Sainsburys has invested in satellite navigation
technology to reduce operational costs and help its home delivery
drivers to keep customer deliveries on time.
The retailer has signed a three year agreement with Cybit to
equip its 400 plus fleet of home delivery vehicles with Cybit’s
Fleetstar-Online telematics and Smartnav satellite navigation
technology an advanced fleet and asset management system that
incorporates navigation technology.
The Sainsbury’s to you home delivery vehicles have been fitted
with an in-vehicle-unit (IVU), which tracks information such as the
vehicke's location and speed. That information is tracked by by GPS
in real time and transmitted back to Cybit’s online control
centre.
At Cybit, a fleet management system run as a hosted service
enables operators, such as Sainsbury's to access this information
via a standard web browser.
The system uses Smartnav, an off-board satellite navigation
system and route planning. It operates via Trafficmaster's
established network of cameras and sensors throughout the UK.
Drivers push a button in their cab, speak directly to an operator
who then directs them to their destination.
The retailer believes the system would help it increase the
efficiency with which it runs its fleet and ensure deliveries meet
the strict delivery targets set. The Smartnav offers a route
planning system directing drivers from one site to another avoiding
traffic hotspots.
Jason Soar, Sainsbury’s delivery operations manager, said,
"Operational efficiencies in our home delivery fleet are critical
to the success of our Sainsbury’s to you venture."