GB Railfreight appoints Fortune Cookie to build Extranet 

2.2.2003

Fortune Cookie has been appointed by GB Railfreight to develop an Extranet for communication and community building amongst its workforce. 

Part of the GB Railways Group, GB Railfreight is renowned for its innovation. The new extranet will enable the company to update traditional channels such as fax and post with a virtual network structure where employees are sent communications via Email and SMS from a web-based control desk. 

Caroline Hudson, Personnel Manager of GB Railfreight commented, "The Extranet will allow GBRf to use technology to further improve the open communications between employer and employee as well as allow staff to develop a sense of community through the use of message boards." 

The project is being part funded by the DTI as part of a scheme to help companies build deeper relationships with their employees online. By Spring 2003 every member of the Traincrew team will be provided with a PC and broadband Internet access (ISDN where this is unavailable) in order that they can access the Extranet. 

One of the most exciting features that Fortune Cookie is developing for the Extranet is the Web-based Broadcast Tool which will allow the GBRF control room to communicate with the workforce via Email and SMS. This feature will allow the controllers to broadcast to set groups of staff in one message. The Extranet has a comprehensive administration area that provides non-technical personnel with the ability to administrate each module. 

A working group made up of train drivers will be working with Fortune Cookie throughout the project to test the Extranet at key stages. 

GB Railfreight is the United Kingdom's newest freight train operator. The company was created in 1999, following research that identified the need for further competition in the Railfreight market. 

GB Railfreight is part of GB Railways Group PLC, a company with a track record in producing high quality and innovative transport solutions. The Group is unique in that, as well running the Anglia Railways passenger franchise it operates the country's only open access passenger train services, Hull Trains. The addition of GB Railfreight to the portfolio has meant that the Group is the only railfreight and passenger operating company within the UK. 

GB Railfreight's overall aim is to provide high quality flexible railfreight solutions that far exceed the levels of customer service, focus and innovation that is currently available. We will utilise our experience and knowledge to deliver bespoke logistics solutions to provide our customers with a railfreight service that exceeds their expectations.