Hefter
On the right track with EU standards
In January 2007, the new EU Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 on the protection of animals came into force. Of the various provisions, the Regulation stipulates, for instance, that the temperature in animal containers must be continuously monitored. This obviously presents a technical challenge for transport companies. To ensure compliance with the regulation, Spedition Hefter in Germany called on Qualcomm Enterprise Services to provide the relevant equipment.
In February 2006, Qualcomm installed its telematics solution EutelTRACS at Hefter. Following a brief implementation phase, a thermometer sensor system was installed to update the program. To this end, the company deployed an Afusoft RWX unit which was incorporated into the Qualcomm system via an interface. Each of Hefter’s 25 articulated vehicles has since been equipped with this technology.
The information EutelTRACS transmits directly to Hefter’s back office system is not limited to the temperature in the animal containers, it also includes data on air conditioning and door contacts, as well as an entire range of other information about the vehicle’s position, fuel consumption, driving and rest periods, and vehicle performance. Additionally, the solution enables the company to remain in constant direct communication with drivers.
The data is transmitted via a secure satellite connection, ensuring extensive coverage and eliminating the need for network roaming. It is therefore an ideal solution for businesses such as Hefter, with international operations. Hefter has been transporting animals in Europe, Asia and North Africa for 49 years.
Via Qualcomm’s Fleetvisor web portal, all of the information can be retrieved wherever and whenever required. For this, Hefter can issue individual authorisations determining who can access which data. For example, Hefter’s customers may have the option to precisely monitor the progress of their animals at all times, or data required by law, such as compliance with animal transport times, can be retrieved from the portal by veterinary authorities. This is required, for instance, when crossing the Polish-Belorussian border. “If access to this information is denied, the vehicle is detained,” says Managing Director Mathias Hefter.
Compliance with legislation is virtually impossible without smart telematics solutions. However, they are also useful for optimising processes and improving customer service, giving businesses a competitive edge, which is crucial in the highly competitive world of transport.