Luis Fernando Ortiz1, William Burnquist2 and Mario Sanchez2
1DeltaX, Santa Cruz, Bolivia;
2Ingenio Azucarero Guabirá S.A, Montero, Bolivia
Implementation of offline technologies integrated with communication tools and management systems can provide effective solutions for sugar mills aiming to optimize their harvest logistics and reduce costs. This study evaluated the efficiency and operational costs associated with the implementation of an integrated offline technology to optimize sugarcane transportation and logistics at the Guabirá sugar mill in eastern Bolivia. An offline system was developed, integrating SAP enterprise software with the WhatsApp messaging platform. Transportation times before and after implementation were determined, along with the cost savings generated. In 2023, the integrated solution reduced the average transportation time from 14 to 10 hours compared to the 2022 campaign, from the harvest front to the mill. This time reduction translated into significant economic savings of USD 989,565 for a harvest of 3 Mt of sugarcane in 2023. Additionally, in the 2024 campaign, a further improvement of 5 hours and USD 426,724 in savings was achieved compared to the previous year. This study demonstrates that operational efficiency can be improved without relying on GPS infrastructure, despite challenges related to culture and digital transformation. This is particularly relevant for operations in regions with technological or geographical limitations and limited internet access, such as Bolivia.