Data sharing is crucial for optimising container flows between the deepsea port and the hinterland. Good data provision ensures that transport capacity is optimally used, minimises the number of handlings and saves man-hours. Effects that ultimately enable a shipper to benefit from more sustainable transport whilst still having timely access to the cargo. In this interview, Sjoerd de Roover, Manager Business Engineering & IT at BTT Multimodal Container Solutions and Martijn Spee, Manager Transport EMEA at Ricoh Europe SCM, discuss how data sharing contributes to an efficient collaboration and what role the Modality Client Portal plays in this.
Using the Client Portal contributes to a streamlined and more sustainable process
For the interview, we are invited to the office of Ricoh Europe SCM (hereinafter Ricoh) in Bergen op Zoom. All supply chain activities for the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East & Africa) are organised from this location. Since the start of this year, Ricoh has been routing all container flows through the terminal of BTT Multimodal Container Solutions (hereinafter BTT) in Bergen op Zoom. The switch to BTT offers Ricoh numerous advantages.
Martijn: “We made the switch to BTT for several reasons. Besides the fact that BTT is a professional organisation with advanced terminals, our main considerations were the barge capacity due to the partner network and the strong underlying IT infrastructure.”
This IT infrastructure also makes it possible for Ricoh to further optimise its own internal process. At Ricoh, the ‘inbound flow’, or the incoming container flows, is monitored via the Modality Client Portal. Where in the past Ricoh employees needed to consult multiple sources to map the ETAs of seagoing vessels, they can now easily access them in the Client Portal environment.
Martijn: “We now use the portal as a ‘single source of truth’. Partially for this reason, we have been able to save at least one FTE (Full Time Equivalent).”
In addition, BTT uses the Client Portal to share the ETAs at the terminal in Bergen op Zoom. Combined with the fixed sailing schedules of the West-Brabant Corridor, the partnership which consolidates the barge capacities of the various participating parties, this transparency in the (barge) planning process ensures that Ricoh is increasingly able to rely on the data in the portal.
Martijn: “The strength of the portal lies in the insight it provides into the planning process of BTT. The ETA at BTT is essential for us. Because we know earlier when a container arrives at the inland terminal, there are fewer ad hoc deliveries and we can transport many more containers by barge. For example, we have been able to reduce the number of containers transported by truck from 10% to 3% (!). This has made the process more stable and sustainable.”
Positive effect of data exchange leads to fewer handlings
Because Ricoh can already see the availability of the containers at an early stage, they are able to plan further ahead and adequately respond to problem situations. Furthermore, various priorities are assigned to the containers and communicated to BTT and the expected unloading date is assigned earlier as well.
Sjoerd: “Because these insights allow Ricoh to plan more accurately, we are able to optimally stack, thus reducing the number of handlings.”
BTT: Data sharing results in accurate planning and ultimately a reduction in the number of handlings
BTT’s planning department knows the unloading date of the container before the barge has even arrived at the terminal in Bergen op Zoom, allowing containers to be stacked with great efficiency. In addition, BTT & Ricoh have chosen to integrate the use of the e-CMR into the Client Portal. Ricoh provides the dock numbers on the day of unloading. Drivers no longer need to stop at the service desk at the Ricoh facility. The e-CMR is signed via the portal immediately after unloading. Ricoh has access to the signed documents via the portal and BTT knows when the container is empty and ready for collection again.
Sjoerd: “For us, a signed document signifies that a container has been unloaded and the empty container is ready for collection again. ‘Reporting empty’ in a timely fashion is a challenge for some customers; in this collaboration with Ricoh and in combination with the Client Portal, the entire process works perfectly though.”
Besides the import process, the handling of documentation and the collection of empty containers run much smoother as well. Because Ricoh shares information early, BTT is better able to anticipate the demand and thus scale up or down the barge capacity accordingly.
The advantages of user management of the Client Portal
At BTT, around 75% of the customer base uses the Client Portal. The different rights attributed to each user make it possible for other stakeholders (other than debtors) to gain access to the information that is relevant to them. This allows various parties in the logistics chain to monitor the progress themselves. The need to communicate via e-mail and telephone is reduced and customer service and planning are made easier. Customers that do not operate according to a fixed format can utilise the booking function of the Client Portal. Thus, making use of the Client Portal fits in seamlessly with the philosophy of BTT.
Sjoerd: “We believe in transparency and the timely sharing of data. The collaboration with Ricoh perfectly illustrates how mutual data exchange can lead to a streamlined and effective process on both sides.”
Would you also like to experience the benefits of our Client Portal? Our sales department will gladly explain all the possibilities! Please contact our sales department directly via sales@modality.nl or +31 (0) 180 531 035.
