Telematics specialist Microlise is to provide its technology to India's largest commercial vehicles manufacturer Tata Motors in a move the pair expect to "transform" the country's commercial transport industry.
Under a multi-million pound, five-year deal signed today (11 September 2014), Microlise will supply its in-vehicle hardware and a web-based portal to allow Tata Motors customers to manage their transport fleets.
The contract follows several months' of talks, according to Microlise managing director Nadeem Raza.
"The cultural fit between the two organisations, and a very clear shared vision, has meant that both companies have been able to develop the new Tata FleetMan system," states Raza.
And he adds that the system will not only address the requirements of Indian transport operators today, but will continue to deliver functions appropriate to the future Indian economy as it continues to grow.
"Tata FleetMan will be based on the ... Microlise platform currently installed in over 150,000 vehicles around the world, and used by some of the biggest transport and logistics companies like DHL, Tesco and Carrefour," he adds.
Ravi Pisharody, executive director of the commercial vehicles business unit at Tata Motors, in New Delhi, comments: "We wish to lead the shift towards electronic control of drivelines and other vehicle systems. We also wish to harness the power and potential of a digital approach by introducing advanced telematics and fleet management services.
"Tata FleetMan's partnership with Microlise is a step in that direction. We firmly believe that this association has the potential to transform the way commercial vehicle fleets are managed in India."
Tata Motors launched the Tata Fleetman telematics and fleet management services brand in India two years ago, in response to growing market demands for better fleet control and greater fleet utilisation.
However, Pisharody says the firm recognised that it needed the right partner for more sophisticated systems. The partnership with Microlise will now start ongoing development of the new Tata Fleetman system, addressing future needs of the logistics and transportation Industry.
Some of the applications and services planned include: an emergency SOS panic button; trip management to track and evaluate vehicle journeys in real time; driving assessment; and vehicle health management.
