Millers Vanguard, providers of specialist maintenance services to leading supermarket chains Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Marks and Spencer, has begun live tracking its service fleet over the web using Masternaut.

Masternaut uses satellite positioning and high-speed communications to deliver up to the minute information via the web detailing the individual vehicle movements of the company's nationwide service and maintenance engineers. Already improving communication between the mobile workforce, office based staff and the client base, Masternaut also supports the company's Lone Worker Protection Policy and integrates with back office systems. 
 
Millers Vanguard, part of the AGA Group of companies, specialise in the service, maintenance and supply of in-store catering equipment to supermarkets. The company operates a nationwide fleet of 120 delivery, service and maintenance vehicles including Volkswagen Caddys for the delivery of pre-ordered parts, Mercedes Vitos and Sprinters for the breakdown and service engineers and Hiabs and LGVs for the delivery, installation and collection of new and loan equipment.  
 
"Knowing where our vehicles are at any given point in time enables us to respond quickly and with up to date information to requests from our clients," said Wayne Tiffany, Warehouse and Transport Manager at Millers Vanguard. "This improves communication and therefore customer service levels. In addition the information from Masternaut supports our Lone Worker Protection Policy, securing the health and safety of the mobile workforce."
 
The Masternaut service uses satellite positioning technology to calculate the position of individual vehicles providing minute by minute and turn by turn records of movements. Using online street mapping from Microsoft, fleet managers can view vehicle movements in real time, via a secure log-in from any web-connected PC or hand held device. E-mailed activity reports are automatically generated to eliminate paperwork and improve vehicle and driver records.
 
"The real time information provided by the system has dramatically improved our day to day operations," continued Wayne Tiffany. "In addition both the standard and customised reports generated by Masternaut are integrated with our back office systems to improve activity reporting, payroll and hopefully in the future job scheduling."