Feb-March 2003

When your business promise is "If it doesn't arrive on time, you don't have to pay a penny," you certainly need to make sure you can deliver the goods. Nevertheless, this bold (some would say foolhardy) initiative comes from RH Freight which, with a fleet of 165 vehicles, is one of the UK's largest independent international transport companies.

The no-strings offers applies to RH's GX express delivery service, introduced to capture business in the just-in-time delivery sector. Deputy managing director Ian Baxter predicts GX traffic will represent 10 per cent of the company's overall business this year.

To keep its promise, RH is relying on the Alcatel Mobicom satellite tracking and mobile communications systems. The company started by installing it in just 10 vehicles, but all its trucks are now equipped with an IMCT in-cab computer and GPS transponder.

"It effectively connects the drivers to our wide-area network," explains Baxter. "We can integrate the flow of information throughout our WAN, and that helps us be better organised internally and eliminate errors."

 

RH Freight uses the system for both tracking and messaging. Unlike most such systems, Alcatel's is one where messages actually travel via the satellite network rather than by terrestrial radio; they are forwarded through Alcatel's Toulouse hub. Satellite messaging is considered an economical and fast option for international fleets such as RH Freight's, because unlike GSM, it involves no roaming charges and there is said to be no risk of delay in transmission.

"With the GX service especially, it is essential to have fast, accurate messaging relayed in seconds. The data, including special instructions and hazardous cargo information, flows through the system from the account manager inputting the job on the system right through to the driver."

RH Freight is also one of the first Alcatel Mobicom customers to trial the MTS stand-alone trailer tracking system unit. This features a rechargeable lead-acid battery and a standby lithium battery which provides up to 2 years' power between recharges. RH is using MTS to monitor and collect temperature data on 15 reefer trailers while they are uncoupled from tractor units.