Concrete Products covers the issues that attract producers of ready mixed and manufactured concrete focusing on equipment and material technology, market development and management topics.
Issue link: https://cement.epubxp.com/i/64524
FEATURE BY ANDRE GILBERT GOOGLE MAPS, DISPATCH SOFTWARE INTEGRATION NET EFFICIENCY, COST SAVINGS New technologies can bring their share of benefits; consumer-targeted ones can occa- sionally be highly beneficial to businesses and simple to implement and use. Here is a regular and problematic delivery scenario that can see different outcomes, with higher efficiency and savings in order of presentation. Embark on a ready mixed concrete delivery, four times over: Version 1. A concrete producer fills a 10- yd. load into a mixer truck that now aims for its destination, a construction site on the other side of town. Halfway through, the vehicle is stopped, blocked in traffic congestion. That will cost the company hundreds of dollars in delivery delay, mul- tiplied a few times for subsequent drivers that closely follow, added to potential qual- ity issues of the concrete delivered on a hot and humid day. On top of that, the pro- ducer could even face penalties for being late. This is happening every day. plant, the truck driver changes course and uses an alternate route to attain its desti- nation, without any problem and on time. But what did happen here? Was it a bird? A plane? No, there was no Superman here. The smart decision was made by an advised truck driver using his mobile phone with GPS capability, real-time access to Google Maps, and activation of the traffic option. He could see the congestion on his initial route and chose a different course that of- fered the "green" path, which indicates low traffic on Google Map. This result could be obtained using a smartphone or a tablet. An appropriate mobile data package will be selected, and the driver of the first truck of a sizable site delivery might be respon- sible for conveying traffic information and alternate routes to his colleagues who fol- low. This deployment of technology posi- tions producers to benefit from smaller mobile data fees. itors traffic using the same tool on his 27- in. monitor. He then calls his drivers using their "hands-free phones"—consistent with new regulations—and points them in the right direction. A trouble-free journey. Version 4. The dispatcher (you know what happened before) studies his two screens in front of him. On the left side, he views all current orders within his Marcotte Dis- patching Software, and on the right side, and through the Marcotte Link, he can see in real-time his 25 trucks on Google Maps with traffic, using their smartphone GPS capabilities, some on iPhones and others on Android. He is in command and relaxed and, like an expert air traffic controller, skillfully directs all circulation on the fastest route and provides instructions to truck drivers using Marcotte Text Messaging System. Today, like all others, deliveries will be accomplished on time, with effi- ciency, and at the lowest possible cost. The dispatcher is a happy camper and so are his customers and bosses. Version 2. A concrete producer fills a 10- yd. load into a mixer truck, dispatching it to a construction site on the other side of town. A few minutes after leaving the Version 3. Under the same load and delivery scenarios as above, a dispatcher agent mon- Fleet specialist offers 'Managing Labor Costs' eBook It includes specific actions managers can To assist fleet managers charged with finding new ways to better manage ex- penses while maintaining strong service levels, Networkfleet, Inc. is offering a free eBook, "Managing Labor Costs," demonstrating how telematics and GPS fleet tracking tech- nology can help re- duce costs and boost driver pro- ductivity. WWW.CONCRETEPRODUCTS.COM take to analyze fleet operations and im- plement a successful labor management strategy. Specifically, it addresses four key areas that can be improved using wireless fleet management: • Improving driver efficiency and reduc- ing miles traveled; • Increasing driver productivity and re- ducing overtime costs; • Increasing the amount of work being done each day; and, • Accomplishing the same amount of Andre Gilbert is Vice President of Sales & Mar- keting at Marcotte Systems in Quebec, 855/652-6520 ext. 229; andre.gilbert@mar- cottesystems.com work in less time. The document also includes examples of how specific reports and alerts, such as trip reports, fleet utilization reports, Begin-End of Day reports, Geofence re- ports, Connect (Garmin in-cab integra- tion) and vehicle tracking reports, can be applied to improve employee productiv- ity. Free "Managing Labor Costs with Net- workfleet" can be obtained at www.networkfleet.com. — Network- fleet/Hughes Telematics Inc., San Diego; 866/869-1353 MAY 2012 | 31