Tachodisc

12th May 2006 

With the long anticipated introduction of mandatory Digital Tachographs in the UK transport market, which is expected on May 5th this year, Tachodisc has developed a number of solutions for the whole industry. From their full-service Smartanalysis bureau service, to the Clockwatcher System – an easy to install computer software package that will allow operators to carry out their own analysis for both Drivers Hours Law and Road Transport Directive in one operation. 

Karen Crispe, Tachodisc’s Marketing and Sales Director explains the differences between analogue and digital analysis, and the need for operators to adopt a new strategy for analysing driver’s hours, to ensure compliance with the new legislation of recording and monitoring digital data:  “Historically a ‘trained eye’ could interpret the analogue information from the wax discs to determine drivers’ hours, and this has generally satisfied legal requirements.  Where more detailed analysis has been needed, the services of a bureau have been engaged, however, it is estimated that only 10% of the industry have really used this type of service due to the costs involved.”

“The most significant change with the move to digital technology is that the data stored on the new Smart Cards will be in binary code, which is impossible to read manually.   As a result, companies are now faced with the decision about how they are going to read and analyse this binary data in order to meet legislative requirements. Clockwatcher, which was one of the first systems into the marketplace and which has been in operation with customers since September 2005, was designed by Tachodisc to address these concerns. Combined with the other services we offer, such as the full-service Smartanalysis bureau facility, our solutions allow fleet operators to carry out all of the necessary analysis.”

Karen adds: “We also recognise that for most companies there will be a prolonged transitional period when both analogue and digital Tachographs will be used.  Due to vehicle renewal times this is anticipated to last for at least five years with many drivers legally requiring reports to be produced and analysed from both analogue and digital devices.  Even for those companies who have recently renewed their fleet, consideration needs to be given to the digital implementation – if they have to hire a vehicle in for example, it is likely that this will have a digital tachograph. The Clockwatcher software has been designed to accommodate both technologies allowing the operator to produce accurate combined reports that will address the company’s legal obligations.”

Nottingham-based Innovate Logistics is a rapidly expanding distribution company, and an early adopter of the technology; having signed up to Tachodisc’s Clockwatcher software. They are already reaping the benefits of improved business efficiency and access to management information, as Jon Burbidge, Tachograph Control Analyst at Innovate, was keen to explain: “The industry has been holding its breath waiting for the final decision to implement digital units in new vehicles.  Many are still convinced it will never happen.   We, on the other hand have taken a strategic decision to prepare for this eventuality, and to take control of our own affairs.  We looked at a number of software packages and decided to invest in Tachodisc’s Clockwatcher as this could provide us with a complete hardware and software solution that was easy to use, and gave us the detailed reports we required.

“The system includes a card reader which accesses the data from the driver’s Smart Card which hold details of the driver’s movements. A downloading device is also required to secure the vehicle unit information.  We use the Clockwatcher software to turn this raw data into management reports which we can then analyse.”

Once entered into the software package, details of a driver’s infringements are immediately displayed.  A driver’s summary screen provides working hours, running averages and hours remaining in the period.

Tachodisc will continue to provide their renowned Smartanalysis bureau service for those companies who prefer a specialist in-depth analysis of their data, and who require more detailed management reports. To further support the introduction of digital technology, and assist companies during this transitional period, Tachodisc has expanded its renowned product portfolio and support services to include a range of training options; from bespoke courses at your own location, to open courses. They also offer a full range of data downloading devices and consumables, including fully approved digital printer rolls which are suitable for all use with all digital tachographs.

For further information on Tachodisc’s full range of services and digital products, including Clockwatcher and Smartanalysis, please visit www.tachodisc.co.uk.   Or to find out more about the training courses being organised for both drivers, and fleet managers who need to have a full grounding in all aspects of the Digital Tachograph, please telephone 01925 283328.

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