Camion Transport AG goes paperless with TISLOG from TIS

The Swiss Camion Transport AG simplifies dispatching in local and long-distance transport with the telematics solution TISLOG from TIS, saving around 24 tons of paper annually. Subcontractors have also been integrated into the new concept. Approaching an ecological balance is one of the most important corporate goals at Camion Transport AG.

(Bocholt/Will) This goal is to be achieved with the “Eco Balance by Camion Transport” action package, which also affects the vehicle fleet: battery-powered electric vehicles of the Fuso eCanter type are included, as well as one of the first Swiss fuel cell electric trucks from Hyundai.

Further environmental effects have been brought about by the digitization of transport processes for the approximately 8,000 shipments made daily, which have been largely freed from paper since 2020. “Replacing conventional delivery notes with electronic documents saves us three million sheets of A4 paper per year,” calculated Jürg Langenegger, who is responsible for the IT department at Camion Transport. “This is a reduction of 45 percent,” confirms Michael Werner, head of the Basel branch.

The savings were made possible by the telematics system TISLOG from TIS, which has replaced the previous solution from the same provider. “We have been working with TIS since 1998 and saw no reason to change suppliers due to our consistently good experiences,” explains Langenegger. Previously, the family-owned company had used telematics exclusively for the mobile exchange of GPS and order data between dispatch and drivers, as well as for navigation. An interface to the forwarding software developed by Camion based on SAP ensured seamless order management.

650 new devices in local and long-distance transport

The introduction of electronic delivery notes required new telematics software and new mobile devices for the 650 vehicles used in local and overland transport. The previous hardware was still based on the Windows CE Embedded Handheld operating system, which is no longer being developed by Microsoft. Against this backdrop, a switch to mobile Android computers was already on the agenda.

Here, Camion opted for the Zebra touch computers of the TC56 type equipped with Android in smartphone format. These are fixed in a vehicle mount developed by TIS with an integrated charging station during the drive. The TISLOG app installed on the handhelds guides drivers step by step through the delivery process up to the delivery receipt and the entire pallet management. Only for hazardous goods must drivers still carry a accompanying document for legal reasons. Additionally, a loading list serves as a backup in case of problems with one of the touch computers – with 650 devices, this occurs approximately once a month.

Updates integrated with minimal effort

TISLOG has offered a large part of the functions desired by Camion Transport from the beginning. However, as part of the project, new ideas are continuously added, which are discussed in the monthly team meetings. For example, it is new that the TISLOG app can receive and display PDF documents. This allows drivers to be provided with detailed site plans from large recipients. Another recent development concerns the notification when the truck approaches the delivery address. Now, the driver is reminded by TISLOG to notify the customer by phone. He only needs to tap the phone number on the display.

The respective TISLOG updates are installed on the 650 devices with minimal effort. The mobile device management TISLOG MDM developed by TIS enables the central and efficient organization of the TISLOG mobile software. This includes configuring, distributing, securing, and analyzing the current configuration. The module sets up a kiosk mode on the mobile devices, protecting the operating system from unauthorized access and manipulation.

Subcontractors well integrated

The telematics solution TISLOG Mobile Smart, used by Camion’s subcontractors, is also protected from manipulation. The streamlined system transforms any mobile phone with a browser into a driver-related telematics device using an innovative website. “TISLOG Mobile Smart retrieves order data online via a website assigned to the tour. The driver accesses the corresponding web address in the browser on his mobile phone and processes the displayed orders,” explains Langenegger. Additionally, new orders can be sent directly to the drivers from the forwarding software at any time.

After delivery, shipment statuses, photos, or delivery receipts are securely uploaded to the central security server of TIS. This ensures that TISLOG Smart protects sensitive order and customer data at all times, which are never stored on the driver’s mobile phone.

Drivers fully integrated into the processes

The software and hardware project implemented within 12 months serves not only the environment but also the employees: drivers receive more responsibility and are fully integrated into the workflows through the TISLOG app, while dispatchers are significantly relieved. “Dispatch no longer has to wait for the physical delivery notes and can start planning earlier,” explains branch manager Werner, adding: “By 8:30 PM, we know what is to be loaded.” This allows for much more attractive working hours and eliminates the need for the early shift between 2:00 and 5:00 AM.

Overall, route planning now only takes 2.5 hours. The continuous digitization ensures high transparency. “We can now see at a glance when a recipient receives multiple shipments and work much more efficiently,” confirms Langenegger. He estimates the daily time advantage for dispatchers at around two hours.

Photo: © Camion Transport/TIS