves around the same part of the city, collecting all Corona samples in record time. Depending on the area, several kilometers and elevation gain can accumulate. The variety is enjoyable and interesting!

What is the reaction when you arrive by bike at companies, schools, or institutions to pick up the Corona samples?

Due to the coverage of the assigned areas, the pickup of the Corona samples is extremely efficient and occurs shortly after we receive the pickup order. Customers are positively surprised that we from Veloblitz offer such a fast service and support the Canton in the fight against Corona. A common remark is: “What? You’re already here? I just placed the order!”

Christoph Masoner (founder of swissconnect ag): What is the role of swissconnect ag?

Christoph Masoner

swissconnect has specialized in the fast and ecological transport of laboratory samples throughout Switzerland for over 20 years. For this purpose, we have developed a unique transport system that connects local bicycle and taxi couriers with the Swiss railway companies. The digital connection takes place through a central logistics software. We were able to contribute our long-standing experience and valuable contacts to ensure that the logistics solution offered exceeds the expectations of the clients in terms of quality, speed, and sustainability.

What was the biggest challenge during implementation?

As an express courier service in the laboratory sector, we are accustomed to precise work under high time pressure. However, during the pilot project, we had little information about the expected quantities of Corona samples to be collected – that was challenging. The motivation to present a fast and ecological logistics solution to the Canton of Zurich and the Hirslanden Group was, however, much greater than any challenge. We hope that other regions of Switzerland can also benefit from the experiences we are gaining in Zurich. Due to our national presence, this logistics solution is scalable and can also support other regions of Switzerland in the fight against Corona.

Photos: © swissconnect / Caption for the main photo: The bicycle courier places the collected Corona samples in the “Together we test” box