Network Cooperation LogCoop Promotes Digitalization

The logistics cooperation LogCoop launches a new intranet (MRM) for its members. The networking promotes exchange and operational collaboration. Digital events bring the members together. At the end of November, the general assembly will be held online for the first time.

(Düsseldorf) LogCoop GmbH is leveraging this year’s digitalization momentum to create new opportunities for its members and their employees for mutual exchange that are not based on personal meetings. This direction was already taken a few years ago, but the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated its implementation. Meanwhile, numerous digital solutions simplify the daily work of employees and member companies of LogCoop. Not only communication but also operational processes such as tenders and request handling are represented through this. A major milestone was achieved in the third quarter of this year with the launch of the new intranet, and another will be marked by the first online general assembly at the end of November.

Members and Staff Familiar with Digital Tools

“Our members and our staff are now absolutely familiar with digital tools. It is a great opportunity to establish these permanently beyond Corona,” says Marc Possekel, Managing Director of LogCoop GmbH. A logistics cooperation whose members are spread across large parts of Europe benefits greatly from digitalization: geographical distance as a barrier to collaboration is overcome. “What is needed are the right solutions. Then an increase in exchange between the members is even possible – as this year shows,” says Possekel. A central instrument for the digitalization of communication is the new Members-Relationship-Management-System (MRM). This replaced the previous internal tool in September. “Based on member surveys and market comparisons, we opted for a flexible and established solution that all users are very satisfied with,” says Possekel. The new intranet is available in all currently relevant languages for LogCoop – German, English, French, and Spanish – and offers numerous functions.

Clear Master Data Management

An example is the master data management, which provides a quick overview of member companies, their competencies, and available capacities. In this way, freight forwarders can quickly find cooperation partners for projects. Many internal and external transport tenders are also distributed via the intranet, and members can post their requests for finding a transport partner and respond directly to inquiries. “Especially regarding finding backloads and fixed backload partners, this is a significant advancement,” says Possekel. Chats, a download and FAQ area as an information database, as well as direct contact options to LogCoop employees are also integrated. “The intranet is well received as a central communication and information tool,” Possekel summarizes positively after the first months. In the future, the system will be gradually further developed. For this purpose, the logistics cooperation regularly gathers suggestions from its members. The first update will take place this year, so that the handling of warehouse requests will also be managed through the platform in the future. Due to Corona, LogCoop will also conduct the general assembly, which has so far been held annually as an in-person event, digitally this time. Although the managing director plans to invite members personally again in the future, for this year the virtual variant is a good alternative for him. In the future, a hybrid event is also conceivable, where on-site meetings and digital offerings are combined. “As a logistics cooperation, we want to promote the communication, networking, and collaboration of our members. The general assembly will remain an important instrument for this,” says Possekel.

Digitalization Continues

However, the digitalization offensive is not limited to the two milestones of the intranet and the general assembly. It includes numerous other virtual offerings: internal networking events such as regional meetings or working groups and workshops are currently taking place virtually. An online trade fair, Logfair, serves as a replacement for the trade fairs that were canceled this year. LogCoop, the storage network, E-Sellers partners, and some members are permanent exhibitors there. Throughout the year, several special events have been co-initiated by LogCoop. Internal processes are now completely managed through a cloud. “Digitalization offers us many opportunities for networking and exchange and simplifies processes. We are well positioned for the future,” says Possekel.
Photo: © LogCoop www.logcoop.de