Sept/Oct 2004

Bluefinger aims to appeal by matching asset-tracking resources to requirements

Telematics and tracking system suppliers can adopt one of two basic approaches to their market. One is to settle on a specific technology and hope that it suits target users; the other is to remain technology-agnostic as far as possible, varying the offer according to individual users' needs.

A supplier that makes a special point of adopting the second approach is BlueFinger. The name may be relatively new to you, but in fact the company has a long history, and is probably one of the best-established tracking systems specialists in the market.

In the past, its speciality was the world of marine tracking and communications, and latterly it became part of the electronics giant Thales' telematics division. Then two years ago it was bought out by its management and renamed Bluefinger, and since then it has expanded energetically into other areas such as vehicle and asset tracking, as well as maintaining its strong marine presence.

The Bluefinger team say that before they implement a tracking system they take a hard look at the environment in which the system needs to be used. It may well be that standard GPS/GPRS can be used; but where the terrain is unsuitable, they will consider satellite-based communications using Inmarsat, Thuraya, Orbcomm or other suitable systems. These may be unfamiliar names to some, but they indicate the extensive worldwide experience of the company. It says it can also provide localised radio-based solutions - typically VHF/UHF.

Many aspects of this philosophy are pulled together in a new family of satellite and mobile data communications solutions launched by the company. They are calling it greatbigblue, and say it aims to meet the specific needs of clients' businesses, whether operators need to manage assets nationally, internationally or both.

Greatbigblue solutions are all modular, and can therefore be specified to meet budgeted needs whilst allowing for future advances as and when required. They are based round the three basic elements of a vehicle monitoring solution - the vehicle element (the in-vehicle box that collects the data); the monitoring centre element (the bespoke software that receives and reports on the data); and the communications element (between the vehicle and the monitoring centre).

One example of a recent specialised task undertaken by the team involved a request from a leading franchised vehicle dealership chain. The company required a "quick-fix" solution to a specific problem it had. Its criteria included being able to install the in-vehicle equipment within twenty minutes, and being able to de-install it even more quickly.

A new wiring loom design was produced within two weeks, and the first phase was delivered this autumn. Following training, the installation is said to have taken less than 15 minutes.

Another company adopting greatbigblue is Malvern Glass, which has bought a vehicle tracking system to manage its customer-facing glazing teams. A comprehensive training session was held at its premises following the installation of the units, and within just an hour it became clear that some drivers were starting after their stipulated time, taking longer breaks than allowed, and finishing early.

"It may seem a bit big-brotherish, but although not all drivers were doing this, it affected the company's efficiency and its bottom line," says Les Wilks of Malvern Glass. "Now that the system has been running for three months and the reports generated have been used as time sheets, it is noticeable that efficiency has increased."

Last year BlueFinger acquired LocaVista, a tracking system supplier working through the Vodafone network. The product has now been significantly re-engineered and redeveloped, and the company claims it now offers exceptional stability and reliability, as well as a user-friendly interface. Through this, the company supplies and operates the Locate You service for Vodafone, managing over 3,000 vehicles on this system alone.

Currently BlueFinger is launching its own GPRS service for greatbigblue. This is expected to give customers more flexibility by allowing them to access data and positions immediately. Next in line will come the ability to link PDAs and mobile data terminals into the system, allowing customers to use their own style of forms, and integrating them into their own mainframe systems.

Keeping coaches on course

Passenger transport operators are taking to vehicle tracking just as enthusiastically as their road freight counterparts, and a typical recent user is Lucketts Coaches in Portsmouth, which has adopted Bluefinger's greatbigblue system.

"Everything that happens inside and outside a coach will be recorded," says managing director Ian Luckett. "If there are any queries we can go back to the recordings and the data from the various systems on board."

At one time Lucketts issued drivers with mobile phones as a primary way to ascertain vehicle positions, but in recent times the company has limited driver calls to genuine emergencies. "With greatbigblue we can see the vehicle position automatically, and provide customers and tour operators with precise details."

This will be a major selling point in future marketing and potential sales generation. Once Bluefinger's latest GPRS upgrade is installed and running, Lucketts intends to have a dedicated screen in its premises in order to obtain regular position and speed updates immediately.

Bluefinger's plan is also to offer a secure customer log-in Web site, so that from any Internet-enabled PC, routes and journey progress can be shown. BlueFinger is also working with Lucketts on other additions to the functionality, such as variable pre-programmed geo-fences.

As an example, when a coach is doing a local journey such as a school run, the coach will report its position every one or two minutes. However, if it is on a day trip to London, when the vehicle leaves the "local geofence", then the position timer will automatically change to every 15 minutes.

If the coach goes abroad on a European holiday, the frequency of updates will not need to be as regular, so will change to every one hour once the vehicle leaves the UK.