GBS Haulage


From his farmhouse office in Gloucestershire, Gary Ball keeps track of his delivery vans as they travel across Europe with GPS tracking.

Best practice in:  Technology
Sector:            Transport
Size of firm:      5
Technologies:      GPS, SMS
Location:          Gloucestershire
Website:  www.gbshaulage.hypermart.net


Objectives

In 1986, due to poor economic conditions, Gary Ball was forced to sell his family farm. Having to find other means of earning a living, Gary started moving farm machinery for other farmers, initially in the local area but subsequently further afield. From these humble beginnings, Gary created GBS Haulage and with the help of wireless technology has turned it into a thriving business, delivering goods across Europe. He has bought back the farm and runs the company from the farmhouse, with the kitchen doubling as a meeting room and the shed next door as an office.


Solution

The success of the business has been due to the quality of service that GBS delivers: "I try hard to make the first sale," says Gary. "Our service makes the sales thereafter." The quality of service is a direct result of the technologies that GBS employs. For a fee of £2 a day per van, GBS rents out a computer telemetry system from BOX telemetrics. This system, called a spotonBOX fleet management system, allows Gary to keep track of the progress of his vans as they make their deliveries. The computer in the GBS office is connected to a wireless transmitter and receiver which in turn is connected to a GPS (satellite) tracking system. A receiver and transmitter is also positioned in each van and responds to the GPS 'tracker'. Using features of the tracking software, Gary can choose 'events' (such as a van being off the plotted course) to send alerts to his mobile phone. These arrive as SMS messages sent automatically to Gary's mobile phone by the computer when it encounters a pre-defined 'event'. In practice this means that if a van hits an 'event', like being off course, Gary is immediately alerted and can then come to the driverÕs aid. Using 'interactive polling' Gary can locate, on a map on his computer screen, the exact location of the van. He can then relay messages to the driver, advising them on the best route to take to get back on course.


Results

This system is invaluable for giving customers accurate up-to-the-minute information when they call about deliveries. It also means that GBS are better able to deliver on contracts. Contracts with customers include bonuses for on time deliveries throughout Europe and penalties for delays unless it's possible to prove that the delay was due to factors outside the control of GBS and its staff. With the tracking system it is easy for Gary to provide information proving that delays were unavoidable, although in most cases, because of the efficiency of the system, he finds he's picking up the bonus instead. 



The last word

The system also allows Gary to comply with safety regulations and computerised invoicing has eliminated the need for employing an accountant, a cost saving of around £15,000 per year. But perhaps the biggest benefit of all, certainly for Gary, is the fact that all the time saved by technology means that he can balance his work with his lifestyle. "I'm a farmer's boy who wants an easy life," says Gary. "My computer and my mobile let me do that." Gary collects vintage tractors which he restores himself and another of his hobbies is flying his microlite, with his own take-off and landing strip on the farm. Without the use of wireless technology Gary wouldn't be able to maintain such 
a healthy work/life balance.