Masternaut on track for more utility contracts

Leeds-based Masternaut’s tracking systems enable companies to know where their vehicles are all the time.

Instead of having to scratch their heads and stare at a map, fleet managers can find their cars and vans with the touch of a button.

Scottish Water yesterday revealed that it had selected Masternaut’s satellite vehicle tracking system to improve the management of its 1,400 service vehicles.

It is hoped the contract will improve customer service while reducing running costs.

Scottish Water’s 110 scientific vehicles are also equipped with Masternaut’s temperature monitoring system, Mastercold.

John Tripp, the supply chain manager of Scottish Water, said: “Masternaut is a comprehensive fleet management system that provides a clear view of the fleet in a ‘real time’ environment.

“It gives a detailed profile of vehicle activity and it will help with our business decisions. We can see whether we are making full use of our fleet assets and it helps our teams to plan activities.

“The system gives us accurate data on mileage, fuel usage and emissions, which is important to managing and reducing the impact of the fleet on the environment.

“Our team leaders use the system to manage their vehicles on a daily basis, allowing them to act quickly and re-enforce compliance and safety messages when necessary.”

The vehicle tracking system will also help Scottish Water to respond to emergencies. It can pinpoint the nearest and most appropriate operator to deal with any incident.

Vehicles are also fitted with panic buttons that send alerts via the tracking system to the control centres. It also makes it easier to keep track of emergency planning vehicles as they travel to incidents, allowing them to provide accurate estimated arrival times to those already on site.

Mr Tripp said: “Our business partners have access to the system to help them plan and organise the work they do for us.

“For vehicle maintenance, this is an effective tool that not only ensures that vehicles are serviced on schedule but also saves on vehicle maintenance costs.”

Scottish Water has around five million customers in 2.4 million households.

The company performs around 1,000 tests every day on samples taken from water treatment works, service reservoirs and customers’ taps.

Samples are taken to the laboratories under strict temperature control in refrigerated vehicles. The Masternaut system ensures that the samples are kept at the right temperature.

Martin Port, the managing director of Masternaut, said: “Scottish Water is one of a large number of utility companies that have chosen Masternaut, which includes Scottish Power, National Grid and UK Power Networks formerly EDF.

“Our service doesn’t just involve providing the technology; we also ensure our customers are achieving return on investment through our customer growth team. We look forward to making further inroads into this sector.”

Masternaut’s tracking technology, which is fitted to more than 100,000 vehicles in the UK and Europe, helps managers to keep an eye on their drivers.

It can help them spot bad driving, and reduces the chances of drivers getting lost.

In December 2009, Masternaut UK was bought by Masternaut International, a subsidiary of Hub Telecom which is owned by Europe’s second largest Airport group, Aéroports de Paris.

Mr Port, who founded the UK business in 2002, remained managing director following the completion of the deal.

Masternaut scooped the award for companies with turnover of between £10m and £50m at the 2008 Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards

The firm has been expanding rapidly with a number of acquisitions over the last four years. In 2006, the firm acquired GE Mobile Solutions, now known as Three X Mobile Solutions, from US industrial giant General Electric.

In 2008, Masternaut bought Leeds-based internet service provider Fibre City, in a deal believed to be worth £6m, and Microsoft Gold Partner ICM Business Solutions.

KEY PLAYER IN CHARITY BIKE RIDE

Last year, Leeds-based Masternaut provided satellite tracking for Mike, Rebecca and Steven Tomlinson, the husband and children of the late charity fundraiser Jane Tomlinson, and their team of cyclists on their 2,500-mile charity bike ride from Istanbul to Leeds.

Using an advanced portable tracking unit attached to one of the bicycles, the Masternaut web-based system monitored the team and provided instant live progress reports.

The ride, which began in July 2010, was in aid of the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.

Last year, Masternaut was also named the official tracking supplier for Sport Relief’s Million Pound Bike Ride which featured a number of celebrities.