Phones4U - The Logistics Business

Project Profile
Phones4U
Transport Network Modelling
The Logistics Business completed a substansial project to model a same day delivery transport
network for Phones4U.
The project provided the client with
the infrastructure, stock holding and
costs of a network of hubs and delivery
vehicles to provide a same day delivery
service anywhere in the UK. The Logistics
Business’ suite of iFlow Modelling Tools
was used to develop the supply chain
network and costs. This included:
Geographic Models – data on the existing
operations was collected and analysed to
understand customer demand across the
different geographic and demographic areas
within the UK. This demand information was
modelled geographically to plot demand
density and establish the optimum locations
for transport hubs. Vehicle drive times to
satisfy customer demand and inbound
transport times were taken into account
within the models. The geographic models
were used to determine the optimum delivery
routes taking account of mileage, time taken,
number of drops, stem mileage, average
speeds and time with the customer.
Supply Chain Models – the information
generated from Geographic Models
provided the base data for the Supply Chain
Model. These models provide information
on volumes and products moved within
the network and stock holding at National
logistics.co.uk
Distribution Centres, hubs and delivery
vehicles. The sizes and functions of each
of the facilities was determined from this
information as was the optimum vehicle
types in the different parts of the network.
Cost Models – information on the physical
movement of products from Supply Chain
Model is integrated with the Cost Model.
This provides detailed information on the
total delivery costs to each customer. These
costs are broken down into the different
elements of the supply chain such as vehicle
costs, driver costs, hub handling costs,
inbound transport costs and cost of stock.
Reporting Functions – the reporting
capabilities within iFlow enable tables of
results to be produced to understand the
effects of parameter changes on service
levels and costs. All models are driven by
a comprehensive set of parameters that
provide the user with the ability to change
volumes of demand, stock levels, vehicle
speeds and road congestion. Peak periods
during the year and seasonal demand
patterns were all taken into account.
Project Overview
Customer:
Phones4U
Sector:
Retail
Project:
Transport Network Modelling
Services provided:
Supply Chain and Transport Modelling
Outcome:
Phones4U were provided with the
infrastructure and cost models to
successfully develop a same day
delivery network throughout the UK.
These reporting facilities were a key tool
in defining the optimum supply chain and
transport network for the client. The Logistics Business Ltd, Old Court House, The Crescent, Bromsgrove, B60 2DF, UK
Tel: +44(0)1527 889060 | Fax: +44(0)1527 559192