Tracking vehicles has enabled Nisa Today's, the big retail and wholesale grocery buying group, to challenge incorrect London congestion charges, according to Tom Burns, the company's account manager for chilled and frozen food distribution.

The company has fitted all 130 of its temperature-controlled distribution vehicles with Tracker Communicator vehicle asset management equipment.

Communicator is a GPS- and GSM-based system, which allows operators to track vehicles over the Internet via a secure Web site. Tom Burns says he looked at five tracking system suppliers before choosing Tracker. Among its attractions, he says, was the fact that it was simple to set up and use, and reports are easy to read.

Other benefits of the system include greater ability to evaluate journeys, ensure planned routes are followed, identify patterns of fuel use and mileage, and reduce the number of phone calls made to drivers.

Customer service is also improved. "When advising members of delays, we can now be proactive rather than reactive," Burns says.