Inchcape replaced their paper and mobile phone system for communicating with their drivers.
Who are Inchcape Automotive?
Inchcape Automotive (previously EuroFleet) are leaders in vehicle refurbishment, preparation, transportation and storage. Inchcape offers specialist expertise in the fields of vehicle preparation, refurbishment and transport logistics providing an essential service to vehicle manufacturers, daily rental and fleet sectors across the UK.
Inchcape's brief to FMK
Inchcape asked FMK to provide a system of mobile data communication with their car transporter drivers. Key requirements included:
Use of handheld GSM-enabled devices by the drivers.
Bespoke software on the handheld devices to provide the drivers with details of current and forthcoming jobs, allow the drivers to enter vehicle inspection details, collect signatures from customers at collection and delivery, and communicate quickly and transparently with Inchcape head office.
Bespoke software at Inchcape offices to integrate with their existing database system.
Why FMK?
FMK had more than five years' experience in mobile data applications, specialising in wide area communications over GSM. At the time we were introduced to Inchcape two other suppliers had tried and failed to implement a satisfactory solution. FMK came with the recommendation of the largest manufacturer of ruggedised handheld devices in the world.
The solution
To handle the communications requirements FMK developed the Data Delivery Service (DDS), a proprietary technology specifically created to optimise data throughput and integrity on the GSM network. The DDS servers were located at a secure site with connectivity to the GSM network and the Internet. Data from Inchcape's office would arrive over the Internet and be sent on to a driver's device via the GSM network, and vice versa.
All bespoke software on the handheld devices and at Inchcape's office was written in C++.
Inchcape are charged a monthly fee per driver for use of the DDS service.
The benefits
Once the system was implemented there were a number of immediate benefits:
Driver efficiency was improved because they had accurate information about their jobs without having to stop to make phone calls back to the office.
Office staff efficiency was improved because they didn't have to spend time trying to contact the drivers by mobile phone; instead they simply click on screen and know that the information will be sent to the driver.
Driver and office paperwork was reduced.
Inchcape were able to offer a better service to their customers by automatically posting vehicle inspection data from the system onto their customer-facing web site.
Using the DDS model for data communications had a number of specific benefits of its own:
Inchcape didn't need to install or maintain any communications equipment of their own as all data passed over their existing Internet connection.
Responsibility for maintenance of the communications system passed to FMK.
Inchcape only paid for the number of drivers using the system at any one time.
