Transforming Transportation with Technology– Automating, Centralizing, and Streamlining Operations
- Client Name Hirschbach
- Industry Transportation & Logistics
- Scope Fleet Management, Dispatching, Billing, Claims, and Driver Operations
Why the Solution Was Needed
Hirschbach aimed to modernize and streamline its operations across multiple business units. The existing landscape included fragmented systems, manual dispatching processes, inconsistent geofencing practices, and a lack of centralized driver and billing information. These challenges were not only impacting operational efficiency but also increasing the risk of data duplication, delays in dispatch, claims handling errors, and reduced visibility for both internal teams and drivers.
Problem Statements by Module
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Module 1: Expedited Dispatch Automation
- Manual intervention required at each relay point delayed load handovers.
- No automated triggers based on truck movements.
- Limited visibility and control in high-speed dispatch lanes.
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Module 2: Geofencing Inconsistencies
- Multiple duplicate customer codes for nearby locations.
- Lack of a centralized geofencing tool across systems.
- Operational inefficiencies due to inconsistent data and redundant geofences.
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Module 3: Driver Information Fragmentation
- Driver data was scattered across BI reports, Excel files, and legacy systems.
- Internal teams lacked real-time insights into driver activities.
- Drivers had no self-service platform for accessing their records.
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Module 4: Imaging and Billing Disorganization
- No centralized orchestration of documents and financial records.
- Disjointed integrations caused data silos.
- Audit trails and traceability were lacking in financial workflows.
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Riskonnect: Claims System Limitations
- Claims processing was manual, slow, and error-prone.
- Limited visibility into historical incidents and trends.
- No integration with the AS400 system.
The Solution
Connect Tool – Unified Internal Platform A modular, web-based platform named Connect was developed to consolidate, automate, and optimize operations across departments.
Module Highlights
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Expedited Lane Automation
- Implemented geofenced-triggered automation for driver reassignments.
- Automated dispatching and load transfer between relay points.
- Enabled seamless handoff to the OTR board for final deliveries.
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Centralized Geofencing Tool
- Built a centralized geofencing system integrated with AS400.
- Consolidated duplicate customer codes and prevented future duplications.
- Created a standard for geofence setup across third-party tools like ThermoKing, GeoTab, and Carrier Lynx.
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Driver Module
- Launched a driver dashboard offering a 360-degree view of driver operations.
- Enabled internal users to monitor performance, track load history, and manage documents.
- Rolled out self-service capabilities for drivers to access their schedules, settlements, and compliance reports.
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Imaging and Billing Orchestration
- Built a document workflow engine integrating Eleos, Bill.com, and HS.
- Centralized all load documents including BOLs, PODs, and invoices.
- Added audit trails, advanced search, and document-linking mechanisms.
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Riskonnect Integration
- Connected Riskonnect with AS400 to centralize claims data.
- Automated claims workflows and improved visibility for adjusters.
- Enabled loss trend analytics and risk forecasting using historical data.
Results & Impact
Reduced manual dispatch time by 70%.
Improved billing cycle time by 40%.
Enhanced driver satisfaction through data transparency.
Increased claims response efficiency by 50%.
Eliminated 95% of customer code duplications.
Design & Development Strategy
- Agile Implementation: Delivered modules in a phased approach to reduce risk and maximize adoption.
- Modular Architecture: Built Connect to accommodate future integrations and modules with ease.
- User-Centered Design: Conducted workshops with dispatchers, drivers, and billing teams to create intuitive interfaces.
Testing Framework
- Unit and Integration Testing for each module using automated pipelines.
- UAT Cycles with internal teams to validate workflows and performance.
- Load Testing for real-time data systems (Expedited and Billing modules).
Techstack
Backend Tech Stack |
AS400
Node.js
.NET (Connect Service Layer) |
|
|---|---|---|
Frontend Tech Stack |
React.js for Connect UI |
|
Document Management |
HS
Eleos |
|
Document Management |
Bill.com |
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Claims System |
Riskonnect |
|
Telematics |
ThermoKing
Carrier Lynx
GeoTab
Orbcomm (temporary) |
|
Conclusion
The implementation of the Connect Tool Suite at Hirschbach marks a significant leap forward in operational automation, visibility, and efficiency. By strategically building modular solutions across dispatching, geofencing, driver operations, billing, and claims management, Hirschbach is now better equipped to meet modern logistics demands with agility and precision.
