Nedcargo Chooses Trimble’s Truck4U and FleetXPS for Data Reliability

Nedcargo owns 85 trucks which are all equipped with Truck4U and FleetXPS, the on-board telematics solutions from Trimble. The logistics service provider, with six warehouses in the Netherlands, was looking for proven technology. Jurgen Mook, CEO at Nedcargo said, “Data reliability is crucial. Not only Nedcargo but also our clients make important decisions every day based on the data provided by telematics solutions.”

Nedcargo dispatches 200 vehicles daily to supply the retail and catering sector with food and beverages, such as beer, wine and spirits. On an annual basis, about 1.4 million pallets and roll containers find their way towards more than 6,000 addresses in the Netherlands and Belgium. The products are distributed from six warehouses located in Waddinxveen, Haaften, Zoetermeer, Soesterberg and Nederasselt, where there are warehouses with products from well-known food and beverage producers.

Data reliability plays a crucial role in Nedcargo’s operation. All trucks, from LHVs to box trucks, are equipped with Truck4U and FleetXPS. Together, these solutions from Trimble provide all the functionality which one can expect of an innovative on-board computer. “Nedcargo and our customers make important decisions every day which are based on the data provided by these solutions. Truck4U and FleetXPS provide us with real-time insight into our fleet and real-time feedback when shipments are delivered,” says Mook.

Truck4U is an on-board unit integrated as a black box into the 85 trucks owned by Nedcargo. This unit is connected with the tachograph and the CANbus of the vehicles and supplies the logistics service provider with remote download of tachograph and engine management data, and also with real-time insight into driving and rest times, driving behaviour and fuel consumption.

FleetXPS is a mobile unit used by drivers to execute the planned routes and register their working hours. Drivers also use the mobile unit to scan the delivered pallets and roll containers or take photographs to document any damage due to transport. Of the 85 trucks, 70 are equipped with the FleetXPS hardware from Trimble. The 15 other vehicles use the FleetXPS App which runs on any device with an Android platform.

The investment in the Trimble solutions came after dissatisfaction with the previous non-Trimble on-board computer solution.

“We looked for a new telematics solution with proven technology to improve our track and trace functionality and to track the position of our trucks in real-time. Trimble currently offers the best solution to meet our needs. Trimble’s technology combines all the features of a mobile application and the data reliability of an on-board computer. In addition, the Trimble solutions integrate with our LogicWay payroll software that we use,” explains Mook.

It took only three weeks to install Truck4u and FleetXPS in the 85 trucks of Nedcargo. “The implementation speed illustrates that Trimble has the right technical expertise and that they paid attention to our processes,” says Mook.

Once installed in the trucks, the solutions were integrated with our system for transport management and planning, a combination of Quintiq and Van Boxtel software. “This integration is essential for the correct handling of our orders. It enables us to report in real-time to our customers any deviations from the schedule.”

With Trimble’s solutions, the drivers are happy with the user-friendly, intuitive design of FleetXPS. The photographs they take of damaged shipments or material are automatically linked to the correct file and shared with the fleet managers. If the drivers scan the pallets or roll containers at delivery, customers can be immediately informed. In the back-office, planners have more control over the operation, and the atmosphere is calmer.

“A significant part of the communication with the drivers is no longer done by telephone, but through text messages via FleetXPS. Planners now get feedback much earlier if the trip execution deviates from the schedule. They can take action earlier and inform clients earlier as well. The management can view full reports, providing a better insight into the performance. The Trimble systems produce the results we expected.”