Transport and logistics companies can save thousands of dollars on petrol and vehicle wear and tear with mobility technology, according
Transport and logistics companies can save thousands of dollars on petrol and vehicle wear and tear with mobility technology, according to Alex Koumaras, director of Leopard Systems.
“Mobility technology has been around for years but with escalating oil prices its economic value for the transport and logistics sector has increased significantly.
“The smart freight companies, whether they have 40 or 40,000 trucks, are installing systems which reduce the amount of time their trucks spend on the road saving fuel and vehicle maintenance costs.
“Each driver has a hand held device which can send information to head office wirelessly.
“In its most basic application it removes the need for run sheets, log books and trips back to head office as it can all be done remotely.
“And with GPS technology built into the devices drivers can take the most efficient route for each delivery preventing unnecessary kilometres on the road and carbon emissions.
“The time savings allow companies to increase productivity by completing more deliveries in the same amount of time with fewer trucks.
“Companies which keep pace with advances in mobility will be more competitive, efficient and profitable, and many will find it pays for itself pretty quickly especially now that the technology costs half what it did a few years ago despite having twice as many features.
“3G, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), VoIP, Bluetooth and built-in cameras are all here or on the horizon and have the potential to revolutionise how freight companies do business. We’re only limited by our imaginations.
“In its simplest form, 3G enables faster communication of more data between mobile employees and has a larger coverage network so freighting companies operating in regional parts of Australia can access the benefits of mobility.
“RFID uses radio frequencies to track a chip implanted in stock removing the need for manual scanning of deliveries and reducing human error.
“With VoIP built into the hand held devices, employees can call their local and overseas offices using the wireless network and saving the company traditional phone call costs.
“And with Bluetooth and high resolution cameras drivers can take payments on the spot and visually record the condition of goods when they arrive.
“We’re really only scratching the service of the potential of these devices. With the right ideas and a skilled team of software developers, the possibilities are endless,” says Koumaras.