ABS launches ‘missing link’ laundry app for total accountability

15 May 2020



For the first time, according to laundry software specialist ABS Laundry Business Solutions, complete accountability, from order to delivery is now available for linen and garments with the addition of its new Truck Load Assistant, the missing link that completes the evolution of seamless laundry logistics management. Teamed with existing software in the ABSSoluteV9 portfolio every textile care business can use it as, although it is compatible with RFID technology, it does not need to use it to be able to work*.


The android app ABS Truck Load Assistant is used by dispatch staff who will load the truck in the correct sequence ready for the driver to leave. The Truck Load Assistant will show the required containers to load according to route and customer. If the truck is overloaded, warnings are given, allowing the dispatcher to merge containers if possible. To reduce mistakes, completeness checks and container checks are in place to alert the user. The Route Status Control screen is updated for a global overview of progress and an alert can be configured to tell the truck driver that the loading is completed.

The ABS Mobile Solutions offering now looks like this: Order - ABS Linen Assistant, Packing - ABS Packing Assistant, Load - ABS Truck Load Assistant, Route - ABS Route Assistant

Most important benefits:

  • Inventory control, reducing sleeping inventory
  • Seamless integration from order to delivery
  • Modern packing tool, saving labour costs
  • Real time updating of merchandise requirement
  • Avoiding wrong deliveries
  • Accuracy of delivery and proof of delivery
  • Modern tools and better customer exposure
  • Better insights – improving efficiency and profitability

How it works

Prior to delivery, in the shipping area, for example, items in hampers or bags with a delivery note attached and Items in containers/trolley/cage with a unique container barcode attached wait to be allocated a route. When a route is ready to load, the loader or driver logs in to the Truck Load App to register they are the employee loading. They then scan a delivery note or container in the shipping area to identify the route load. If the user sees the wrong details they press ‘back ‘and scan another delivery note or cage, hopefully the right one this time. When satisfied all is good to go they simply press the orange ‘start/play’ button.

The next job is to scan a barcode attached to the rear of the truck, or if it’s a temporary/rental vehicle, enter the registration number to confirm they are loading the right truck. If they scan a barcode and it is assigned to the wrong truck a warning appears. This is really good for operators loading at night in to trailers sitting on a loading bay, says ABS.

Now the ‘scan to load’ screen appears. Customers are shown at the bottom in the loading order with the number of containers in grey underneath. It shows the number of containers in total with a progress wheel in the centre and any messages in orange across the top. The user just scans the cages/containers or delivery notes as they place the items on the truck.

At any time, the user can press the magnifying glass icon on the scan to load screen. This will bring up all the containers and/or delivery note numbers, indicating which ones have been loaded and which ones are outstanding. If a delivery note or a container from a different route is scanned by mistake a wrong route warning appears.

Seeing cost and time savings, Bates of London is the first operator in the UK to install the software.

Making good use of down time due to the Covid-19 emergency, the company is currently installing the software in readiness for when business returns to normal. Matthew Pantlin, CEO of the company, told LCNi: “Due to the current coronavirus pandemic, costs are more relevant than ever for laundries operating with reduced output and those temporarily closed. When the laundry industry starts to gear up following lockdown restrictions all unnecessary expenditure needs to cease.

“By installing the ABS Truck Load Assistant we will ensure deliveries are loaded in the correct order, with no forgotten trollies or hampers. Drivers will spend less time on-site sorting through loads and silly loading mistakes will became a thing of the past. Costs will be saved on drivers’ hours and the eradication of special journeys to deliver misloaded orders.”


For businesses that do have RFID they can link the delivery note/container to the RFID tagged products that were scanned to the order during packing. So, all products can be tracked without having to always rescan the items onto or off the truck. And the laundry/customer can always use the on-site scanning function of the Linen Assistant App to make an onsite inventory check at any time.



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