HP fetches the perfect solution to Freightways' deliveries

By ADAM GIFFORD

The Freightways electronic trading and commerce hub - Fetch to its friends - has created a logistics solution for Hewlett Packard New Zealand's service arm which will channel deliveries through courier companies in the Freightways Group.

Fetch was originally envisaged as a way business-to-consumer websites could put a window into the Freightways system so users could seamlessly specify how they wanted their orders delivered.

But general manager David Tombs said strong demand was coming from organisations building business-to-business sites. He said HP was looking for an online solution to help with logistics management.

The Fetch solution is attached to the HP service call centre. When the operators take service requests which involve picking up or delivering a machine or part, they can quickly use the drop-down menus to select the appropriate transport option.

HP already has a complex tracking system to follow items around its organisation, and Mr Tombs said this was incorporated in the solution.

"Their number becomes our number."

Fetch business consultant Gordon Matthews said HP would be able to track product throughout all aspects of the third-party distribution process directly from the website.

He said HP had a particular problem managing courier services between multiple addresses.

"There are situations where HP has a requirement to organise a pick-up and delivery involving two addresses - not including their own. These addresses include retailers, wholesalers, distributors, repair facilities if needed, and customers."