Reed Boardall raises the stakes with innovative trailer tracking technology from Waterstons

Waterstons have completed development of a software system which uses leading edge GPS and mapping technology to track the whereabouts and status of Reed Boardall’s fleet of refrigerated lorries.

The cargo section of each lorry, or trailer, is fitted with a Trailer Tracking Unit (TTU) which communicates a range of data to a central database via GPRS.  Microsoft MapPoint is used to pinpoint the exact location of each vehicle along with critical data that shows the temperature inside the trailer and the status of various other devices on the trailer.  The data is plotted on an easy-to-read graph.

Marcus Boardall, Group Finance Director for Reed Boardall said: “As one of the largest frozen food distributors in the UK it is essential that we maintain the highest standards of care for our customers’ products.  This software system will help us ensure that we provide an unparalleled service to our customers and also prove the level of service we provide.

 “The screen is refreshed every minute and each marker on the map is linked to a wealth of data about the vehicle. It not only enables our operators to respond quickly to any delays as they happen but also allows them to monitor so many other aspects of every journey.”

The software includes the ability to search through historic data in the system and to define the whereabouts of depots and delivery points on the map so that each vehicle’s arrivals and departures can be monitored.  The company has been able to enhance their planning process and improve their operating efficiency by ensuring that vehicles are utilised as fully as possible.

Marcus Boardall commented: “We chose Waterstons to write this software system for us because they showed a tremendous ability to be innovative in finding solutions to our business problems. This system is unique in my experience and differs in many fundamental ways from the many tracking systems available off-the-shelf. Waterstons have created a system for us which will be of immeasurable benefit in the very competitive market in which we operate. They will be helping us to build on this foundation with further developments over the next year or two using innovations unlike any that have been seen before in our industry.”

Pictured: Marcus Boardall, Group Finance Director at Reed Boardall (left) with Sally Waterston, Director at Waterstons (right)

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