Cartech Telematic has launched a new service called Small Business Fleet Control to improve communications between the fleet manager and drivers on the road.

Andreas Ruthe of CarTech Telematic, based in Schnaich, Germany, says the package 'can lower fleet communication costs remarkably.'

The system is designed to solve problems that can arise with lots of different company car drivers out on the road.

For example, the driver may be caught up in a traffic jam, another has a breakdown and a third is in an accident. Typically, they may all telephone the fleet manager's office at the same time to inform him of their situations, putting him under pressure, and encouraging high mobile phone bills — especially if they are driving abroad.

But Ruthe says the new technology can dramatically simplify the process: 'With SBFC, it is possible for the first time to transmit information via the internet to a gateway centre by pushing buttons on the mobile phone.'

'Even someone who does not like or understand the internet will find it easy to learn. All that is needed is an internet account and a mobile phone. When you have registered and logged on under http://www.sfbc.de, you will find a list of your fleet on the screen.'

The current status of the vehicle comes up besides the registration number and the name of the driver. The driver sends the latest status reports via his/her mobile phone to the headquarters, for example to record the start of work, loading information or car location.

'The server receives this call and hangs up within as little as a second, minimising call costs,' says Ruthe. 'The status of the vehicle will be updated on the screen only a few seconds after the call.

'The headquarters is kept continuously up to date with the position of the vehicle without having to phone constantly. The driver can inform the company quickly and cost effectively using SBFC, especially when reporting unexpected incidents like traffic jams, breakdowns and accidents.

Dialled-in traffic jam reports are stored in the handset and can be recalled using the quick dial feature.'

SBFC is particularly aimed at service and logistics fleets that have important deadlines to meet. With the demand for good customer service, a quick reporting system is required. The status reports are stored as data and can be downloaded in Microsoft Word or Excel formats.

Technology needed for SBFC

The driver needs a mobile phone and the office needs Internet access with a relevant web browser. Additional, expensive, hardware solutions are not necessary.

The SBFC Internet platform can also be used with existing telephone systems. Only a software update has to be installed in such devices.

Apart from a mobile phone, SBFC can also be used with smart phones or PDAs. Traffic jams can be transmitted either alone or combined with GPS positional information.

Cost

The basic version costs DM19 per month. This includes 30 codes for status reports.
In the SBFC Advanced Version there are an additional 20 storage spaces for registering individual report texts. This version costs DM24 per month.
And finally, the customer can get SBFC Professional for DM29 per month. That provides a further 10 storage spaces and, additionally, allows the user to receive reports on a mobile device. (December 2001)