Neil Hollinshead has been part of HaulTech’s story for over 28 years, helping to revolutionise the multi-award winning tracking platform, TrakMan.
In 1993 tracking technology was being enhanced and adapted into the products we use today. Software Engineer, Neil Hollinshead helped to revolutionise tracking and turn it into HaulTech’s TrakMan system that is widely used across the UK. Neil and the team he worked began their venture into tracking by creating a two-way messaging terminal which allowed transport officers to message drivers. Although this technology helped out hauliers greatly at the time, these advancements were operationally inefficient and inaccurate.
In September of 1993, HaulTech’s Neil Hollinshead was given a chance to advance his technology further when the Global Positioning Service (GPS) was opened for public use. Previously this technology was only used by the U.S military. Neil and his colleagues were one of the first collectives to combine GPS and mapping into a single platform. The UK’s logistics sector was prime for the technology as they were lacking accurate vehicle monitoring solutions.
Fast-forward to 1996, Neil and his team took the GPS and mapping system known as TrakMan, across to Bermuda. In Bermuda, the team trialled TrakMan for the first time by introducing the system to a courier company. The trial was a success and after development in Bermuda finished, UK hauliers began to not only benefit from accurate and real-time vehicle location from TrakMan but also gained an advantage by using adds-ons such as integrated temperature loggers.
TrakMan continued to be subject to heavy development as new requirements became apparent for fleet operators. As a result messaging terminals were developed to work alongside the system. Due to the continuous hard work of Neil and his colleagues, TrakMan continues to advance and has become a multi-award-winning platform.
Today the team’s advancements have reached new heights. Neil commented, “I am very proud of the success we have achieved with TrakMan. The system only continues to get better and better.”
HaulTech’s heritage with tracking and dedication to improvement of the system is the reason why TrakMan is providing transformational change for businesses across the UK. The solution now incorporates full telematics data and on-screen tachograph for complete fleet management and compliance. The multi-award-winning TrakMan platform, is being used to increase route efficiency and boost driver security through its integration with HaulTech’s vehicle CCTV solutions.
The platform includes vehicle and driver behaviour scorecards to allow hauliers to focus on training and education efforts whilst improving the cost-effectiveness of their fuel consumption. TrakMan’s advancements also provide operational improvements through live Google Maps traffic updates, so transport officers can pre-empt if their driver is about to hit traffic and give the driver an option to re-route.
To learn more about how HaulTech’s TrakMan system can improve your route efficiency whilst simultaneously protect your drivers, contact the team by clicking here, calling 01782 662244 or email hello@haultech.co.uk.
