Computer Software Category Winner

Dispatch Center Module

Point-of-Rental Systems

Key Innovation: Integrates with transactions marked for delivery and pickup in Point-of-Rental Systems Enterprise software; to efficiently route vehicles.

Point-of-Rental Systems' Dispatch Center module allows rental stores to schedule pickups and deliveries as “trips” assigned to specific delivery trucks. Each truck-trip combo can have multiple stops routed with turn-by-turn roundtrip directions and maps. It interfaces with Point-of-Rental’s Enterprise software listing each day’s delivery/pickup contracts for one or all stores. Overview maps provide dispatchers the ability to group contracts geographically. Users can add rental contracts to a trip with just a click of the mouse. Maps are displayed using Microsoft’s MapPoint and can be imported into compatible devices. Dispatchers can assign drivers and crew, track fuel consumption and define time parameter for each stop. In addition to the maps and turn-by-turn directions, the Dispatch Center includes reports to help ensure all items are loaded and ultimately picked up.

RER: What makes the Dispatch Center Module innovative?

Jason Albus, IT engineer, Point-of-Rental Systems: It provides rental store dispatch personnel with the information they need to efficiently schedule and control the routing of inventory that is to be delivered and picked up. It eliminates the need for the printed reports, maps and marker boards typically associated with rental dispatch planning. The Dispatch Center creates a central place for the dispatcher or logistics manager to review data for a specific day all the way down to the inventory item level. Having all the information in one place allows for last minute changes to be incorporated into the plan easily and effectively. The module also spreads the dispatch effort out over time. Long term planning, in some instances weeks in advance of the delivery or pickup, reduces costly mistakes commonly associated with hastily created plans. It is uniquely innovative in that the Dispatch Center has two way integration with Point-of-Rental System’s Enterprise counter operations module so that everyone on the system has real-time access to detailed dispatch plans all the way to the item level. Many queries normally requiring input from dispatch personnel can now be answered by counter personnel and others.

RER: What are the benefits of the Dispatch Center Module? How does it make jobs more effective and efficient for rental professionals and their contractor customers?

Albus: The dispatch center adds value to rental professionals on many levels. Foremost, it reduces operational costs so the store can keep rental rates competitive, increase profits and be able to afford newer rental equipment. Costs are reduced both by reducing time spent creating the delivery schedule and the time spent executing it by viewing the most efficient delivery and pickup routes on the computer screen. From this screen contracts can be edited directly to add, delete and make other changes. Additionally, counter staff and rental operators can, with confidence, provide more accurate information to answer queries from their customers.

RER: Describe the development process of the Dispatch Center Module. Where did the idea come from and who was responsible for its engineering and development?

Albus: Point-of-Rental Systems develops products using a team consisting of programmers, support employees, and our customers. This particular idea came from some of our larger customers. Many new features are introduced to our Enterprise product via yearly updates but meeting the needs of dispatchers was a big project that required a whole new module. The project began by researching acceptable mapping tools. Microsoft® MapPoint gave us the base mapping tools we wanted without all the pop-up ads associated with web-based mapping services. Next the programmers created the new module and interfaced it to the portions of the existing software that enable counter functionality resulting in the Dispatch Center Module. The product was first tested at a small number of stores. Based on their input, functionality was honed and new features added, resulting in a “beta” version of the product that was tested in several more stores prior to release of the final product.