Melbourne-headquartered logistics company, Linfox, has picked Telstra (ASX:TLS) to roll out an IoT solution across its more than 5,000-truck fleet.
The solution to be implemented is an advanced telematics and management solution, which is expected to deliver advanced transport and logistics data and quality benchmarking information to enhance public and driver safety on Australian roads.
MTData is a GPS and telematics fleet management solutions provider acquired by Telstra in November 2017.
“This strategic acquisition will enable us to capitalise on business ready IoT capability on our network, deliver IoT solutions to our customers in the heavy vehicle industry and supports a natural transition towards future autonomous vehicle technologies,” Telstra Enterprise executive director, Michelle Bendschneider, said at the time.
The solution includes Samsung tablets which are mounted into Linfox vehicles enabling drivers to access logbooks and complete safety checklists. Some vehicles will also have capability for in-cabin recording of road safety incidents.
Linfox CIO, Conrad Harvey, said that this is a critical time in the logistics industry and delivering technology that will ensure greater safety for drivers and the communities is crucial.
“Heavy vehicle safety is a key issue within our industry and community and by partnering with Telstra to implement transformative technologies that allow us to better monitor and measure safety compliance throughout our fleet, we can work to reduce risk factors and enhance safe driver behaviour,” Harvey said.
“The technology will require our drivers to log on and complete safety checklists before they head off on the road and will allow us to gain more accurate in-cab readings of speed and distance.”
The devices will also enable Linfox to coordinate its vehicles efficiently, reduce congestion on the roads and ensure a higher level of safety for the community, according to Harvey.
“With MTData’s expertise in delivering IoT solutions for the heavy vehicle industry, coupled with the unrivalled coverage and capability of the Telstra mobile network, we have created an innovative solution to help transform Linfox’s business,” Telstra executive director of global products, Michelle Bendschneider, said.
In September 2017, Telstra landed a $90 million network transformation deal with McDonald's, which would see more than 850 McDonald’s restaurants around Australia upgraded to a fibre network aimed at providing a “connected brand experience for its customers”.
The contract also included a Telstra IP Telephony (TIPT) unified communications solution replacing traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN) to potentially enable video conferencing between restaurant operations and the fast food chain’s head office.
