National Trucking Week

September 10 Wednesday, September 10 Supplement to the Winnipeg Free Press Manitoba Trucking Week 2014 3 by Darcy Finley Submitted photo Submitted photo I ncrease productivity. Reduce costs. Improve driver safety. Maximize compliance. Those are just a few of the benefits of managing your fleet with Shaw Tracking technology. Since it launched in 1990, Shaw Tracking has been providing its clients with fleet-management solutions, whether they have one truck or thousands of trucks. Shaw Tracking offers GPS truck tracking systems with custom applications that cater to each client's unique needs. The wireless onboard recorder not only tracks vehicles but also offers activity and incident reporting as well as fuel and mileage reporting. In addition, it provides a daily summary of what is happening with the fleet, including wait times, fuel consumption and idle times. Companies both big and small can see a significant difference in operational costs. Even smaller companies can afford these low-cost hardware solutions, since monthly plans start as low as $40. Essentially, the technology pays for itself through notable cost savings. It's easy to see the positive impact on the bottom line as Shaw Tracking offers solutions that help to optimize fuel efficiency, manage driver performance, achieve compliance, streamline paperwork and improve routing. Using specialized products, companies are better able to manage vehicles that include trailers, reefer units and industrial equipment. Kyle Harris, president of Harris Transport Ltd., which runs 80 trucks, said the company has been using Shaw Tracking products for almost 18 years. "We saw the value in being able to communicate with our trucks, sending messages back and forth, as well as knowing their location," Harris said. "Prior to that type of technology, it was a little bit cumbersome not knowing where trucks were and communicating with guys. They would have to find pay-phones. Not everyone had cellphones back then." Harris said his company has upgraded over the years and are now using Shaw Tracking's MCP50 platform. "It gives us even gives us more information," Harris said. "Because we're able to monitor our drivers, we can monitor off-route miles. We can download key performance metrics to monitor excessive idling, over-revving, which all consume fuel unnecessarily. That impacts our bottom line. "It helps us better serve our customers," he said. "It gives our customers the safety and security of knowing where the trucks are." Another benefit is the ability to maximize compliance through an electronic onboard recording system that monitors drivers' hours in real time. This world-class system offers an easy- to-adopt compliance tool for Transport Canada and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which simplifies the ability to be compliant with ever-changing regulations. Dispatchers can access up-to-date information about driver availability, plus reports on duty status, driving time and remaining hours of service. These electronic logs can also eliminate 30 minutes of drivers' administrative time each day due to manual entry. As a result, Shaw Tracking helps to improve driver efficiency, satisfaction and safety. Its proprietary in-motion user interface reduces driver distraction for safer trips. Drivers will be pleased with the reduced amount of manual work to input data, as well as the reduced risk of making errors. And happier drivers equate to better retention rates, which means lower company costs for recruitment and replacement. At the same time, Shaw Tracking enhances the ability to retain customers who value safe and timely deliveries. Customer relations can be improved through truck routing software, in-cab screening and other professional services. There is something for everyone with a series of three distinct Mobile Computing Platform technologies to choose from. The MCP50 offers the lowest-cost solution. This wireless GPS tracking system is compatible with all transportation companies. The MCP110 maximizes savings through PDF viewing, printing, automated driver tracking and optional WiFi. As well, it includes an integrated text-to-speech function to improve driver safety. With the MCP200, drivers can enjoy a slide-out keyboard plus in-cab Internet access, training, cellular-based multi-mode communication and WiFi communication. Satellite communication is also an option. Installation is simple and takes less than an hour to complete. This 100-per-cent Canadian company serves customers from coast to coast with dedicated account managers and ongoing 24-7 support. The results truly speak for themselves. With nearly 25 years of experience, Shaw Tracking has served more than 700 customers and surpassed 50,000 units. Shaw Tracking reduces costs & improves productivity On track By Jennifer McFee For the Free Press For more information on Shaw Tracking, visit www.shawtracking.ca or call 1-800-478-9511. Kyle Harris of Harris Transport shows off the Shaw Tracking system he uses in his fleet. Photo by Darcy Finley

• Cover