One Platform: 97% adoption, zero delays
Overview
A leading grocery retailer in the U.S, faced operational inefficiencies
in managing external driver check-ins at their distribution centers.
The retailer transformed its distribution center operations by
replacing phone-based driver communication with C3 Hive.
The result: 97% driver adoption, 54,000 calls eliminated every
month, and an automated process that keeps trucks moving
without delays.
The Company’s Profile
Country
United States
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
150,000 +
INDUSTRY
Grocery
BIGGEST OPERATIONAL CHALLENGE
External driver check-ins
The Challenge(s)
The retailer’s previous process relied on staff calling each driver with simple instructions such as “Proceed to the gate” or “Report to receiving”. With hundreds of drivers arriving daily, this manual system became unsustainable.
Tens of thousands of calls per month, often requiring multiple attempts.
Staff entered driver details by hand, adding unnecessary delays.
Time was consumed by repetitive communication instead of high-value tasks.
Calls that went unanswered or required multiple attempts slowed down the flow of trucks, delaying gate and dock operations.
The
C3 Solution
C3 Hive, C3’s supply chain collaboration platform, was introduced to automate driver communication, reduce phone calls, and smooth out gate access operations.
The platform digitized and automated the communication
process between the grocer and its drivers:
The Results
The platform digitized and automated the communication process between the grocer and its drivers:
SMS Notifications for Hive Drivers
Instead of manual phone calls, drivers flagged as C3 Hive users received real-time SMS updates directly to their phones.
Clear instructions
Notifications such as “Come to Gate at this address”, and “Report to Receiving Office” are sent automatically, eliminating multiple contact points.
Integration with C3 Yard
The warehouse updates readiness status in C3 Yard, which triggers the Hive communication flow seamlessly.
Data capture and visibility
Driver information is automatically recorded, reducing manual data entry and enabling better tracking of arrivals and repeat visits.
The Numbers
The impact of C3 Yard was immediate and measurable, delivering significant efficiency gains.
Up to
to C3 Hive
Across all sites, nearly all drivers now receive automated SMS instructions, leaving only 3% requiring manual calls.
Up to
avoided
The solution helped avoid around thousands of calls per month.
Up to
on Calls
Workload associated with calling duties was decreased by 90%, with time reallocated to operational priorities.
Why choose
C3 Hive®
With C3 Hive, this grocery retailer replaced an outdated, phone-dependent process with a modern, automated system that drives efficiency and control.
By eliminating unnecessary calls, simplifying check-ins, and enhancing visibility, the company achieved significant operational improvements while delivering a smoother, faster experience for drivers.
