Nov/Dec 2004

Retailer Sainsbury's is to fit Cybit's Fleetstar-Online telematics and Smartnav satellite navigation technology across its entire 400-strong Sainsbury's to You home delivery fleet. The decision to adopt the system follows a three-month trial of competing products.

Fleetstar-Online is Cybit's Internet-based telematics solution, and features real-time vehicle tracking, exception reporting, replay mode, customised reports, mileage information, SMS messaging and live traffic information.

Vehicles are fitted with a small electronic in-vehicle unit, which is tracked by GPS in real time. Data is transmitted to Cybit's online control centre, and users access the system via a standard Web browser.

Smartnav is an "off-board" satellite navigation and route planning system that gathers real-time traffic information from Trafficmaster's established network of cameras and sensors around the UK. Trafficmaster originally developed the Fleetstar system before selling it to Cybit.

Effective use of the data produced by the system is expected to give Sainsbury's complete visibility of the mileage, service history, distances travelled and speeds driven across its entire fleet. The real-time vehicle location capability and ability to call the 24/7 call centre in case of emergency should also enhance Sainsbury's vehicle and driver safety, the company believes.