About PeopleNet

PeopleNet, a Trimble Company, is focused on providing innovative Internet-based and integrated onboard computing and mobile communications systems to improve North America’s trucking industry’s fleet management. Its products are used by nearly 1,500 truckload, LTL, private, and service fleets in the U.S. and Canada, including several Fortune 500 companies. Reputed for its customer-driven technological innovation, unparalleled flexibility, and proactive customer care, PeopleNet was the first technology provider to offer Internet-based communications to the transportation industry 15 years ago. Since then, the company has developed new products that continue to improve fleet management. Industry recognition of the company’s leadership includes: Frost & Sullivan New Product Innovation Award, Inbound Logistics Top 100 Award; Food Logistics’ 100 Top Technology Solutions and Service Providers; Frost & Sullivan Market Engineering Award; and M2M Value Chain Award.

For more information about PeopleNet visit:  www.peoplenetonline.com.

About Trimble Transport & Logistics Division

Trimble Transport & Logistics, formerly Punch Telematix, is a leading provider of transport management solutions for companies of all sizes in the transport and logistics sector. The innovative and user-friendly solutions include on-board computers, wireless communication services and Web-based back-office applications that are integrated to create a seamless work flow to transform and optimize operations. With modular, scalable architecture, Trimble Transport & Logistics’ solutions can grow with the changing needs of a business.

About Trimble’s Trako Fleet and Cargo Management Solution

Trimble’s Trako vehicle and fleet management solution, acquired from Tata AutoComp Systems Limited in India, provides improved efficiency and productivity. Trako integrates GPS technology with wireless communications to provide location relevant information about vehicles in real time. The information can be accessed at pre-defined intervals or on demand from a desktop, mobile phone or customer service center. The Trako solution can also combine the moving asset location data with other business applications allowing organizations to gain insight into their assets and supply chain operations to make better decisions, optimize processes and improve productivity.

For more information, visit:  www.trako.in.

About Trimble

Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location—including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.

For more information, visit:  www.trimble.com.

Trimble Transport & Logistics is expanding the CarCube on-board computer with new functionality aimed at reducing journey times and increasing ease of use. The CarCube’s Journey Time Assistance ties in seamlessly with the ‘1-minute ruling’ for the digital tachograph, which has been applied since 1 October this year. In addition, two new functions make it easier to navigate with the innovative Truck Navigation from Trimble Transport & Logistics. The on-board computer CarCube is continuously innovated, so that our customers can immediately comply with or profit from changes in legislation and regulations” says Michel van Maercke, CEO of Trimble Transport & Logistics. “Moreover, we always focus on optimising ease of use.

CarCube makes exact journey time visible

Until recently, the digital tachograph recorded each movement of the vehicle after 5 seconds of journey time. This is no longer the case, now that EU Regulation 1266/2009 applies: since 1 October, the longest activity within a calendar minute determines whether this minute is recorded as journey, work or rest time. This saves considerable time in transports with a large number of stops and situations in which the truck has to be moved regularly. The (extra) journey time is shown exactly in the Journey Time Assistance of the CarCube and in the FleetCockpit tool for the planner. The on-board computer warns the driver with audiovisual signals if the maximum permissible journey time approaches. In addition, planning via FleetCockpit always has an up-to-the-minute view of the driver’s elapsed and remaining journey time.

Simple, fast and safe navigation

Truck Navigation from Trimble Transport & Logistics takes into account the legal restrictions that apply to trucks and leads the driver efficiently and safety to his destination. Drivers who enter this destination by hand can do so even quicker and more easily with the new intelligent keyboard: when the destination is keyed in, the navigation system now displays the town and street name automatically.
The updated journey planner in the Truck Navigation also makes for faster and easier navigation. This allows the driver to enter interim stops before he reaches the final destination. The driver can enter these interim stops manually or select them from the address book or the point-of-interest list, which includes petrol stations and rest-stops.

“One year after the acquisition we’re stronger than ever before,” says Carsten Holtrup, Managing Director of Trimble Transport & Logistics in Germany. “We have had a very positive response at this year’s transport and logistic trade fairs and have added new customers as a result of our focus and expertise to meet their needs.” Along with big players in the German transport sector such as Logistiker Denkinger (Ehingen), Hövelmann (Rees) and H.P. Schmitz (Euskirchen) using CarCube, Trimble Transport & Logistics is also making its mark in other countries in Europe. With the Ziegler group active throughout Europe and Q8 Calpam in Belgium, now there are even more organizations navigating internationally with CarCube.

For Andrew Yeoman, General Manager of Trimble Transport and Logistics, it is a further indication of the successful collaboration: “It’s become apparent that positioning solutions and applications for fleet management combined with on-board computers and back-office solutions offer strong benefits to logistics service providers.”

For Carsten Holtrup, he also attributes the continued success to Trimble’s global presence, financial stability and technologies. “By accessing all of Trimble’s core competencies—positioning, communications and applications software—we were able to make the CarCube even more competitive. As a technology leader, we now want to expand even further in the European market by growing our team and continuing to provide innovative solutions to meet our customers’ requirements.”

Wireless digital tachograph, easy and quick read

The new remote tachograph download from Trimble Transport & Logistics has greatly improved reading digital tachographs remotely. Where previously it was still a requirement to have company card in the lorry to read from the mass memory, now a card reader and company card in the office suffice.
When the company card is inserted in the office card reader, CarCube starts the validation process for reading from the mass memory. Once authenticated by the digital tachograph, data can be downloaded within 24 hours. CarCube sends the tachograph data wirelessly to the home base, so that the vehicle does not need to be there physically. The driver card can also be read remotely via the remote tachograph download on CarCube.
The new functionality for reading the mass memory is available for digital tachographs from Siemens from version 1.3 and from Stoneridge from version 7.1.

Calling and sending messages simultaneously

CarCube is expanded with an extra GSM module for simultaneously calling and messaging in the most beneficial way. Besides the GSM module with its Trimble Transport & Logistics SIM card for data communications, the user can add a SIM card for voice.
In this way, CarCube users combine the benefit of data communication via Trimble Transport & Logistics with telephony via their own provider: messaging remains economic and managed by Trimble Transport & Logistics, while the extra SIM card enables simultaneous telephony and data traffic with CarCube. This new option means that sending messages to and from the on-board computer is not interrupted, while the driver is making a call through CarCube.

Live traffic information in FleetCockpit

On one screen, FleetCockpit displays all information coming in real-time from the CarCube on-board computers. Trimble Transport & Logistics has added current traffic information to this efficient tool for the planner. This means that on the map, the planner not only sees where the lorries are, but also where there are tailbacks and roadworks. He can then respond quickly to the consequences of the current traffic situation, control drivers better and inform customers accurately and in good time.

Powerful combination of CarCube with reversing and blindspot camera

To improve safety on the road, Trimble Transport & Logistics has integrated CarCube with a reversing and blindspot camera. The images from these cameras are displayed on the on-board computer’s screen.
As soon as the vehicle speed decreases to 30 km/h or less, the view of the road automatically appears on CarCube as the blindspot or reversing camera films it. Depending on the direction - forward or reverse - the on-board computer automatically selects the right camera. Once the speed goes beyond 30 km/h again, CarCube will switch back to the screen that the driver had selected on the on-board computer.
Integrating CarCube with the blindspot and reversing camera means that separate screens are no longer needed in the cab for displaying the camera images. Not only does this save costs, it also increases safety, because the driver only has the one screen to cope with, the CarCube’s screen.

The Ziegler transport group has decided to equip its entire vehicle fleet with Trimble on-board computers. Over time, the contract provides for the installation of CarCube on-board computers in all of the 2,000 vehicles in Ziegler’s European network.

“We decided in favour of Trimble because we were looking for an advanced fleet management system,” explains Daniel Verschelde, European Information Systems Director of the Ziegler group. “As a freight forwarder operating in all the main European markets, we needed a global solution and service. It was CarCube’s ability to meet all the requirements in our specifications that convinced us. For example, for some vehicles we selected the option of installing an on-board scanner to allow CMRs to be transmitted immediately if any reservations are noted on delivery. It also offers good user ergonomics, an essential aspect to ensure acceptance of the tool by our drivers. Finally, during the initial tests we measured the power and ease with which CarCube could be interfaced with our internal transport planning applications”.

Fabien Dusserre, Manager of Trimble Transport & France, comments on this major project: “As well as the actual product, we gained a significant edge when we emphasised the Trimble group’s commitment to increase its presence in Europe. Only a major technological player can commit and guarantee the long-term future of the project to a group with an extensive organisation and stringent requirements. “

www.zieglergroup.com

Snel Logistic Solutions: 2011 Transporter of the Year!

Gert Snel, director of Snel Logistic Solutions, is pleased with winning the title ‘2011 Transporter of the Year’ for several reasons. “Amidst the often negative publicity about the transport sector, for once we are shown positively in the news. The title shows that we are engaged innovatively in the transport sector and are able to operate at a high level,” he explains. “To our customers the award shows that we are a solid partner.” However, Snel thinks that the most important thing is the appreciation that the trophy entails of his company’s employees. “We operate in a highly competitive market and are constantly raising the bar a little higher for ourselves. Winning the title ‘Transporter of the Year’ shows that we are not doing this for nothing.”

In future too, Snel Logistic Solutions will continue to work on further process optimisation. “ICT is extremely important in this,” says Snel. CarCube plays a key role for the logistics service provider. “Thanks to its far-reaching integration with our journey planning system and TMS, the on-board computer ensures that we are able to work with one integrated automation environment right from when we establish a link with a customer through to invoicing.” Among others, this generates greater efficiency in order handling, in the planning department and in payroll administration.
Snel Logistic Solutions also uses CarCube, even when costly transport jobs are involved. “The best ways to emit less CO2 are eco-driving and saving on wasted kilometres”, says Speed. “CarCube forms the basis for developing this further.”
From its five operations, Snel Logistic Solutions is involved in warehousing, Value Added Logistics, local-level distribution and transport in the Benelux and Europe. The logistics services provider has 45,000 m2 of storage space and a fleet of 200 tractor units.

www.gsnel.eu

Verhelst Group is 2011 Truck Fleet Owner of the Year

The Truck Fleet Owner of the Year Award is presented annually to organisations that carry their own products. “Half of our transport involves carrying products manufactured within the Verhelst Group, such as building materials, architectural concrete and natural stone. The other 50% is transporting for third parties,” says Briek Verhelst, director of the transportation division within the Verhelst Group.
Verhelst Logistics, which in 2010 arose from the merger of Verhelst Transport and Transeurope, specialises in among others transporting building materials with crane lorries. The company also has tippers, tautliners, flatbed trailers, bulk cement trailers, tankers, container chassis and inloaders. Sister company Ter Polder operates in the port of Ostend in warehousing, stevedoring, port agency, forwarding and chartering. “Hence our slogan ‘Diversity is our strength’,” says Verhelst. The Verhelst Group has its own garage company for servicing 900 units of rolling stock, including approximately 125 tractor units and 400 trailers.
The specialist jury selects the Truck Fleet Owner of the Year based on its performance in fleet management. Attention is paid to such aspects as purchasing, servicing and monitoring vehicles and drivers using management tools. “CarCube is important in that last aspect,” says Verhelst. “The on-board computer creates significant time gains, from order processing through to invoicing and payroll administration. Furthermore, it makes it easier to monitor driving and resting times and vehicle positions.”
The Verhelst Group also deploys CarCube for analysing fuel consumption and its drivers’ driving style. “We work with the both the Driving Style Wizard for the driver and the FMS office reporting system in the office,” explains Verhelst. Verhelst processes the data that CarCube records in a KPI report giving among others consumption, driving style and damage/accident statistics per driver. “The on-board computer’s reliable recording makes it possible to assess the driver in a professional way,” says Verhelst.
He indicates that CarCube significantly contributes to effective cost control, one of the points for which the Verhelst Group was elected Truck Fleet Owner of the Year. Verhelst is justly proud of this. “The award confirms that we are a reliable partner for our customers.” In-house too, the Truck Fleet Owner of the Year title has a big impact. “It gives our people a tremendous boost in these difficult times for the transport sector.”

www.verhelst.be/ www.verhelstlogistics.be

Verbessem Transport: small player scores high

A small organisation, though with an organisational and ICT structure tall as a house. According to Bert Verbessem that is one of the main reasons why Transport Verbessem-Powerline scored so well this year in the Transport & Logistics Awards.
With its own 20 trucks and 30 drivers, Verbessem transports soft drinks, including for Coca Cola and Spa. The logistics service provider also offers warehousing and such value added logistics as inventory management, packaging or repackaging and stripping containers. “In 2010, we expanded the storage space from 7,000 to 20,500 m2,” says Verbessem. “That also played a part in winning second place in the 2011 Transporter of the Year awards.”
It also applies to the high level of efficiency that Verbessem achieves using its far-reaching, fully integrated automation. An example is integrating CarCube on-board computers with the NaviTrans ERP system. “For instance, it has the benefit that our planners are able to send the instructions directly from the electronic planning board in NaviTrans to the on-board computers in the vehicles,” says Verbessem. “That information coming back from the CarCubes is then immediately updated in the ERP system.”
CarCube, which Verbessem has been using since as long ago as 2005, also played a role in obtaining third place in the Transportation Safety Awards. “We use the handsfree phone option on the on-board computer,” Verbessem adds. “This way, phone calls from the planners do not disturb the drivers while they are driving, because they follow the vehicles real-time in the FleetWorks back-office software with CarCube.”
Verbessem is proud that such a small organisation can still come out so strongly in the Transport & Logistics Awards. “It is great to see all our efforts and investments appreciated so highly by a professional jury.”

www.verbessem.be

D. Speksnijder Transport BV in Hazerswoude is implementing the CarCube onboard computer by Trimble Transport & Logistics (formerly Punch Telematix) on its entire fleet of 64 trucks. This specialist in conditioned logistics is replacing its pre-existing fleet management solution. “A conscious choice,” explains director Adrian Speksnijder. “CarCube gives us more functionality and flexibility, while the service that Trimble Transport & Logistics provides is high standard too. CarCube is being developed continuously, so as a user you automatically hitch a ride with all the innovations.”

Economy driving with the Driving Style Wizard and FMS reporting

D. Speksnijder decided to purchase CarCube onboard computers following a two-month pilot trial. Decisive factors included the availability of the Driving Style Wizard for the driver combined with home-based FMS reporting.
CarCube’s Driving Style Wizard provides drivers insight into their driving performance, real-time while they are driving. On a single, clearly laid out screen, the Driving Style Wizard displays how the driver is scoring in terms of consumption, accelerating (too fast), braking (too hard), engine speed and idling. Besides the graphical display, the Driving Style Wizard warns the driver in spoken text if his style is causing his score to decrease.
Consumption and driving style data is relayed via the CarCube’s FMS/CANbus interface to the Trimble Transportation & Logistics FleetWorks back-office software. This software processes the data into clear, detailed FMS reporting.
“This practical combination of live support for the driver and monitoring at the office enables us to start tackling economy driving more intensively”, says Speksnijder.

Unique wireless temperature logging

At D. Speksnijder Transport BV, Trimble Transport & Logistics is creating a wireless interface with the Euroscan temperature recorder by Gullimex. The temperatures that Euroscan measures are relayed wirelessly via a transmitter on the temperature recorder to a receiver on the on-board computer. CarCube then transmits the temperature data to the back-office software, so that D. Speksnijder has it available immediately. “This allows us to report the temperatures at the times of loading and unloading immediately to our customers,” says Speksnijder.

About D. Speksnijder Transport BV

Logistics service provider D. Speksnijder Transport BV in Hazerswoude delivers conditioned logistics to over 50 prestigious clients, including major chain stores, importers and manufacturers. The services cover distribution, storage and transportation, both chilled and frozen, both nationally and internationally. D. Speksnijder Transport BV also operates in floriculture logistics, packaging management and bespoke logistics solutions for specific clients.
D. Speksnijder strives to be ‘Best in Class’: a company that is both good to work with and good to work for! The advanced logistics provider has 64 modern transportation units, a refrigerated storage and handling area of 15,000 m3 and extensive software enabling all processes to be controlled properly.

www.dspeksnijder.nl

Challenge to gas-guzzling HGV trips: with its on-board computer, CarCube, Trimble Transport & Logistics is supporting a test drive to save fuel. The aim is to achieve an average consumption of less than 25 litres per 100 kilometres on a journey of around 1,600 kilometres from Munich to the Italian Villa San Giovanni (ferry port off Sicily) with a fully loaded 40-tonner. The people behind the project, Lifetime Technologies and MAN, want to demonstrate the dramatic fuel savings that are possible using new technologies. As there is no previous comparable measurement on this run, they also want to set the mark for a world record.

“This record attempt is a good opportunity to demonstrate the many ways of saving fuel to transport and logistics service providers,” says Carsten Holtrup, Vice-President Sales and Marketing of Trimble Transport & Logistics. The telematics provider is supporting the people behind the project with its on-board computer, CarCube, which combines telematics, telemetry, telephony and navigation in a single device.

To optimise fuel consumption on the entire trip, vehicle data has to be analysed continually. For this, Trimble is providing a digital driving style assistant. This is an extension of the CarCube that records central parameters such as consumption, speed, braking and acceleration patterns via an FMS interface. Finally, the driver is told how he can reduce his current consumption via a status bar in the display as well as auditory messages. As the CarCube is connected directly to CANbus, Trimble provides detailed FMS reports. All parameters can be reproduced on the FleetWorks user platform on-line.

Current fuel consumption also depends on the route, as well as the road and traffic conditions. To work out the most efficient route at any one time, Trimble has also developed a truck navigation system that also takes into account the particular characteristics of each HGV as well as the current traffic situation. The truck navigation is part of the CarCube and the guide for the journey to Villa San Giovanni.

The world record run begins on Tuesday 19 October at 7.30 am. The HGV trip runs from Munich across the Brenner Pass to Villa San Giovanni off Sicily. For the record attempt, Trimble is arranging public access to the web-based user portal, Fleetworks. Anyone wanting to follow the trip in real time can send an e-mail to lieve.storms@punchtelematix.com and will then receive the login details, with username and password.

As well as Trimble Transport & Logistics, other companies are supporting the project of Lifetime Technologies und MAN. They include well-known partners such as Michelin Reifen, Pneuhage Reifendienstleister, SNIPTEC Motoroptimierung, xlite Felgen, HS-Schoch Spoiler, KUDA-Aero-Spoiler and BPW Achsen.

The G.Snel Belgium Group is equipping its entire fleet with the CarCube onboard computer from Trimble Transport & Logistics, formerly Punch Telematix. This innovative logistics service provider is deploying the CarCube to optimise its transport processes further through a real-time planning situation. Moreover, with the Driving Style Assistant and Truck navigation, the onboard computer pays a central role in ecologically sound driving, a theme that has been at the forefront of G.Snel Belgium policy for some years now.

Full integration with planning

"The decisive factor in our choice of the CarCube is the ability to integrate the onboard computer fully with our planning system, ORTEC Transport & Distribution (TD)," says Gert Snel, General Manager with G.Snel Belgium. Combining the CarCube and ORTEC TD ensures that in the route planning system the planners always have real-time information from the trucks, such as the vehicles' positions, the status of trips and shipments and the drivers' driving and resting times. Based on this, the most efficient possible route planning can be put together and the planners can respond quickly to current circumstances.

Quick off the mark

The real-time information from the CarCube also benefits G.Snel at management level. The TMS (CatLogic) is continuously updated with current order and status information, which the onboard CarCube computers record while on the road. "With regard to cost accounting, it gives us immediate support enabling us to be quick off the mark and take the right decisions," says Ronan Buysschaert, Director of Operations with G.Snel Belgium.

Ecodriving

Green entrepreneurship is a topic that has been of paramount importance to G.Snel Belgium for years. "In different ways we are working on the most environmentally-friendly possible operation," says Gert Snel. Examples include investments in Euro 5 engines, a car wash with special, environmentally-friendly soaps, deploying LCV's out of its Dutch subsidiary Waterfront, and a warehouse in Ham set up according to ecological criteria. As early as 2009, this won the logistics service provider the Green Truck Award.

"With the CarCube we focus on lower consumption, fewer miles and therefore lower CO2 emissions," continues Ronan Buysschaert. "All our drivers have recently taken an Ecodriving course. The Driving Style Assistant on the CarCube monitors this training, so that our drivers will also continue to drive economically in the long-term. In the office too, they monitor the drivers' driving style. There is one person responsible for Ecodriving, who is able to follow the drivers' driving style closely thanks to the CANbus interface and the CarCube's FMS reporting."

Truck navigation

In addition Gert Snel has great expectations of the new Truck navigation system in the CarCube, with which G.Snel Belgium became the first carrier in Belgium to equip its whole fleet. "We see drivers increasingly relying on their navigation system entirely," explains Gert Snel. "The car navigation systems used until now would cause problems because drivers often found themselves on the wrong road. With the Truck navigation system they drive far more to the point towards their destination, so that we are bound to save on kilometers."

Perfect course

G.Snel Belgium expects to have the system fully operational by the end of 2010. Gert Snel is extremely happy with the collaboration with Trimble Transport & Logistics, fomerly Punch Telematix. "Besides its good range and all-in pricing model, Trimble Transport & Logistics presented a thorough implementation plan and the mutual communication is proving to be first rate. They have chosen the perfect course!"

About G.Snel Belgium Group

From its five operations, G.Snel Belgium Group is involved in warehousing, Value Added Logistics, local-level distribution and transport within the Benelux and Europe (see also www.gsnel.net). In Belgium, the leading logistics provider has 45.000 m² of storage space and a fleet of 200 units.

Subsidiaries G.Snel Transport and G.Snel Logistics are located in Deinze. In addition, the G.Snel Belgium Group has its own operations in Ham (subsidiary Antrago), Weert (subsidiary Waterfront) and the Slovakian Zilina (subsidiary Rychotrans).

www.gsnel.net

www.trimbletl.com

"Trimble Transport and Logistics' focus on transportation management expands Trimble MRM's portfolio of products and we are excited about collectively taking these unique solutions to the wider market."

The newly branded company, which has built an extensive customer base across continental Europe will continue to develop and invest in its market-leading CarCube and complementary back-office solutions and will be launching innovative new features at the IAA.

"Transforming the world's work is our aim and this acquisition strengthens that vision. The combination of both companies' portfolios presents an unrivalled offering to businesses across Europe with a fleet of any size and mix of vehicles," concluded Yeoman.

About Trimble's MRM

Trimble's Mobile Resource Management (MRM) Division is a leading, global provider of end-to-end solutions designed to help businesses optimise fleet performance and the service delivery process by automating the management of their mobile workers, their mobile workers' work and their mobile workers' assets in the field.

Trimble MRM's technology enables companies operating fleets to monitor driver behaviour, reduce carbon emissions and arrange deliveries in the most cost-effective and efficient way. Trimble MRM solutions can help fleet operators and field service providers reduce operating costs while increasing mobile worker productivity and customer service. Trimble MRM solutions leverage state-of-the-art technologies, including next-generation high-speed wireless communications, GPS, hosted and licensed software applications, transaction processing and the Internet. Capable of integrating with most back-office software applications for enterprise-wide functionality, Trimble MRM benefits companies across numerous business processes.

Trimble was shortlisted for the 2010 Fleet News ‘Innovation in Technology' Award and is a finalist for the Orange Innovation Award at this year's National Business Awards 2010.

About Trimble

Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location-including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.

For more information visit: www.trimble.com