Tracking and camera solutions from AddSecure
Fleet and transport management systems provider AddSecure has outlined the security benefits of its asset tracking and vehicle camera product portfolio.
“The very vehicles in a fleet are the backbone of any transport or logistics company,” said Andrew Overton, VP Smart Transport UK at AddSecure. “Without them, business would literally stop moving forward, and so ensuring these high value assets are secure and protected should be a top priority for any business owner.
“To maintain security across a fleet, on-site, or at a depot, there are several technologies transport companies can benefit from. Mostly, they involve keeping track of assets by monitoring where they are and who they are with, therefore assisting transport managers should they become lost, or even stolen.”
Asset tracking is one of the key features from the telematics solution available from AddSecure and works by monitoring the whereabouts of vehicles and assets.
“Taking trailers as an example, too often they become misplaced or impossible to track down,” said Overton.
“This can be due to human error; however, they are a vital part of the fleet, and so the inconvenience of trying to locate them is time consuming and costly. With asset tracking in place, you can quickly look up the trailer’s precise location, plus, also see which driver and vehicle were last attached to the trailer.”
The system also allows users to create geofence alerts.
“With the vehicle tracking solution, companies can create bespoke geofence locations. For example, their depot or another common location. Should an asset travel outside of a designated area without authorisation, or at an unusual time of day or night, you will be alerted immediately and have a chance to investigate.”
From a security perspective, these kinds of alerts are crucial to ensure not only the fleet and assets remain safe, contends AddSecure, but also property.
“Being informed straight away gives you precious time to intervene, call the authorities, and potentially stop a theft. Moreover, due to the tracking attached to each asset, you can monitor their location making recovery more likely.”
The company also offers a vehicle camera range.
“Often, people rely on CCTV cameras to protect their homes or businesses, to gather evidential footage should security be breached, and to deter thieves,” Overton continued.
“The same effects and outcomes can be achieved with vehicle cameras.
“Firstly, having a multi-camera system installed across your fleet can elevate your safety levels when out on the road. Secondly, they can ensure your vehicles are protected when parked up. For drivers who sleep in their cab overnight, having a security camera system can also provide an immense sense of security and safety.
“The cameras are a brilliant deterrent to thieves or anyone approaching the vehicle who shouldn’t be. Furthermore, they ensure should something happen, evidential footage has been gathered and the perpetrators will be caught.”
This recently rang true for Trucklink EU, says Overton. When one of their drivers parked up in a layby for their rest break one evening, they caught a perpetrator siphoning fuel out the lorry’s fuel tank. Upon realising that he had been spotted, the criminal brandished a weapon and chased after the driver.
“Fortunately, in this instance the driver was able to make it back to safety of the cab in time and call the police. However, the real saving grace was the vehicle’s multi-camera system. The on-board cameras caught the entire event on video, including clear footage of the perpetrator, his vehicle and even his registration plate to pass over to the police.”
Nigel Todd, managing director at Trucklink EU, commented: “The safety of our drivers is of the utmost importance for us, and we are extremely grateful that they managed to make it back to the safety of their cab unharmed.
“Having the full multi-camera system from AddSecure on-board enabled the entire event to be captured on camera, giving the police crystal clear footage of the perpetrator and his vehicle to hopefully bring this criminal to justice.”
From an insurance point of view, having footage like this can be a huge benefit, says Overton; it stands behind the drivers and company to prove what happened, but also shows insurance companies that the operator takes security and safety seriously.
“Many insurance companies look upon vehicle camera systems very favourably, sometimes offering lowered insurance premiums to companies who invest in them,” Overton added.
