B&Q partners with Microlise for fleet performance solution

DIY retailer B&Q is to implement a new fleet performance and journey management solution, from telematics platform provider Microlise, across a fleet of 185 vehicles.

Installation and delivery of the solution is beginning immediately and will be used to give the best possible customer experience for B&Q’s Home Delivery services. It will enable B&Q to monitor the status of deliveries against a schedule, in real-time, as each journey unfolds. This facilitates proactive customer service, where any issues identified can be addressed before the customer becomes aware through a missed or late arrival.

“We are always striving to improve the experience for our customers,” said Chris Blogg, store delivery network manager at B&Q. “That is why we opted for Microlise which will enable us to make significant savings whilst improving the precision with which we can track our home delivery vehicles. Customers expect specific allotted times for deliveries and Microlise helps us to meet and exceed customer expectations.”

B&Q will also utilise the Microlise Driver Performance Management mobile application aimed at engaging with drivers by delivering easily accessible performance league tables and real-time performance information. The implementation will reduce the fuel consumption and environmental impact of B&Q’s fleet, whilst improving safety and driver performance levels.

“We predict that B&Q will make a Return on Investment in a short timeframe following the introduction of our Fleet Performance product,” said Nadeem Raza, chief executive officer at Microlise. “It will provide significant fuel savings for the company, but going further than that, it will also be a powerful tool in helping to deliver excellent customer service. Effective communication across the supply chain – including towards customers – is key to this.”

The Microlise Digital Tachograph Download feature, launched earlier this year, will also be used by the DIY retailer to reduce management overheads and administration time by allowing compliance data to be remotely collected.

As part of the Fleet Performance delivery B&Q also opted for the Microlise Safety Module which includes 3G forward facing cameras and, via the Microlise Incident Data recorder, gives detailed insight into what was happening 30 seconds before and after any incidents.

The B&Q home delivery fleet is run by BRS, one of the UK’s largest Contract Hire and fleet Operators. The B&Q operation managed by BRS includes, 52 x 26 tonne dropsides with Hiab cranes and 133 7.5 tonne box vans with tail lifts. The Microlise solution will integrate with and work alongside B&Q’s existing home delivery management and route optimisation tool, Paragon.

Source : Fiona Briggs – Retail Times
www.retailtimes.co.uk/bq-chooses-microlise-to-improve-fleet-performance/