Unide boosts distribution performance and cut asset losses with ZetesAres

Unide, a leading cooperative food distributor in Spain, has adopted ZetesAres, a mobility solution for direct store delivery. Equipped with handheld devices, delivery teams gain from real-time insights and complete visibility across over 600 stores under various emblems (Unide Market, Unide Supermercados, Unide Alimentación and Udaco), streamlining distribution processes and significantly boosting operational performance.

Overcoming Distribution challenges

Unide faced two major challenges: minimising the loss of returnable assets - including pallets, refrigerated cabinets, and insulated containers -  and enhancing store visibility into the status of their orders and precise delivery times.

Precise Control of deliveries, collections, and assets

ZetesAres is a delivery execution solution that enhances visibility and efficiency in last-mile logistics by providing real-time updates, streamlining delivery schedules, and ensuring seamless communication between distribution platforms and delivery points.
Installed on handheld devices and portable printers, the solution allows operators to report delivery and collection events directly to Unide’s corporate systems. This gives Unide real-time insights into key processes, including:

• Order arrivals at stores
• Delivery details, including returnable assets,
• Collection of returnable assets from stores,
• Completion status of services.

The entire process is securely documented with a digital signature as proof of delivery, transmitted directly to Unide, while a printed copy is provided to the establishment manager for reference.

“Thanks to this tool, we have achieved complete and real-time visibility of our distribution operations, allowing us to optimise routes, reduce asset losses, and ensure more accurate and efficient deliveries to our more than 600 stores” Víctor Méndez, Systems Director at Unide

Immediate impact on assets and operations

The implementation has delivered immediate results: transport item losses have significantly decreased, enhancing relationships with suppliers and partners. Additionally, Unide now benefits from fast, accurate insights into delivery and collection operations, including vehicle arrivals at a store, delivery confirmation and departures. This detailed historical data is crucial for optimising processes and improving route planning.

Enhanced Visibility for Smarter Planning

ZetesAres enhances delivery visibility by enabling efficient planning for unloading and organising goods in stores. Integrated with Unide’s corporate systems, it leverages data such as vehicle type, store location, unloading time, and opening hours. Stores receive estimated arrival times a day prior to delivery, with real-time updates reflecting traffic conditions or loading delays. In case of delays, notifications allow for resource adjustments. Additionally, the solution monitors store opening hours, alerting Unide’s control service to reschedule deliveries if they fall outside operating hours, ensuring proactive issue management.

"We have been collaborating with Zetes on warehouse picking processes for some time, always maintaining smooth communication. When we identified the need to improve our distribution, we trusted Zetes. This solution has helped us enhance visibility for our associated stores and reduce returnable asset losses with our suppliers. Moreover, we can continue refining our operations thanks to the detailed information we now obtain from the delivery process", highlighted José Manuel Souto, Logistics Director for Unide.

A Partnership Driving Innovation and Efficiency

Tiago Conceição, Country Manager of Zetes Spain, comments, "We always work closely with our clients to fully understand their operational needs. Our modular and scalable solutions allow functionalities to be extended or adapted to handle demand peaks, enabling Unide to optimise processes and maintain exceptional service levels for their stores."This collaboration highlights how technological innovation is key to optimising logistics and delivering efficient, market-tailored services.

Víctor Méndez, Systems Director at Unide, states: "The implementation of ZetesAres marks a step forward in our commitment to technological innovation and process digitalisation. Thanks to this tool, we have achieved complete and real-time visibility of our distribution operations, allowing us to optimise routes, reduce asset losses, and ensure more accurate and efficient deliveries to our more than 600 stores. This progress not only boosts our productivity but also demonstrates Unide’s commitment to technological projects that simplify the daily management of our partners and their establishments, strengthening our position as a reference in the food distribution sector."