Metrotec’s digital solutions help transport companies save time and money

Melka Auto is an Estonian family-owned company operating both in the domestic market and across Scandinavia. We spoke with Meelis Jürgenson, logistics manager and managing director at Melka Auto, about his experience using Metrotec’s GPS tracking software. He explains how the solution has made their daily work more efficient, transparent, and easier to manage.

What are your main work processes, and what types of transport services do you provide?
With our dump trucks, we transport bulk materials. With curtain-side trailers, we carry essentially everything else that our clients need transported. We also use sea containers to move clients’ goods to and from the ports of Paldiski and Muuga. The range of goods we transport is broad, from construction materials to food products.

What does a typical working day look like, and what kinds of problems do you need to solve daily?
A typical working day often starts with a load unloaded abroad, after which I hand over the CMR to the local logistics coordinator. Once the coordinator sees that the goods have been delivered, they send me the next destination. I also continuously guide the driver and help find a suitable refuelling location based on current fuel prices. This mainly applies to international transport.

In Estonia, we are currently working on two major Rail Baltic sites on different sections of the project. We are the main contractor, and several smaller companies are working with us. At the moment, around 35 vehicles are operating on these sites. My job is to distribute work between different parties and assign the necessary tasks and work orders to companies based on the site, section, and quarry.

Overall, I am responsible for ensuring that the entire logistics process runs smoothly and that goods reach their agreed destinations on time.

Do you use digital delivery notes?
Yes, most of our delivery notes are digital. In general, digital delivery notes work very well, and fortunately, the entire industry is moving toward digitalisation. Our employees now see it as a clear and convenient solution. Admittedly, we were somewhat hesitant about digital delivery notes ourselves, but we have moved past that.

When was the last time work was delayed or could not be completed, and what caused it?
Selliseid olukordi tuleb ette näiteks siis, kui mõni töötaja jääb haigeks ega saa tööle tulla või kui autoga juhtub midagi ootamatut, näiteks puruneb rehv. Sellisel juhul on autosid vähem ning töö saab küll tehtud, kuid see võtab rohkem aega. Välisvedudel tekivad suuremad probleemid siis, kui juhtub avarii ja koorem ei jõua õigeks ajaks kohale. Õnneks tuleb seda harva ette.

What information do you need every day to work efficiently?
The most important thing is positioning, which I monitor for both domestic and international transport. Every morning, I need to send clients a report showing the locations of our vehicles. With Metrotec, it is very easy to retrieve vehicle locations. The report is ready in just a few clicks.

It is also very convenient that I can open Google Maps with one click to see a vehicle’s exact location. One of Metrotec’s advantages is its significantly more affordable price. It is also more user-friendly than, for example, the My Scania application.

Do you also use the system for working time tracking?
Yes. We can also use the system to automatically read tachograph data. Previously, we used My Scania for this, but Metrotec’s advantage is that everything is brought together in one environment and at a more reasonable price.

When I consolidate all the data in Metrotec, I can immediately see, for example, how much rest time an employee needs over the weekend. It gives me a more complete overview of work organisation and makes the job much easier.

Have you tried any competing software besides Metrotec?
I have had some experience with other solutions, but in my opinion, this software is the most convenient and easiest to use.

Which metrics do you monitor the most?
I mostly use the map view to see where the vehicles are and where they are heading. I actually use two monitors: one constantly displays the map view, while the other is used for emails and other communication.

I also keep a close eye on fuel consumption, because it is important to know how economically a driver is driving. The system also helps identify possible fuel losses. In addition, I monitor the working time table, which provides a good overview of working hours.

What are the biggest challenges in your industry?
The recent geopolitical situation has significantly increased fuel prices, which in turn has raised the price of our services. Another major concern is the shortage of drivers. Experienced drivers are retiring, but not enough new drivers are entering the profession.

Because the world is changing so quickly, it is difficult to predict what kinds of problems may arise in a year or two.

Another challenge is that when construction work is underway, residents are not always happy with the work or with heavy trucks moving near their homes. This can create opposition and, in turn, cause problems for the client.

What do your clients expect from you the most?
Above all, clients expect shipments to move smoothly and arrive at the right destination within an optimal timeframe.

What is the greatest value you have gained from working with Metrotec?
The most important value is the positioning I mentioned earlier. I can constantly see where the vehicles are. This gives me the confidence to plan work calmly and, for example, make sure that a truck reaches the ferry on time.

I can also see how much driving and rest time a driver has remaining. This is especially important abroad, where violations can result in significant fines. The driver cannot embellish or hide anything, and as a logistics manager, I have an accurate overview at all times.

How many people in your company use Metrotec?
Three people. The solution is convenient to use on a phone and on a computer.

How have you adapted to using digital tachographs?
In the past, paper discs were used in tachographs. Today, digital tachographs are mandatory, especially for international transport. In the Metrotec environment, it is possible to download DDD tachograph files, which quickly provide an overview of driving times and possible violations, for example. If an inspection takes place, the necessary material is immediately available.

For example, abroad — especially in Sweden — authorities closely monitor where drivers take their 45-hour rest period. In long-distance transport, the driver must leave the vehicle during the rest period and stay in a hotel. If this requirement is not met, the fine can be as much as €2,000. In such situations, it is very useful when digital tachograph data immediately shows where the driver has been, how long they have driven, and how much they have rested.

With newer digital tachographs, the police no longer necessarily need to stop the vehicle, because the data can be checked remotely while the vehicle is moving. If something suspicious is detected, they follow the driver, stop the vehicle, and refer to the violations. Today, this process is highly automated, and the necessary information is quickly available to law enforcement. That is why I also install Metrotec devices on older vehicles, so that working and rest time tracking functions automatically there as well.

What is the biggest benefit you have gained from Metrotec’s digital tachograph solution?
Previously, if a driver had not downloaded their driving data within 28 days, they could receive a fine from the police. Now the data is downloaded automatically, and that risk no longer exists. Metrotec also shows how long a driver’s card remains valid.

The digital tachograph solution also saves a great deal of time. We no longer need to bring the device to the office or download each driver’s card one by one, because everything happens automatically.

How quickly can the investment in Metrotec pay for itself?
Metrotec’s fee is very reasonable and significantly more affordable than My Scania.

Why should a transport company invest in digital solutions?
First, it provides a significant time saving. Second, the entire world is moving toward digital solutions. If work is still done on paper and manually, it is very difficult to remain competitive, because others have already digitalised their processes and are therefore working much more efficiently.