OpenPlant for Transport Managers
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This role is really for those firms that have substantial amounts of their own plant and a fleet of vehicles to transport it. Smaller firms may combine or merge this role into the Plant Co-ordinator function. The essence of this role is the transport of internally owned plant in the most cost effective manner.
When an internal item is assigned from an order to a site, the system automatically creates a transfer request which is sent to the transport manager. The transport manager can confirm or reject the request and he can provide any reasons for rejection in a note field, provided for this purpose. A request may be denied because there is not any available transport or for other reasons. If rejected, the request bounces back to the pc, to allow for the item to be sourced externally.
The transport manager also has the option to substitute another item for the one that has been requested. For example, site cabin SC-40-1 might be assigned, because it is shown in the system as being in the depot and available for hire. However, it might be stored underneath 3 or 4 other cabins, so it is possible in this circumstance to substitute site cabin SC-40-4 for it.
When the Transport Manager is content that he can deliver the plant at the appropriate time, he accepts the request. This updates the order back to the pc and the sa screens, to let them know the changed status. A new facility in the Churchill version of the software allows for automated emails or text messages to be sent to any or all parties, anytime that an item is updated, if that facility is required. Once accepted, a transfer request becomes a transfer and the Transport Manager can then simply update the system, when the item is actually shipped.
The transport manager can also play a major role in the day to day movement of plant from site to site via the gang facility. This will vary from firm to firm but the gang facility allows for the bulk movement of standard plant items that are issued to a particular gang, without the need to create individual orders for each item. An administration facility allows for a gang to be created and named, perhaps in the name of a site foreman, and to have a range of standard equipment allocated to it. This might include chains, cabins and dumper trucks or other standard plant items. These items are then moved between sites by simply moving the gang’s name, within the system. The items are automatically off hired from the existing site and hired onto the new site, at the appropriate time.
A site agent has no control over the movement of gangs, nor can an agent off hire plant items that are taken to a site that a gang is moved to. These decisions are taken by the relevant managers. The Transport manager, or anyone who is given that role, merely arranges to move the gangs between the sites, as required.
A gang administration facility is available to create and edit gangs and to manage the equipment allocated to them. Items can be replaced, removed or added to a gang, by a transport manager, as and when required.
