Recently, TruTac’s TruLinks API suite has enabled the company to automatically integrate verified vehicle and driver tachograph data direct into other systems.
For example, the vehicle distance data is used in systems such as planning maintenance schedules, fuel usage and vehicle utilisation. Live, verified data is vital for reports and critical business decisions. TruLinks allows Lucketts to access key data and removes the need for manual intervention or data duplication.
In normal times, when the operator runs 160 coaches throughout Europe on day-trips, holiday breaks and corporate services, Lucketts has the challenge of keeping tabs on every journey distance and start/stop time – not only to monitor drivers’ working hours for payroll purposes but also to keep in line with EU drivers hours regulations.
Lucketts Group managing director Tony Lawman says: ““Like any operation of our size and type, there is a host of data to be gathered, analysed and acted upon. Using TruTac’s TruControl software, including the TruLinks module, this is all made possible. For example, we integrate all vehicle and driver information into our vehicle management system to monitor each driver’s hours and calculate their wages.”
Lawman goes on to say that every time a driver reads their card, the cloud-based system sends instant start and stop data into Lucketts’ automated payroll.
Also, for enhanced control over driver and vehicle activities and as part of TruTac’s TruControl analysis and reporting system, an Unknown Drivers Report feature enables vehicle operators to set a distance and time, so they can see ‘unknown’ drivers who fall within those parameters. This provides a simpler way of filtering out depot or other unrecorded movements of coaches and makes data more relevant.
Lucketts were the first coach operator to attain the highly coveted DVSA ER (Earned Recognition) status and has founder member status along with being a top Blue Zero-rated participant.
“ER was a key reason we embarked on our more in-depth compliance journey” reflects Lawman, “and along the way TruTac’s flexible and innovative approach to co-developing products for our operation - to the point where TruTac’s system literally feeds our business intelligence - has enabled us to routinely produce comprehensive DVSA reports on a fortnightly basis. Before TruTac, this would not have been possible.”
For the operator, TruTac works with Distinctive Systems, the PSV software firm, to process verified tacho data from TruTac’s system, via TruLinks, to maximise intelligent data sharing and for example, to improve maintenance planning.
“On top of the current measures required to combat Covid-19, there are many crucial aspects to maintaining compliance control and keeping on top of the daily details which can so easily determine your success or otherwise.” Concludes Tony Lawman. “TruTac software has provided us with a core functionality, and regarding time and distance it now represents a single source of verification.”