concrete delivery note

Concrete delivery note: 3 reasons to use it

08
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08
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2022

The concrete delivery note and its digital alternatives

The concrete delivery note is just a piece of paper, and yet it's essential to the smooth running of the delivery. The problem is that site conditions are not always optimal for rigorous follow-up... And the slightest error can slow down the whole process. 

What if we told you there was a solution to make concrete delivery smoother and more reliable? Synaxe , a specialist in the digitalization of the building materials industry, shares its secrets with you in this article.

Contents :

  • Focus on the concrete delivery note, the cornerstone of customer relations
  • An update on the regulations governing concrete delivery notes
  • The advantages of dematerialized vouchers: what if we digitized concrete delivery?
  • Connected delivery: take the plunge with Synaxe

Focus on the concrete delivery note, the cornerstone of customer relations

What is the role of the concrete delivery note? Why is it so important? Let's take a look at this essential element in site supervision.

Complex implementation

Concrete is a widely used building material. Natural and inert, it presents no danger when hardened. On the other hand, handling fresh concrete involves risks to the eyes and skin: burns, redness, allergies and so on. This is why workers must take precautions to work safely:

  • Wear appropriate clothing: waterproof covering, goggles, waterproof gloves, knee pads, boots and helmet;
  • good hygiene: regular washing of work clothes, frequent hand washing and showering at the end of the day.

Moreover, concrete processing is subject to specific constraints and standards. The material delivered must conform perfectly to the customer's requirements, and therefore meet rigorous quality control standards. 

A necessary follow-up

The complexity of concrete structures means that high standards are demanded. To ensure that the material is used correctly and that the order runs smoothly, site supervisors have to coordinate the teams and ensure that all constraints are respected. This is where the concrete delivery note comes into play: it tracks all the information needed to monitor the concreting process. 

Drawing up a tracking sheet is a long and tedious task. The information must be accurate, reliable and exhaustive, despite the difficult conditions on site. Delayed delivery, a pen lost in the pocket, a forgotten confirmation e-mail: the slightest error can slow down the whole process.

How can you get around this problem and save time on delivery?

Let's take a closer look...

An update on the regulations governing concrete delivery notes

What standards do I need to know? How can I ensure smooth delivery? What information should appear on the tracking sheet? Reminder of current regulations.

Overview of concrete standards

A good relationship between the supplier and the structural contractor ensures a long-lasting structure. The European standard is an essential tool for achieving this objective. 

According to standard NF EN 206-1, the contractor is responsible for placing the concrete in the structure. 

The work must be carried out in accordance with the rules of the trade, governed by several standards such as NF DTU 21 and NF DTU 13.3.

Concrete sampling is carried out in accordance with LF EN 12350-1. To avoid the appearance of cracking-type defects, the concrete is subjected to a battery of tests (visual inspection, consistency measurement of fresh concrete, compression measurement of hardened concrete, etc.).

However, the European standard suffers from a number of shortcomings. That's why, in 1995, representatives of concrete users (UMGO, EGF-BTP, FNTP and SNBPE) signed a charter of good relations between suppliers and users of ready-mixed concrete (RMC). Regularly updated, it establishes a precise protocol, which defines, among other things :

  • information owed by the producer to the user;
  • concrete batch definitions ;
  • duration of use and impact of delivery times ;
  • access to worksite safety.

The essential steps for successful concrete delivery

What do you need to do to deliver concrete successfully? 

Before the reception :

  • the supplier and the company agree on the date, time and rate of concrete delivery;
  • the supplier informs the company of the methods of installation, the presence of special transport and limitations on the type of delivery vehicle;
  • if necessary, it also provides information on the concrete's composition: type of cement, aggregates and admixtures, strength class, water/cement ratio, origin of constituents, etc.
  • the health risks associated with handling fresh concrete must be indicated by the producer.

At reception :

  • the concrete undergoes various checks to ensure that it complies with market requirements;
  • There are two types of control: those whose results are known before the concrete is placed (visual inspection, air content measurement, consistency measurement), and those whose results are known after the concrete is placed (compressive strength measurement);
  • The frequency of inspections is determined by NF DTU 21 ;
  • if the material does not conform to the concrete delivery note, the company may return the router and apply the conditions stipulated in the contract.

Information that must appear on the concrete delivery note

The following information is essential for monitoring the concreting process:

  • the name of the concrete plant ;
  • concrete plant name ;
  • delivery note serial number ;
  • identification of delivery vehicle ;
  • buyer's name ;
  • the reference and contact details of the site;
  • quantity of concrete (in cubic meters) ;
  • concrete references ;
  • the concrete's declaration of conformity and reference to the specifications and standard NF EN 206-1 ;
  • if necessary, the logo or name of the certification body;
  • time of arrival of concrete on site ;
  • date and time of loading (to determine the first contact between cement and water);
  • unloading start and stop times.

Note: the delivery note must be signed only after acceptance and installation.

The advantages of dematerialized concrete

The dematerialized voucher is not printed on paper: it is displayed directly on the order driver's smartphone. But what are the advantages of going digital?

Considerable time savings

With the dematerialized delivery note, drivers can manage everything from their smartphone or tablet. The simplified data entry system enables him to note down information quickly, while reducing the margin for error. Once the concrete has been delivered, there's nothing to report: the data is automatically synchronized on the computer!

More reliable data

While information is processed faster, it is also more accurate. Throughout the process, both driver and customer have access to delivery status and concrete monitoring indicators. Delays are notified in real time, and calculations are automated, reducing the risk of human error. 

But the benefits of dematerialized delivery notes don't stop once the delivery has been made. As the information is automatically sorted, document preparation is simplified. In addition, statistics on delivery times enable you to consolidate a continuous improvement approach, and thus develop your business!

An optimized customer experience

The dematerialized delivery note brings a breath of modernity to your business. A vector of fluidity and flexibility, it positions you as a serious and innovative partner. By showing your customers that you're on the lookout for new developments and that you're updating your services, you stand out from the competition.

Connected delivery: take the plunge with Synaxe

Discover the SX Delivery digital solution, a dematerialized concrete delivery note that opens up new horizons.

SX Delivery, between innovation and ease of use

SX Delivery is a solution developed by Synaxe, a specialist in the digitalization of the building materials industry. 

It is based on two key tools:

  • the Delivery App, which enables the driver to receive concrete delivery notes and have them signed on his cell phone;
  • the SX Delivery Cloud interface, which lets you consult delivery notes in real time. It is connected to your company's business tools (scheduling, management tools, third-party systems).

How does it work in practice?

The Synaxe concrete delivery note can be adapted to your company's specific needs. It sets the pace for each stage of delivery:

  1. Loading confirmation: when production is triggered, the concrete delivery note is generated. The driver receives it on his smartphone as soon as he picks up the order.
  2. Arrival at delivery site and start of loading: as soon as the delivery vehicle leaves the plant, it is geolocated.
  3. End of loading and signature: the customer signs the concrete delivery note on the driver's cell phone. Delivery information is automatically added to the application, but the driver can add further details if required. Data is transmitted in real time to the customer's dashboard. They remain accessible on a web portal in the form of automatically generated documents (PDF delivery note with legal signature). The customer is invoiced immediately.
  4. Site departure and return to the plant: geolocation allows you to anticipate the return of the delivery truck.

The advantages of the concrete delivery note Synaxe

In recent years, many digital solutions have appeared on the market... but SX Delivery is the only one designed specifically for the building materials industry: quarriesSX Delivery is the only one designed specifically for the building materials industry: concrete plants, recycling platforms and land reclamation sites.

And with good reason: Synaxe has been operating in the sector for 20 years, with 215 central offices. Today, our tool is used by 2,000 drivers and generates over 10,000 delivery notes a day!

This experience in the field, enriched by feedback from our customers, has enabled us to develop a solution perfectly adapted to this very special industry. SX Delivery can be activated immediately, but its wide range of parameters means it can be precisely tailored to the specific features of your operating site. 

To help you take the digital plunge, a dedicated contact is on hand to help you get to grips with the tool and build a tailor-made solution. In the event of a glitch, you can rely on our dedicated maintenance team.

Would you like to find out more? Contact us today to discuss the solutions best suited to your business.