Case Study Highlights
Industry: Less Than Truckload (LTL) Logistics
Years in Operation: Nearly 80
IBM i Platform Usage: 35+ years
Operational Focus: Accuracy, efficiency, and real-time visibility across freight terminals
Futurization Approach: Phased, coexistent evolution of mission-critical systems
About Van-Kam Freightways
Founded in 1947, Van-Kam Freightways is a long-standing leader in Less Than Truckload (LTL) transportation, serving customers across North America. With decades of operational experience and a strong commitment to service reliability, Van-Kam has consistently invested in technology that supports accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.
For more than 35 years, Van-Kam has relied on the IBM i platform as the backbone of its operations. Rather than replacing proven systems, the company has taken a pragmatic futurization approach. This approach enhances workflows, visibility, and usability while preserving the stability of its core applications.
The Challenge: Futurizing Critical Operational Visibility
In the fast-paced LTL environment, knowing the exact location of trucks and trailers at all times is essential. At each freight terminal, Van-Kam maintains what is known internally as the “POOL,” a real-time view of which trucks and trailers are currently present at that location.
Historically, the POOL was managed through a fully manual process. Large wall-mounted whiteboards, some measuring up to four feet by eight feet, were used alongside physical tags representing individual trucks and trailers. As equipment moved, staff were expected to manually relocate tags to reflect the change.
While functional in theory, the process was time-consuming and often inaccurate. Updates were frequently delayed or missed altogether. This limited visibility and reduced confidence in the data.
“We moved from a completely manual whiteboard system to a fully digital POOL using a single screen with multiple tables. It’s far more accurate and no longer depends on someone remembering to move a tag.” – Jim Higgins, Lead Developer, Van-Kam Freightways
Van-Kam needed a more reliable and scalable way to manage this mission-critical operational view without disrupting their existing IBM i systems.
The Solution: Digitizing the POOL with Profound UI
Van-Kam selected Profound UI, a core component of the Profound AppDev suite, to futurize the POOL process while maintaining coexistence with their IBM i environment.
Using Profound UI, Van-Kam fully digitized the POOL. Physical whiteboards and manual tag movement were replaced with a single, real-time screen composed of multiple data tables. The new interface provides immediate visibility into where trucks and trailers are located across terminals without requiring manual intervention.
This targeted futurization effort transformed a high-friction workflow into a digital system that reflects real-world conditions accurately and consistently. The solution did not require a wholesale rewrite or a single front-end strategy.
Tangible Results
The digitization of the POOL delivered immediate and meaningful operational improvements:
- Improved Accuracy: Real-time updates eliminated reliance on manual tag movement
- Operational Visibility: Teams can quickly see where equipment is located across terminals
- Reduced Manual Effort: Staff no longer need to physically update boards as equipment moves
- Scalable Design: Multiple tables displayed on a single screen support complex operational views
- Coexistent Futurization: Enhancements were delivered alongside existing IBM i systems
“The POOL used to be managed with large whiteboards and physical tags, which was rarely accurate. Moving to a fully digital view gave us real-time visibility without manual updates.”
By focusing futurization efforts where they mattered most, Van-Kam improved day-to-day decision-making while preserving the reliability of its long-standing technology foundation.
A Phased, Coexistent Path Forward
Here’s how Van-Kam implemented Profound UI across several critical areas:
Futurizing Cross-Dock Facilities:
- Replaced paper-based system with Android tablets on forklifts
- Enabled real-time updates and improved accuracy
Revolutionizing Pickup and Delivery:
- Developed a custom Android smartphone app for drivers
- Eliminated paper manifests and hard-copy delivery receipts
- Implemented electronic delivery receipts using e-signature capability
Embracing Green Initiatives:
- Utilized e-signature capability to reduce paper usage
Conclusion
Through its partnership with Profound Logic, Van-Kam Freightways has taken a practical, results-driven approach to futurizing LTL operations. By digitizing mission-critical workflows such as the POOL, Van-Kam improved accuracy, visibility, and efficiency without compromising the stability of its IBM i environment.
This case study highlights how focused futurization initiatives can deliver meaningful operational improvements today while laying the foundation for continued evolution in the future.
For more information on how Profound AppDev can futurize your business operations, contact Profound Logic at Futurization@ProfoundLogic.com.