Affordable Windows and Conservatory Group chooses Quartix

Affordable Windows and Conservatory Group has equipped its 18-vehicle fleet with Quartix telematics.

John McVey, sales director of the £20 million Lancashire company, said: “I wanted anyone in the company to be able to go on any screen in the company to find out where a vehicle is and answer the question a customer has asked, which is usually ‘when am I getting my windows?’ So this is of great benefit to us.”

He said it was important for the company to know where their vehicles were at any time, and how they were being used or even abused.

Affordable Windows and Conservatory Group (AWCG) is also benefiting from the Quartix system’s ability to highlight shorter routes, the resultant fuel savings, reduced phone bills – there is now little need for staff to call drivers to find out where they are - and opportunities to divert drivers quickly.

“Now if we have to divert a driver, we know where the nearest one is to where we need them to go. Before, you could have six drivers roughly in the same area and it was a wild guess as to who to send. Today, we can look at the on-screen map and see who’s nearest,” said McVey.

The company runs eighteen 7.5 ton Daf trucks equipped with Quartix vehicle tracking, plus in-cab cameras which, said Mr McVey, drivers have welcomed – especially since a recent accident staged by criminals.

He said: “It was a case of these people pulling up abruptly and causing the accident with the aim of claiming compensation.

“Fortunately, the evidence was on camera and they were prosecuted. After that all drivers wanted cameras in their cabs.

“Our drivers have got used to the cameras, which show them and what they see.”

Andy Kirk, Quartix sales and marketing director, said: “By helping customers reduce their routes and journey times our telematics system is saving them fuel and, therefore, cash.

“At the same time, it is letting them know where their vehicles are round the clock, as our important Lancashire customer, Affordable Windows and Conservatory Group, highlights here.”