Manchester, UK, 15th July 2020 – Computer Design Systems Limited (C.D.S.), the market leading developer of software for the downstream oil and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) industries for over 45 years, has launched a new mapping and routing solution, CODAS Fleet, offering fuel distributors fully automated, optimised, multi-vehicle scheduling capabilities.

Featuring a highly sophisticated, cloud-based scheduling algorithm, CODAS Fleet automates the creation of intelligent and efficient transport plans according to priorities set by the scheduler, whilst adhering to vehicle, driver, road, depot, and product constraints, at the push of a button.

By automating route planning, CODAS Fleet removes the need for humans to consider all of the complexities of downstream fuel delivery, while the algorithm runs faster than manual planning and is capable of being run repeatedly throughout the day. This reduction in manual work saves personnel time on these tasks and removes the risk of human error.

In a competitive marketplace, CODAS Fleet also offers cost savings to fuel distributors of any size, not only by reducing the cost of running the vehicles themselves but also within their scheduling departments; the introduction of cloud-based maps limits reliance upon local knowledge allowing employees to turn towards other value-adding tasks.

The easy to use nature of the solution also gives smaller companies added flexibility, ensuring that if the individuals in charge of routing are away from the office that anybody can use CODAS Fleet. With a fleet size of over 40 vehicles, Robert Weedon, Managing Director of home heating oil provider, Mitchell & Webber, commented on its use of CODAS Fleet, “If all my routers called in sick tomorrow, I could use this system to give me a good starting point to work from.”

Further benefits provided by CODAS Fleet include reducing the mileage of journeys and, therefore, carbon emissions, and allowing fuel distributors to increase ROI by enabling drivers to become more productive through making more deliveries.

Graeme Lea, Managing Director, C.D.S., commented, “Scheduling a fleet of multi-drop fuel tankers is a complex process requiring specialist knowledge and there are substantial interdependencies that need to be considered before you can settle on the best method and route. CODAS Fleet provides fuel distributors with a tool which rapidly and accurately takes account of these considerations, producing a suggested transport plan which routes all deliveries whilst making best use of available vehicles. Since CODAS Fleet allows easy manual adjustment of transport plans too, our customers can route dynamically throughout the day, as well as reap the time and cost-saving benefits of automation.”