Alan Pearson (TIL Logistics) and Charles Dawson (Autosense).
NZX-listed TIL Logistics is deploying new technology to answer two key business challenges: supply chain optimisation and safety.
With supply chains becoming increasingly complex, freight operators need a robust, always-available transportation management system (TMS) that optimises activity as well as handling the orchestration of freight.
TIL, which has acquired multiple businesses with their own TMS systems, is now moving its freight businesses from a system developed in-house to a single TMS from US-based BluJay.
This will give TIL staff and customers complete visibility of freight movements through the logistics chain, the company said in a shareholder newsletter.
The TMS will allow the company to realise efficiencies in customer service, route optimisation, load planning, real time delivery confirmation and billing, along with electronic logbook and driver fatigue management among other benefits.
TIL has around 1,000 trucks and trailers across New Zealand.
"This modern transport system will create a step change from what has been our past very dependable and reliable inhouse TMS system, which has supported some parts of our company very well," the company told shareholders.
"However, being a technology owner and developer had to come to end as it became more challenging to support systems that compete with those systems arising from large scale, specialised IT companies."
TIL also recently announced an agreement with NZ company Autosense for driver training and in-cab technology.
"We see visual and human sensing technology as a key contributor to improve our safety strategy for our staff and the wider public," it said.
Seeing Machines’ Guardian technology will be used in the fleet to monitor driver fatigue and distraction in real time. The system, it said, can reduce "fatigue events" by upwards of 90 per cent.
The technology monitors driver behaviour and eye patterns and provides intervention through audio alarms and seat vibration alerts that warn the driver to focus their attention to the road.
"Footage is only ever recorded if an ‘event’, such as prolonged eye-closure or unacceptable head movement, is detected and it is then sent to the business’ fleet manager for them to action if required," TIL said.
"With the European Commission recommending that camera-based driver monitoring technology be mandated to enhance safety in cars, vans, trucks and buses from 2022, we may not be far away from similar considerations here in New Zealand as vehicle manufacturers are moving to integrate Driver Management Systems as a safety standard."
TIL has also invested in cab technology from ERoad and a new warehouse management system across all of its warehouses, support systems in finance, HR and CRM.
