One of the problems with high tech equipment is handling. Whether it be a single server, system rack, printer or CRAC unit, if a piece of equipment does not arrive intact, it can seriously impact schedules and projects, not to mention insurance and replacements costs.
To tackle this increasingly important issue, Stuart Burke, managing director of Hytech Logistics, set about developing a standard for last mile delivery and positioning of all manner of technical equipment.
The process called Deliver, Offload and Position System (DOPsys) delivers a consistently high standard in technical distribution for service providers that deals with the “technical processes, personnel training, service specific insurance, IT infrastructure, specialist mechanical handling equipment and transport vehicles required to ensure a premium technical distribution service”.“Up until now there has been no specific standard for last mile logistics,” said Stuart Burke. “Large companies all over the world develop, package and deliver their high value products, typically to a distribution centre, and from there it goes to a transport company to handle delivery for the final mile. But to date there has been no standard governing how well that final mile is handled.”
Going further than just a quality-assured delivery system, DOPsys-certified personnel come with three escalating levels of expertise — technician, team leader and project manager — and every aspect of the last mile is covered, from manual handling and health and safety measures, to insurance and site surveys in case specialist equipment is needed, up to advanced project management.
“Going back 20 or 25 years ago, delivery was often to the back door of the office and then a porter or maintenance guy would do the last bit. Today the end consumer wants to go in and just switch on — they want their equipment in place and ready to use. That’s the last link in the chain and it decides whether it was a good experience or not,” said Burke.
To cater for the specific needs of individual industries, DOPsys has specialised training programmes that allow certification of technicians to work at a higher level in a defined set of circumstances. For example DOPsys Adqual for Printers allows technicians to fully install, commission and set up a printer on a network.
Adqual for servers does the same for servers, while a dedicated automated teller machine (ATM) system under development.
“Different industries can have extra specifics added to their base training programmes and their technicians will be trained for the unique aspects of that sector,” said Stuart Burke.
The DOPsys system is designed to be scalable and transferable. It is sold by yearly licence so companies can get access to the DOPsys four step process, training, specific insurance and industry specific add-ons such as Adqual.
The UK Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport has endorsed the Dopsys methodology and has worked with DOPsys to make sure that its training systems meet internationally recognised standards, giving industry credibility. Steve Agg, chief executive for institute, said the system meets a number of key industry needs.
“As a professional body involved in logistics and transport,” said Agg, “one of our primary aims is to enhance the status of the profession and those people working in it. In this case, with Dopsys we have a system which aims to provide a high quality delivery system and customer service programme and which gives everyone involved with it absolute confidence that things will be carried out to a reliable and high set of standards,” said Agg.
“When any of us order technical equipment, regardless of what it is or what industry we work in, we all want the same thing. We want it on-site, installed and working as soon as possible and with the minimum of hassle. DOPsys is giving consumers and businesses the confidence to know that if they are served by a logistics company that is Dopsys certified, then that’s just what they’re going to get,” he said.
The system certified process is governed by a 4 step approach, assessment, planning, execution and post-delivery activities, delivered by DOPsys certified partners. Specific training delivered by Logistics Learning Alliance and accredited by The Chartered Institute Of Logistics and Transport. The programmes, Level 1 Technician, Level 2 Team Leader and Level 3 Project Manager, are designed to encourage career development for DOPsys operators.
The DOPsys IT module supports end to end process automation with real-time client access to view from beginning to end, with imagery of installed product. It ensures the latest specialist mechanical handling equipment and transport vehicles in use to handle client product.
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