Transport Management Solutions Limited (TMS2), a provider of innovative and scaleable telematics solutions for large and small fleet operations, officially launches in the UK today. A management buy-out (MBO) of the transport management solutions (TMS) division of Psion Teklogix, TMS2 brings to the market 20 years of transport and fleet logistics expertise.
TMS2 delivers a portfolio of flexible, real-time, telematics solutions [including vehicle tracking, trailer tracking, actual v. plan and navigation] via a centrally managed hub-based service that integrates with an organisations supply chain system. Information is gathered from vehicles/drivers mobile devices and stored in the TMS2 network hub, where it can be accessed using a standard Internet web browser.
Delivered as a managed service, the solution does not require any software or hardware to be installed at the clients premises. There is no need for a dedicated PC, no backups to maintain, no map data to update and no modems to replace if they fail. A simple Internet connection allows access to every aspect of the fleet data.
The TMS2 solution is a stepping-stone towards enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the clients transport operations. The combination of TMS2s extensive experience and the flexibility of the solution to be tailored to meet clients precise requirements can help increase profitability, attain higher levels of efficiency, improve customer service and reduce costs.
Transport and logistics professionals know that efficiency is the key to profitability, said Vipul Palan, commercial director at TMS2. By delivering real-time information, the TMS2 system gives senior management the ability to balance service performance and costs. Clients can gain a clear insight in to their operational performance enabling continuous improvements to be measured and monitored.
Delivered to fleet professionals as a series of modules, TMS2s system enables clients to start with the vehicle tracking module and upgrade the system as requirements grow.
The TMS2 Portfolio
- i-Track - is designed to provide access to real-time vehicle information, giving accurate information about the location (via a GPS link) and utilisation of vehicles from any web browser
- i-Trail - a trailer management tool. i-Trail can be deployed as a simple audit control tool or can track the location of a single trailer in an emergency (maps will zoom down to street level if necessary). i-Trail is based on a portable, rugged device that does not require any external power source and has a battery life of three years
- i-Nav - supporting a number of mobile devices (from Smartphone to PDA), it provides turn-by-turn navigation with voice assistance
- i-Sign (ePOD) - signature capture can be carried out once a delivery has been made, and this is then transmitted to the central hub where is it is linked to the ERP system
- i-View measures actual v. plan performance of the whole fleet. Individual vehicles can be monitored in real-time and compared with expected targets, i.e. depot departure, delivery windows and depot return times
- Driver Protection - a discrete remote-alarm (panic button) can be activated in case of a driver emergency (such as attempted vehicle theft). Dedicated hardware captures information about vehicle location for accurate analysis
We examine a clients requirements in detail to propose an optimal solution, whether this requires one of our standard modules or bespoke development and customisation. No two of our client solutions are the same, added Palan.
Customer Testimonials
Petit Forestier
Petit Forestier is the leading independent supplier of refrigerated transport and associated services in the UK. In total, its UK fleet comprises over 4000 vehicles, 760 vehicles of which are operated for Tesco.com.
"We approached TMS2 wanting a solution that could provide improved security to our field engineers who often work alone and to provide confirmation of where they had been and what hours they worked," said Danny Bell at Petit Forestier.
TMS2 implemented a solution comprising telematics hardware (with a panic button) and its i-Track system. Petit Forestier now benefit from 24/7, real-time access to all current and historical data covering the movement of its vehicles. Key benefits of the solution include:
- The implementation of a 'Panic Button' improves its
engineers security
- Access to real-time visibility of its whole fleet provides
enhanced security
- Engineers' time sheets are now easily consolidated and
reconciled.
- Confirmation of what stores the engineers have visited
"The way TMS2 analysed our requirements and delivered the solution to match our needs was impressive. The system has helped Petit Forestier to consolidate and reconcile the engineers time sheets more efficiently and our engineers feel safer in the knowledge that, in the case of an emergency, assistance is on hand 24/7," added Bell.
gm2 Logistics
Part of the James McNaughton Group, gm2 Logistics is a key service organisation, providing warehousing, distribution, accounting and IT. gm2 has a fleet of 91 vehicles that operate across ten depots around the UK.
After analysing gm2s requirements, TMS2 implemented a solution using telematics hardware, the i-Track system and Actual v. Plan module. The i-Track software provides gm2 with real-time information on its vehicles movements, 24 hours a day, and enables gm2 to send a daily file to TMS2 (an automated process) that includes the days delivery plan for the entire fleet. TMS2s i-View module takes this information and provides an end of day report on how actual delivery performance matched up with that planned. gm2 can see at any time which deliveries were on time and which, if any, were late or early and can take necessary remedial actions.
Our key requirement was a one-click summary showing delivery performance against service agreements and we chose TMS2 because of its ability to deliver the flexible reporting capability we needed. The visibility of vehicles that i-Track provides at any given moment is providing scope for additional benefits, which is a bonus for us, commented Haydn Costin, gm2s project manager.
Derbyshire County Council
In 2004 Derbyshire County Council was the highest performing 'Excellent Council' in the country, according to the Audit Commissions Comprehensive Performance Assessments. With a fleet of some 800 vehicles, the selection of a vehicle management and communication system had to be managed very carefully. TMS2 has been awarded the framework contract to provide a telematics solution for the councils Environmental Services Department, a fleet responsible for front-line road gritting and streetlamp maintenance services.
The TMS2 solution comprised Telematics hardware, a direct connection to the salt sensor on the 47 strong gritting fleet to monitor when salt is flowing, in-cab and remote panic buttons and the i-Track system. This has initially been installed in 68 vehicles with provision to scale as future requirements dictate.
Antalis
Antalis is one of the UKs largest specialists in the supply and distribution of paper and related products. In the UK, it operates 200 vehicles from 19 locations and completes some 3,000 deliveries per day.
TMS2 developed a customised solution for Antalis incorporating i-Track and i-View with a bespoke monitoring function to track deliveries. Overnight, Antalis automatically sends TMS2 its delivery plan for the next day and based on this data, the system monitors the actual arrival time of a vehicle at each drop point and captures the status of that delivery.
TMS2 has worked with us in scoping and customising the solution to meet our current and future needs. We have been impressed with its approach in understanding our requirements and delivering a solution to meet those requirements, commented Jonathan Stevenson at Antalis.
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