Mercedes-Benz's Fleetboard fleet management system uses
XML and saves freight forwarders money with every kilometer of unladen run it helps them
avoid.
Mercedes-Benz FleetBoard,
DaimlerChrysler ’s fleet management service provider, uses innovative Internet
technology to create a virtual link between drivers on the road and their colleagues back
at base.FleetBoard, together with Software AG, is
developing a new transport management solution using Tamino and the Bolero development
environment.“ The XML format lets us integrate FleetBoard into the transport process
seamlessly,” says Jörg Zwiener, Transport Logistics Project Manager at
FleetBoard.“ All the necessary data can be viewed immediately. Forwarders can
schedule orders at short notice, react to problems and other changes to planned operations
and avoid empty runs.”
The company enters order data into FleetBoard manually using a browser, or directly
from its own IT system via defined interfaces. A forwarding clerk or planning software
application compiles the orders into itineraries and assigns each one to a particular
vehicle. The system relays it to the vehicle via SMS (short message system),where the
in-cab screen shows the driver either the entire itinerary or the individual stops. The
driver then either confirms and informs the depot after each successful stop, or the
driver might refuse a stop, perhaps because traffic problems will prevent him or her from
delivering on time.The driver enters all this information into the system too. This means
that every piece of information – every hitch, every traffic jam, every loading
operation –is documented and the data retained for detailed analysis later. The depot
always has up-to-date information on the status of jobs and the capacity and location of
every vehicle. The “trip analysis ”function gives dispatch staff
up-to-the-minute information about individual vehicles, orders or itineraries, allowing
the company to react flexibly to changing situations. If, for example, truck 7 is on its
way to Paris with some space available, the dispatch clerk might tell the driver about a
small consignment that needs to go from Orly to San Sebastian.“
At the heart of this solution are the Internet and the Tamino information server,”
explains Jörg Zwiener.“ Because data is stored in XML format, data flows run
smoothly and different systems can be combined to act as an integral whole.” The XML
technology makes it possible for order data from various freight software systems to be
gathered together automatically. The advantage for FleetBoard is the possibility of
incorporating different systems seamlessly. And freight forwarders can make full use of
this advantage too.
So, for example, forwarders who receive regular large orders from a particular customer
can use Tamino to connect the customer with FleetBoard directly, allowing it to transmit
its order data to the forwarder at the click of a mouse. DaimlerChrysler uses SMS messages
sent via an external server to communicate information to drivers. Tamino passes the XML
data to the server in binary format and receives responses which are then converted from
binary format back into XML. This real-time data exchange facility is also the basis of an
automatic feedback function.“
This is the decisive advantage that this solution has over its competitors,” explains
Johann Wiedmann, Project Manager at Software AG.“A driver can confirm a job or report
that a task has been completed, and the data is then available in the system immediately.
That means no more itinerary printouts for the driver, and no more manual data entry work
when jobs are complete. This simplifies communication enormously.”
Internal data communication processes also benefit from the new system, because it can
make the XML data available for use by any other system. The Accounting department
receives data concerning the completed delivery and the Payroll employees get data such as
travel time, hours worked and idle time.FleetBoard developed all of these applications
using Bolero, Software AG ’s Java-based development environment.
The new transport management service will be unveiled at the International Automobile Show in Frankfurt in
September 2000.Jörg Zwiener expects the new solution to be installed in more than 5,000
vehicles over the next year.“ We are already thinking about developing the system
further,” he reveals. “The next step is to upgrade it to incorporate WAP
technology –easy to achieve with XML. Then drivers can log into the system from a WAP
mobile phone. With the introduction of GPRS and then UTMS, WAP is set to be the standard
of the future.” Fleet managers are already contemplating the idea of linking the
system up to shipping exchanges –a simple task with this data exchange format and the
right systems.
