11.06.2005

Facelift to install on line monitoring system

Facelift, the Hickstead, UK, based access rental company has decided to equip its entire fleet with Datatrak Online a real time vehicle tracking and monitoring system. The decision follows an evaluation period on 80 of the companys aerial lifts.

Datatrak Online provides users real-time vehicle tracking along with internet-based vehicle-tracking reports without the need for any special software. The system and reports can be accessed from any PC as long as it is connected to the Internet. The information is provided via a fully integrated automatic vehicle location and mobile data network, the position of Datatrak equipped vehicles is provided by low frequency radio wave transmission and GPS, with information reported back to base via an ultra high frequency transmission service.

"We run a national operation which sees our equipment hired out on both long- and short-term contracts to clients as diverse as street-lighting maintenance contractors to tree surgeons," says Facelift Operations Director, Frank Page. "Also, we employ 60 operators to give us the flexibility of providing our customers with either staffed or self-drive vehicles. Viewed as a whole, this mix of services results in a complex management task – the efficiency of which has been greatly enhanced through the introduction of Datatrak Online.
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This 34 metre Bronto is equipped with the Data Trak Online tracking and monitoring system

"The system allows us to monitor and manage a wide range of parameters related to the operation of our fleet: Firstly, there is the vehicle location and tracking facility. Knowing the precise whereabouts of our vehicles at any given time enables better scheduling and allows us to utilise the fleet to its maximum potential. Also, being able to pinpoint a vehicle's precise location is a great benefit in the event of a breakdown.
Furthermore – although this has not happened to date – the tracking function would be a great benefit should a vehicle-theft ever occur.

"Datatrak Online also provides us with usage reports which allow us to verify exactly when our vehicles have and have not been used. We use this to confirm the hours logged by our out-based operators and in cases where customers seek credit for periods of time where it is claimed machines have lain idle."

"Before selecting the system we reviewed the options available to us on the market. Our conclusion was that Datatrak Online provided an ideal solution for our needs and represented best value-for-money in terms of what we were seeking to achieve. Our satisfaction with Datatrak Online is demonstrated by the fact that since taking our first 80 units we have gone on to establish a programme to equip our entire fleet with the system."

Vertikal Comment

Systems to provide location and remote feedback of a machines usage, and even trouble shooting, have been around in one form or another for some time.

Take up though has been slow, partly due to cost, and partly due to fear that customers might avoid companies that can monitor real usage of the machines that they rent.

And partly of course due cost of equiping an entire fleet at the same time. The thought of spending thousands for a system that will not yield a higher rental rate is enough to deter most.

However companies that have goine ahead, particularly in Germany, where usage is more prevalent, have found that payback can be measured in months. In addition many other customer service benefits are provided.

Additional revenue from remote monitoring can come from:
Invoicing for extra use, such as weekends and dual shifting.
Confirmation of delivery times
Precise off hire charging
Reduction of unproductive service visits

Available systems run from the real time systems such as Data Trak to simpler dial up systems made by companies like Rossler of Germany.