"Today, we talk about business intelligence".

Interview with Mathieu RENON, President of Lachal Solutions, who talks about the importance and reliability of the data provided by TRUCKONLINE tools and solutions.

What does Lachal Solutions do?

Mathieu RENON: LACHAL SOLUTIONS operates in the field of groupage freight transport. The group comprises 5 agencies. We specialize in the daily distribution of products in the Rhône-Alpes-Auvergne, Centre Val de Loire, Île-de-France, Hauts de France, Pays de la Loire and Belgium regions. Our agencies operate as overnight relays to ensure continuity of service, enabling 24-hour deliveries between all these regions.

Why Truckonline?

MR: I think we were among the first to recognize that their solutions and ingenious approach represented the future for our organization. By moving from complex installations and tedious practices to interactive and precise tools, we've seen significant gains in time and accuracy. Each of their services is indispensable to our operations, forming a complete set of tools that each member of our team uses according to the specific needs of his or her job. 

What impact does this have on your management?

MR: Data collection simplifies our operations, offering us real added value by relieving us of time-consuming tasks. It improves our adaptability in the field, particularly in terms of goods movement. These tools also facilitate interaction between customers and our organization. When a customer entrusts us with an assignment, we are able to provide them with real-time follow-up, as well as accurate, high-quality information. In the current economic climate, this is a major advantage.

A word about data reliability?

MR: It's excellent! We check it daily. However, having information is one thing, but knowing how to interpret and analyze it is quite another. Take geolocation, for example: our teams act like air traffic controllers, they're like "traffic wardens" in a way. In the event of an accident, for example, we immediately reorganize our drivers' itineraries to meet our commitments to our customers. These tools enable us to anticipate at all times.

What do these tools bring to everyday life?

MR: With 120 drivers on the road every day, Truckonline solutions enable us to maintain a direct link with them. We can track their position on a map in real time, as well as their activity. We no longer need to call them to find out where they are or how the transport is going. Another example: when a driver needs to take a break, he is automatically alerted by the driver application installed on his smartphone. What's more, these tools automate certain tasks, such as the scheduled remote collection of legal data (V1b and C1b) thanks to Tim Collect. We have also introduced eco-driving practices.

What do drivers think?

MR: On the app, they benefit from a "Good Driving" service which is very much appreciated. This service compiles all their data to create a score in the form of stars, encouraging them to adopt better driving practices. What's more, the app enables them to stay in touch with the company, which represents a significant improvement in their working conditions.

What's your relationship with Truckonline?

MR: As a new technology enthusiast, it's a real pleasure to work with a team as passionate as theirs. It's a human-scale structure that encourages regular exchanges, which is very much appreciated. For me, Truckonline is a real partner in the growth of our company.

Any final words?

MR: Today, we're talking about business intelligence! On-board computing is as essential a production tool as our vehicles. Thanks to the collection and analysis of all this data, interfaced with our business software, we can accelerate and improve our decision-making, increase our operational efficiency, and thus gain a significant competitive edge.