Oakland, California, United States
Matson's supply chain event management software, Navigator, is further underscoring the "express" in Matson's China - Long Beach Express by adding greater visibility and speed in delivering key shipment information. In its first nine months of operation, Matson's China - Long Beach Express has been consistently delivering premium service, with fast transit times, reliable on time arrivals, and efficient throughput on the West Coast, resulting in next day cargo availability. Matson's overall service package is further strengthened by its world class technology that provides customers with the tools to manage complex overseas supply chains.
"Visibility and event management programs such as Navigator offer our customers an efficient, convenient way to monitor the progress of a shipment through e-mail alerts of key milestones in the supply chain process," said Dave Hoppes, senior vice president, ocean services. "Navigator also offers exception management features that automatically notify customers when there is a delay in any link in the supply chain. With Matson, customers decide what events are important to their specific needs and configure the alerts in a way that provides customized up-to-the-minute supply chain event management information. Unlike traditional shipment tracking systems, Navigator helps our customers manage their supply chain by exception instead of having to track every shipment. This translates into better service to their supply chain partners, as well as time and cost savings."
Currently, Navigator offers customers the ability to receive e-mail alerts regarding container movement status. Information is updated within 15 minutes of a shipment milestone, with notification sent via e-mail to as many copyholders as requested.
"We've found technology is increasingly important to our China customers," said Peter Weis, vice president and chief information officer. "The early adoption phase involved dozens of customers and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Our objective is to further leverage the premium, express service we've been delivering with our vessel and terminal operations through technology solutions that make Matson's China - Long Beach Express truly 'best in class.' The power of Navigator lies in its ability to fully configure any and all events in the supply chain using a sophisticated supply chain event management engine."
Navigator is the newest addition to Matson's broader suite of e-commerce capabilities, which include web-based bookings, online billing features, electronic payments, EDI transactions, and shipment tracking. The launching of Navigator is part of a broader Matson technology investment strategy that will ultimately benefit Matson's customers in its other key trade lanes, particularly Hawaii.
To date, customer feedback on Navigator has been very positive. Dan Patcher, logistics and traffic manager for Franco Manufacturing Company, reports: "This service has improved our ability to track shipments from the East Coast, giving me up-to-the-minute status on containers, which is timelier than trying to communicate with our trucker on the West Coast, given the three hour time difference." Susie Higgins, import manager at Creative Resources, LLC, concurs: "Knowing when containers arrive at the final destination is a big help. Navigator e-mail alerts allow me to advise my customers that the containers have arrived and that the trucking companies should be calling to set up deliveries." Wayne Kaminski, director of international logistics at Leggett and Platt in Chicago adds: "We have been using Matson's e-mail alerts and find that they save us time and are a very easy way of staying of top of our freight status."
Matson provides ocean transportation and logistics services. Matson is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.
(NASDAQ:ALEX).
CONTACT: Matson Navigation Company Jeff Hull, public relations 510-628-4534 JHull@matson.com
CONTACT: Matson Navigation Company Jeff Hull, public relations 510-628-4534 JHull@matson.com, ,
Source: Business Wire (Business Wire India)