Logistics Planning – When to start?
Logistics Planning & Inventory Planning are interlinked & both are derivatives of project planning. Logistics plan which includes deciding the camp locations & identifying the sourcing locations for various materials (especially aggregates) have to be done as early as possible. In fact we at Aqua, believe that companies can gain substantially if the logistics planning is completed at the project planning stage itself. Also Aqua believes in the partnership model where we help our clients in the pre-tendering process also – so that the customers get a realistic estimate of logistics cost for the project.
Logistics Planning – Our Approach
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Services
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Description
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Location of Camps
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The location of camps can play an important role in reducing logistics cost. Eg. If using rail option, having a camp next to an existing rail siding would substantially reduce last mile transportation.
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Route Survey
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Carry out detailed route survey from Source to Destination point with special report on the route survey identifying narrow roads, sharp turns, unworkable gradients, bridges, culverts, underpass, overhung, overhead structure or any other similar obstacles etc for safe transportation of Aggregates
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Distance Mapping
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Ensuring proper distance mapping from source point to destination along with client’s officials
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Identification & Appt. of Transporters
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In order to ensure maximum nos of aggregates transportation, various transporters needs to be identified and made fully operational. Aqua Also believes in using at least 40% of their owned/leased fleet for better management.
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Identification of Aggregate source points
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For meeting demand and supply challenges, its critical to identify various aggregates source points and ensure completion of project on dead line.
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Material Unloading Equipment
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Arrange necessary Material Unloading Equipment/facility and suitable manpower for safe unloading / handling of aggregates at various camp sites
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Rail Solutions
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Explore multi-modal options like rakes in requisite number as per required schedule for safe and timely transportation of aggregates through railways.
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GPS Systems
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All the Aqua Vehicles used for road transport shall be equipped with GPS (Global Positioning System)/ VTS (Vehicle Tracking System).
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Real Time Data Flow
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Built robust IT platform for real-time information flow from source to destination.
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Permissions
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Verify & obtain of all required clearances / permits from all governmental / non-governmental authorities for transportation of aggregates thru various modes.
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Final Transportation Schedule
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Finalise and adhere to the entire transportation schedule so as to meet the project schedule requirement.
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Logistics Planning Report
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Submit plan of logistics, including preparation of a comprehensive approach document for all the ODCs, work plan & transportation methodology plus schedule.
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Aqua’s Capabilities
1. Investment in Assets
Use of at least 40% of our own fleet/leased fleet to provide a stable fleet operation.
Advantages
(a) Using own fleet gives more control over operations.
(b) Minimizing pilferage using GPS technology.
(c) Reducing transit time and hence more material provided per vehicle (because of learning curve of drivers).
2. Fleet Management
Aqua has a dedicated operations team for managing material flow (for aggregates movement). Aqua’s operations team comprises of managers, supervisors & field guys with extensive experience in logistics management. Aqua’s Operations team is backed by a complete admin & finance office (at the project site) to ensure seamless operations & flow of information.
Advantages
(a) Complete control over operations ensures a smooth logistics operations for the customer. This enables the customer to concentrate it’s focus on the road construction, while the logistics part is handled by Aqua.
3. Ensuring visibility for materials moved using our Transport Management Software & Mobile Applications
Aqua has developed IT tools that capture the entire material flow for both inbound & outbound materials.
To minimize pilferage & seamless flow of information – Aqua uses a Transport Management System capable for handling both inbound & outbound logistics flow of information
Aqua realizes that some of the road construction projects are in areas where connectivity (internet) is a concern. Aqua has overcome this challenge by developing mobile based applications which requires lesser bandwidth as compared to their PC based applications. Thus Aqua ensures that real time data visibility is never compromised.
Advantages
(a) Real time visibility to the stores & the project manager on the status of the inventory levels for various materials (for aggregates segregation for stone dust, GSB, 20 mm, 40 mm & 10 mm is also provided).
(b) Daily Report Generation on the Quantity moved & Vendor Payables.