When the Gazette was started, all of our subscribers and rack locations were managed with simple spreadsheets. As we’ve grown, and the postal requirements necessitated, the Gazette has added more and more technology. Today the Gazette uses advanced payment systems from 3 different companies, custom databases, and cell-based radio technology to help our two delivery drivers get papers out to over 1,300 readers, three days a week!

In today’s business climate, it’s hard for businesses of all types to get staffing, and the Gazette is no exception to that. Since we started looking at home delivery back in February of 2024, we knew that getting drivers was going to be hard. What we didn’t know was how hard. We had hoped that a few of the drivers of a competitor who closed down their home delivery would come over. However a lot of those folks were badly burned and don’t want to be in the same situation, something we can honestly understand. So new ideas had to be sought out.

Record keeping nightmare. Trying to sort out which subscribers get which paper, and in what order used to take takes of work, with our rapid growth, we have to rebuild routes every week. Doing this on paper or even in spreadsheets simply is not possible. So we use database technology, mapping systems, as well as input from our drivers to ensure our routes are as efficient as possible. With the one-way roads, traffic, construction, and weather, it is a lot of data.

The one technology we do not use in the circulation of the paper is AI. Frankly, the tech isn’t there yet. We tried a lot of different solutions, and every one of them made routes longer, put more miles on vehicles and wasted a lot of fuel. Not to mention the price tag on these services, and it just isn’t feasible.

Additionally, we looked into a radio system to help dispatch and exchange information with our drivers, we finally settled on a cell-based system that covers all of Great Falls, and a lot of the surrounding area. This not only allows us to keep in touch with the drivers but also allows drivers to take proof of delivery (POD) photographs. These help GFG and its subscribers to determine if someone is stealing papers or other issues with the delivery. Our Dispatcher (who is also our editor!) can even see where people are at any given time, and go back and replay radio messages. This means that if you paper is late, you can call our phone and check on your delivery.

Our drivers don’t just deliver papers, they deliver affidavits, invoices, survey results, and other submissions. This saves our subscribers a TON of postage and helps get info to the paper more efficiently. Our drivers even are happy to hand out sample papers and help answer questions. Both of our current drivers wear different hats. Don is our circulation and printing manager, and it’s his work that makes that paper appear every issue, and get out the door. Andy (hey, that’s me!) is our publisher, mechanic, delivery driver, ad sales and production, as well as a whole lot of other jobs!

Moving down the road, GFG is hoping to have its new electronic driver app completed. This will allow a driver to post notes on a delivery or subscriber, mark exactly where they are when a delivery is made (this is already a thing, but we’ll be refining it more and more), and even note if there are issues like papers not being picked up as well as being more integrated with our cell based communication system.

Do you want to make some extra money working one to five hours, three times a week? We are still looking for drivers to join our team. Because you can pick the routes you want to cover, you can decide how long you work, and how much you make. Persons interested can call (406) 952-3021 and ask about careers.

Author: Andy Anderson

Andy is publisher of Foxys Publishing Co, as well as pressman, ad sales, distribution and sometime janitor. He occasionally makes a wild attempt at writing but quite often is seen running around our offices trying to "Get 39 million things done today..."