The idea of a 9-5, cubicle-separated, punching-in-your-time-card work environment has become more of a stereotype than a reality. Instead, “work” is now more loosely defined where the creation of a collaborative, connected and continually evolving workspace is not only encouraged, but important for any business to survive. To drive efficiency and foster innovation companies have to provide workers access their projects, their colleagues and their research from any location at anytime.
Even when that means the front seat of a big rig.
The Tandet Group, one of the largest diversified independent distribution companies in Ontario, has embraced emerging technologies to help it thrive in the hyper-competitive trucking and logistics sector and steer it into a leadership position in the digital age. With Dell-enabled technologies, it is helping drivers stay connected with their communities, bridging the communication gaps on the road with the right tools, and improving the quality of life “on the road.”
For Corey Cox, vice-president of information systems at Tandet, connecting trucks, tracking and mapping distribution routes and digitizing the maintenance performance on vehicles is only the first wave of digital transformation that has allowed the company to expand.
“We recognized that we had the opportunity to get ahead of the curve. Our choice was simple – drive the change ourselves or be forced off the road by those coming up from behind,” he says.
He attributes the impetus to change, at least in part, on the success of the company’s SharePoint 2016 – a platform designed for social media and collaboration as well as an internal communications tool.
What does the future hold for Tandet Group? Cox says, “The next big step for us is the technology change that’s occurring in mobile systems. Our goal is to take our trucks and turn them into an extension of our offices on the road. With sensors, telematics, and the ability to put high-powered computing in the cab of the vehicle, our drivers will become the ambassadors to our customers.”
The move to a digital transformative workspace isn’t achieved overnight. To achieve a true state of digital transformation, organizations need to reform their approach in how they network with their customers, vendors and employees. They need to understand that digital transformation isn’t a fad, it’s a way of life. More specifically, it’s the new way of conducting business and integrating the latest technologies into our everyday life for a more connected community and productive workforce.
For more information on Tandet Group’s success with building a digitally transformative enterprise, click here.