P-Man,
Will telematics be used to show inept or derilict management teams where it brings a large increase in production? My opinion, from my tiny little corner of the UPS empire is that most hourly are tring to work as instructed. Do you think that the increase in revenue from telematics is more from less inappropriate use of time by drivers, or managers finally fixing mistakes that are now as plain as day? Would it not have been MUCH cheaper to just have managers doing the job they were allready being paid to do?
Once again, my opinion, the developement of these new and proven (at least to you) technologies is an admision that UPS has not done a very good job of managing the business.
Charley,
That is a good, intelligent and hard question.... I don't think I have a great answer, but I'll try.
The pickup and delivery side of UPS is much different today than when I started over 30 years ago. In those days, we were a ground business and worked in a cookie cutter manner. Rules worked most of the time, and metrics were pretty easy.... Stay on trace, make all your pickups, work hard....
Today, we have multiple commit times, special customer handling, and many, many services. The old tools from 30 years ago are not as applicable as they once were.
So, UPS built dispatch and control systems. These systems are outstanding. DPS, PAS, EDD, ODSe are truly great systems. The problem is that our management team doesn't always know how to properly use them.
So, are they inept management, underqualified management, untrained management, or just management in intransition that will mature. There is a fine line between those choices. I like to believe the latter. I think they are learning how to use the tools and it will take time.
Telematics is a tool that points out inept management but also aides management that is in transition to do a better job. That's why I like it so much. It is a great compliment to the existing tools.
Of course, I do get upset at inept management that choose to use it to point out small, inconsequential discrepancies. On the other hand, I get really pleased when good management finds a new use for the tool to improve their operations.
More tools are coming. The same things will happen. Some management will screw them up. Some will do an awesome job....
P-Man