Tracking data transmitted by the unit, via GPRS, can be used within the Microlise Map Client and Transport Management Centre in exactly the same way as a regular Microlise Tracking Unit (MTU3).

The standard configuration of the Trailer Tracking unit is that it reports in every 5 minutes whilst moving (powered or unpowered) and every 6 hours when stopped. This configuration can be changed remotely. Battery level is reported each time a unit reports in such that a user will be prompted should any unit not be getting charged frequently enough a portable unit need recharging via the mains.

Trailer mounted tracking units – that are being powered from the running lights – need about an hour of power a day to keep the unit fully charged. Where the Trailer tracking unit does not have external power, based upon a full charge, the unit will report in it’s location and status over 2000 times.

The unit can also support other inputs such as doors monitoring. The Geofences that can be created in the Microlise Map Client support rules, which means alerts will be generated if Trailers stop or their doors open where they shouldnt, similarly, if a trailer moves from a location when it shouldnt. These alerts can be text based.

Microlise also provide the Activity, Utilisation, Location and exception reports as part of it’s Trailer Tracking.

Microlise’s new trailer tracking solution gives operators increased security, enhanced visibility and control of goods & service delivery as well as the information required to improve trailer utilisation and fleet management costs.

For more information the New Microlise Trailer Tracking Solution, you can contact your account manager, alternatively Click Here to contact us.

As reported in this months Van User magazine, Tesco.com is taking delivery of 795 Iveco light commercials. The online supermarket shopping subsidiary will become one of the UK’s largest operators of the daily AGile automated manual Gearbox, as the order includes 770 daily 35S11 vans equipped with the transmission.

The firm has also taken 25 natural gas powered EcoDaily vans, which will run on compressed biomethane (CBM) from producer Gasrec, said to have the lowest carbon intensity  of any commercially available fuel. “The scale of the CBM trial will allow us to assess the performance of natural gas vehicles comprehensively”, says Dino Papas, fleet transport manager at Tesco.com “It represents one of the most important trials we have ever run and if it proves successful it could have a major impact on our future transport strategy.” The body work for the vehicle is being supplied by Lancashire firm Solomon, with refrigeration units supplied by Suffolk firm Hubbard and GAH, together with telematics from Microlise in nottingham.  

As reported by Sharon Clancy earlier in the year, Tesco’s main driver behind implementing Microlise’s telematics into their home delivery fleet was fuel efficiency, and as stated by Dave Crellin, operations development manager they have already made 12% fuel savings accross their existing fleet.

Microlise’s MTU3 Tracking & Telematics device now comes with full zone 2 ATEX certification.

Like many Telematics solutions providers, Microlise have been installing their MTU3 (Microlise Tracking Unit 3) devices into Petrochemical tankers in compliance with the Energy Institute guidelines for many years – this means that vehicles can be tracked apart from when the tanker was loading fuel at a depot or discharging fuel at a garage, whereupon, like most of the other electrical equipment in the vehicle it would be isolated via an isolation switch. This approach, obviously provides some practical limitations if operators want to closely monitor vehicle activity whilst on a site.

Given Microlise’s growing sales in the petrochemical sector, we have now put our MTU3 hardware, including CANbus & Digital Tachograph connections through the ATEX certification process. Microlise are also able to provide an ATEX compliant panic switch if required.*

This now means Microlise’s equipment can be kept live throughout the entire delivery and loading process. There are few Telematics suppliers who can provide this level of service.

Microlise’s Product Strategy Director, Matt Hague, commented “Given the amount of business we are now doing in this arena it made sense to be able to provide the best solution. The MTU3, which is our own product, flew through the certification process. ATEX certification is actually quite a differentiator, in that a number of our competitors talk about having ATEX certification, but when you read the fine print, they still need to be isolated when being filled or when making fuel deliveries. By complying with both the Energy Institute installation guidelines and also having ATEX compliance, we are giving our customer’s the best level of visibility and safety assurance”.

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.

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”

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.”

Microlise’s Transport Management & Telematics Solutions are used by customers around the world to improve fleet productivity & utilisation, enhance customer service, reduce management overhead and improve safe and economical driving.

At the heart of this solution portfolio, is the Microlise Tracking Unit (the MTU3) which Microlise both design and manufacture. This telematics device monitors the location of vehicles and how it is being driven by connecting into the vehicle’s CANBus.

In the specific case of safe & economical driving, Microlise and their reseller & Automotive partners have helped hundreds of customers to improve driver behaviour with our simple, yet powerful, Safe & Economical Driving Style reports. These league tables, using the easy to understand A-G economy rating system, readily allow customers to improve their fuel economy by over 10%.

These reports are used most successfully when they are embedded in an operation’s daily and weekly procedures such that good driving can be recognised and, in the case of poor driving, debriefing and driver training can occur.

Microlise are introducing the Driver Feedback Module to compliment this reporting suite and to ensure driving feedback is delivered in real-time. In this manner, drivers who are driving to the required standard get instant feedback, whilst poor driving is automatically communicated to the driver, giving them the opportunity to change their behaviour, knowing that any further infringements will be recorded.

The Driver Feedback Module’s purpose is to sustain & develop good driving and to reduce debrief and training overhead. This low cost unit can be fitted to any MTU3 using CANBus / FMS data.

The small and light weight DFM unit can be adhered to the dashboard and consists of Red, Amber and Green lights plus Audio prompts. When the driver is driving the vehicle inside all of the allotted targets, relating to speed, harsh braking, greenband, idling, over-revving and so forth, then the green light will be on.
Should any infringement begin to occur, then the Amber light will come and an audible WARNING prompt, along with the particular, infringement will sound. For example, “WARNING – EXCESSIVE IDLING”

The unit can be configured with either a male of female voice. Likewise, different volume levels can be set, controlled from the Microlise MTU3 configuration.
Should the driver not modify their behaviour, then the red light will illuminate and an audible message will play, for example “RECORDING – EXCESSIVE IDLING”.

Matt Hague, Product Strategy Director at Microlise says; “We are delighted with the Driver Feedback Module. We think it really enhances what is already an innovative telematics solution and will allow customers to leverage more benefits, quicker. The DFM will be on general availability in June, but have already taken orders. Some customers are being quite smart in how they intent to deploy the Driver Feedback Module in that they won’t fit them across a whole fleet necessarily but will use the DFM as a training aid for those drivers who are identified as needing driver training”.

 

That matters because, as transport manager Chris Humphries, says, that increase has led to an improvement in efficiency and, importantly, a stabilisation of fuel economy across the fleet.

MAN EcoStyle went live at the Shropshire-based company in January with Grocontinental’s fleet of 54 MAN TGX tractor units. The company’s transport division comprises 56 tractor units and 120 temperature-controlled trailers which operate throughout Europe.

The web-based system monitors driving parameters such as harsh braking and acceleration, maintaining sweet-spot engine revs and minimising idle time. Drivers are then trained to optimise their performance, irrespective of the terrain or the load on the vehicle.

Says Humphries: “[MAN's course] really opened my eyes on how much a driver can influence the fuel economy of the vehicle. We were driving the training vehicle, which was fitted with a permanent fuel meter, and we saw how our driving could go from the worst case of 0.8 mpg to using no fuel at all!”

Incidentally, Grocontinental has also created a text-based system (accessible only when the vehicle is stationary) to provide drivers with on-the-road instructions. That addition was driven through by joint managing director David Grocott. Mobile phones have since been removed from the fleet, and replaced by written instructions from the planning office.

“This is the first time that we feel that we are able to influence the way our drivers handle their vehicles in a more safe and efficient way,” comments Grocott.

“We have made a huge investment in the new trucks and this new technology ensures that we stay at the forefront of the industry and continue to expand and develop our business.”

Article by Brian Tnham