Bulk Terminal Zeeland chooses iTOS

iOnLogistics has integrated its software tool iTOS at Bulk Terminal Zeeland. This will enable the smaller terminal to handle bulk flows more efficiently and quickly. It also reduces administrative overhead.

We do the whole terminal and warehousing processes at Bulk Terminal Zeeland, from order to cash flow.

iTOS is a complete Terminal Operating System (TOS) for 3PL/4PL shippers and terminals that streamlines administrative, financial and goods processes. The software tool is also used in terminals handling bulk and breakbulk. For more than a year, the tool has been deployed at Bulk Terminal Zeeland to speed up the handling of bulk goods, such as bio barley, wheat and grains, as well as steel profiles and wood pellets. "We do the whole terminal and warehousing processes there, from order to cash flow," says Guy Van der Veken of iOnLogistics.

Less paperwork

This leads to extra time savings and more operational efficiency from the moment the goods are unloaded until the moment they are loaded. The result is more accurate stock monitoring.

Thanks to iTOS, a link is made with the weighbridge so that not everything has to be retyped. "Everything is digitised so that the stock is much more accurate," says Van der Veken. "So our customer knows which goods are stored in the external or internal warehouses. A link is also being made with the accounting system (Exact Online), so that everything runs more smoothly. This means that our customer is relieved of a lot of paperwork. Less administration, and therefore better follow-up. This leads to extra time savings and more operational efficiency from the moment the goods are unloaded until the moment they are loaded. The result is more accurate stock monitoring."

New time registration module

The registered hours are immediately transferred to the correct files. You can immediately check whether the incoming loads are profitable. This provides more insight into the costs and revenues per dossier.

At the moment iOnLogistics is integrating another hours registration module into iTOS. "This will allow people to book their hours directly into our iTOS system", says Van der Veken. "The registered hours are immediately transferred to the correct files. You can immediately check whether the incoming loads are profitable. This provides more insight into the costs and revenues per dossier."

New planning tool

It is important that a planning tool is integrated into our package, because most standard planning tools do not cover the needs of such terminals.

In addition, iOnLogistics is currently integrating a new planning tool, so that the planning - which is currently done manually - can be more smoothly integrated into the overall system. "It is important that such a tool is integrated into our package, because most standard planning tools do not cover the needs of such terminals," explains Van der Veken. "With our new tool, you have a better idea of whether the machines (cranes, bulldozers, etc.) are free or not. You can also make a better estimate of how many machines you need. We see that the need is also rising among smaller terminals because they want to go along with the digitalisation wave. They also need to look at efficiency improvements to be able to work cost-effectively. And then you have to automate your terminal as much as possible."

Making better decisions

By digitising internal processes, managers make decisions based on figures and not just on gut feelings. You can then better estimate whether you will need extra people and/or resources in certain periods.

Smaller terminals still often use Excel/Access for their administration. "By digitising internal processes, managers make decisions based on figures and not just on gut feelings. If you analyse the data afterwards, you can better estimate whether there is a seasonal peak, for example. If there was a peak, you could work in two shifts instead of one", says Van der Veken. "Or you can go to three shifts for a few months instead of buying a new machine. You could also rent extra machines for a short period of time instead of buying them. You can then better estimate whether you will need extra people and/or resources in certain periods. Such analyses can earn a customer a pretty penny."