Sept/Oct 2004

French-based building and public works group Colas has chosen Thales Telematics to supply telematics systems for 1,500 vehicles. The company says its aims are to enhance driver safety, improve vehicle security by combating theft, optimise fleet management and respond better to customers' needs. About 150 vehicles have already been fitted in the last three months.

Prior to choosing a supplier, the company tested systems from four suppliers. According to Yves Fran�ois, information systems manager: "Thales has the national and international dimension to provide a long-term solution and to support that solution in the years to come."

Among prime objectives has been that of optimising the use of its fleet by tracking vehicles and reassigning routes in real time to meet delivery and other requirements. Another priority is to monitor on-site efficiency of vehicles by techniques such as logging the tipper body cycles of each truck.

The comprehensive Thales solution includes in-vehicle equipment and peripherals, on-site installation, telecommunication services, fleet management software, and international call-centre and customer service support.

The system also provides services to suit specific Colas customers. For example, it provides proof of compliance in agreements with towns and municipalities, under which vehicles are not allowed in town after a given time and may not exceed a certain speed limit.

The system also enables Colas to log the number of hours spent waiting at customers' sites and, if necessary, provide documentary evidence of delays. The cost for all this ranges between 35 and 95 euros per vehicle per month.