Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Mobile Phones Becoming Truck Drivers' Computer In Cab

Standard GPRS mobile phones are becoming a low-cost major communications device between traffic managers, their Transport Management Systems and truck driver, leading to greater efficiency and improved customer service at lower costs. This feature has been developed by logistics Software as a Solution (SaaS) provider Deltion, as part of the CarrierNetOnline (CNO) web based logistics solution.

“The secret of harnessing mobile phones to provide a wide range of logistics services and information is the integration of all in-house and third party systems to provide the data to convert to critical knowledge for the driver and customers” according to Piyush Shah, Chief Executive of Deltion (www.deltion.co.uk). “The computing power of today’s GPRS phones is remarkable and available at a low cost, we are therefore making this power available to traffic managers and drivers, who previously have only used voice capabilities”. This service costs users of CarrierNetOnline just £5 per month for each mobile.

The driver uses the phone as a web terminal and the drivers manifest is available on the phone. This provides a job list giving the customer’s full details, together with consignment size and delivery time requirements. If there are any changes in customer instructions or any problems encountered during the trip, an exception report is automatically sent and the traffic manager and the company’s customer service team can alert the consignee and make alternative arrangement. If the phone is in an area with poor or no reception, the information is stored and automatically transmitted when reception returns.

Upon completion of a delivery, a PoD report is sent by phone back to the traffic office. “These phones are powerful tools, always on and can provide information which a few years ago would have required a PC,” Mr Shah said. “Now this power is available on a transaction basis as pay-as-you-use, with no need to invest in infrastructure, hardware, maintenance or additional IT support. Alternative tracking systems can cost up to £1000 a vehicle – and offer no better service”

Drivers log on and off at the beginning and end of duty and create reports on mileage and fuel consumption. These integrate with the company’s systems and a full history can be generated. Deltion recently introduced personalised messaging to foreign drivers in Polish and other languages in order to overcome the communications problems that have arisen since the influx from Central Europe to meet Britain’s driver shortage.

Images

CAPTION: Using CarrierNetOnline, the driver is able to see his work, report delays and PoD, all in real-time

This image is available by following the link below. It shows a driver from Hurst Transport using the facilities provided by the CarrierNetOnline mobile phone service.

To download, right click on the image and click on Save as...

To download a full resolution image please cut and paste the following link into your browser, or contact denis_osullivan@btopenworld.com

http://www.deltion.co.uk/download/CNO_mobile_full.jpg

For more info contact:

Denis O’Sullivan
NetworkedWorld
denis_osullivan@btopenworld.com
07710-820979