Case Study
LOGISTICS UK Vehicle Inspection Service Transformed with Advanced Scheduling Software
Planning Pressures removed from Individual Engineers
Reduction of Miles Traveled and Waiting Times
Improved Productivity and Customer Scores
Freight transport association Logistics UK has transformed its Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) by deploying intelligent real-time automated software: Introducing an efficient field work scheduling process in conjunction with its Microsoft Dynamics service management system.
Planning control drives a field service transformation
Logistics UK is the only organisation in the UK to represent the entire logistics industry, with more than 20,000 member organisations across all modes of transport.
It represents the interests of its members on all matters that affect the sector, from cross-border logistics, to rail freight costs, to campaigning around UK fuel duty. It also provides training, business and compliance services to members. As part of this offering, Logistics UK is the largest national supplier of vehicle inspection services.
Until the deployment of VISITOUR, 80 engineers scheduled their own inspection appointments on a patch basis.
Five years with VISITOUR: Read the update ↗
It represents the interests of its members on all matters that affect the sector, from cross-border logistics, to rail freight costs, to campaigning around UK fuel duty. It also provides training, business and compliance services to members. As part of this offering, Logistics UK is the largest national supplier of vehicle inspection services.
Until the deployment of VISITOUR, 80 engineers scheduled their own inspection appointments on a patch basis.
Five years with VISITOUR: Read the update ↗
"There was no centralised system so engineers had to manually schedule their own work. This was a protracted process and their time was not being used efficiently. A long chain of phone calls and emails between administrators, engineers, and customers, also meant communication lines were not as clear as they could be.
We needed a system that could book inspections centrally and automatically, shorten travel times and empower our engineers to be more productive every day."
We needed a system that could book inspections centrally and automatically, shorten travel times and empower our engineers to be more productive every day."
Matt Doherty
Head of Technology - Logistics UK
The project: Intelligent scheduling in real time
Logistics UK looked at four providers of scheduling and route optimisation software before choosing Solvares Field Service.
"Solvares offered exactly what we needed in terms of scheduling optimisation. But the real reason we chose them was that we knew we wouldn't just be getting software. We'd be getting a partnership.
We interviewed their clients and could see that Solvares continues to work closely with them post-deployment to ensure that the software has a positive impact on their business. Their approach is very collaborative and we liked that."
We interviewed their clients and could see that Solvares continues to work closely with them post-deployment to ensure that the software has a positive impact on their business. Their approach is very collaborative and we liked that."
Matt Doherty
Head of Technology - Logistics UK
VISITOUR automatically schedules LUK’s vehicle inspection appointments in real time, in the most optimal and efficient way possible, matching the right engineer with the right job according to multiple variables.
These include job duration and prioritisation, engineer location, availability and (critically) skill set – with speed profiles for accurate time-of-day journey times. LUK also chose to deploy MOBILE FLOW, which facilitates communication between LUK’s engineers and back office staff and provides automated warnings if an appointment might be missed.
The solution was deployed to a pilot area, processes reviewed and refined, and then rolled out to all 80 engineers.
These include job duration and prioritisation, engineer location, availability and (critically) skill set – with speed profiles for accurate time-of-day journey times. LUK also chose to deploy MOBILE FLOW, which facilitates communication between LUK’s engineers and back office staff and provides automated warnings if an appointment might be missed.
The solution was deployed to a pilot area, processes reviewed and refined, and then rolled out to all 80 engineers.
"VISITOUR reduces overhead for our engineers, allowing them to get more jobs done in the same amount of time, but not compromise the service we provide to our members. Solvares enables us to be more flexible and offer end-customers a reliable, efficient and timely service along with a wider array of service options. Everybody wins!"
Matt Doherty
Head of Technology - Logistics UK
Field scheduling for improved customer service
Another important benefit for LUK is that Solvares’ software is fully configurable and capable of adapting to fast-changing end-customer needs without assistance from Solvares. This enables LUK to offer a continually evolving and improving level of service to members with relative ease and independence.
"VISITOUR's scheduling capabilities have transformed how we navigate complexity, bringing clarity, control, and confidence to even the most regulated environments.
What once felt like a maze of coordination is now a streamlined, intelligent process that empowers our team to focus on what truly matters: delivering excellence. This is true flexibility to fit our needs now and into the future."
What once felt like a maze of coordination is now a streamlined, intelligent process that empowers our team to focus on what truly matters: delivering excellence. This is true flexibility to fit our needs now and into the future."
Matt Doherty
Head of Technology - Logistics UK
A Dynamic(s) environment
Logistics UK incorporated VISITOUR with its Microsoft Dynamics service management system. Matt is feeling very positive about the transformative change to their vehicle inspections operation.
"Right from when we met Solvares we've always found the team to be very friendly, amenable and helpful. Their workshops have been professional, detailed and very clear as to everybody's roles and expectations.
This implementation is a big change for Logistics UK and its members. With Solvares' customer-centric approach we know we are in good hands."
This implementation is a big change for Logistics UK and its members. With Solvares' customer-centric approach we know we are in good hands."
Matt Doherty
Head of Technology - Logistics UK
Case study outcomes: The difference to your Field Service
Frequent changes and urgent inspection requests disrupted planned routes with individual engineers spending significant time creating and adjusting daily schedules.
Automated planning matches engineers to jobs based on location, availability and skills. Optimised scheduling balances workloads across teams by considering complete tours.
Reduced travel time and improved customer experience with predictive traffic-based routing and more accurate arrival time forecasting.
Lower operational costs through reduced driving and improved resource utilisation.
Faster appointment availability supports improved customer satisfaction scores.
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Industry
Products in Use
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Results
- Centralised planning control for the first time
- Optimised field service management reduces travel time
- Improved cost, compliance, and risk management
- Increased daily productivity per field operative
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