How Saia maintained operational agility during the pandemic
The challenge
Saia LTL Freight operates 198 terminals across the country and employs 14,000 people. The pandemic led to a difficult situation, as employee safety is a priority.
With the need to be able to shut down terminals quickly with minimal effect on their network and customers, the need for a solution that could address these challenges and ensure agility was evident.
In a March 2020 letter to customers, Saia ensured shippers that operations, terminals and equipment were on standby and ready to fill the gap if COVID-19 were to affect Saia’s operations.
Throughout the following months, these contingency plans would help them to serve customers, maintain employee safety, and ensure that Saia delivers.
The solution
As a long time user of HaulPlan, Saia knew their way around the system when the unexpected struck. While purpose-built for linehaul planning and optimization, Optym’s technology enabled Saia to maintain advanced agility, which easily transferred over as an emergency planning tool.
Saia took advantage of various optimization modes, which allowed for studies for diverting shipments from one terminal to another specific terminal, selecting the next best terminal in hub skip mode. As terminals would quickly need to be dropped from the network, Saia was able to quickly adjust.
The solution
As a long time user of HaulPlan, Saia knew their way around the system when the unexpected struck. While purpose-built for linehaul planning and optimization, Optym’s technology enabled Saia to maintain advanced agility, which easily transferred over as an emergency planning tool.
Saia took advantage of various optimization modes, which allowed for studies for diverting shipments from one terminal to another specific terminal, selecting the next best terminal in hub skip mode. As terminals would quickly need to be dropped from the network, Saia was able to quickly adjust.
The solution
As a long time user of HaulPlan, Saia knew their way around the system when the unexpected struck. While purpose-built for linehaul planning and optimization, Optym’s technology enabled Saia to maintain advanced agility, which easily transferred over as an emergency planning tool.
Saia took advantage of various optimization modes, which allowed for studies for diverting shipments from one terminal to another specific terminal, selecting the next best terminal in hub skip mode. As terminals would quickly need to be dropped from the network, Saia was able to quickly adjust.
Results
HaulPlan allows carriers to thrive in the face of uncertainty, showcasing the effectiveness of technology in mitigating the impact of external disruptions.
With HaulPlan in place, Saia successfully prepared for an unexpected event and navigated the challenges brought about by COVID-19 in a way that best served employees and customers.
Results
HaulPlan allows carriers to thrive in the face of uncertainty, showcasing the effectiveness of technology in mitigating the impact of external disruptions.
With HaulPlan in place, Saia successfully prepared for an unexpected event and navigated the challenges brought about by COVID-19 in a way that best served employees and customers.
“HaulPlan has empowered our planners to easily see the network impact of our decisions, design temporary weather or COVID impacted alternatives, and seamlessly push our changes into our execution system, saving us and our customers time and money,”
Jeff Owen
Vice President of Linehaul Operations
“HaulPlan has empowered our planners to easily see the network impact of our decisions, design temporary weather or COVID impacted alternatives, and seamlessly push our changes into our execution system, saving us and our customers time and money,”
Jeff Owen
Vice President of Linehaul Operations, SAIA
The adoption of innovative technology led to the efficient optimization of load plans in dynamic and challenging times, increased adaptability to changing conditions and disruptions, and maintained high service levels while minimizing costs.