Sept/Oct 2004

Thame-based specialist transport and logistics company Interoute has fitted 55 of its vehicles with the Navman GPS tracking system, and says it is bringing numerous operational savings and benefits in communications, planning, service levels and efficiency. The company specialises in liquids, powders and gases transport and warehousing.

Interoute is said to have considered a number of suppliers before choosing ninehundred Communications, which fitted the system from Navman Wireless. Attractions of the chosen package included the fact that it offered the opportunity develop tailor-made reports on top of the standard system.

These include exception reports on issues such as delays and diversions, and specific reports analysing such issues as seasonal variations in the amount of fuel used for discharging product.

A host of other benefits are cited by the company. For instance, customers can call up information on their load quickly and easily while it is in transit, so that they can allocate manpower accurately.

 

Interoute itself can use the mobile data terminals that come with the system to text information such as job details, directions, traffic conditions and hold-ups to its drivers. The drivers in turn can text journey start and end times and other details directly from their cabs, and these can then be sent directly to Interoute's wages department.

The company also says it expects the system to come into its own when the Working Time Directive comes into force next year.

According to Terry Jaques, Interoute operations manager, the system is already resulting in fuel efficiencies. He adds: "I can't keep my eyes on all of my fleet all of the time, but the reports alert me to important specifics which need to be addressed."