Microlise partners with Celtic Tuning
Posted on 09. Feb, 2012 by Megan in Customers, Microlise - In the News, News, Partners, Uncategorized
In addition to the recent partnership with ETS Business Solutions, Microlise has also contracted Celtic Tuning to resell the Microlise solutions to the UK market making Celtic Tuning the second UK reseller Microlise has partnered with in the last 3 months.
Celtic Tuning has been reverse engineering OEM engine management software for over 9 years. Although initially targeting the performance end of the market, Celtic Tuning diversified its efforts back in 2008 towards the economy sector following great demand as a result of the exponentially rising price of fossil fuels.
The subsequent developments led to the formation of the Master Limit brand to provide software solutions to the fleet market. With a large emphasis on vehicle limitation and forced driver behaviour, the desire to accurately monitor vehicle movements, behaviours and fuel economy is what led Celtic Tuning/Master Limit to Microlise.
The Microlise solutions align with the Master Limit brand methodology and with the two businesses having very similar synergies, the partnership between Microlise and Celtic Tuning will hopefully be one which brings benefits both commercially and technologically.
Celtic Tuning and Microlise will be sharing a booth at the Commercial Vehicle Show on April 24-26. In addition Microlise will be represented on the MAN Truck and Bus stand at the show which will showcase the MAN/Microlise Trucknology system which is available on all MAN trucks.
Come see what Microlise can do for your business at Celtic Tuning/Master Limit Stand No. 3B15 and at the MAN Stand No. 3A30.
Celtic Tuning
Unit 3 Victoria Trading Estate
Roche
Cornwall
PL26 8LX
T: 01726892873
www.celtictuning.co.uk
Commercial Vehicle Show
April 24-26
NEC Birmingham
Free to attend!
www.cvshow.com
One Day Seminar in Strathclyde on February 16th – Microlise & ETS
Posted on 07. Feb, 2012 by Megan in Customers, Microlise - In the News, News, Partners
Microlise is pleased to announce the first ETS One Day Seminar in Partnership with Microlise. This event will be held at the Hilton Strathclyde on February 16, 2012. There will be two sessions held on this day which will encompass product information, new enhancements, future development and live demonstrations of the Microlise solutions.
The morning session will run from 9am to 12pm and the afternoon session will run from 1pm to 3pm. Morning attendees and afternoon attendees are both invited to join ETS and Microlise for lunch in the Hilton Strathclyde Restaurant from 12pm to 1pm.
ETS Business Solutions is the first reseller for Microlise in the UK and is ideal for this position due to their established track record of delivering quality service to their customers. ETS provides a unique consultancy service that lets customers see the benefits of the best tracking solutions for their business. ETS plans on holding these seminars every other month in locations throughout the country.
Last day to sign up for this event is February 13th, 2012.
If you would like to attend the event or want information on future events please feel free to contact ETS at www.etsbusinesssolutions.com.
ETS Business Solutions
12 Eaton Ave
Matrix Business Park
Chorley
PR7 7NA
Tel: 08716446268
Hilton Strathclyde Hotel
Phoenix Cresecent
Bellshill
Strathclyde
ML4 3JQ
www.hilton.com/strathclyde
100% of Microlise Customers would recommend their products and services!
Posted on 03. Feb, 2012 by Megan in Customers, Microlise - In the News, News
At the end of every project Microlise implement and then periodically, via our Customer Service and Account Management teams, Microlise talk to our customers to find out what we do well and where we could improve our products and services. One of the questions we ask is “would you recommend Microlise?”
Over the last 12 months, 100% of the customers responded that they would recommend Microlise.
Microlise are delighted that customer’s see the benefit of the effort Microlise put into the products we develop and the services we deliver.
Microlise prides itself on delivering innovative products that align with our customers’ business goals and operational needs, underpinned by outstanding customer service throughout delivery & support.
Simon Bewick, Microlise’s Operations Director commented; “Frankly, we are really pleased with the feedback that all of our customers would recommend us. The end of project and customer service interviews always provide us with loads of information we can act upon. Key for us is to make sure we listen to our customers and where there are things we can learn from and improve how we do things, that we do this”.
Microlise’s comprehensive solution packages incorporate Vehicle Tracking & Telematics, Route & Schedule Adherence Proof of Delivery. This is all delivered via what we term our “benefits centric” delivery model and is then supported by a wide-ranging customer service and benefits realisation consultancy offering. The latter is a service whereby periodically, Microlise report on the benefits the solution is delivering, how it is being used by the customer and how it might be better utilised within their operation.
A further reflection of the levels of service and product functionality we continue to offer is that, despite tough market conditions, Microlise continue to experience strong sales growth and business performance.
Microlise would like to thank its customers for continued support and loyalty and look forward to continued success in 2012 and beyond.
A Guide to Telematics (by FleetNews)
Posted on 01. Feb, 2012 by Megan in Customers, Microlise - In the News, News
The November 2011 edition of FleetNews featured a supplement guide for telematics users. This guide provides information regarding Green Fleet Management strategies, as well as examples of telematics in action and the benefits delivered.
According to the guide;
Greener Fleet Management is driven by three simple strategies…
Drive cleaner vehicles
Drive them more economically
Drive them less
Do this and companies will save money and reduce their environmental impact. (A Guide To Telematics by FleetNews)
Microlise’s Transport Management System portfolio significantly contributes to this agenda. The portfolio offers a Tracking and Telematics solution that;
Enables customers to understand how safely and economically their vehicles are being driven – thereby supporting the company to obtain the best levels of fuel economy and reducing fuel costs & emissions, as well as reducing accidents and wear & tear on vehicles.
Provides visibility of vehicle activity and utilisation in order to allow management to understand vehicle usage & utilisation. When this data is presented via Microlise’s Journey Management module, where all activity is measured againt planned journeys, then wasted time and unnecessary mileage can also be driven out of the operation, thereby ensuring highest levels of productive mileage and the right number of vehicles necessary to run the most efficient operation.
In the Fleet New section entitled; Telematics in action deliver savings for fleet operators – by using telematics, fleets have achieved savings worth millions of pounds, the article sighted two Microlise customers;
Tesco delivers with Telematics
Home delivery firm Tesco.com revealed 12% fuel use savings and a 6% drop in accident damage after fitting telematics.
The 2,200 vans on the fleet cover 60 million miles a year, so such significant reductions in costs will have a major impact on the business.
Any examples of bad driving are flagged up and bosses can immediately deal with problems such as harsh braking and errant behaviour.
To encourage drivers a league table has been produced at each depot.
Drivers are rewarded with a set number of points, which they retain if they are shown to have driven carefully and sensibly on the road on an ongoing basis. (A Guide to Telematics by FleetNews)
Firm targets 5% saving
3663 set itself a target of a 5% cost saving across its logistics transport operations.
As a first phase, 3663 implemented tracking and telematics across the company’s logistics fleet of around 340 vehicles.
It then launched a driving for excellence initiative which included publishing detailed driver league tables.
This programme delivered substantial savings as it quickly highlighted driving issues which could then be addressed, resulting in 3663 achieving its 5% target fuel saving in the eary stages of the project. (A Guide to Telematics by FleetNews)
The league table discussed in the feature refers to the Microlise A-G Report within the Safe and Economical Driving Style Reports which is available to all Microlise customers Using the Fleet Performance Telematics package. This comprehensive report allows the customer operation to monitor driving style at all levels within the fleet.
Both Tesco.com and 3663 as well as over 200 other transport & logistics companies, continue to look towards the Microlise Fleet and Distribution solution to support them in achieving the highest levels of utilisation, efficiency and fuel economy within their fleets.
Microlise partners with ETS Business Solutions
Posted on 19. Jan, 2012 by Megan in Microlise - In the News, News, Partners
Having successfully established solution and automotive partners outside the UK, Microlise has now set up a reseller channel in the UK.
Microlise have seen compound annual growth over the last 3 years of around 40%, this is off the back of world class products and services. Even with this ongoing success, Microlise recognised that this was only the tip of the iceberg and the potential for further sales in other market sectors was immense.
Some of these sectors and their customers, often with a mix of Heavy good and vans fleets, are undoubtedly best addressed via partners.
Accordingly, Microlise are delighted to be able to announce ETS Business Solutions as our first UK and Ireland sales partner.
ETS, who are based in Lancashire, have an established track record of delivering transport management solutions and services to their customers.
Microlise believes that ETS are a good cultural fit with shared principles and ambitions and have numerous sales & operational synergies.
ETS were attracted to the relationship by the fact Microlise can offer a more integrated & scalable solution – in terms of driving style, journey management, Proof Of Delivery, Debrief and powerful KPI Reporting – meaning they are able to offer their existing and new customers a “perfect fit” solution and from a single provider.
Based upon continued sales growth, Microlise have recruited over 15 additional personnel in the last nine months – an investment which perhaps bucks the trend in the Transport Management Solutions market place. As part of this, Microlise has recruited a new UK Channel manager to work side-by-side with ETS in order to provide the best possible solutions to customers. Eric Hymas joins Microlise from Solarsoft Business Systems and has extensive knowledge & expertise managing and development channel relationships.
For more information please contact ETS at www.etsbusinesssolutions.co.uk.
The year ahead – Commerical Motor forecasts 2012
Posted on 10. Jan, 2012 by Megan in Customers, Microlise - In the News, News, Uncategorized
As 2012 gets under way, the latest Trucking Britain survey shows operators forecasting another tough year.
As 2011 wore on, most business leaders voiced the same warning: 2011 was tough, but 2012 will be tougher still. And looking at the data produced from December’s Trucking Britain Out of Recession survey, we can’t help but agree with them.
The good news is that more than a third (35%) of operators expect an increase in volumes this year, while more than a quarter (26%) expect an increase in profit. Nearly half expected volumes and profit in 2012 to be the same as they were in 2011. However, more than a quarter (27%) expect a fall in volumes and nearly a third (31%) fall in profit.
On balance, that appears to be an acceptable outlook. However, we can compare this latest data with the previous year’s, i.e. the outlook for 2011 when surveyed in December 2010: overall, that showed that 49% expected an increase in volumes and 40% an increase in profit; and just 11% expected a drop in volumes and 19% a drop in profit.
Returning to the current data, the sector to be in is retail: 43% of operators in this sector expect an increase in volumes this year and 33% a boost in profit.
And, almost inevitably, the bigger the fleet, the more positive the outlook: 43% of operators with more than 50 trucks expect a volume increase, compared with just 28% of operators with no more than 10 trucks.
Given that operators are not as positive about 2012 as they were in 2011, it’s no surprise that vehicle acquisition plans are not quite as firm as they were a year ago. These expecting to acquire new vehicles reached 49%, compared with 50% a year ago, while those expecting to acquire used vehicles reached 28%, down from 38% a year ago.
Biggest concern for 2012
We asked respondents about their biggest concerns for their business in 2012. Predictably, the economy and the price of fuel dominated responses. Here is a flavour of those responses: “A rise in running costs with a slowdown in production, this then giving us an increase in the number of hauliers willing to cut rates. A renewed pressure from foreign hauliers undercutting the current rates, which are unsustainably low.”
“Being forced to make redundancies of good staff.”
“Exports to Europe down, with a knock-on effect to UK manufacturers and then UK hauliers.”
“Customers’ liquidity, and payment of bills on time.”
“Government and trade associations’ failure to address the crippling fuel duty rates. Over-regulation, particularly industrial relations/employment law. Continuing instability in the Middle East affecting world oil prices.”
“Increasing fuel prices continue to place pressure on margins, any further increases will be detrimental to the profitability of the business, particularly at a time when customers are unwilling to accept rate increases.”
“My biggest concern is the issue of rising costs in particular fuel, this linked to the market’s inability to generate competitive price increases, and finally mix in the pay demands of the unions.”
” My main concern is that confidence falters again and then volumes decline. Swift decline in volumes is perhaps the most difficult thing for a transport business to face given our high overheads and low profit margin.”
“Scaremongering by the press of another recession.”
Best for you business
We also asked operators what the best thing for their business would be in 2012. Again, fuel dominated: this time a reduction in its price was the common wish. It highlights how tough transport can be that one respondent gave this answer: “Be offered a contract with a fuel stabiliser.”
Here’s a flavour of the other responses, some of which are predictably light-hearted:
“A boom in the economy, people spending more and a cut in fuel duty.”
“A rebate from the government on fuel by means of an essential user rebate. The tightening of legislation on foreign hauliers working in the UK, an understanding of the importance of road haulage, and the investment into our industry by means of tax relief.”
“A stable year with no macro-economic shocks. thereby giving us the confidence to continue to invest within the business.”
“All the cowboy, get-rich-quick waste disposal companies have decided to cease trading!”
“Banking industry starts to provide finance products again at reasonable rates.”
Optimism setback
Given that expectations for 2012 are not that great, it’s hardly surprising that confidence has taken a knock. October’s and November’s surveys showed optimism levels rising from September’s low of +33%; however, December produced a new record low of +31% as 65% of respondents said they were either very optimistic or fairly optimistic about the prospects for their business over the next 12 months, while 34% were either not very optimistic or not at all optimistic.
Again, it’s no surprise that hire and reward hauliers are the least positive bunch, with an optimistic/not optimistic split of 59/41; the split for logistics and contract distribution firms was 80/20, while for own-account operators, it was 69/32.
For the full article visit www.roadtransport.com.
Cost savings for logistics and transport – CILT Focus
Posted on 10. Jan, 2012 by Megan in Customers, Microlise - In the News, News
Kevin Fryer with CILT Focus discusses the unsure future of fuel/operating costs in 2012…
Road Freight Industry
According to research from the Freight Transport Association (FTA), road freight operators have been faced with a bill of £1.3 million to cover the rising cost of fuel during the past 12 months. To put this into context, the typical annual cost of fuelling just one 44t truck has risen by £5700 says the association.
The situation has been eased somewhat by the Government scrapping the proposal 1 p fuel duty tax in successful lobbying by the Fairfuel UK campaign and industry bodies such as the FTA and the Road Haulage Association (RHA). However; the proposed fuel duty rise in August 2012 is already causing concern for the logistics sector, with many industry leaders fearing the worst.
Theo de Pencier FCILT, Chief Executive, FTA, says: ‘Many companies in the logistics sector are at a tipping point and simply cannot afford to absorb the high fuel costs that they are facing. We have already seen that motorists are being priced off the road, which is certainly hurting the Government’s tax take, but the implications as industry faces untenable fuel costs could be far greater. Unavoidable costs either destroy companies or get passed on to customers and ultimately this fuels inflation’.
How the situation evolves remains uncertain. However, in the meantime, taking steps to keep expenditure as low as possible is prudent.
Fleet Costs
While fuel duty was stabilised in April 2011, concern is growing over proposed rises in 2012, with campaigns such as Fairfuel UK gathering momentum. Taking the following measures now is a timely undertaking for organisations with a large fleet element:
Review the market – Do not be fooled into believing that the big supermarkets offer the best price. While many offer very attractive-sounding prices, many offers are short lived. If your organisation uses fuel cards and has weekly contract pricing from the card provider, check that the price moves in line with pump price changes locally.
Check driver behaviour – It may appear you are benefiting from low supermarket prices, but this may be because drivers are diverting to gain loyalty card points or take advantage of fuel promotions where they receive money off in store, adding mileage to get there.
Fuel on the go – If you use fuel cards, review extra charges paid when drawing fuel on the road. Savings in fuel costs can become easily lost in administrative fees, card charges and handling fees.
Professional driver training – Engage with professional trainers to ensure your drivers follow best practices. Follow up with ongoing monitoring programmes (such as telematics) to avoid losing the benefits of training programmes, such as reduced fuel consumption and lower accident rates.
For the full article please visit www.ciltuk.org.uk.
Truck makers’ telematics – m.logistics November/December
Posted on 10. Jan, 2012 by Megan in Microlise - In the News, News, Partners
Last months m.logistics gave us an insight into truck makers’ telematics systems and the benefits. Sharon Clancy takes us through how truck makers’ analyse and improve driving techniques using their own telematics systems and whether these systems square up to operators’ requirements.
The article takes a look at DAF, Daimler, Iveco, Renault, Scania, Volvo and MAN to evaluate the overall benefits of getting a telematics system straight from the manufacturer.
MAN has been a partner with Microlise since 2006 and has installed Trucknology (MAN branded Microlise Tracking / Telematics systems) on over 6,000 vehicles in the UK including over 1,000 non-MAN vehicles.
The article discusses Driver and Vehicle Monitoring using telematics to improve driving behaviour and save on fuel costs which is important especially while the fuel prices remain high and typically account for 45% of any transport/logistics operator’s biggest costs. Reducing fuel consumption therefore translates quickly into bottom-line savings. Manufacturers are now offering fuel consumption reduction programmes and services based on vehicle and driver telemetry.
Small improvements count where fuel is concerned. “Idling using 2.4 liters of fuel an hour, so a reduction in engine idling time is a big win for any fleet,” says David Lester, department manager for MAN Fleet Management. “Our standard performance parameter is that any idling period should not exceed two minutes. Above that is gets flagged up.”
MAN, which has Microlise as is telematics partner in the UK, uses an overall ranking system, with individual behaviour graded A to G. “It’s essential that drivers know the telematics system is there to help them do a good job, and not as a spy in the cab,” says Lester. “Personal KPIs and small improvement targets encourage them to drive economically.”
He believes that with coaching every driver can achieve a B-grade. “That’s usually equivalent to a 10% saving in fuel, plus less wear and tear on components, not forgetting fewer accidents.”
The manufacturers agree that sharing any cost savings with drivers can help drive long-term improvements. As Lester puts it: “Our detailed reports show in pounds and pence exactly how much the driver is saving when he achieves a target, compared with the benchmark for the fleet. Drivers are professional and competitive. League tables and driver-of-the-year schemes help retain focus, as do incentive schemes.”
MAN’s Fleet Management System (Trucknology) is an online application that includes modules for driver and vehicle performance reporting, track and trace, and driver communications. EcoStyle Safe and Economical driving reports allocate each driver an overall personal performance indicator score ranging from A to C, and more detailed scoring is also available.
The driver communications module is a useful option that piggybacks driver voice and data communication on the same SIM card used for sending telematics data. The SIM stores any vehicle data in its flash memory until the vehicle call has ended.
The track and trace application includes proof-of-delivery, schedule adherence and trailer tracking.
For the full article please visit www.mlogmag.com.
JCB Singles out Microlise as One of Four Suppliers that have Consistently Impressed!
Posted on 14. Dec, 2011 by Megan in Customers, Microlise - In the News, News
An article printed by The Telegraph yesterday (December 13, 2011) titled “Think Tank: uneasy alliance lines up to aid mid-size companies” discusses the battle for middle corporate Britain and the threat of cheap labour and rising production standards in the East as well as weak growth and high unemployment closer to home (the UK).
The article goes on to state that the majority of businesses within the UK are not accepting the decline. The leading construction equipment group JCB was asked to single out the suppliers that consistently impressed and the top four included Thos Storey Fabrications (Manchester), Microlise Ltd (Nottingham), ADM Pressings (Newcastle) and Safety Glass (Tyneside).
These companies were asked to comment on the action they thought was required to help with this growing issue. Advice and a little funding seems to be the answer from Whitehall but aligning what officials feel is possible with what the companies want is not that straightforward. Bob Harbey, managing director of Microlise, states ‘If we want help, we help ourselves first. If we can’t, then we will ask others.’
Another impediment is basic workforce skills. Apprenticeship funding is welcome but finding the right apprentice remains too difficult.
Harbey, one of three director owners at Microlise agrees. It has built a vehicle-management and tracking system called LiveLink for JCB and is growing rapidly. “Not having the right talent at the right time is a real show stopper,” he says.
The £22m-turnover firm, which employees 200 people, invests around £3m a year in developing its software and hardware, used by the likes of Ford in the US, MAN Trucks in Europe and JCB around the world.
For Harbey, the Treasury plays a key role for his company via research and development tax credits. “R&D tax credits are one of those things that enable us to get more bang for our buck,” he says. He would also like more finance support to help reduce the risk of investing in developing products and services for large companies.
For Microlise, securing an important five-year deal with JCB involved spending £1m up front on development, with no guarantee of orders. As an owner-managed firm, Microlise took the risk that development work would not pay off. Other companies, controlled by external shareholders, may be less willing to do so, he says.
The article goes on to conclude that Whitehall and the wider public sector should re-learn; Cable the Wise and his minons exist to serve Middle Corporate Britain, not the other way around. Only then will the battle be won.
For the full article please visit www.telegraph.co.uk
Bidvest Logistics – Customer Centric Approach
Posted on 09. Dec, 2011 by Megan in Microlise - In the News, News
Bidvest Logistics is part of the Bidvest Group which trades on four continents and employees over 115,000 people worldwide. Since 1999 Bidvest Logistics has grown to become the largest global foodservice distributor outside of the USA. Bidvest Logistics owns the largest food distribution groups in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. It currently operates through two businesses in the UK; Bidvest Logistics and 3663 Wholesale.
Bidvest Logistics currently runs 365 vehicles with Microlise’s vehicle tracking & telematics technology on-board in order to help provide exceptional service to customers such as KFC, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Zizzi’s, Nando’s and PizzaExpress. Bidvest Logistics’ vision is to lead the market with high performance logistics solutions that WOW their customers.
Bidvest Logistics have been using Microlise’s Transport Management System for tracking, telematics, and journey management (route & schedule adherence), for over 3 years.
Bidvest Logistics chose Microlise based upon the breadth and depth of their portfolio, product innovation and the open and can-do attitude of the Microlise management team.
Having delivered significant successes in reducing fuel costs through improved driving style, Bidvest Logistics then approached Microlise with the idea of implementing a Customer Service Board that would help with delivery issue visibility, response time, and administration in order to provide the most pro-active service, best customer experience with the least amount of operational overhead.
The Customer Service Board would use the same core technology as used in Bidvest Logistics’ transport operation, whereby each vehicle is tracked by the Microlise system against a plan. Microlise’s point to point routing engine calculates an up to the minute estimated time of arrival (ETA) each time the vehicle reports in (every mile).
The Customer Service Board rather than looking at the delivery status of the operation at a route level however, looks at the forecast time of arrival at a contract and delivery level. As such, as soon as, on a moving horizon, the Customer Service Board determines a delivery window is going to be missed, the staff responsible for that customer and / or delivery point is notified via the system.
The customer service agent is then provided with contract and site contact information, information about the delivery, the trip and current ETA. They can then record all contacts made with the customer within the system, which can then be reported on both internally and at customer account reviews.
Currently Bidvest Logistics is doing 10,500 – 11,000 deliveries a week with a 1 hour window. The new Customer Service Board from Microlise allows Bidvest Logistics to manage customer issues by exception and in a much more proactive manner. Thereby improving customer experience and reducing Bidvest Logistics administration effort.
The ability for Bidvest Logistics to proactively monitor the likelihood of failing to meet delivery commitments is seen by them as a unique selling point within the food service industry. Bidvest Logistics have also seen customer confidence increase – inevitably there are delivery problems, but being told about them in advance and being communicated to on a much more consistent and accurate basis, with up to date information, has proven to be very powerful.
As a result of the hard work that went into designing the Customer Service Board by both Microlise and Bidvest Logistics, Bidvest Logistics won the Best Technology Partnership category at the Call Centre North West Awards on October 7th, 2011.
In addition Bidvest Logistics also received the Contact Centre Manager of the Year Award which was awarded to Lianne Blackman-Morrow.
“We are delighted with the deployment of this advanced tracking technology that we have developed in conjunction with Microlise Group. The enhancement is without question industry leading and demonstrates Bidvest Logistics ambition to continue to service its client base to the best of its capabilities today and in to the future. The operating system now allows our business to proactively engage the customers with accurate information in real time and thus ensure they have clarity on the status of their delivery.” Shaun Foley Chief Operations Officer Bidvest Logistics UK
Matt Hague, Product Strategy Director at Microlise comments; “Microlise are really pleased with the addition of the Customer Service Board to our portfolio – it allows our customer’s to derive even more value from our Journey Management solution. It is also a great example of how our Agile Development teams can work with customers, such as Bidvest Logistics, to deliver innovative solutions in a timely and cost effective manner and is something we want to do more of.”
Bidvest Logistics hopes to continue to improve its customer relationships and will continue to look to Microlise for further help in regards to system improvements. Microlise appreciates all the help Bidvest Logistics provided with the creation of the Customer Service Board and its continued support of the Microlise Transport Management System.
