Since 1948, Ahern Waste Management and Recycling has provided a comprehensive waste management service across East London and South Essex, including recycling and recovery of materials. In September 2017, the company began looking at alternative solutions to address their waste management software requirements, as their needs had outgrown their incumbent supplier. After thorough market research, and system demonstrations, PurGo from VWS Software Solutions was chosen.
“PurGo was the perfect choice, as it seamlessly integrates with our bin weighing system from VWS.”
Responsible for the software implementation and management, Terri Anderson, Operations Director at Ahern Waste Management Services explains that “PurGo was the perfect choice, as it seamlessly integrates with our bin weighing system from VWS.” Bin weight data is automatically captured in PurGo from vehicles fitted with EnviroWeigh bin weighing and can be used to charge by weight and manage individual accounts.
As well as the rear end loaders, which are fitted with bin weighing, Ahern run a mixed fleet, comprising roll on roll offs, front end loaders, artics, skips loaders and 7.5 tonne vehicles.
After an initial trial of PurGo, using a test environment, “VWS Software Solutions took care of the data migration from our previous system”, explains Terri. This crucial stage of software implementation can require a great deal of internal resource, but the VWS Software Solutions team managed the whole process for Ahern.
“the team understands our business and our needs so well and we have such a good relationship with them.
A big part of the decision to switch to VWS Software Solutions was based on the relationship built by the team. Terri explains that “the team understands our business and our needs so well and we have such a good relationship with them. From the help offered by the sales team to the training and implementation support from Adam, our trainer, the service has been second to none.”
Commenting on the implementation Terri explains that “we have PurGo users across the business, including customer service, transport management, accounts, compliance and on the weighbridge. They all needed to be considered during implementation and support has been given on either a one to one or group basis, as required.”
Key system features being used by Ahern include the ability to manage vehicle maintenance and record defects, reconcile POs and using the case management feature to improve on SLAs.
“our workflows are streamlined, we work more efficiently and there is less risk of error”,
Having a centralised system, being used across the business, means that “our workflows are streamlined, we work more efficiently and there is less risk of error”, explains Terri. “We have more insight available to us through the introduction of management reporting and issues can be flagged in good time.”
Using a combination of Getac and Samsung devices, PurGo has also been implemented in cab for the drivers. Terri explains that “communication between the office and drivers is much better and they have much less paperwork – they love it!” This is also the case for weighbridge operators, whose jobs are “less labour intensive, thanks to PurGo”, says Terri.
Commenting on Ahern’s experience with VWS Software Solutions and PurGo, Terri says that “the software has given us a one stop shop – it’s everything we need. The team have been fantastic and our trainer, Adam is so patient. We’re his biggest fans!”
To find out more about PurGo waste management software or to book a demonstration, get in touch with the team.