Domino's Pizza Converts to PeopleNet's Mobile Communications and Onboard Computing System
PeopleNet Technology Enhances Pizza Maker's Customer Service
LAS VEGAS - ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, Oct. 5, 2004 - PeopleNet, the leading provider of onboard computing and mobile communications systems to North American transportation operations, today announced that Domino's Pizza Distribution has equipped its fleet with PeopleNet's onboard computing and mobile communications system.
"We make great pizza," says Robert Bredlow, national transportation director for the fleet of 200 power units and 220 trailers that is responsible for delivering everything from the pizza dough to the paper products - and everything that goes in between. "We wanted a system that would help us improve our ability to continue to make and deliver great pizza."
That is easier said than done. Domino's Pizza has nearly 5,000 stores domestically - the majority of which are operated by franchisees. Domino's Pizza Distribution fleet offers something no other foodservice provider can offer - service.
Because the pizza dough has a shelf life limited to five days, the fleet's responsibility is to make deliveries to the pizza stores two to three times per week. In addition, when a store orders product, the Domino's fleet will have it there within 48 hours.
To accomplish this, Domino's Pizza runs mostly teams that, on average, carry products for 16 different stops for each 300-mile route, with each stop averaging roughly 30 minutes. About half of the time is spent rolling, the other half making deliveries.
Supporting the service-sensitive fleet is PeopleNet, which Domino's acquired in April to replace a competitive system. First on Bredlow's list of priorities was eDriver Logs, PeopleNet's paperless hours of service program. "Our drivers aren't paid to fill out logs," he says. "They're paid to deliver the products to make and enjoy pizzas. With electronic logs, we get a faster, more accurate accounting of their time - and automated payroll."
With the entire hours of service regulations up in the air as a result of a recent federal court ruling, Bredlow says that with PeopleNet's over-the-air-programming (OTAP), in which allows upgrades or changes to the operating system to be made automatically, remaining compliant with the regulations has never been easier.
Bredlow also says that integrating the PeopleNet GPS-based location tracking system with their RoadNet Technologies' routing platform makes locating the right truck and getting it dispatched in the most efficient manner has allowed Domino's Pizza Distribution to improve service.
"The two-way communication piece of the system is huge," he explains. "Our stores handle a sales 'rush' from 5 to 9 p.m. every day. If they're running low on product, we can ping the truck to see where it is and, if necessary, redirect that unit or route another one to meet the store's needs on a just-in-time basis."
Another key factor in the decision to roll with PeopleNet has been the support he has received from the Professional Services team, the service organization PeopleNet has assembled to help ease the roll-out of its technologies within the customer's organization.
"PeopleNet is not about moving hardware and software," he says. "They're about solving problems. Their team came in and helped us get organized and became an advocate for us to help solve the issues we faced." Today, Domino's Pizza Distribution, with the help of a committed team of drivers and the support of PeopleNet technology, boasts a market share of nearly 100 percent of the franchisee stores.
The PeopleNet system has become the standard for GPS-based location tracking, two-way voice and data communications, electronic driver logs, and Internet-based fleet business tools to provide consistent, reliable communication between business owners, dispatchers, drivers and shippers.
Headquartered in Minneapolis, PeopleNet is the fastest-growing provider of Internet-based onboard computing and mobile communications systems to the transportation industry, including truckload, LTL, private, and service fleets. The company serves carriers throughout the U.S. and Canada and has signed more than 1,000 customers since our inception 10 years ago. For more information about PeopleNet, call 888-346-3486, e-mail info@peoplenetonline.com, or visit www.peoplenetonline.com.
