BACKGROUND
Associated Global Systems (AGS), headquartered in New York, with offices spread across the U.S. and internationally, is known for its specialized, dedicated service to companies that require rock-solid procedures, communications and, most especially, partnerships. One of these partnerships began in the late 20th century and continues today, well into the 21st century. In 2018, AGS handled over three thousand shipments for this partner.
The AGS partner is a provider of IT products, services and solutions that has major customers such as national banks and telephone companies. These customers require very specific, time-definite, white glove pickup and delivery service on a daily basis, which requires solid, time-tested standard operating procedures (SOP) from AGS.
IT REFRESH ROLLOUTS
The national bank requires coordination of large IT “refresh” rollouts, which includes shipment of new equipment to the bank branches and asset return shipments from each branch. Each bank branch requires day-specific deliveries with inside delivery requiring lift-gates. Then, usually two days later, AGS returns to the branch to pack to specifications the old IT equipment that has been de-installed, and pickup for return to AGS’ partner. These rollouts usually include over one thousand branch locations and must be completed within a three to six month time frame. AGS works with the partner to develop a delivery and pickup schedule to accommodate the overall rollout time frame and shipment requirements. Strict procedures for delivery and pickup at all bank branches must be coordinated in advance to ensure time frames are met and business is not disrupted.
TWO DECADES OF PARTNERSHIP
The national cellular phone company is another customer of AGS’ partner that requires IT solutions on a regular basis. The delivery of high-value equipment, with many shipments valued at over $250,000, requires scheduling of exclusive-use vehicles (EUV) for day-specific and time-specific, white glove service. As an example, on one recent rollout, AGS was required to coordinate EUVs for delivery to eighty-eight locations over three weeks.
The AGS services that this partnership requires on an almost daily basis are:
- Same Day pickup and delivery
- Overnight pickup and delivery
- Second-Day (2day) pickup and delivery
- Deferred ground service with day-specific delivery
- White Glove pickup and delivery service
- Exclusive-use vehicles (EUV)
- myAGS.com for shipment tracking and report generation
HOW WE DO IT
A partnership that spans two decades requires key elements to succeed:
- Total trust in the transportation/logistics provider
- Reliable trucks, equipment, processes and procedures
- A solid, time-tested White Glove pickup and delivery service
- A reliable menu of pickup and delivery options from Same Day to Deferred Ground
- State-of-the-art communications, both electronic (myAGS.com) and personal
- Flexibility and ability to change on the fly
- Dedicated people that are well-trained and reliable
AGS prides itself on providing all of the above to every customer, whether a national bank or national cellular phone company with thousands of shipments per year or a small start-up with a few shipments a month.