Business Direct to keep watch on fleet with DA Systems 15th July 2008 By Bhavana Navuluri Business Direct has selected DA Systems' real-time scheduling and fleet management tool ACI; sign-on-screen system NX Mobile Data with Track and Trace facility; and NX Fleet Tracking, to obtain real-time information on its fleet of over 500 vehicles at 12 depots in the UK.

ACI (Advanced Courier Interface) is a software package that offers mapping service on the control screens to a 1:3000 scale and routing to accurate distances. Its dispatch and control functionality provides Windows style control screens that can be created by the user.

Customer bookings can be made on the same day on the booking screen. Its web booking technology enables select customers to book their own jobs directly with Business Direct via the Internet.

ACI enables Business Directs’ controllers to schedule, track, log and report on all activities, collections and deliveries of its fleet of vehicles.

Each driver in the fleet of Business Direct will be given an Intermec CN3 mobile computer installed with NX Mobile Data. NX is a real-time mobile data system that will enable instant communication between Business Direct’s offices and drivers. Its features include exclusive GPRS Push technology. Used with ACI, NX Mobile Data enables drivers to know about the status of the collection and delivery of goods.

The mapping features of NX Fleet Tracking enable Business Direct controllers to monitor vehicles in real-time using GPS over GPRS.

With DA Systems’ Track and Trace technology, Business Direct can offer complete visibility and a history audit of the goods’ journey. The technology is used to capture and manage barcode data, enabling delivery staff to scan the goods at each stage of the journey. Track and Trace can also be used by Business Direct’s depot staff when receiving goods or in a hub where they sort and move goods around.

Martyn Wilson, managing director of specialist division at Business Direct, said: “We chose DA Systems technology as it had the broadest range of multi-service functions and could support our growing operations in the future. The technology was easily integrated with our existing systems and is already having a positive impact on our business efficiency and accountability.”

Eagle Couriers Scotland, Streetwise Couriers, New Malden, Courier Systems and Reuter Brooks have all implemented DA Systems’ fleet management software.