Track and trace made remarkably easy and affordable, too – BPW paves the way towards digitisation for hauliers with mini telematics

Wiehl, 11.09.2018 --- Is digitisation leaving small and medium-sized hauliers behind? The fact is that around 85% of trailers on the market have no telematics and are missing a digital connection – faxes, paper trails and constant calls to drivers and dispatchers are still part and parcel of day-to-day work, even in 2018. The BPW Group now wants to change that – with a remarkably easy and affordable way to get started with digitisation that can be flexibly expanded.

Robust, attractive, simple and affordable – it was using this formula that Nicolas G. Hayek's ‘Swatch’ once rescued the Swiss watch industry from its Asian competitors. Using the same formula, the BPW Group now hopes to pave the way into digitisation for small and medium-sized hauliers with a brand new innovation from its Innovation Lab.

This solution is known as ‘TC Track & Trace’ and allows hauliers to easily locate their vehicles and identify their prospective arrival time. At its core is a handy and robust mini telematics box developed by BPW InnovationLab. The device doesn’t need a power supply, SIM card or antenna. Instead, it is simply attached to or just set inside the vehicle – and it’s ready to go. The device uses an innovative wireless data technology and gets by without expensive and energy-consuming mobile communications components, so the battery lasts up to two years.

The data sent by the box can be displayed on idem telematics’ online ‘cargofleet’ platform, creating full transparency regarding the route and position of the vehicle at all times. Due to its low cost, the system is also suitable for locating and tracking goods carriers and other valuable assets.

The ‘TC Track & Trace’ boxes can be displayed in the Cargofleet portal alongside other idem telematics boxes – the open-system, manufacturer-independent cargofleet platform constitutes Europe’s leading transport telematics, connecting trucks, trailers, freight and drivers. This allows idem telematics to support temperature-controlled transport and vehicle and swap box van management as well as hidden box van protection using ‘digital seals’ – plus many other features.

According to Marcus Sassenrath, Head of IT and Digital Strategy at the BPW Group and founder of the BPW Innovation Lab in Siegburg: ‘right now, there’s no easier or more affordable path into digitisation for hauliers. We are using innovative technology to lower the barriers to entry into telematics for smaller and medium-sized hauliers. This allows transport companies to gain valuable experience with minimal outlay and use the most successful telematics platform of its kind in Europe from the outset as they do so.’

The BPW Innovation Lab and idem telematics will be demonstrating the new TC Track & Trace system at IAA Commercial Vehicles (20-27 September in Hanover, Hall 26, Stand C31).The system should be available off-the-shelf starting in December.

BPW's mini telematics box doesn’t need a power supply, SIM card or antenna. Instead, it is simply attached to or just set inside the vehicle – and it’s ready to go.