A Warrington-based company has been clocking up more digital support during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the function to communicate in the digital world taking on a whole new level of importance for the road transport industry.
As a result Aquarius IT, a specialist road transport software company, has been kept extra busy supporting existing and new customers involved in the delivery of food and other crucial essentials to retailers.
As context, transport operators have always had to manage complex safety and legal compliance obligations in relation to drivers and vehicles, but the pandemic and social distancing rules brought on a whole new level of practical challenges for these essential, front-line services.
Consequently, Aquarius IT, experienced a surge in interest in its ClockWatcher Elite web-based software, which was developed more than 20 years ago to provide a range of digital driver and vehicle compliance solutions – the same solutions, which now, extend to being added-value IT services that facilitate more efficient and smarter COVID-safe working practices.
Mark Johnston, Director at Aquarius IT’s, says: “The current COVID-19 pandemic has forced us all to rethink and change the way we work. For those in the supply-chain delivering essential items, it’s been imperative that they digitally fast-track and transform the way they operate and communicate in order to be able to function effectively with front line / home-based staff and customers – and ensure no ‘paperwork’ is lost in the manic-ness of the situations.”
“As a result, customers have embraced all or more of ClockWatcher’s suite of driver and vehicle management tools, so that they can manage everything digitally; from tachograph analysis to infringement signings, accident reporting, walkaround checks, defect reporting, clandestine checks, drivers’ manifests and timesheets for payroll. Ultimately, this has enabled transport operators to be able to control and monitor their whole group’s compliance requirements remotely – and to help with COVID-19, it gave them an invaluable tool for communicating with all depots and home-workers in real-time.”
“One customer in particular who has been delivering fresh food to retailers all over the country, told us that ClockWatcher Elite proved particularly crucial in terms of managing time and attendance for its 800+ drivers. They said there was no paperwork to lose, because all driver and vehicle information was seamlessly processed digitally and available for their managers and accounts team to action at the touch of a button.”
Mark added: “COVID-19 has changed life as we know it, and the need to embrace digital technology has become a necessity. We are very lucky to have flourished in a pandemic and we are very proud to have played a part in helping our customers, who have done such a heroic vital job in the most challenging of circumstances. Looking ahead, with companies now invested in digital, we believe it will positively help to drive change and make businesses stronger, even more, efficient and customer-centric.”
