Logistics operator Browns Distribution has launched an in-house transport management system designed to connect customers, drivers, warehouse teams and planners through a single platform.
Touchbase, described by the £24 million-turnover company as its biggest technology investment to date, has been developed by Browns’ own software team rather than purchased from an external supplier.
The system supports freight movements from booking to final delivery across the company’s pallet network, general haulage, full-load and contract logistics operations.
Its customer portal brings together live pricing, bookings, consignment tracking, invoicing, reporting and account management. Users can access delivery estimates and two-hour delivery windows, status notifications, proof-of-delivery documents and photographs taken at collection and delivery.
Businesses handling larger or more frequent freight volumes can use bulk imports, reusable booking templates, scheduled bookings and API integrations to reduce repetitive administration.
Information captured by drivers, warehouse staff and operational teams feeds into the same system, creating a continuous digital record and giving customers a live view of each consignment’s progress.
Browns has also incorporated artificial intelligence into the platform. AI-powered vision technology reads documents including proofs of delivery, customer paperwork and driver manifests before matching them automatically to the relevant consignments.
An internal AI assistant, called Sidekick, will allow employees to ask questions about jobs, loads and operational information held within Touchbase and set reminders.
Managing director David Brown Jnr said developing the system internally would allow the business to respond more quickly to customer feedback and changing operational requirements.
He said: “Developing our own Transport Management System gives us the freedom to innovate faster, respond directly to customer feedback and continue improving the way we operate.”
The launch marks Browns’ move away from its previous HaulTech software. The company said Touchbase would continue to be developed as customer requirements, integration opportunities and operating practices evolve.
