Comments from Phil Moorhouse, Managing Director, Northgate Vehicle Hire, for Van Fleet World telematics feature
"We have seen an explosion in corporate demand for our cutting-edge telematics technology as businesses battle to cut fleet operating costs.
"A free on going offer to companies to trial our Vehicle
Monitoring technology for three months when they opt to rent a
vehicle through our flexible NORFLEX scheme
has so far led to around 500 light commercial vehicles being hired
by fleets equipped with the technology. This is in addition to
the thousands of vans already on the road benefiting from our telematics
solution.
"Vehicle Monitoring allows vehicles to be tracked by satellite while they are out on the road with the promise of helping companies make drivers safer on the road and cut costs in a range of areas - including fuel bills and overtime claims."
Leading telecommunications company BJ Communications has installed Vehicle Monitoring into 14 vehicles with director Mark Tarsey calculating that the move has so far saved the company £20,000.
Norfolk-based BJ Communications, whose clients include Cable and Wireless, Norwich Union and Great Yarmouth Borough Council, says its has:
- Reduced fuel consumption by 10%
- Cut staff overtimes claims by 10%
- Recorded productivity improvements of 15%
- Trimmed personal vehicle use by 15%
Mr Tarsey said: "The system has enabled us to control many aspects of spending and unauthorised vehicle usage. As Vehicle Monitoring is web-based, all I need is a computer with an internet connection to obtain information about our vehicles.
"I can follow the movements of the fleet, including the speed vehicles are driven at. Bad practices such as driver idling can be identified and dealt with. Overtime claims have reduced. Driver’s time sheets can now be compared to the vehicle activity report which highlights exactly what drivers’ movements have been and what hours have been worked."
BJ Communications' engineers have also benefited with Mr Tarsey saying: "Vehicle Monitoring empowers the company with indisputable proof that the driver was, for example, at the customer's premises at a specific time. Our staff have easily accepted Vehicle Monitoring and feel this is very useful to them, as well as the company."
Mr Moorhouse added: "BJ Communications is just one example of a company that has adopted Vehicle Monitoring to cut costs.
"The economic slowdown, as well as the rising focus on controlling fleet operating costs across the board, is prompting an increasing number of fleet decision-makers to use telematics to slash bills and improve business efficiency for the ultimate benefit of their customers.
