TNT Express’s Driver Steve Ward announced the winner of the Fleet Driver of the Year Award presented by Microlise
Posted on 21. Jul, 2010 by Alex in Microlise - In the News, News, Product
Steve Ward linehaul driver based at TNT Express only started driving nine years ago, aged 50, when he semi-retired from his previous career as a heating engineer. Having obtained his HGV licence at 21, Ward rediscovered his love of driving and the freedom it gave. An approved driving assessor since 2005, Ward now helps to develop TNT’s safe and efficient driver training. As well as coaching and demonstrating best practice for other drivers, Ward has led by example, reducing his average fuel consumption from 10.5mpg to 12.5mpg and holding an impeccable accident record.
Independent monitoring by Microlise showed Ward achieved more than 13mpg over a week when he drove 1,200 miles on night-time trunking operations. He scored 83% for green band driving and had no incidents of harsh braking, over-revving or over speeding. Microlise commented: “Good consistent performance throughout the study, and very good mpg even for operation type.” He is never late and has not had a day’s sick leave during his nine years with TNT. He also goes the extra mile in support of internal and external customers, and often helps out at the Maidstone, Kent depot by moving trailers, assisting with loading or re-routing to meet an external supplier.
Ward’s commitment to excellence extends beyond TNT and its customers into the wider community. He has been instrumental in delivering TNT’s road safety message to local schools, assisting Warwickshire County Council with a safety event called Crucial Crew targeted at primary school children. He also provides transport for one of the floats in the annual Atherstone carnival. (Motor Transport 19.07.10)
Executive Director Bob Harbey of Microlise presented Steve with his award at this years Motor Transport Awards, Grosvenor House, he later pointed out “One of our main objectives at Microlise is to highlight the important part the driver plays in reducing operating costs and maintaining a good health & safety record.”.
Microlise helps fleet operators to reduce their running costs AND carbon footprint by developing and implementing products that improve not only fleet utlisation but safety, performance and customer service.
3663 Reduce their costs and increase their sustainability with Microlise
Posted on 19. Jul, 2010 by Alex in Customers, News, Product
Consistently seeking to improve service and optimise efficiency in order to maintain a competitive edge, 3663 set itself a target of a 5% cost saving across its logistics transport operations. The company recognised there were a number of areas where potentially it could make significant cost savings – for example, by improving fleet utilisation and fuel economy whilst also reducing maintenance costs by focusing on driving style. In addition, greater opportunity to focus on customer service has been provided through the streamlining of some back office processes
Having carried out an in-depth review of the market, the 3663 team chose Microlise as the technology partner best able to help it achieve its goal. Whilst many companies could provide basic vehicle tracking, it was the completeness of the Microlise solution which won the day. 3663 saw the ability use Microlise’s ‘plan vs. actual’ debrief and reporting, to improve transport planning and customer service visibility, coupled with Telematics for driving style monitoring and Trip & Delivery management via a Mobile Worker application as critical components of a single integrated solution.
As a first phase, 3663 implemented Microlise’s tracking & telematics module across the company’s logistics fleet of around 340 vehicles. 3663 then launched a Driving For Excellence initiative which Microlise were able to support through the development of detailed driver league tables. This programme has delivered substantial savings as it quickly highlighted driving issues which could be then addressed, resulting in 3663 hitting their 5% target fuel saving in the early stages of the project.
Later phases of the project included implementing a new Routing & Scheduling package and then using Microlise’s Transport Management Centre to provide Journey Management and Route & Scheduling adherence reporting to drive improvements in fleet productivity. This forward notification information has provided 3663 with an unparallel ability to provide accurate advanced information to their customers which is a great enhancement to customer service.
To minimise any potential disruption for drivers going to unfamiliar destinations when moving towards optimised routes drivers have been issued with the most advanced Mobile Data Terminals. These provide trip and schedule information, including integrated satellite navigation, supporting truck rules. The last phase of the project will see Mobile Data Terminals being used for Proof Of Delivery, increasing accuracy whilst further reducing paperwork and administration.
A successful aspect of the relationship between 3663 and Microlise is the way the companies are working closely together to maximise the return that 3663 gains on its investment with Microlise. Regular meetings were put in place from the beginning to ensure that the project progressed to plan and that the benefits of the system are realised on an ongoing basis.
Shaun Foley Operations Director for 3663 Logistics commented “Providing excellent service is of paramount importance to us and it was critical in our decision that any system selected would provide real customer benefit along side genuine savings in costs. It was also important to us that these impacts would be both for the immediate term as well as continuing into the future. We are delighted with the true partnership approach we have with Microlise and we have started to see the improved information for our customers along with reductions in costs and of course, carbon emissions. We look forward to remaining at the forefront of this market leading technology and delivering even further benefits into the future”
