Customer Story

Jensen Precast improves delivery efficiency with Novacura Flow

May 21, 2021

Jensen Precast optimized its proof-of-delivery process and enabled data-driven decisions with the automation of truck scheduling dispatch, product delivery, and mobile accessibility for drivers.

Over 50 years ago, Jensen Precast started as a one-person operation and has since grown into one of the largest independently owned precast concrete companies in the United States. As the company expanded in size and reputation, so did its desire to maximize operational efficiency. One of the first areas, Jensen Precast was looking to overcome was the ability to dispatch and gather proof-of-delivery documentation through a mobile application.

Precast concrete can be expensive to manufacture and ship, and Jensen Precast knew profitability was dependent on making the dispatch and delivery process as efficient as possible.

The delivery method at Jensen Precast was mostly paper-based, which caused inefficiencies and impacted productivity. For each product delivered, three separate documents need to be completed, signed, and returned. The stack of papers then had to be manually entered into their ERP system, IFS Cloud, which was time-consuming, error-prone and delayed invoicing.

Jensen Precast was also using a home-grown delivery solution, but it was not user-friendly and lagged in responsiveness. Dispatchers often had to make decisions with incomplete information, which led to errors and inefficient scheduling of trucks. Due to the unique nature of its business, Jensen Precast knew that regardless of the solution selected to expedite delivery processes, the company needed the ability to customize.

To get an apples-to-apples comparison, we came up with an app concept to test. What took our team three weeks to develop in-house only took 45 minutes with Novacura Flow’s IFS connector, and that’s when I knew it was the right solution for us.

Josh Burns

Jensen Precast, Software Development Manager

With the new app in hand, drivers had all the information they needed to show proof-of-delivery. An easy step-by-step interface walked them through the entire process and provided immediate access to shipment details directly from IFS Cloud.

The shipment receiver could sign for the order electronically, download a PDF on the spot and a picture of the shipment could be attached to the order to show proof-of-delivery. All the information was collected and synced to IFS Cloud in real-time.

Jensen Precast also streamlined its dispatch process leveraging Novacura Flow’s Portal. With Portal, dispatchers could see orders in IFS Cloud and any available trucks in real-time, making it easier to schedule deliveries.

Once the proof-of-delivery app was deployed, Jensen Precast saw massive time savings in data entry and dispute resolution. Orders that used to take hours to input now were updated in IFS Cloud in real-time and included all associated proof-of-delivery documentation. Dispatchers also gained improved insight into orders that were ready for delivery.

Jensen Precast has already developed more than 100 workflows and 7 portals for IFS Applications using the Novacura Flow low-code development platform.