CUSTOMER SUCCESS STORY
KiwiRail Delivers Rail Network Insights with Interactive Disruption Dashboard
By leveraging FME to integrate CRM data into a dynamic mapping application, KiwiRail has replaced hours of manual GIS updates with a self-service tool that gives commercial customers a clear, near real-time view of future freight schedules and capacity.
900 freight trains weekly
Supporting critical national freight and supply chain infrastructure
18% of imports/exports handled
Powering New Zealand’s core import and export logistics
Hours to automated minutes
Eliminates a manual GIS update process that previously took several hours each time
Near real-time overlays
Transforms CRM operational knowledge into clear, accessible map data
FME takes the operational knowledge from our Customer Delivery team stored in our CRM and transforms it into near real-time map overlays that are clear and accessible for our customers. This helps improve communication with our customer and further demonstrates our commitment to growing by winning customer loyalty.”
– Dan Swan, Digital Solutions Specialist, Customer Delivery
The Challenge
Driving Efficiency in Freight Operations
Responsible for rail operations in New Zealand, KiwiRail plays a vital role in the nation’s freight and supply chain infrastructure. As the custodian of New Zealand’s rail network, it operates 900 freight trains per week and handles 18% of the country’s imports and exports.
Unexpected disruptions, unplanned events affecting train services, can lead to delays or cancellations, making accurate, real-time information critical for customers and highlighting the importance of fast responses during unexpected disruptions.
Before implementing FME, KiwiRail’s GIS team manually updated and published GIS data, a process that took several hours each time. To modernise operations and improve the customer experience, KiwiRail identified the need for an efficient, user-friendly system that would give commercial customers a clear view of future freight schedules and capacity.
The Solution
Innovating Freight Scheduling with Smart Solutions
To meet this challenge, KiwiRail developed the Interactive Rail Freight Distribution Dashboard, powered by FME. Leveraging FME’s data integration and visualisation capabilities, the dynamic map displays freight scheduling information both spatially and temporally, providing real-time updates on disruptions across KiwiRail’s network.
To support real-time updates, KiwiRail integrated Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) via the Dataverse API, ensuring timely delivery of freight data. FME’s automation capabilities significantly reduced the need for manual data handling, empowering the Customer Delivery team to manage and scale the system with minimal effort.
A key enhancement was the use of a SQL recursive script to generate selectable dates within the dashboard’s calendar tool. This refinement centralises and streamlines date-based data, allowing users to easily view any potential freight disruptions for a selected day. The dashboard’s interface makes it easy for both customers and internal teams to access the information they need on demand.
The Results
Keeping Freight Moving Forward
With the introduction of the KiwiRail Interactive Rail Freight Disruption Dashboard, customers now have access to a self-service tool that is simple to use and up-to-date.
The KiwiRail Customer Delivery team can maintain and scale the system as needed without requiring extensive technical intervention, and the advances in automation have dramatically reduced the manual overhead for the Customer Service and GIS teams. The result is a more responsive, efficient, and customer-centric freight experience for New Zealand’s rail operations.
This solution significantly eases the workload for our GIS team by eliminating the need for manual updates and publication of GIS data, which previously required several hours each time. This is especially helpful during unexpected disruptions that demand quick responses.”
– Lina Le, Asset Services Team Leader, ICT Delivery, KiwiRail
Why it Matters
As stewards of New Zealand’s rail network, KiwiRail sought to modernise operations and enhance the customer experience by developing an Interactive Rail Freight Disruption Dashboard with FME. Leveraging FME’s data integration and visualisation capabilities, the innovative solution provides commercial customers with a clear view of future freight schedules and capacity.
By utilizing FME to orchestrate complex data integration and portal publishing, infrastructure providers can break down internal data silos and streamline information delivery. Automating these data supply chains ensures that critical network insights are consistently available to decision-makers, optimizing operational efficiency and supporting safer, more reliable infrastructure management across the country.
Success Stories
Powered by Locus Expertise
Delivering Real-Time Rail Network Insights Across New Zealand
With FME and Locus, KiwiRail created a dynamic dashboard that provides customers with real-time visibility into freight schedules and disruptions, improving communication and reducing manual effort.