References
Link Sp. z o.o.
Emerging from the crisis stronger than before, thanks to technological innovation
The recent economic difficulties have resulted in a further intensification of competition in the transport and logistics sector. More than ever before, companies are seeking new ways of increasing their efficiency and streamlining their working processes. The transport company Link Sp. z o.o is relying on technological innovation to boost its competitiveness.
On the screen, little blue dots are moving around on a map. The British Isles, Northern France, the Netherlands and Belgium are clearly recognisable. Jaroslaw Renclawowicz, Manager of the scheduling team, is sitting in front of his computer screen. With a click of his mouse he selects a lorry near London. "This driver has already sent me an acknowledgement of receipt for his delivery," he says, adding: "In the past, we had to wait days or even weeks for the driver's return. Today, thanks to the onboard computer and connected document scanner, we can access delivery notes and freight documents immediately after they are scanned." Last year, the management of the transport company Link decided to implement the CarCube telematics system from Punch Telematix. The system, consisting of an onboard computer, optional peripherals (including a document scanner) and a web-supported back office application, allows real-time transmission of data all over Europe.
Increasing competitiveness
Link has been using telematics systems since 2002 to boost its competitiveness. To meet new requirements in the international marketplace, at the start of 2009 Link, a specialist in full load shipments to and from Western Europe, decided to look for a new and more powerful fleet management system. "Even in times of crisis, we view investments in the technological infrastructure as a way of increasing competitiveness," explains Dariusz Danielewski, Transport Manager. By implementing a new and improved telematics system, Link aimed not only to reduce payment cycles, thanks to immediate scanning of delivery notes, but also to reduce its everyday costs by recording, evaluating and analysing each lorry's consumption data.
Market analysis, decision and implementation
After analysing the leading telematics products on the market and carrying out a six-month test using four lorries, Link decided in favour of CarCube from Punch Telematix. "We put all the telematics applications on the market through their paces. The CarCube stood out clearly from the competition thanks to its innovative functions, including interference-free GPRS data communication, a digital driving style assistant designed to optimise driving behaviour and a document scanner," says Danielewski. It took Punch Telematix just two months to fit the onboard computer in 200 lorries, with no interruption to Link's day-to-day business. The existing interface with the InterLAN shipping application paved the way for rapid implementation: the onboard computer was installed by December 2009 and went online in January 2010.
An open system
The implementation of this new and more powerful fleet management system has enabled Link to meet new market requirements. However, today's innovations can quickly be overtaken. The open structure of the fleet management system was therefore a decisive factor in the decision. Thanks to CarCube, the company has a system based on open standards. Its modular and scalable architecture allows the solution to be seamlessly integrated in existing or new applications, enabling it to expand in pace with a company's needs. "We view ourselves as a modern and flexible service provider which constantly strives to meet the changing logistics requirements of the freight industry. The same should also apply to our technology," says Dariusz Danielewski.
Details
Name: Link Sp. z o. o.
Head office: Wiązowna
Branches: Gleiwitz, Koziegłowy b. Posen, Łódź
Established: 1989
Managing Director: Ryszard Ellert
Employees: 300
Fleet: 195 lorries
Services: - Full-load shipments to and from Western Europe
- Transportation of dangerous goods
- Part loads
Website: www.link.waw.pl