These artificial Intelligence systems can process information and adapt to promote change faster than any one person, or even a team of people, ever could. This speed is essential when a driver’s life could be on the line. The safety of drivers should be your number one priority for your fleet operations. According to The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) 216 people died in 2017 from 196 fatal crashes involving heavy vehicles in Australia.

Artificial intelligence systems act to bring this number down in some large trucks, service vehicles, and passenger vehicles by gathering information on how we drive and teaching themselves to recognise new risks on the road. They can then alert drivers to danger or even assist in controlling the vehicle to avoid it.

Companies in our industry are using predictive analytics as a way of applying artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve the safety of their drivers. Artificial intelligence can indicate that a driver has a high likelihood of being involved in a preventable crash, allowing the company the opportunity to mitigate that potentially catastrophic event.

Your back-office can apply intelligence to data gathered from across your fleet to analyse driving behaviour and performance, then give timely, advice to coach for safer and more efficient driving.

Originally published by here.

Contact Market Motion if you would like more information on how fleets of all sizes can benefit from artificial intelligence and machine learning.

The post Improving driver safety with artificial intelligence and machine learning appeared first on Market Motion.

This is another example of Market Motion’s commitment to providing the best technology and hardware solutions to our customers.

The post Market Motion awarded Honeywell’s ISV Rising Star 2018 appeared first on Market Motion.

Session topics

Outlook 2019’s agenda will be packed with breakout sessions on the subjects that will help your team succeed in 2019.

Omnitracs Outlook 2019 streams

Partner Pavilion and Solutions Center

An exciting conference highlight, the Partner Pavilion and Solutions Center will be a major focal point and gathering spot at Outlook 2019. Discover the latest offerings from Omnitracs and their partners, experience interactive demonstrations, and network with other users and attendees. You’ll also be able to meet with Omnitracs representatives to ask questions and see what’s on the roadmap.

Why attend?

Omnitracs Outlook will leave you motivated to perform better in the future with valuable sessions covering productivity, compliance, planning and delivery, safety and security, data and analytics, and training. Network with your peers, visit the Partner Pavilion & Solutions Center, and enjoy the fun and engaging networking activities.

Who attends Omnitracs Outlook?

Outlook 2019 is expected to attract over 800 attendees from leading private and for-hire fleets of all sizes and operational profiles.

Check back here as when more details are released we will update this page.

Contact kylie.williams@marketmotion.com.au if you are interested in joining Market Motion at this event.

The post Registrations open for Omnitracs Outlook 2019 appeared first on Market Motion.

Then there is the question of opportunity cost. Do you reinvest the efficiency and productivity opportunity into differentiating yourself? Or just reduce the bottom line?

Market Motion recently held this webinar. It is now available to watch on demand.

The post WEBINAR: Important things to consider when reducing fleet and delivery costs appeared first on Market Motion.

Before the Amazon’s launch in Australia, there were rumours in 2016 that Catch.com.au were getting ready for an IPO. That didn’t happen and what transpired instead was a rebrand and the launch of a marketplace to become a one-stop shop for online shoppers. They also invested $20M on an automated warehouse system. Sound familiar?

From what started as an online bookstore, Amazon has grown into a powerhouse that has completely disrupted the retail marketplace in just a couple of decades. This disruption is being called the “Amazon Effect.” It’s so widespread that if you search the term, you’ll find 174 million hits. And, as Amazon sets its sights on more and more industries, the “Amazon Effect” is beginning to be felt by wholesale distributors as well. This leaves many wondering how best to adapt to keep customers happy, preserve market share, and grow in a changing world.

But, before we get into that, let’s look at why and how an online store has had such an impact on not just other retailers but every business.

What is the Effect and Why Does It Matter?

It all comes down to a quote from Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos.

He said, “Proactively delighting customers earns trust, which earns more business from those customers, even in new business arenas. Take a long-term view, and the interests of customers and shareholders align.”

It’s the holy grail of what Amazon is about. They unmercifully invest into their company in order to improve the customer experience in four key areas: innovation, choice, convenience, and value.

This has brought about an unprecedented expansion. Amazon now has fleets of planes, trucks, bicycles, robots, drones, and more. They have massive warehouses and distribution centres across the nation and are even using crowdsourcing to do deliveries (think Uber for Amazon).

And, the “Amazon Effect” is accelerating change across all distribution: New forms of transportation and delivery. New levels of service. Reconfigured warehousing to boost efficiency.

The effect is huge.

What Wholesale Distributors Can Expect

We’re already seeing the effect in wholesale distribution. When it comes to shipping and delivery speed, customers want their shipments faster. They want to be able to call you at 8 a.m. and receive their order by 4 p.m.

An e-commerce site alone is no longer enough. Customers are looking for improvements in ease of ordering. They want sites that are mobile-friendly, the ability to order by text, and the support of a chatbot.

These customers are now comparing their experiences relative to Amazon and expecting the same frictionless and immediate buying journey.

What does this mean then for you as a wholesale distributor?

Distributors will no doubt face a number of potential negative effects from the shift.

Amazon has conditioned buyers to purchase smaller quantities more often and receive their shipments more quickly. But, as wholesale distributors, more frequent orders, more deliveries and smaller drops can erode profits.

The average cost per stop is the average cost per stop. If you deliver less per stop more frequently, profits go down.

Wholesale distributors will also need to be prepared for the need to make changes in vehicle configuration to become more efficient as well as face the real possibility that drivers may not be able to adapt. Some drivers will simply leave the workforce. Some won’t want to have more touches. Others won’t be willing to play a more customer-service oriented ambassador role.

Finally, wholesale distributors will be increasingly forced to move to the Amazon model of mini distribution centres as kilometres per asset goes down.

What You Need to Know to Thrive

Luckily, there is still time to make changes. Distributors can adapt to the Amazon Effect, but the time to start is now. Begin by investing in technologies that solve customer problems and improve the customer experience. Work to solve the issues they have every day, including the ones they may not even know about themselves. And, finally, innovate by leveraging technology that gives your customers what they’re looking for. Because, if there’s anything that we’ve learned from Amazon it’s that the customer experience is the key to success in today’s world.

Parts of this article have been republished courtesy of Omnitracs, Market Motion are key Strategic Partners of Omnitracs.

The post The Amazon Effect on wholesale delivery appeared first on Market Motion.

Here are a few reasons why your business needs to take safety seriously:

Cost

If unsafe practices lead to a vehicle crash, it can be extremely costly to a business. The Federal Government estimates the average cost of a hospitalised injury resulting from a crash is $214k and the average cost of a fatal crash is $2.4M.

Reputation

There is an impact on the reputation of a business with unsafe practices.
Tip Top has received very bad press recently for their alleged treatment of owner drivers.
ALDI has been accused of encouraging poor work practices that have allegedly left truck drivers reeling, forcing them into “long and dangerous hours” according to the Transport Workers Union (TWU).

Social and emotional impact

There is a further social and emotional impact on families, colleagues and the community of those involved in crashes that you cannot put a dollar figure on. A fatality is simply devastating to families, colleagues and the community.

Productivity and staff retention

A business deemed to have unsafe practices can lead to a higher staff turnover and a drop in productivity. This will have an impact on cost to the business. So, businesses need to take steps to attract and retain drivers. A great way to do this is by ensuring safety is a priority and to have a good safety record.

Australia also has an ageing population. The average age of a truck driver in Australia is 47 years. As the workforce continues to age along with the forecast of increased freight volumes there will be a strain on driver availability. This will lead to increased competition for drivers, so businesses will need to do everything they can to retain and attract drivers.

Recently, Market Motion broadcast a webinar on tips for safer route management. You can listen to the recording today.

Call us on 1300 558 381 if you want to know how you can improve your safety practices.

The post Why should your business take fleet safety seriously? appeared first on Market Motion.

Here are our top 10 software tips software that can improve the safety of our employees and assets.

Listen to our webinar: Safer route management – Top 10 software tips for detail information.

Tip #1

Utilise commercial restrictions in your map data for live route management

Tip #2

Maintenance

• Geocoding
• Ongoing management of service times
• Treatment of customer time windows
• Use of customer restrictions and how this can impact the accuracy of routes

Tip #3

Proactive & strategic planning

Tip #4

Tactical planning – Use visual indicators

Tip #5

Tactical planning – Use Suggested route for late or unassigned orders

Tip #6

Assign breaks and layovers but also drivers should be able to assign breaks on the road.

Tip #7

Real-time notifications of dispatch exceptions

Tip #8

Strengthen your driver vehicle inspection reporting (DVIR)

Tip #9

Status update for drivers on route

Tip #10

Mobile alerts to the driver

Additional tip

Use enterprise-level data & analytics tools

The post Safer route management – Top 10 software tips appeared first on Market Motion.

The event in 2017 was a huge success and we have no doubt Outlook 2018 will be bigger and better than ever and leave you motivated to perform better with valuable sessions covering productivity, compliance, planning and delivery, safety and security, data and analytics, and training. Network with your peers, visit the Partner Pavilion & Solutions Center, and enjoy fun and engaging networking activities.

What will you get out of attending?

Over 70 sessions led by Omnitracs professionals, clients and partners that will cover compliance, productivity, planning & delivery, safety & security, data & analytics, and product training.

WHY ATTEND – Omnitracs Outlook Conference

Roadmap presentation

Omnitracs will present the Roadnet roadmap. Be the first to hear where the product is heading and what you can expect with new features and benefits.

Training

Join us for an immersive training experience. These training sessions will offer hands-on courses, take-home materials, and a chance to ask questions and get answers from subject matter experts. Partner with us at the UX design lab to provide input to the design of one of our applications and watch it change in real-time. Don’t miss these interesting and educational sessions.

Productivity

Optimising productivity using your devices is critical to your long-term success. Also critical is the productivity of your drivers, office teams, vehicles and even your interactions with customers. The sessions in this track will help you better leverage your programs, systems and tools to gain, and keep your competitive advantage.

Planning and delivering

Gain knowledge on how to realise the perfect delivery with helpful tips on creating efficiencies in routing and dispatching. Discover new ways of reducing costs, saving time, and adapting to a rapidly changing landscape by combining proven best practices with innovative solutions like navigation, driver community, dynamic routing, and business insight.

Data & analytics

Whether you realise it or not, you are already in the world of Big Data. Your fleet generates thousands of data points at any given moment. The key is to leverage that data to improve safety and customer service, control costs, and retain drivers. Get tips on how to set up key performance indicators and use predictive analytics to improve your fleet operation.

Safety and security

Protecting your data, tracking your assets, defending against litigation, and coaching and rewarding safe driving behaviour. Learn the latest in both products and processes designed to keep your organization both physically, and fiscally, secure.

PLUS a range of networking events with the opportunity to meet some of the world’s biggest names in fleet management.

• A chance to connect and share best practices with hundreds of fleet management professionals
• Keynote presentations covering the latest transportation and logistics industry trends
• A Partner Pavilion and Solutions Center with technology providers that I can connect with to discuss our needs so we can work more efficiently
• Hands-on demonstrations from Omnitracs and many other leading industry and technology providers
• Up to ten hours of networking events allowing direct interaction with peers from other companies within our industry

Email Kylie Williams from Market Motion for more information or you can register directly on the Omnitracs Outlook 2018 website.

The post Invitation to attend Outlook 2018 with us in February 2018 appeared first on Market Motion.

1. Has the routing software vendor worked in your specific industry?

Industry knowledge is crucial. You don’t want to be teaching your vendor about your business and customers. Quite the opposite, you want them to come to the table with insight and experience that adds value to the equation for you.

Every fleet operates differently, has different priorities, different customer needs and even regulatory issues with which to contend. Compare beverage delivery to paper, fuel oil to textiles, and you will identify significant differences in business models that will affect routing needs. A beverage company may plan routes by the day, while fuel oil plans on a weekly basis. Portable toilets have elaborate cleaning schedules that must be factored into the routing plan.

2. What training will be provided?

Make sure full training of the routing software is provided. The quality, quantity and accessibility of training on your new software will have a huge influence on how much value it brings your business. If your users and drivers don’t feel competent and onboard, you will find them returning to old manual processes in no time. Training can’t be a one-off. Your users need ongoing opportunities to learn and apply new skills and techniques to fully leverage the features and advantages of your system.

3. What on-going support is offered?

Even the best-trained users will need help and advice on occasion. You want your technical support for your routing software to be experienced and available in real time. This is also another area where industry experience is vital to assist with routing nuances that are unique to your business. Support personnel should be able to handle both technical and practical questions.

Most important, good customer service works when you do which should be 24/7. Also ask if the support team is in country, in-house and how the support is offered such as on the phone, via email or through a support portal.

4. How adaptable/flexible is the software?

Static vs. dynamic routing is just the beginning. Your new routing software must have built-in flexibility to adapt to your routing quirks, exceptions and unique scenarios. For example, can the system handle a combination of dynamic and static routing so you could deliver your VIP customers first and remaining deliveries on a dynamic basis? Can it help you automatically balance customer service and profitability? Does it allow you to prioritise variables, such as preferred start/close times, maximum route duration, time window requirements and other special rules that apply to your routes? Can it handle daily exceptions like route loads, off-day deliveries and extended runs?

When looking at vendors, it’s also important to work with partners that provide mobile tracking technology that allows you to compare actual vs. planned route information to make improvements to your business. Additionally, a partner that continues to enhance its solution based on market feedback is essential. Users should look for providers that commit to frequent software updates.

The bottom line is routing software needs to conform to your business, never the other way around.

5. What IT platform is it available on?

Once you’ve evaluated all the features and benefits of a software solution and company providing it, there’s IT to consider. Systems that are available in dual platforms — on-premise and cloud-based (Software as a Service – SaaS) — let you choose the technical environment that’s ideal for your IT environment and culture. With so many options available, no fleet, large or small, should have to compromise or conform to software limitations. Find a company that knows your industry, has worked with fleets your size and will be a long-term partner – from implementation, training and support to maintenance services – to get the most value possible from your software year after year.

The post Routing software – 5 things to consider that impact ROI appeared first on Market Motion.

First, it is key to understand the two main types of routing which are standard and dynamic.

Standard routing

Standard routing, or sometimes referred to as template routing, locks in the order sequence and routes. Considerations such as customer time windows and load capacity are irrelevant. The benefits of standard routing are consistent customer service. Drivers see the same customer allowing the driver to build a rapport with the customer and orders are delivered at the same time. The same truck can be assigned on the same routes each day. Additionally, new orders need to be added manually making sure there are no imbalance.

However, focusing on consistent customer service can increase the costs of delivery. The driver may be driving all over the city and driving equipment with an unbalanced load which could be half full or too full. Of course, these imbalances can be fixed, but this requires manual planning.

Dynamic routing

Alternatively, Dynamic routing creates routes based only on the orders in the system. With dynamic routing, you are only looking at the orders you have today. Stops are clustered geographically, and routes are created based on variables such as how many vehicles you have, total run-time, business constraints, and service times.

There are several variations to dynamic routing, including cell routing and zone routing. Cell routing has a physical boundary whereas, with zone routing, you can get around that with flexibility between zones.

The benefits of dynamic routing can include fewer trucks, improved sequencing of stops, and reduced kilometres and run time. Some cons are that customers could lose consistency of drivers and drivers are unfamiliar with territories.

So, which way should you route?

Each business is unique and what works for your company could be drastically different from another. You need to consider things like the number of customers with orders, customer locations, the number of drivers, the types of equipment, and time windows.

It is also imperative that you consider your business goals when deciding what type of routing works best for you. You will need to consider customer relationships as well as cost, distance, and equipment efficiencies.

Contact us today if you are re-evaluating your current routing procedures.

The post What is the difference between standard and dynamic routing? And which is the best method for your business? appeared first on Market Motion.