LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - The largest ready mix producer in Southern California, Robertson's Ready Mix Ltd. (RRM), will outfit its expansive 700 trucks fleet with a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) wireless system called the Trimble Telvisant Fleet Management System to improve RRS's fleet utilisation, monitor and manage individual trucks. The announcement was made at the recently concluded World of Concrete, the world's largest annual commercial construction show. All of its 700 trucks will be connected to a control centre via the wireless system.

The GPRS-based wireless system integrates with a customised dispatch software developed by RRM to enable automatic vehicle status information. The Trimble Telvisant system is a complete solution that includes hardware, wireless connectivity, software and service. The automated system allows fleet managers to use location-based services to improve productivity. In addition, Telvisant is compatible with most dispatch and enterprise software products used by concrete producers.

This is a marked improvement compared to RRM's previous workflow. For example, in the past its fleet status systems was manually entered and demanded accurate and constant driver input in order to be effective.

The intent of the new system is to improved dispatch efficiency and driver productivity.
New additions to the RRM fleet will be from McNeilus Companies Inc., a leading manufacturer of concrete mixers, concrete batch plants and refuse truck bodies. The Trimble vehicle-mounted GPRS wireless hardware will be factory installed by McNeilus on Robertson's new trucks while RRM will be performing the Trimble installation on its existing trucks.

"In order to compete in today's market, it is essential to take advantage of cutting edge tools that improve dispatch efficiency and driver productivity," said RRM's president Dennis Troesh. "By utilising Trimble's fleet management solution, our central dispatch and truck-tracking center will provide customers with accurate and timely information relating to deliveries. The ultimate goal is to improve operations and provide customers with quality products, competitive prices, and exceptional service tailored to their particular jobsite requirements."

To be efficient, ready mix concrete dispatchers must constantly check incoming customer orders against concrete production and delivery capacities. Historically, truck drivers have used radio, cell phones, or text messaging to send information to dispatchers. The problem: drivers must provide status updates manually, and do it consistently. Often the dispatcher receives incomplete or inaccurate information from the field.

The Trimble Telvisant system solves this problem by using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and other sensors to automate the delivery cycle. Dispatchers no longer need to depend on drivers for timely status information. Instead, they will receive automated information via the Internet which includes: truck status when loading at the plant, leaving the plant, arriving at the job, adding water to the concrete, starting the concrete pour, ending the concrete pour, washing the trucks, leaving the job, and arriving at the plant to complete the delivery cycle. Trimble's Telvisant system automates the entire process.

The solution is under the auspices of the Trimble Mobile Solutions Division which offers complete solutions for location-based services (LBS) and mobile resource management (MRM). These solutions include location-aware mobile devices, software, Internet location-based services and wireless operator relationships. The division focuses on advanced wireless applications for fleet and workforce management, telematics, theft recovery and public safety.

If your organisation seeks a similar enterprise mobility solution, please contact us at 1-800 82 1919 - we, together with our partners, will work with you to develop a solution best suited to your business needs.

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