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What Van? Awards 2020: Innovation Award – Modul-System
Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Modul-System is a two-time former winner of the What Van? Converter of the Year Award but is branching out from its core business as an LCV racking specialist and has now scooped the Innovation Award to add to its collection.
The prime reason for this latest success is the firm’s introduction of its On-line Portal, which has been designed to provide customers with a quick and easy way to view the progress of their vehicles as they go through Modul-System’s build programme. The portal is also available to the relevant dealerships and third-party equipment suppliers involved in the process.
Go to the overview page and visitors can keep track of the vehicles they have on order, those in Modul-System’s inbound centre, those in the production facility, and the ones that have progressed to the outbound centre. They can also check which vehicles are on route to them and assess specialised reports covering bespoke requirements.
The portal can also store specific information such as chassis numbers, which can be filled in by the dealership, an estimated delivery time, along with the driver’s name, contact details and the new registration number, as well as allowing additional space for recording unexpected incidents, such as the vehicle being delivered with damage.
An overview library can be created to house information like CAD (computer-aided design) drawings of the storage systems ordered, walk-through videos, operational guides, wiring diagrams, and the full bill of materials. Scanning the QR code located on the bulkhead accesses a page where all such information can be downloaded.
The portal has an easy-to-use reporting system: select where to look, what to look for and when, and then run the search and all the relevant information about the job will be displayed.
Automatic notifications are also available for – for example, weekly overviews or updates on ETAs – and the portal can be shared with any end-user staff or third-party contractors with various levels of permissions available.
Online ordering is also offered to customers logging in via Modul-System’s website to a secure area where CAD drawings and specifications can be viewed. Visitors can click on a CAD icon to enlarge the image before adding the kit number to the trolley icon and then vehicle details and proceeding to the delivery page. All details are presented for review before the order is completed.
In a productive year for Modul-System it also introduced a device to protect operators against the risk of overloading their vans. It describes Modul-Connect 2.0 as a vehicle ancillary wiring system that delivers a weight saving of up to 15kg compared to traditional onboard axle weighing equipment. It communicates directly with the onboard vehicle weighing system, allowing the customer to set parameters directly with their fleet manager to receive automatic vehicle overload SMS messages or standard traffic light reports.
This enables the fleet manager to oversee vehicle overloading at the point of non-compliance, unlike traditional systems where responsibility to take action sits with the driver.
The system utilises Bluetooth technology for switching controls. Ancillary equipment can be switched via remote wireless control panels, a mobile phone or incorporated into the vehicle’s touchscreen control panel. Functions such as internal and external lighting, and hot hand washes, can all be controlled via Modul-Connect 2.0.
This reduces the number of wiring connections and joints, according to the manufacturer, improving safety and protecting the base vehicle’s integrity against the sort of tampering and drilling that can affect warranties and residual values.
Highly Commended: AA Rescue Tracker
The AA’s Rescue Tracker system provides reassurance to fleet managers and, especially, their LCV drivers if they become stranded at the roadside following a breakdown.
The device provides users with a live tracking link via SMS that indicates how long a patrol will take to arrive and gives regular updates on the status of the response. Almost 50% of AA business breakdowns are now tracked through the system, which provides fleets with increased insight and allows for more effective and strategic resource planning. Transport managers can predict how long a vehicle and driver will be off the road, and divert additional resource to cover for workload and complete jobs.
When a member reports their breakdown, they often don’t know where they are. It takes on average 90 seconds for an adviser to narrow down their location. Using digital platforms, the AA can access an accurate location via the GPS and save both time and fuel, as mechanics are sent to the right place, first time. In addition, patrols are prepared for the job, having received full vehicle details and breakdown location directly to their diagnostic equipment and satnav.
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