At the heart of the system is a data collection unit (DCU) which is fitted discreetly to the vehicle. The DCU, which requires no driver interaction or intervention, continually monitors and records on a minute-by-minute basis the vehicle's position, speed and distance travelled anywhere in the world, using the Global Positioning System (GPS).

This data, along with optional information such as vehicle weight, temperature control and driver ID, is transferred by the use of a GPRS wireless network to CSE's own servers. Customers can then access this data from their own PCs over the Internet.

Alternatively, CSE can offer the option of a customer-hosted service whereby the data is transferred directly over the GPRS network to the customer's own server.

This data forms the basis of our live tracking service and historical management information that enables you to improve productivity, reduce fleet running costs and demonstrate your compliance with legal obligations. Some of the main elements of our products are explained below, alternatively visit our Solution section where you will discover a range of product features and benefits to suit your own particular needs.

Live Tracking

The live tracking facility allows you to locate vehicles in real time. The current location, status, direction and speed of a vehicle can be ascertained in seconds. This not only enables you to check on vehicle progress, but also allows you to keep your customers informed of estimated arrival times (ETA's).

To enhance flexibility, there are different ways to track and locate vehicles, from one-off position requests to tracking at set intervals. The map screen has been set up for ease of use and enables as many or as few vehicles as you wish to be viewed at one time.

Street Level Mapping

Our advanced mapping software allows you to zoom right in to see both major and local roads, right down to street level.

Playback

Playback provides a visual representation on detailed maps of where vehicles have been, the routes they have taken, where they stopped and for how long they stopped. You can go back to any minute in time and see where vehicles were and what they were doing. Easy to use controls enable the movements of any number of vehicles to be replayed simultaneously. You can watch journeys at a speed and time that suits you.

Snail Trail

The Playback feature gives you the option to illustrate journeys with a 'snail trail' to show where a vehicle has been within any start/stop sequence.

Reports

Our systems offer a wide choice of reports that are easy to use and provide essential management information to help you monitor vehicle activity and performance. The reports can be used for a variety of purposes: as electronic timesheets, for example, or for providing your customers with proof of service. You can choose which report to run depending on the type and level of information you require, from a minute-by-minute audit trail of each vehicle to a list of exceptions made by a vehicle, including visits to barred locations.

Autoreports allows you to schedule one or more reports to run automatically at a later time or date. The reports can then be automatically sent to the relevant people via email, sent to a printer or saved as a file.

Please visit our Solution section for more detailed information about reports.

Route Planning

Taking the most efficient routes will save your company time and money, reducing fuel expenditure and increasing productivity. Our extensive mapping capabilities allow you to plan the most efficient routes for your vehicles, whether it be a simple 'A' to 'B' journey or a round trip with multiple stops. The route is displayed both on a map and in written format, which can be viewed on screen or printed out and handed to employees. You can state for how long the vehicle will be stopping at each way-point in order to predict accurate arrival times for each location.

Geofencing

This facility allows you to draw a boundary around a specific location on the system map. It is a user-defined area known as a 'watchbox', enabling you to match the exact perimeter of a desired location. When a tracked vehicle enters the watchbox (or gets within a pre-defined distance), a message is displayed on screen. You can also program the system to send the alert message to the mobile phone numbers of any interested parties, such as Employees or customers.

Your customer, for example, could receive a message saying: "Your delivery is 20 minutes away" or your fleet manager could be informed that: "WMJ 9809 is 1 KM away from the warehouse". Messages can also be sent to confirm when a vehicle has left the allotted area. In fact, this feature can be used for a variety of purposes, including highlighting drivers entering barred locations. The movement of a vehicle outside of normal working hours can be highlighted using the watchbox; this can prove invaluable for security of mobile assets, sending an SMS alert to a mobile phone instantly.

You can also program routes into the system and an alert will be sent if a vehicle deviates from the set route. Live management of vehicle movements allows businesses to take proactive action in unforeseen circumstances, such as immediately re-routing a lost or diverted driver.