Proactive operational procedures

"This is a pro-active measure to ensure that all advertising material reaches the designation area and can be traced back to a driver if there are problems," explains Trevor Ormerod, MD.

"The major benefits of the two safeguards include proof of, and details of delivery, quality service levels and response times and greater driver safety through monitored driving styles."

Using high resolution digital mapping, Primedia @ Home's GPS tracking system ensures distribution is proactively monitored and detailed route plans configured to eliminate the possibility that of a driver entering `no-go' areas. The vehicle's co-ordinates are constantly transmitted to the controller via satellite; the whole route is stored on board in tamper proof electronics, should transmissions fail for any reason.

Vehicle movements are updated by the second, which in the case of accidents assists with interpretation of data prior to the incident (for example, even the speed at any time is available).

"The GPS tracking devices enable our head office, branches and franchises to monitor the movements of delivery vehicles in the field," says Ormerod.

To compliment this system, Primedia @ Home is also using a colour-coding system: one side of each bundle of advertising material is dye-coloured, with a unique colour assigned to identify the specific driver distributing that promotional bundle.