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.
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.
Reed Boardall Transport returns to profit
Posted on 21. Mar, 2011 by Alex in Customers, News, Partners
Reed Boardall Transport has returned to profit after several years of losses, posting a pre-tax profit of £768,001 for the year ending 31 March 2010, compared to a pre-tax loss of £652,262 in 2009. Turnover for the period dipped slightly to £30.2m from £30.3m.
A number of new initiatives introduced in 2009 to improve efficiency, including the roll-out of a bespoke vehicle tracking system, contributed to the turnaround of the group’s transport arm.
Group finance director Marcus Boardall says: “Credit has to be given to our team of hard-working staff who have responded to a number of new initiatives with enthusiasm and improved the utilisation of the fleet significantly.”
Reed Boardall Cold Storage boosted turnover 51.5% to £35.3m for the 12 months to 31 March 2010, up from £23.3m in 2009, with pre-tax profit rising 46% to £5.7m from £3.9m the previous year. This is largely due to the division benefitting from the first full year of a major extension to its cold store in Boroughbridge, which has capacity for 112,000 pallets at -25°C.
“We believe it is the largest facility of its kind in the UK and it has been more than 80% full throughout the year. The increased volume and the efficiencies of a larger store have led to the improvement in the division’s profit,” explains Boardall.
Full results for the Reed Boardall Group, which include turnover from Reed Boardall’s vehicle servicing and parts business, ended the year with a £50.9m (2009: £49.1m) turnover and pre-tax profit up substantially at £6m (2009: £2.8m).
“The directors are optimistic about the prospects for the group, although it seems likely that pressure on prices will continue for some time, making cost efficiency the only means of maintaining profit,“ says Boardall.
Article Source: Roadtransport.com, Friday 18 March 2011 14:00, Laura Hailstone.
Stolen backhoe loader recovered thanks to JCB LiveLink telematic system
Posted on 09. Feb, 2011 by Alex in Customers, News, Partners
Thieves were this week thwarted in their attempt to steal a top-of-the-range JCB backhoe loader- thanks to the machine being fitted with the JCB LiveLink satellite tracking device as standard.
The JCB 4CX backhoe loader was stolen from JCB dealer Greenshields JCB’s depot in Hemel Hempstead on Monday night. But it was recovered just hours later and all thanks to its JCB LiveLink telematic system, which gives real-time location information.
When Greenshields JCB staff discovered the theft, they logged into JCB LiveLink, which revealed the machine had been driven and parked up four miles away in Abbots Langley. They promptly recovered the machine.
During 2011 JCB’s 3CX and 4CX backhoe loaders, side-engined telescopic handlers and tracked and wheeled excavators sold in the UK are being fitted with JCB LiveLink and an immobiliser as standard – and the stolen 4CX was one of the first machines to benefit from JCB’s strong stance on plant theft.
Yvette Henshall-Bell, JCB’s UK and Ireland Sales Director said: “The recovery of this stolen machine in a matter of hours of the theft proves beyond doubt the benefit for customers of fitting machines with LiveLink as standard.”
For more on this story click here
For more information on JCB Livelink click here
Article source: MHW Magazine published 7th February
MAN France Launches Microlise Telematics
Posted on 25. Jan, 2011 by Alex in Microlise - In the News, News, Partners
MAN France, in Evry last week, held a highly successful event to release a brand new product offering, to over 100 of their biggest customers.
The new products and services have been launched to enable their customers to reduce their fuel consumption and overall operation costs and consist of; The new Energy Saving “TGX Efficient Line”, their newest and most efficient model; MAN ProfiDrive the eco driver training programme; MAN Telematics (Developed by Microlise – Known in the UK as MAN Trucknology) including the Innovative Safe & Economical Driving Reports and the MAN Eco Repair and Maintenance Service.
On the 14th of January, their 100 strong sales team were trained via 6 room based workshops and the test road on the Montlhéry Circuit in how to use the Telematics system.
The very next day, 50 TGX Efficientline demonstration vehicles left MAN Every and travelled back to each individual dealership across France, each vehicle equipped with the MAN Telematics so that the sales team could view their journeys on the Microlise Map Client in real time from the event in Evry.
MAN to reveal all at CV Show 2011
Posted on 07. Dec, 2010 by Alex in News, Partners
MAN will use next year’s CV Show to launch a number of initiatives, one of which will focus on providing operators with a total-cost-of-ownership package that utilises MAN’s unique EcoStyle fleet management system.
CEO Des Evans says too many operators focus on the initial purchase price of the vehicle and forget that fuel represents more than 40% and the driver 30% of the total operating cost.
“We can now take the purchase price out of the equation and help the operator manage the 90% of other costs not associated with the actual truck, allowing them to focus on what really matters – ie running the vehicle as efficiently as possible,” he says.
The CV Show 2011 runs from 12-14 April at the NEC, Birmingham.
Pre-calculate your CO2 Emissions with Microlise & PTV
Posted on 29. Sep, 2010 by Alex in News, Partners, Product
Routes generated by PTV take into account truck-restricted and prohibited roads to ensure optimal safety & reliability; these routes are calculated based on vehicle height, weight & load type to avoid commercial truck restrictions. PTV utilises raw mapping data from Tele Atlas and NAVTEQ (both world leading traffic & map providers). This data is incorporated into the Microlise Contextual Speeding Module (whereby speeding events are triggered not just based on the vehicle’s speed restriction, but the posted speed of the specific road the vehicle is on).
Steven Watson, Microlise’s Director of Product commented: “We selected PTV as our mapping suppliers for two simple reasons, Performance & Scalability. We provide a managed service to our customers who are located all over the world, we needed an application that could not only integrate seamlessly into our system but one that could handle these requirements without fail, and PTV fit the bill.”
MAN EcoStyle driver & vehicle management system was the key factor for Peacocks in a decision to purchase new MAN tractor units – Motor Transport Reports
Posted on 30. Jun, 2010 by Alex in Microlise - In the News, News, Partners
Peacocks, the South Wales-based High Street retail fashion chain, says MAN’s EcoStyle driver and vehicle management system was the key factor in its decision to add nine of the German manufacturers tractor units to its 65-strong fleet.
The web-based system provides analysis of driving styles and productivity, allowing driver training to be tailored to individual needs. The new batch of TGX 26.440 BLS 6×2’s – Peacock’s first MAN’s since 2005 – will be based at the firm’s central transport facility at Merthyr Tydfil, from where the 500 UK and 90 overseas stores are supplied. Movements include 3,500 containers per annum out of Southampton.
Motor Transport 26.06.2010
Paul Jurevicius, Microlise’s Channel Account Manager commented today: ” This is another example of how the MAN/Microlise partnership can help fleet operators by deploying the MAN Trucknology Service – which includes the web-based Microlise telematics solution, comprising of EcoStyle driver performance reporting – they are helped to reduce operating costs and maximise fuel savings all in one neat package as part of their truck purchase.”
Ford Motor Company Take home the Award for Best Telematics Service & Application for Commercial Vehicles for Crew Chief
Posted on 11. Jun, 2010 by Alex in News, Partners, Product
This award was looking to reward the best Telematics Service Provider for commercial vehicles management at this years Telematics Update Event. The Crew Chief telematics application, devloped in partnership with Microlise, was submitted for the award, and was shortlisted back in May. The winners were announced at the Henry Ford Rouge Factory in Dearborn, Detroit on the 7th of June. In winning in the award, the Crew Chief Application demonstrated a high standard of customer service, rapid application development and faultless integration and deployment. Below, Nizam Uddin, the Microlise Project Manager on the Ford Crew Chief Project (Left), Bill Frykman, Business Development Manager for Ford Work Solutions with the award (Center), with Steve Walsh, head of Microlise’s USA operation(Right).
Microlise’s Driver Performance system monitors France’s top drivers at the Charade Circuit event
Posted on 10. Jun, 2010 by Alex in Customers, News, Partners, Product
MAN Camions & Bus SAS in France are currently hosting 350 of their top customers at the Charade Circuit in Clemont-Ferrand, France. They are using the Microlise Driver Performance Monitoring Telematics System to evaluate the driving styles of France’s top truck drivers in 5 MAN TGX demonstration vehicles. Microlise’s senior French Business Analyst is at Charade assisting the event and demonstrating the systems capabilities and features, while the Business Analysts in the UK are monitoring the progress of the drivers in realtime. See below for our lastest map view of the event.
