Jan/Feb 2004

A newcomer to the UK's vehicle tracking and telematics market has emerged in the form of VSc Mobile Solutions. The company has launched a comprehensive package that includes real-time tracking, vehicle function monitoring, communications, delivery planning and management and real-time proof of delivery

In terms of its basic architecture, the system is made up of a range of branded components, which include a fully integrated on-board vehicle hardware system (Mhub); a wireless communication network; configurable data distribution and integration services (Mprofiler); and what is known as an "end-user data repository" providing analysis and reporting functions (Mzone).

Key functions include vehicle and driver operational monitoring; route and delivery/collection reporting; location reporting; proactive vehicle maintenance; automated vehicle locking; security and no-go areas; and accident reconstruction. This is a wide-ranging package for any system.

Parent company VSc Solutions is probably best-known for its mfour supply-chain execution solution, which has a number of major UK users such as Bond International, the leading tyre distributor. Consultant Anthony Munro-Martin told m.logistics the mobile product was being pitched strongly as complementary to that suite, although he emphasised that it was both device-agnostic and "ERP-agnostic", and added that a "lite" version working on a free-standing basis was also on offer.

 

The fleet management element makes provision for monitoring a comprehensive array of optional input sensors measuring driver performance parameters such as speeding, harsh or incorrect braking, speeding and over-revving.

The operational elements include the receipt and integration of optimised routing and scheduling information, and monitoring real performance against plan. Features include automated arrival and departure notification, along with real-time delivery and drop analysis, from which data can be fed back to a routing and scheduling system, allowing real-time exception management and re-optimisation.

VSc Solutions dates back 25 years. Just under two years ago it was acquired by a South African-based supply-chain software developer, Super Group, which has a stake in on-board equipment supplier Scope. Super Group's logistics arm, TLB, has been using elements of the new system for the past two years.