UK Transport Awards 2020

8 SME NEWS / SME Transport Awards 2020 , Optrak Distribution Software Ltd Best Route Optimisation Software and Consultancy 2020 & Leading Innovators in Logistics Software 2020 Feb20071 Contact Information: Company: Optrak Distribution Software Ltd Contact: Tom Pigden Web Address: www.optrak.com Optrak’s work involves the customisation, implementation and support of its Optrak4 vehicle routing platform for clients, as well as independent consultancy engagements with private organisations, NGOs and local authorities to improve the operational efficiency of transportation networks. Tom begins by telling us more about what sets the firm aside from others in this competitive space. “Here at Optrak, we stand out from our competition through the unique customisations we offer to make our product meet the real world requirements of our customers. Two examples are the integration complex 2D or 3D loading requirements into our optimisation process for better vehicle utilisation, and sophisticated product and cleaning rules to ensure no cross-contamination of products. “We primarily service industries with unique, complex requirements, such as food and drink, waste and recycling management and fuel oils and lubricants; industries where an off-the-shelf route optimisation package fails to match real operational requirements.” Since Optrak Distribution Software Ltd’s inception, the UK transport market has changed which has inevitably affected business. Tom continues to explain how the firm has worked to adapt around these changes and continue to offer the most innovative solutions possible. “Since it started in 1988, substantial changes have occurred in the UK transport market, driven by the growth of e-commerce and the introduction of technology in the distribution landscape and an evolution in the regulatory landscape. There has been an increase in larger HGVs used, as well as substantial increase in light van usage, tied to that e-commerce shift. Finally, certain industries, such as waste collection, have been profoundly changed by environmental standards and policy looking to eliminate waste to landfill. “Optrak has continuously updated its software, optimisation techniques and practice to reflect these transformations, and anticipates the next five years in particular to be transformational in its industry as environmental concerns entirely realign the transportation industry to new practices and standards. Optrak intends to expand its research-focused approach in the future to incorporate significant new developments in operations research, and has ongoing projects with more than 10 UK academic bodies independently and as part of UK industry-academia research groups.” Today, the UK transportation industry is at a profound crossroad as a result of the UK’s impending departure from the EU, new environmental standards and a shortage in key labour roles. Tom explains further. “All of these aspects add a degree of complexity and uncertainty to freight operators who need to ensure they operate their current networks with optimum efficiency and flexibility to respond to significant change. “Optimisation technology offers distributors an unparalleled solution to improving fleet utility, efficiency of current resources and responsiveness to this environment, as well as an effective evaluation tool for current strategic priorities and infrastructure investment. Optrak is looking, through its new product and service offerings, to offer unparalleled insight into these Optrak is a specialist route optimisation software and consultancy provider, servicing private and public road freight operators in theUK, Europe andNorthAmerica.We speak to TomPigden, the firm’s Commercial Director. operations, integrating real-time analysis of distribution networks and model the impact of changes to an organisation’s structure to respond to market pressures. “Optrak welcomes positive change in the industry, especially in regards to environmental regulatory developments, as it believes its service offerings fit in a wider picture of the transportation industry adopting best practices and becoming a net contributor to the UK’s environmental commitments. “In regards to adherence, Optrak works closely with UK industry and academic research bodies, such as the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight and Decarbonising the UK’s Freight Transport on proposed regulation and policy. It has also worked closely with NGOs on potential UK government waste policy, and believes in taking an involved and proactive approach in discussing industry changes.” Bringing the interview to a close, Tom is keen to highlight on Optrak’s plans regarding its future endeavours and where he envisions the firm will be in the years to come. “Optrak is launching its new web-based Optrak5 platform in 2020; offering a full SaaS-based route, load and schedule optimisation service utilising the latest in optimisation and cloud-compute utilisation to provide what it believes will be the most performant optimisation services currently in the market, with an advanced data model design that can not only solve existing road freight challenges, but look at parallel transportation sectors that currently lack optimisation solutions, such as coach transportation and service fleets.”