This section houses announcements on in-house, and industry sector, technological developments.
05 August 2024
Transport management is complex. At the heart of every operation is a transport manager who makes sure everything, from dispatch to delivery, goes smoothly. Every single day transport managers must achieve a balance between efficiency, cost management and reliability. This blog takes a closer look at some the challenges that transport managers face and suggests tools and strategies to overcome them. Read More >>
17 November 2023
If you're an SMB (small to medium sized business), you are probably constantly looking for ways to improve your logistics and are regularly seeing multiple different IT systems on the market. There are several possible solutions available that can improve the logistics function of a business. This blog examines some of the most commonly used IT systems that assist with logistics optimisation. Read More >>
05 July 2023
Integrating an EPOD (Electronic Proof of Delivery) system into a supply chain IT infrastructure involves connecting the EPOD system with other existing systems and processes to ensure seamless data flow and efficient operations. This blog examines some steps to consider when integrating EPOD into a supply chain IT infrastructure. Read More >>
21 April 2022
Designing new technology and engines to suit alternative fuel types isn’t a quick solution. It will take years to get it right before new solutions can be introduced to the open market and be competitive options for many businesses. Before we get to that point, it’s important for those within the industry to understand what is currently available and what the future could look like. Read More >>
20 January 2020
IoT relates to the devices and sensors that link the fleet manager to each of their vehicles and/or drivers via the internet – for example, vehicle telematics sensors, handheld mobile computers and even smartphones with the right Electronic Proof of Delivery (EPOD) software. Each of these device types expand a fleet manager’s view of workforce activity beyond the office and into the field, creating a digital network via which vital operational data can flow back and forth in real-time. Read More >>
06 January 2020
For many couriers a big question is how do you prove you left the goods where instructed? Indeed, how can you prove you were at an address at all? The practicalities are tricky to manage. The possibilities with a smart device don’t end with a signature and bar code. In instances where people have nominated a safe place, it’s now possible to take an image of the item in situ using the same device and link it to the order in the same way. Read More >>
18 November 2019
‘The cloud’ is a virtual space that’s connected to internet in which you can host, store and protect digital information, rather than having it saved on a single computer. This means that the information is accessible to any internet-connected device with the right permissions, from anywhere in the world. At Touchstar, all of our mobile computing solutions are software as a service (SAAS) applications based in the cloud, including PODStar, our Electronic Proof of Delivery (EPOD) system. This blog takes a closer look at the benefits of choosing a cloud-based EPOD solution. Read More >>
31 October 2019
As a fleet manager of a logistics company, think of the dozens of admin tasks you do every day. What if there was a way to take those off your to do list, so you could concentrate on what you do best - strategically improving the operational performance of your fleet? Read More >>
08 October 2019
When specifying a ‘PODStar’ system our entire team, from sales to business analysts and senior management, are focused on understanding the detail of the client operation. Our goal is to solve the client’s most pressing ‘pain points’ and identify issues that may be preventing companies from optimising their processes. By identifying and implementing the right combination of hardware technology and EPOD software within their existing workflow processes, we help our clients minimise the disruption to their ongoing operations during the implementation phase. But what happens once a system goes ‘live’? How does Touchstar ensure we’re providing optimized IT service management? Read More >>
21 June 2019
opting for separate specialist software systems doesn’t always guarantee the most effective digital set up for a logistics company. Instead, choosing an application that provides many integrated features within a single system - such as one that can track your drivers and record electronic proof of delivery (EPOD) - simplifies solution procurement and maintenance, boosts your purchasing power and streamlines and enhances the task of fleet management. Read More >>
22 February 2019
According to respected market analysts Gartner, Global IT spending is set to increase despite Brexit, recession and tariff rumours. Gartner predicts global IT spending will reach $3.8 trillion in 2019, an increase of 3.2% from 2018. If the ‘gloom and doom’ predictions prove correct and Brexit helps to trigger another recessionary period, notably for the UK, why on earth would business organisations contemplate spending increases? This article explains why IT spending in a recessionary period can be critical to survival. Read More >>
13 September 2017
Vehicle telematics is a hot topic in the logistics sector at present, and rightly so. This kind of performance data can be a hugely powerful tool in the transport operator’s search for maximum safety and efficiency - use it properly and there are some brilliant rewards to reap. Read More >>
09 June 2017
Vehicles and new technology are often thought of as having a close relationship. The latest models are usually stocked full of new gadgets, designed to improve safety, offer more entertainment or help with navigation. But the truth is that vehicle manufacturers have lagged behind the IT industry for some time. The latest advancements in in-car technology are usually improvements that have previously been offered through mobile devices and other forms of tech. Read More >>
20 April 2017
Technology’s impact on the logistics sector has been huge to say the least, but it will only continue to help businesses if it’s always evolving to meet their changing needs. That’s exactly why TouchStar is – and always will be - committed to improving its products. Here is how. Read More >>
20 April 2017
Logistics businesses generate huge volumes of data. Now, the DVSA want your information and by so you’ll be part of their earned recognition scheme. Find out more. Read More >>
13 April 2017
Adequate maintenance of your fleet of vehicles can cut your business’s running costs and streamline spending. By maintaining your vehicles properly – whether they’re HGVs, vans or cars – you stand to make significant savings in the long run. Read More >>
30 September 2016
The ongoing chat around drones has never been exclusively linked to a specific industry or purpose –they have potential uses in so many areas of life and business, from photography right through to the military. Read More >>
06 September 2016
Proof of delivery (POD) plays a crucial operational role for businesses across the world. It allows them – and their customers – to keep track of products as they move through the chain to their final destination. For maximum benefit, however, it must be done in the right way. Read More >>