References
Geodis BM Netherlands
Geodis BM Netherlands benefits increasingly from on-board computer
Modern CarCube grows seamlessly with the organisation
Geodis BM Netherlands was one of the first carriers in the Netherlands to opt for CarCube some years ago. “It’s a modern on-board computer which over time we have been benefiting from increasingly,” says Gerard Buskoop, Fleet, Safety & Quality Manager. “The system grows with our organisation without difficult.”
Optimised planning coup
Geodis BM Netherlands already had years of experience with on-board computers. “When they were up for replacement in 2007, we switched to the CarCube,” relates Buskoop. Optimising our planning was the main thing initially. “Through the tracking and tracing functionality our planners have constant insight into the lorries’ positions and the status of orders, so that they can adjust rapidly and specifically to unexpected situations,” says Buskoop. “Exchanging messages via FleetWorks has also reduced telephone calls between planners and drivers to almost zero.”
Full integration with in-house TMS
In the late nineties, Van der Laan Transport was taken over by Geodis BM, France, which in 2009 was absorbed by France’s SNCF. Since then, together with Vitesse container transport in Rotterdam, Van der Laan has been the Dutch branch of Geodis BM.
The entire organisation works with Zenith, a TMS developed in-house. “The servers are in France and we use them through a web-based application,” says Buskoop. “Thanks to CarCube’s flexibility, we were able to integrate the on-board computer fully with the order management in Zenith.”
This means that the planners can send the tasks for the drivers directly from the TMS to the on-board computers. The data recorded via CarCube while underway also go into Zenith, so that the TMS is automatically updated with such data as laden weights, mileage, loading/unloading times and delivery times.
CarCube central in Fuel Challenge
Meanwhile, almost all Geodis BM Netherlands lorries have been equipped with FMS CANbus interfaces. “Since that is the case, we have been picking up on consumption and driving style analysis intensively,” says Buskoop. Thus, at the end of 2010, the tank transporter launched a Fuel Challenge, based on consumption analysis from the FMS reporting by Trimble Transportation & Logistics. Buskoop: “Every quarter we look for the driver who has performed the best in terms of consumption. The winner is rewarded with a gift voucher.” The Driving Style Wizard on the CarCube is used widely within the context of the Challenge. “Most drivers keep it switched on and that has a positive effect on our consumption figures,” is Buskoop’s experience.
On-board computer supports new driving
Geodis BM Netherlands also uses the CarCube combined with training in the way of new driving and coaching from the office. “After the training, the Driving Style Wizard ensures that drivers stay on top of their consumption and driving style,” explains Buskoop. “In the office we monitor fuel consumption through the FMS reporting. If it becomes noticeably high, then via the driving style analysis we can look at how it could have happened and talk to the driver about it.”
Buskoop indicates that FMS reporting can also bring abnormal technical aspects to light. “It was found that several tractors with three non-driven axles had fairly high consumption. They have since been chipped to optimise fuel economy, an investment that paid for itself within just six months,” said Buskoop.
Digitach remote read-out
A recent development at Geodis BM Netherlands is that the number of lorries with digital tachographs has been growing steadily. “At weekends only about 50% of our fleet comes back to Lekkerkerk. The other lorries then stay across various locations in the Netherlands, Belgium and France. That makes it interesting for us to read out the driver’s map and message memory via the on-board computer,” says Buskoop. Truck Navigation from Trimble Transport & Logistics is on the drawing board too. “Thus, we are continuing to optimise with help from CarCube.”
Website: www.geodisbm.nl
Number of employees: approximately 180 (Geodis BM Netherlands)
Vehicle fleet: 85 tractor units (Geodis BM Netherlands – Van der Laan)
Activity: national and international tank transport of chemicals, producer gases and food
Territory: Benelux, France, Germany
Application: CarCube on-board computer
Integration with Zenith, a TMS developed in-house and the FleetWatch hours/expenses module from LogicWay