en.Wedoany.com Reported - Timber trader Shawfield Timber has introduced Podfather logistics software to improve customer delivery experiences and reduce reliance on paper-based processes.
Following a significant investment in the company's website last year, the firm stated that its current focus is on strengthening communication with customers and advancing paperless operations.
Podfather features automatic delivery notifications and updates, real-time tracking, and electronic proof of delivery signatures. It has "significantly" reduced delivery-related inquiries from customers while cutting unnecessary administrative work, improving Shawfield's efficiency in handling customer queries.
Colin Peacock, Joint Managing Director of Shawfield Timber, said that one of the most surprising things when he joined the company about 18 months ago was the high volume of calls regarding deliveries, conservatively estimated at around 30% of all incoming calls. Reflecting on his personal and business experiences, he noted that he never needs to call Amazon to ask where an order is, and when waiting for a delivery, DPD proactively provides the date, time, and even the driver's name. He believes customers deserve the same level of service.
After market research, Shawfield chose Podfather. Colin Peacock stated that the system has fully achieved its intended goals, is competitively priced, and is backed by an excellent team. Shawfield Timber, headquartered in Rutherglen on the outskirts of Glasgow, maintains a comprehensive inventory covering construction and joinery timber, garden and landscape products, sheet materials, as well as hardware, fasteners, and tools, offering nationwide delivery services. The company conducts over 200 deliveries per week using a mixed fleet including truck-mounted cranes, curtain-sided trucks, and pickups, serving trade and private customers across Scotland. Business has grown significantly over the past two years, and the company has consistently received positive reviews on Trustpilot.
Shawfield pioneered the use of Podfather's automatic estimated time of arrival (ETA) notification feature. At the start of each delivery, customers can choose to receive an SMS or email with the estimated delivery time. Using the Podfather driver app, updates can be issued when schedules change or delays occur, and customers can also self-serve via the "Follow My Driver" tracking option. The app is also used to digitally record proof of delivery, including photos and signatures with timestamps, dates, and location stamps. This information is instantly available, easily accessible, and shareable, significantly reducing the resources needed to answer customer inquiries.
