On track for success with cloud telephony

Every second counts when delivering sensitive goods such as fresh food and medical supplies. At the same time, the logistics industry faces the challenge of digitising its processes ––both to optimise existing services and to open up new markets. The example of Ludwig Meyer Logistik shows how this can be achieved with the modern and flexible telephony solution Vodafone Business UC with RingCentral

The Challenge

Sustainable and flexible logistics

Sustainability plays a key role for Meyer Logistik. For over a decade, the company has relied on alternative drive systems such as CNG, hybrid, fully electric lorries, LNG and hydrogen. The vehicles have covered over six million kilometres and reduced CO₂ emissions by over 500 tonnes. Lower-emission refrigeration units and environmentally friendly coolants are also being used. Consistent digitalisation is therefore essential for the company––processes, some of which were defined decades ago, are reviewed for efficiency and sustainability and adapted where necessary.

This also includes voice and data communication. The drivers of the approximately 1,200 transport vehicles can be reached primarily via mobile phones, along with tablets, for example for load management or route planning. The SIM cards used in the mobile devices are supplied to Meyer Logistik by Vodafone Business. However, a relevant proportion of the employees working at the company headquarters and around 90 other locations––from dispatchers to hotline staff––require traditional landline connections and a company-wide telecommunications system. By the end of 2022, Meyer Logistik decided to outsource this function to the cloud and use Vodafone Business' UC solution with RingCentral.

The Company

International logistics expert

Ludwig Meyer GmbH & Co. KG can look back on 75 years of company history. Today, the internationally active logistics expert, whose company headquarters are located in Friedrichsdorf, Hesse, has more than 1,800 employees and a state-of-the-art fleet of over 1,200 distribution vehicles. The company specialises in temperature-controlled logistics for food and sensitive goods––for example, supplying supermarkets over the "last mile".

The "Medical Service" division transports sensitive medical goods and samples to and from doctors' surgeries, clinics and laboratories. The family-run company is now managed by the third generation of owners.

The Solution

Unified communications thanks to RingCentral

The communication requirements at Meyer Logistik's branches are similar in many respects to those of countless other companies: Some employees use desk or cordless phones, others prefer to make calls via an app on their work computer. Integration with Microsoft Teams is essential for video conferences with internal colleagues or business partners. Mobile employees want to be reachable on their smartphone via their extension number while on the move.

However, there are also specific requirements that arise from working in the logistics sector: for example, warehouses and cold stores are typically made of reinforced concrete, meaning that employees working there are dependent on telephony via the DECT wireless standard. The company took this situation into account when migrating its telephone system to the cloud.

The standard RingCentral functions are sufficient for most employees. As the company also operates a customer hotline, it is possible to define which extensions should be included in the hotline call groups for the employees working there. The company realised the unified communications (UC) connection using a RingCentral plugin in Microsoft Teams. The RingCentral app is installed on all work computers, and users can include desk or cordless phones via parallel calls if they wish.

"Vodafone Business understood our needs straight away and actively supported us with the implementation. The cooperation is very cooperative," reports Stefan Andreas Pietrowski, IT Team Lead at Meyer Logistik. "The virtual PBX offers us enormous flexibility and is easy to administer." There are further advantages when employees change, for example: "In this case, it is very easy to reassign a landline number via the intuitive dashboard."

According to Stefan Andreas Pietrowski, the introduction of RingCentral has also significantly improved the availability of employees and the voice quality of calls.

The Advantages

Flexible communication thanks to Vodafone Business UC with RingCentral

The cloud-based RingCentral communication system is available at all Meyer Logistik sites. It also allows employees to work on the move and switch seamlessly between different end devices and forms of communication. Number blocks from different area codes can be conveniently integrated, and hotline employees can be included as required via call distribution lists.

As IT Team Lead at Meyer Logistik, Stefan Andreas Pietrowski was responsible for the migration of the company's telephone system to the cloud and is now in charge of its administration. We spoke with him about the benefits of the new Vodafone Business UC with RingCentral and the feedback from employees.

What role does digitalisation play in your business?

Stefan Andreas Pietrowski: There are many reasons for us to consistently focus on digitalisation. For example, it helps us to make our processes more efficient, to become more sustainable by reducing our energy requirements and, last but not least, to increase our attractiveness as an employer in times of a shortage of skilled labour by being able to offer mobile working and modern workplaces.

Why did you switch Meyer Logistik's telecommunications system to RingCentral and move it to the cloud?

Stefan Andreas Pietrowski: We were increasingly dissatisfied with the previous solution––most recently, the provider's support no longer responded to our enquiries at all. So it was clear that we wanted to make a change. After researching the market and liaising with our partners at Vodafone Business, we decided to opt for a modern, cloud-based solution.

In your opinion, what are the biggest advantages that RingCentral brings to your company?

Stefan Andreas Pietrowski: The centralised management and significantly simplified administration have taken a lot of pressure off us in the IT department. On top of this comes the solution's great flexibility, for example in the integration or definition of call distribution lists for the hotline.

What feedback are you getting from employees?

Stefan Andreas Pietrowski: Everyone is extremely satisfied with the very high stability and improved voice quality. In addition, colleagues are increasingly discovering the new possibilities offered by the modern, cloud-based solution.

How do you rate the cooperation with Vodafone?

Stefan Andreas Pietrowski: Vodafone Business understood our needs straight away and actively supported us with the implementation. We exchange information regularly, and the lines of communication are short and efficient. The cooperation is always on an equal footing which makes it a pleasure.

The traditional analogue telephone system has had its day in the age of AI, 5G and smartphones––this is now also clear to small and medium-sized companies. However, there is often still uncertainty as to which alternative offers the best chances of a competitive future. Cloud telephone systems are a flexible and cost-efficient communication solution that also meets the needs of SMEs. They enable location-independent accessibility, simple scalability and numerous additional functions.

Cloud telephone solutions such as RingCentral from Vodafone Business offer SMEs a future-proof, cost-efficient and flexible communication solution. They support mobile working, increase accessibility and integrate seamlessly into existing IT systems. They are an ideal choice for companies that want to grow and remain competitive. Would you like to find out more about the benefits of RingCentral for your company? We will be happy to advise you!