News & Events

In these tough economic times neither operators nor drivers can afford austere financial penalties for non-compliance. However, TruTac the tachograph and software experts realise compliance levels can sometimes decline when companies are forced to push productivity of vehicles and drivers. Recent VOSA data shows over £7m worth of fines have been issued since Graduated Fixed Penalties were introduced in May 2009. These on the spot drivers’ fines include offences for hours law and tachograph infringements. Operators are also being fined large amounts for non-compliance. Earlier this year a Nottinghamshire based haulage company was fined £90,662 plus costs, six employees were also fined £4,313 and the Director was personally fined £5,616 for failing to take reasonable steps to ensure that casual drivers were within their drivers’ hours limits and had taken sufficient rest. TruTac have been working with operators and drivers to help reduce exposure to fines. Jemma James Operations and Marketing Director said 'By taking a dual support role we work directly with operators receiving fines or at threat of losing their O’Licence due to failures in managing compliance and our V8 analysis software includes driver Graduated Penalty reports as standard.' The Graduated Penalty reports are used in the de-briefing process and calculate the hours and records offence fines if the driver had been stopped. TruTac have seen drivers change their behaviour when they realise the potential impact on their own pocket and this in turn helps to protect the operator. To learn how TruTac’s technology can help reduce your compliance fines please visit www.trutac.co.uk or call 024 7669 0000.

TruTac the tachograph and software experts have recently linked up with Navevo, to integrate TruChecks the automated daily driver vehicle checks product onto their ProNav device, a HGV specific touch screen SatNav. Market research amongst TruTac customers indicated a need for a low cost, out the box navigation, tracking and compliance solution which could provide an alternative to existing expensive solutions which require intensive administration. According to Dean Baker, Sales Director at TruTac, 'TruChecks and ProNav is a natural fit. Operators must conduct compulsory vehicle checks, so simplifying the process and combining onto an in-cab HGV specific SatNav provides numerous benefits. This is another example of how TruTac are providing innovative technology to solve common fleet problems.' Using an in-cab unit to transmit checking data direct to the transport office enables real-time efficient vehicle maintenance and reduces vehicle downtime, providing productivity and cost benefits. In addition, having live tracking provides various efficiencies in fuel saving and avoids restricted routes through detailing height, width and weight restrictions. The need for combined products and accurate freight data was highlighted at a recent Informed Transport (www.informedtransport.co.uk) workshop held by Navevo on the 20th October in Hertfordshire. The highly informative event included speakers from across the logistics industry and over 90 delegates examining many of the challenges being faced by operators and Transport for London in 2012. Navevo invited TruTac to exhibit at the event and received considerable interest in the combined product. To find learn more about this innovative technology and how it can help to solve your fleet issues please visit www.trutac.co.uk or call 024 7669 0000.

Many Coach and Bus operators have problems managing combined EU and Domestic hours, visit TruTac stand C42 to see the answers. At the event TruTac are showcasing their new range of innovative, cost saving solutions, including TruControl V8 the leading tachograph analysis for EU and Domestic rules software, TruChecks a smart phone automated vehicle check system, TAS a digital card time and attendance system and their range of training, hardware and stationery. Visit TruTac stand C 42 next to VOSA to collect your free Soft back Driver Wallet and Driver Mini Guide and Visitors will be entered into our champagne prize draw. There will also be some free trials available on limited software products. To attend for FREE register online now at www.coachandbuslive.com.

In a superb recent article in Commercial Motor, TruTac customers L Lynch (Plant Hire and Haulage) gave an in-depth view of their operational issues and the problems they had with VOSA regarding compliance. TruTac undertook a software project to provide EU and Domestic combined rules analysis which is unique in the industry. Additionally TruTac represented them in a letter to the Traffic Commissioner covering the benefits that the project would bring to L Lynch. This project received a verbal commendation from the TC. As a result of the project L Lynch reached their compliance targets, protected their Operators Licence and improved their operational efficiencies. Merrill Lynch Operations Director at L Lynch stated TruTac had designed a complete package and it has been an abosolutely brilliant system. For further information on the new combined analysis capabilities please contact Dean Baker on 024 7669 0000.

The event also gave advice on managing costs and compliance within logistics. TruTac and Wright Hassall realised operators are faced with increasing regulation and legislation so organised the free event to guide attendees through some of the common pitfalls. The informative and engaging event was well received and included expert speakers Dominic Green, VOSA Traffic Examiner for West Midlands, Ruth Waring from Labyrinth Logistics and Chair of Women in Logistics, David Kearns from Expert Investigations and Christine Jackson from Wright Hassall. The event gave practical ways to minimise risk and reduce costs and the re-occurring theme was prevention is better than a cure. Many admitted finding out information and knowledge can be difficult and time consuming. The industry experts shared their knowledge, gave top tips and guidance on a variety of topics including: corporate manslaughter, Health and Safety in the logistics arena, employee fraud, theft, security, saving employment tax and managing O’licence compliance. Delegates also had the opportunity to take a look inside a VOSA inspection vehicle. According to Jemma James, TruTac's Operations and Marketing Director 'It was a particularly successful event and was very well received. Based on the excellent feedback received so far we will be running similar events in the future.'

“It was a particularly successful appearance at the CV Show with a very busy three days. We are currently in the process of ploughing through the huge amount of enquires we received. Logistics companies of all sizes were interested in both V8, our web based tachograph analysis software and our new TruChecks solution which is a PDA based, automated system, for daily driver vehicle checks.” The TruTac stand contained product demonstrations of V8, TruChecks and TAS, the unique digital driver card time and attendance system. Several major logistics firms visited the stand and expressed considerable interest in TruTac’s range of products and competitive pricing structures. As a result a number of trials are now being organised and implemented. The team also gained successful leads for TruTac’s remote downloading hardware and tachograph stationery. As well as generating new leads and building partnership links, the Show also worked well as a platform to meet and thank existing customers for their continued business and support. To find out more information on any of TruTac’s wide range of products and services please visit their website or call 024 7669 0000.

Products being demonstrated include: TruControl V8 - the market leading web-based tachograph analysis software, TruChecks - a mobile phone automated vehicle check system, TAS - a digital card time and attendance system. Also exhibited will be their range of training, hardware and stationery. Jemma James Operations Director of TruTac, says: ‘TruChecks has been designed to address the issues of companies having to manage the daily process of drivers conducting valid vehicle checks and the associated paperwork. TruChecks automates this process via a phone application and is date and time stamped to ensure verification’. To learn more visit the TruTac stand 5A110 or see www.TruTac.co.uk.

The first of these products ‘TruChecks’ will be showcased at the CV Show in April. TruChecks is a mobile based application to automate daily checks for vehicles, trailers and combined units, instantly sending data back to a web-based reporting system to enable complete vehicle management and minimise paper based administration. Terry Ramsey, TruTac’s Managing Director states ‘TruChecks is a key part of our commitment to using technology to make compliance simpler and deliver real cost savings. The options for TruChecks are limitless and future versions are already in development to include accident records and unit handover checklists’. TruTac has announced it will also be adding new features to its market leading web-based TruControl V8 analysis software. The new features include the ability to analyse both EU and Domestic working hours at the touch of a button and a fully configurable dashboard display which uses enhanced graphics to instantly highlight key reports and trends. As well as software TruTac also provide a range of consultancy services including training, bespoke development, compliance auditing, hardware and a full stationery service. To find out more about any of the services TruTac offer please visit www.TruTac.co.uk or call 024 7669 0000.

Chris Telfer, Sales and Marketing Director at TruTac says “we provide much more than just tachograph analysis; we actually provide comprehensive fleet management solutions which deliver tangible cost savings and peace of mind.” “With digital data, operators have more information than ever before. However, the data can be useless unless it is presented in factual reports which provide reliable business intelligence, thus giving the infrastructure on which to base informed commercial decisions.” TruTac realise operators want more than just the ability to manage driver’s hours. Web-based TruControl V8 offers anywhere, anytime access to tachograph data and high level management reporting but now adds significant value through 3 unique features; Automated Reporting, Graduated Penalty Reporting and Infringement Debrief Module (IDM). Automated Reporting allows managers to have reports emailed automatically. Once subscriptions to key reports are set up, they are sent every day/week/month by email. This functionality is a key advantage for transport managers – as it saves time compared to logging on and running the reports. The unique Graduated Penalty Report uses the new graduated penalty laws and calculates the penalty if the driver had been stopped. The penalty value can be £60, £120 or £200 depending on the infringement severity. Showing drivers the financial reality of their behaviour has considerably reduced infringements, which improves safety records and provides cost savings for drivers and operators. Infringement Debrief Module (IDM) is a tool for managing and documenting the driver infringement debriefing process. IDM supports focused and auditable debriefing methods which reduce infringement levels, potential fines and administration costs. IDM pre-populates templates which are used to record comments and follow-up actions during driver debriefings. Then the form is automatically stored for monitoring and audit purposes if required. To learn more about any of these great features and how TruTac can simplify your transport management whilst saving you money please call TruTac on 024 7669 0000, email sales@trutac.co.uk or visit www.trutac.co.uk.