Drivers in the cold food supply chain encounter a range of challenges. Most notably, they often face complications with too many apps and tools, which contributes to driver fatigue and inefficient operational performance.
The journey begins
To improve the frontline driver experience and reduce application usage fatigue, Quality Custom Distribution, a division of Golden State Foods that provides custom distribution services to customers throughout the U.S., embarked on a digital route transformation journey within the past year.
We recognized that the complications of too many apps and tools burdened our drivers. Proof of delivery required the use of multiple systems, which led to inefficiencies and burnout among our drivers. Our strategy was simple: consolidate.
We aimed to create a one-stop, single sign-on platform that encompassed all drivers’ needs. We designed the solution by using data-driven insights that unified the driver’s needs onto a platform that includes each necessity: route outlines, direct communication between customers and our support team, checklists, general administrative tools, and AI algorithms for route engineering.
Training associates
Our team coordinated the roll-out process, deploying the new platform across QCD’s U.S. network of 25 distribution centers in just three months. Our planning ensured an easy transition for hundreds of QCD drivers. To support broad adoption of the new platform, our team of drivers, dispatchers, and transportation managers all received training and preparation before it went live.
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Leveraging the benefits
Through the digital route transformation initiative, we can now leverage QCD’s one-stop platform to provide actionable analytics and insights, enabling us to make data-driven decisions that enhance our route optimization, streamline the driver experience, and continually improve the efficiency of our transportation network.
We’ve been able to optimize QCD’s last-mile food service delivery operations throughout 25 distribution facilities while elevating the frontline driver experience and reducing application usage fatigue. Our continuous improvement efforts also enhanced QCD’s overall service delivery to thousands of customer stores throughout the U.S.
Additionally, QCD’s digital route transformation initiative earned the Customer Innovation Platinum Award in the Integration Excellence category this year from its vendor partner, Boomi, an intelligent connectivity and automation leader.
Looking ahead
We are set to overhaul QCD’s transportation analytics by integrating new insights from the calibration of ecosystems achieved during our digital route transformation journey.
To make informed data-driven decisions that support our people, customers, and sustainability initiatives, we will focus our efforts on extracting predictive insights from our network of connected data. Additionally, we will continue to enhance the experience of our frontline leaders by streamlining processes and integrating additional tools to provide a comprehensive, single-pane-of-glass experience.
