Stewart's Shops Automates Delivery Process

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Stewart's Shops recently implemented Paragon Software Systems Inc.'s Single Depot solution, which automates the planning of the convenience store retailer's daily and seasonal deliveries. The software solution is designed to lower mileage, reduce fuel usage and improve truckload efficiencies, hence saving retailers money.

"We have a tremendous amount of variables that affect delivery to each shop, such as time windows, delivery door restrictions and vehicle restrictions that go into planning," said Ryan Faville, transportation manager at Stewart's Shops. "With the Paragon software, we get a holistic look at our operations and have been able to make significant improvements in vehicle utilization. Optimizing routes with Paragon has helped us to considerably reduce miles driven."

The Single Depot solution provides specific information including delivery requirements, required delivery windows, truck capacities, driver shift information and other transportation parameters. The software employs digital maps to calculate optimized routes and schedules in an effort to minimize overall transportation costs.

"Paragon Single Depot optimizes truck routes to cut transportation costs, provides a more reliable delivery service, reduces planning time and lowers fuel costs," said William Salter, president and CEO of Paragon Software Systems. "The number of parameters that go into planning the routes for Stewart's Shops is huge. Entering all the different store variables for daily delivery of gas and other products, along with seasonal delivery requirements, and then calculating the most efficient route, could not be done on a manual basis. Automating this process saves time, improves scheduling and reduces overall mileage."

Saratoga Springs, N.Y.-based Stewart's Shops operates 330 c-stores in upstate New York and southern Vermont.

Dallas-based Paragon Software Systems Inc. is a provider of truck routing and scheduling software solutions. It has more than 2,300 systems installed at more than 750 client sites in 45 countries worldwide.