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GvanB Logistics |
International Freight Forwarder, Logistics Provider |
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From the North Sea to the World |
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Leveling the Playing Field with Technology |
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The Netherlands is a small country, but it has a big impact on the history of
shipping, medicine, electronics, and art. The Dutch logistics company GvanB
Logistics continues the tradition by competing using the Internet and the Magaya
Cargo System in the cargo business. |
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"
Being an entrepreneur means putting the energy into your business every day so
you can step up the game." |
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Mr. van Broekhoven, Owner and Founder, GvanB Logistics |
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www.gvanblogistics.com |
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International Freight Forwarder, Logistics Provider |
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Magaya Cargo System |
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GvanB Logistics is an international freight forwarder and logistics provider in
the city of Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands. Services include shipping via
ocean, air, and ground to Africa, Asia, and other parts of the world. |
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Being competitive is essential in the logistics business. How can small and
medium-sized freight forwarders compete with larger players? Technology is a
major factor says Guido van Broekhoven, the owner of GvanB Logistics. As an
entrepreneur running his own company, Mr. van Broekhoven is responsible for
every aspect of his business, from arranging the shipping, earning new
customers, maintaining relationships with existing customers, tracking profits,
and more. “It’s not about how much you have to do but how you organize yourself.
Half the job is getting the right technology working for you. That alone can buy
you 50% of the time that you would lose if you were not organized correctly. I
found the right technology in Magaya to keep myself organized so I can handle
all the tasks of running my own business.” |
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Mr. van Broekhoven started his logistics company in early 2010 in The
Netherlands, land of windmills and tulips, and a country with a history of
exploration that covered the world. Based in his home town of Bergen op Zoom,
Mr. van Broekhoven is right in between some of the most economically significant
elements of his country – two of the largest ports in Europe, Rotterdam and
Antwerp.
“The advantage of being in Bergen op Zoom is that is it close to Rotterdam and
Antwerp, without the expense of the higher cost of living there,” Mr. van
Broekhoven said. “It gives me the flexibility of getting to either port in about
30-40 minutes.”
 Rotterdam is the largest port in
Europe. The second largest port, Antwerp, is only about 50 miles away. Rotterdam
has been the world’s busiest port until Shanghai surpassed it recently.
Rotterdam sits at the end of the Rhine River and the entrance of the North Sea.
The North Sea contains many important shipping lanes to the Atlantic, and it is
a source for fishing, oil, and gas. The Rhine is one of the longest and most
vital rivers in Europe, its importance dating back before Roman times. Goods are
transported on an extensive network of rivers and canals that connect to the
Rhine and spread throughout Europe. Barges have been used for centuries and are
still a valuable way to transport goods that are too heavy for roads.
While transporting goods on rivers and barges is one of the oldest methods in
the transportation industry, the newest methods of doing business include the
Internet and all its capabilities. Mr. van Broekhoven recently gave a talk on
entrepreneurship at the university where he earned his MBA, the University of
Liverpool: “I talked about the energy that it takes every day to step up the
game, and about taking advantage of the free tools on the Internet to promote
your business.”
For example, Mr. van Broekhoven offers a chat window on his website and online
tracking of cargo. He uses Skype to talk to people all over the world. He posts
updates on his LinkedIn profile and his Wordpress blog.
He needed to be cost-conscious when opening his business, and he cites the low
cost-of-entry of Magaya software as one of the reasons why he chose it. “The
lower initial cost and lower ongoing cost of Magaya software enables me to be
competitive with larger freight forwarders. I can compete on fees because I do
not have high overhead,” Mr. van Broekhoven explained.
Before using Magaya, he had another program that was designed for couriers. In a
few months, he decided he needed a software program specialized for the shipping
business.
He chose Magaya software because it contains all the functionality he needs
today and other features that are built in and ready for him to use as he
expands his business. Future plans include many of the online features that
Magaya software offers. “I plan to use the online bookings and online shipping
orders soon,” he said.
Currently he uses the interactive online tracking tool, Magaya LiveTrack, to
give his customers 24 hour a day access to their shipment information and
inventory status. He also set up the online payments feature PayCargo, to give
his customers the ability to pay online at any time. The new online cargo
insurance portal enables him to offer cargo insurance to his customers and
process the policies right from his Magaya system.
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GvanB Logistics has customers and agents all over the world; many of the
relationships were started when Mr. van Broekhoven was working in different
countries. He got his start in logistics while he was in the military. His past
experience includes working as a business development manager at CEVA Logistics,
and handling ocean import freight and other arrangements for Panalpina in Spain.
He has experience in the oil and gas logistics industry that he gained while
working in Egypt, Libya, Angola, and Scotland.
He still maintains his relationships with people he worked with, and today they
form part of his global network. He combines his experience of living and
working abroad with the local knowledge that his agents have to ensure
consistent service even in unstable regions. He speaks six languages, another
factor contributing to his ability to expand globally.
In fact, he is using the Magaya Community to form more relationships with agents
in countries all over the world. “I have received many invitations from others
in the Magaya Community. I want to get connected to these members and work with
them,” Mr. van Broekhoven said.
The Magaya Community is built into the software. It enables users of Magaya
software to work together and transmit documents right from their Magaya
systems, saving time and redundant data entry. “I have recommended Magaya
software to my agents in Africa so we can all use the same system and transfer
documents and entire transactions between us electronically, making it a closed
loop,” he said.
He is also a member of the Air-Ocean Network that connects him with agents in
Asia.
 One
of GvanB’s customers is Multi Purpose Industries (MPI). Based in The
Netherlands, MPI is working on a project to transform unclean water into clean
drinking water. MPI builds portable water purification systems inside 20-foot
shipping containers. MPI’s website (http://www.mpi-group.eu) has a video showing
the setup of one of these mini water treatment plants in Africa. The container
was shipped from The Netherlands to Kenya. The company demonstrated how water
from a polluted dam can be transformed into clean drinking water. They also
desalinated sea water and made it drinkable. GvanB ships the containers and any
needed parts. Mr. van Broekhoven coordinates with his agents in Africa to
arrange the destination transport services. “MPI wants to have their complete
shipment file available to them online,” Mr. van Broekhoven said. “I give them
access to the information via Magaya LiveTrack.” MPI has plans to ship 20
portable water treatment plants to 15 countries.
Mr. van Broekhoven is currently negotiating a deal to ship rum from the
Caribbean to The Netherlands with FairTransport Shipbrokers, a shipping company
with a hybrid motor sailing vessel, the Tres Hombres.
(http://www.fairtransport.eu) Mr. van Broekhoven has shown how he can track the
rum shipments and inventory with the item data collected on Warehouse Receipts.
“With Magaya LiveTrack, they can monitor their stock and have the option to ship
one pallet or 100 pallets,” he said.
Other features in the software GvanB Logistics is using are the built-in
accounting functions.
“I migrated all my data into the Magaya system, and I’m using the software for
all my accounting and operations transactions. By putting the bookkeeping
together with my freight, I can see the profit per shipment, which I like very
much.” Mr. van Broekhoven also creates financial reports such as the “Profit &
Loss by Operations” report, and he keeps track of which bills have been paid.
“It gives me a good feeling to know I have my company in order. It makes audits
from the tax and revenue service easier.”
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Mr. van Broekhoven talked about the ease of processing shipments with the
software: “I can make one entry in the Magaya system and get five or six
documents. In comparison with the previous system, it took longer to process a
shipment,” he said.
“I can send my documents electronically for consolidations or straight
shipments, for air, ocean, or ground transport. I can provide a commercial
invoice, packing lists, House Bills of Lading, Air Waybills and other documents
directly from my Magaya system.”
Despite the hard work it takes to start and run a business, Mr. van Broekhoven
likes being an entrepreneur: “I wanted to prove to myself that I could create a
successful company. When you take all your education and experience and make a
success, you have done something wonderful.” |
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Logistics software
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Freight forwarder software
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Supply chain software
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Logistics software helps logistics providers who manage shipping and other related services for their customers. Logistics software helps automate many manual processes, reduces redundant data entry, and provides online tracking of shipments and cargo 24 hours a day, around the world. With good logistics software, all types of cargo can be handled, from small packages to full container loads and consolidations. Shipment documentation is included in Magaya logistics software. Wizards build air waybills and other documents quickly. The Magaya Cargo System is logistics software designed specifically for international freight forwarders, NVOCCs, consolidators and forwarding agents, couriers, warehouse providers, and cargo airlines who require a complete and accurate warehouse management system combined with a fully-integrated accounting system, built-in tracking, and reporting.
Freight forwarder software is used in the supply chain and distribution industries by logistics providers and others who manage, ship, and store freight for their customers. Responsibilities of a freight forwarder that software can help perform include filing documents with Customs, tracking cargo as it arrives at a warehouse, and creating documents such as invoices for storage fees and shipping documents to release freight locally and internationally. Freight forwarding software that includes features designed specifically for shipping, warehousing, and related accounting transactions helps perform all the tasks at a freight forwarding company. Magaya Corporation’s freight forwarder software includes a warehouse management system (WMS) and works in multiple currencies. Combining the software with handheld wireless scanners helps freight forwarders with every step of the logistics process.
To manage supply chain processes, software designed specifically for wholesalers, distributors, and other logistics service providers can provide numerous benefits for managing the purchasing, ordering, sales, and shipping of inventory. The best solution includes built-in warehousing features, international shipping documentation, and online tracking, covering all the processes from seller to buyer. With the Magaya Supply Chain Solution, a supply chain operation can create quotations for their customers, arrange pickups, receive cargo at a warehouse, and create all the related accounting transactions and shipping transactions. International shipping documentation is included. Scan barcodes, and get electronic signatures and Proof of Delivery. Manage Purchase Orders (PO) and Sales Orders in your system and via an optional EDI. Customers can track shipments and inventory online in real time. Other online features include payments, bookings, shipping instructions and more. |
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