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Keeping track of assets with electronic mapping

Fleet managers, despatch controllers and executives needing to keep an eye on moving assets can take advantage of a new technology in mobile asset location that provides these practitioners with reliable location-based information on the whereabouts of their fleet or goods. in realtime and from the comfort of the office.

Knowing a position is crucial to making the best decision in running a fleet or mobile workforce; and sophisticated GIS technology is taking the guesswork out of tracking vehicles and other moving assets.

Highly developed mapping technology has assisted in engineering an asset tracking system that boasts up-to-the-minute positioning of fleets and assets, anywhere on the African continent. And with the aid of global positioning systems [GPS] advancements, fleet management tools for tracking vehicles, trailers or equipment has improved efficiency, productivity, accountability and profitability.

The best of GPS and digital mapping technology is used to track this vehicle travelling in Nigeria

Smart businesses in the asset tracking industry are developing a variety of fleet management systems that aid in despatching, routing, tracking and recovery of lost or stolen vehicles and improving customer service. GPS tracking technology enhances fleet efficiency and provides insight into vehicle activity that before went unnoticed.

Says Dave Duncan, business development manager of Startrack Communications, "This is exceedingly high-level technology, providing very practical management tools for the modern-day logistics manager.

"Owing to the density of transport on the road in Africa the detail on the maps is very high and our mapping is geographically accurate to within five metres. With this level of accuracy, imagine the benefits this has in reducing implementation cycles, reduction in maintenance and breakdown costs and the monitoring of asset security. The system is applicable across a range of industries requiring positional locations and status of physical resources."

Other providers in this industry concur. Decision makers state that no longer will supply chain managers be sitting in the office wondering where everybody is. With this technology they can track where everyone is on the office PC and book another job without having to phone around. Operators can make promises to customers straight away as an accurate map with the position of the team members, drivers and vehicles is available in seconds. Now you do not want to phone a driver when they could be driving down the motorway. With this new system, they can now be located without even ringing.

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