Italy’s largest independent carrier Arcese optimizes resources and cuts costs with Transics’ fleet management solution

Optimised data traffic improves invoicing process

By the end of this year 2010, Arcese, Italy’s largest carrier, will have equipped more than 600 trucks with a Transics TX-MAX on-board computer. Arcese Trasporti selected Transics, as it is confident the leading provider of fleet management solutions, is the long-term partner it needs to support its ambitious growth. “Transics’ solution is innovative, forward-looking and reliable, just like Arcese,” said Marco Manfredini, Vice-President Operation.

The Arcese transport group was set up in 1966 as a one-truck carrier. Today, it is one of the leading logistics companies in Western Europe, with over 1,500 trucks. From Hong Kong to the U.S., Arcese facilitates the transport of goods to various markets. The key factor behind its impressive growth is its vision to “always think ahead”. In line with that vision, the carrier recently decided to replace its existing fleet management solution from a local supplier with a system with broader and more forward-looking functionalities. Key objectives include optimized resources, reduced communication and fuel costs, and improved invoicing processes. Testing proved that Transics’ fleet management solutions can help meet all these goals.

Easy, remote forwarding of data

Arcese also implemented Transics’ mobile document scanner and Digital Memory Download device so as to guarantee the easy, remote forwarding of documents (scanner) and data of the digital tachograph to the back office, in real time. “The mobile scanner is a guarantee that documents no longer get lost. The shipping documents are now immediately available at the office, in digital format, which greatly speeds up the invoicing process. In the past, it took us several weeks to invoice a haulage job. We will now be able to make and send invoices much quicker, which will improve our cash flow,” said Marco Manfredini.

First-class customer services

Equally handy to cut costs and drive efficiency are the FMS/CAN Bus interface, which allows the monitoring of engine activities, and the truck-friendly navigation (TX-NAVIGATION) tool. As the navigation is also integrated into the planning, it ensures a flawless and efficient follow-up of transport activities. In this way, the Transics fleet management system will also substantially raise the level of customer services: the trucks will deliver even more punctually and be able to inform customers about the current status of their goods. The analyses and reports from the TX-MAX on-board computer will further support Arcese to raise its drivers’ awareness about ecological and economical driving and safety – two of the company’s core values.

“Transics sets itself apart from its competitors by providing solutions that proactively think ahead, just like Arcese does. It really is the long-term partner we were looking for to support us in our continuous growth,” Marco Manfredini concluded.

Arcese Trasporti S.p.A, with headquarters in Arco, Italy, facilitates land, sea and air shipments in multiple markets, and delivers a wide variety of goods throughout Italy and Europe. Established in 1966 as a family-run company, Arcese has grown organically and through acquisitions to become one of Italy’s largest transport and logistics companies and one of the biggest of its kind in Western Europe. The group employs 4.000 people, has a fleet of 1,500 trucks and 1 million square metres of warehouse space. www.gruppoarcese.com

Established in 1991, Transics International NV develops and commercializes high-end fleet management solutions for the transport and logistics sectors. Thanks to years of experience, thorough R&D efforts and a sharp focus on the customer experience, Transics has become the leading European player in its sector. In addition to its headquarters in Ypres (Belgium), Transics is active throughout Europe. The company has been listed on the stock exchange (Euronext Brussels) since June 2007.

Transics helps carriers optimize planning and maximize fleet utilization with Trailer Tracer TX-MAGELLAN+

New trailer tracer provides detailed real-time information on trailer position and usage

Transics, Europe’s leading provider of high-end fleet management solutions, introduces the TX-MAGELLAN+, for short, a standalone solution that helps carriers pinpoint the exact location of all their trailers and gain real-time insight into trailer utilization. In this way, they can optimize fleet planning and maximize trailer usage, which is a major asset in today’s fiercely competitive, low-margin transport market. TX-MAGELLAN+ reconfirms Transics’ commitment to developing solutions that help transport and logistics companies boost efficiency and cut costs.

The new TX-MAGELLAN+ trailer/asset tracer can be easily installed in the carriers’ trailers, whether they are pulled by own vehicles or by those of subcontractors. It provides real-time information on the position of the trailer, the route it has driven and the distance covered, thereby meeting a pressing need in many transport and logistics companies.

“Far too often, carriers have difficulty keeping track of their trailers as soon as these are uncoupled from the traction unit or pulled by subcontractors,” explained Walter Mastelinck, CEO of Transics. “As the home office doesn’t know where their trailers are, it’s not unusual for drivers to cover many of kilometres to fetch a trailer and then discover it’s not there.” This lack of insight hampers the efficient planning of resources and the optimal usage of trailers. Especially transport companies who work with subcontractors experience how difficult it is to control the fulfilment of their orders – and, subsequently, the invoices – as they have no overview of the kilometres travelled.

Pinpoint, plan and control

The tracking and tracing functionality of TX-MAGELLAN+ allows transport and logistics companies to exactly pinpoint the location of their trailers and then arrange for them to picked up by the most appropriate (distance, etc.) vehicles. As they exactly know what trailers are on the road or left unused, they can maximize vehicle usage. Stolen trailers are reported via theft alarms and can be more easily recovered. The accurate route and distance information also helps optimize the maintenance schedules, control subcontractors’ invoices and prevent misuse. Transport companies could also opt to install the TX-MAGELLAN+ in small commercial vehicles to avoid abuse for private driver transport.

Optimize fleet and cut costs

The new Transics TX-MAGELLAN+ tracer is easy to install and can be hidden thanks to its sensitive GPS antenna. It is a robust tool, resistant to harsh environments, and can work for some weeks on end without being recharged.

“The new TX-MAGELLAN+ reaffirms our commitment to delivering fleet management solutions that help our customers optimize their fleet and cut costs. We will continue to focus our R&D efforts on this type of product offering that meets, or even anticipates, the needs of today’s challenging transport market,” Mastelinck concluded.

Established in 1991, Transics International NV develops and commercializes high-end fleet management solutions for the transport and logistics sectors. Thanks to years of experience, thorough R&D efforts and a sharp focus on the customer experience, Transics has become the leading European player in its sector. In addition to its headquarters in Ypres (Belgium), Transics is active throughout Europe. The company has been listed on the stock exchange (Euronext Brussels) since June 2007.

Transics fosters Enterprise Integration with TX-TANGO web services suite

Easier integration will increase productivity right across the transport company

Transics, Europe’s leading provider of high-end fleet management solutions, introduces the TX-TANGO web services suite – a modular platform to advance integration between the Transics fleet management system and third-party applications. The introduction of TX-TANGO follows shortly after the launch of two other innovative solutions: the TX-SMART mobile web application for subcontractor integration and the TX-MAGELLAN+ to optimize trailer management. All three product launches fit perfectly with Transics’ mission to constantly help carriers raise efficiency and productivity across the supply chain.

TX-TANGO is Transics’ answer to the growing need for Enterprise Application Integration in transport companies. The new TX-TANGO web services platform provides a comprehensive catalogue of functions, through a standard SOAP interface. As a result, software integrators – within the transport company or an external software partner – can swiftly collect information from the Transics database, without detailed technical knowledge, and easily build state-of-the-art transport enterprise applications.

Thorough integration = productivity up!

“The TX-TANGO web services platform offers an unparalleled approach in direct development support, code examples, test tools and an integration portal,” says Walter Mastelinck, CEO of Transics. “Consequently, development time is reduced and the Transics fleet management solution is seamlessly integrated into all enterprise applications. This greatly impacts productivity, as planners are able to work in their familiar IT applications. Furthermore, double data entry in planning or salary applications is avoided.” Helping customers thrive

The launch of TX-TANGO follows that of two other new Transics products. The TX-MAGELLAN+ is a standalone solution that helps carriers pinpoint the exact location of their trailers and, as a result, manage their trailer fleet more effectively. The TX-SMART mobile web application eases collaboration with subcontractors. “Whereas TX-SMART fosters integration with subcontractors, TX-TANGO encourages enterprise integration. Both types of integration are extremely valuable for carriers these days, as their job becomes ever-more challenging and systems increasingly complicated. TX-TANGO is another way of helping our customers to boost efficiency and save costs which is the very mission of Transics,” Mastelinck concludes.

Established in 1991, Transics International NV develops and commercializes high-end fleet management solutions for the transport and logistics sectors. Thanks to years of experience, thorough R&D efforts and a sharp focus on the customer experience, Transics has become the leading European player in its sector. In addition to its headquarters in Ypres (Belgium), Transics is active throughout Europe. The company has been listed on the stock exchange (Euronext Brussels) since June 2007.