April/May 2007

As the message gets around that telematics can deliver above-the-line savings in operations costs, more medium-sized and small vehicle operators are now starting to equip their fleets.

Fareham-based refrigerated transport specialist Davies International is a typical case. The company operates 16 trucks and has installed Volvo Trucks' Dynafleet telematics system in its fleet, which includes two non-Volvo trucks.

'Previously, telematics hasn't been a big issue for is,' says operations director Steven Davies. 'This is the first full fleet management package we've used, and Dynafleet's compatibility with other marques was an important decider.'

The most significant improvement that Dynafleet brings, Davies believes, is the potential for major fuel cost savings. 'We reckon that the information we get from Dynafleet will enable us to improve our long-term fuel efficiency by three to five per cent without any formal driver training. At that rate, the system will have paid for itself within two years.'

While fuel efficiency was the key factor, Davies has also found the communications and tracking features of Dynafleet useful. 'You can track the fleet from any computer. Furthermore because the system is linked to digital tachographs, you get a very accurate picture of drivers' hours. We pride ourselves on 100 per cent legal running.'

Davies expects to use Dynafleet for more detailed analysis of drivers' hours, and thinks customers will be interested in temperature tracking when Volvo introduces that capability later in the year.