Johannesburg, 27 Feb 2017
The transport and logistics industry could improve its operation systems should it consider entering the telemetry market and embracing machine-to-machine (M2M) technology, says Val Moodley, acting GM and head of Cloud Portfolio at MTN Business South Africa.
The steady growth of the M2M industry has been triggered by the need to improve operation systems and delivery of services in a manner that would catapult the industry into the next level of quality assurance. This can be achieved through tracking goods in transit, monitoring and maintaining vehicle and driver safety, and increasing the reliability and efficiency of fleets, Moodley says.
"The success of the recent MTN Business Mind2Machine Challenge highlights some of the opportunities available for various industries to save on operational costs and to capitalise on potential growth," she says.
Entrepreneur Moses Joseph Mayimela was one of the winners of the challenge, with his prototype monitoring system that allows for the tracking of perishable and non-perishable goods that are being stored in fridges and transported by vehicles over long distances. The system provides an early warning prompt to help ensure the goods arrive at their intended destinations in good condition.
According to Frost & Sullivan, South Africa's vehicle telematics will grow at a yearly rate of 12.5% from 2014 to 2021, with the telematics market penetration projected to reach 17% by 2018. KPMG believes that technology is not embraced in the logistics space in South Africa and this is one of the challenges facing the industry. The company advises that measures should be put in place to strengthen the links in the logistics where deficiencies are uncovered.
"If embraced and implemented properly, M2M has numerous abilities to provide South African fleet managers with useful information regarding fuel usage, routing, and vehicle diagnostics, thereby saving fuel, lengthening vehicle lifespan and increasing efficiency - all of which reduce operating expense," says Moodley.
"M2M can optimise the logistics of route planning and the different deliveries a fleet must accomplish, ensuring that the loads are transported in a timely manner with the fewest kilometres driven," says Moodley. "Fleet managers can also monitor vehicle performance and handle vehicle maintenance scheduling, ensuring that all vehicles are being driven in good condition and reducing maintenance costs and breakdowns.
"With the continent attracting international investment interest, the spotlight continues to shine on the machine-to-machine solutions that drive sustainable growth and capitalise on the power of a bold new digital world," Moodley concludes.
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