Here at ISL we have been learning lots about event venues, #eventtech, and #MartynsLaw. Fellow RouteSmart partner Bestrane in Australia are the developers of a software platform called #Mobiledock which manages the dual challenges of inbound logistics and security.

Convention, exhibition and conference centres are like pop-up destinations where a community of companies work together to move in, set up and run an event for a short period of time. Then dismantle and move out. And next week it happens again.

Convention, conference and exhibition venues have fixed space and capacity, but every week they transform the space and reconfigure to accommodate the needs of each event. 1 hall, 2 halls, with a theatre, without. Every event has its own unique requirements, and the venue must adjust space to suit.

For each event, teams of contractors are engaged by the event organizer to prepare and build the event. The move in and assemble time period is very short as is the turn round time between events. Sometimes this can happen overnight, where exhibitors move in, quickly followed by attendees. And then again after the event everyone and everything needs to be dismantled and moved out.

Event venues have experienced teams to manage the process as well as, very importantly, a range of event technology to support them, including Mobiledock.

Mobiledock enables the logistics element of the process to be clearly defined, communicated, and executed. Events may be planned many months in advance. The schedule for move in and out can be configured as these plans evolve, and allow the different contractors to book their arrival slots within the tight constraints of staged activities. Events can be created, cloned, activated, and reactivated when the same event comes back.

Due to terrorism, the management of events at venues has been under much scrutiny and has culminated in Martyn’s Law - The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill. When the Bill passes into law it will compel UK venues (dependent on capacity) to have plans to combat and mitigate terrorist activities. Event technology and software has a role to play along with physical security measures. There is one area in which event tech can play a significant part and that is to do with security. Software solutions ensure that venue managers know who is on site, when, for how long and why. With online platforms like Mobiledock venue managers have full visibility of who is entering their premises together with an audit trail of ID, entry and exit times and vehicles registrations.

Another aspect we have learnt about here at ISL is the concern over public safety that extends to the venue perimeter and surrounding areas. Due to the physical location of some event venues access roads as well as public roads in the immediate vicinity can often get clogged with trucks and vans waiting to enter to unload. This potentially causes public safety concerns for other road users, especially cyclists. Through improved scheduling, event venue managers can reduce the number of vehicles waiting on the public highway, access roads and holding yards.

So why is ISL interested in venue #logistics and #security? Well, it turns out that hundreds of conference, exhibition and convention venues are owned by local authorities via commercial limited companies. As ISL is a leading supplier of software solutions to the local authority market it makes sense to support our Australian business partner by providing their Mobiledock platform, and help venues become more efficient and secure. Furthermore, the ISL team visit event venues either for pleasure and/or business so we have a vested interest in them being safe and secure.

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At no point in the history of electric vehicles have they been more prevalent in all sectors of the economy. Goods, parcels and postal logistics are no exception, despite the purchase or leasing cost of an electric vehicle being generally higher than an equivalent diesel/petrol vehicle.
There are solid reasons behind the increasing deployment of small electric delivery vehicles for last mile deliveries in particular. Some of these apply to electric vehicles in general, while others are specific to the types of vehicle used in logistics. Here is a brief overview:

Reduced Fuel Consumption

The cost of electricity is substantially lower than that of diesel or petrol. An efficient electric vehicle can travel 3 miles or more per kilowatt hour of electricity, which equates to about 4p per mile. (March 2018 average electric prices were 12.49p per kilowatt hour.) Accurate costs per mile for petrol and diesel vehicles are difficult to calculate because of varying energy efficiency in engines. However, the mean cost per mile according to government averages for <1400 cc engines is 11.5p1, so you have an immediate saving of 7p per mile. This will soon start repaying the additional investment needed for deploying electric vehicles in your fleet.

Lower Maintenance Costs

Maintenance costs account for a large proportion of ongoing fleet expenses for delivery companies. Replacing diesel or petrol vehicles with electric equivalents for last mile deliveries can help lower these costs. How?

• Electric vehicle engines are mechanically simpler than conventional engines, due to the needing fewer moving parts. An electric battery, for instance, has only a single moving part, compared to the complex drivetrain of a conventional vehicle. The fewer moving parts a motor has, the less chance for things to go wrong.
• Electric vehicles have simpler gear transmissions which are less subject to wear and tear.
• No oil or fluid replacements are required.
• Some electric vehicles have advanced features such as regenerative braking, which further reduce the impact of repeated use on vital systems – hence less maintenance.

Environmental Impact

The environmental benefits of fully electric vehicles are well known. None of the conventional emissions that are harmful to the environment and human health are produced. This has an overall benefit for the environment, but also assists with compliance in low emission areas, such as Greater London. The counterargument is that increased electricity consumption places more pressure on the National Grid, which is still largely powered by fossil fuels. With the improved energy efficiency of electric vehicles, however, this still equates to reduced overall carbon emissions compared to conventional vehicle use.

Integrated Approaches To Fleet Management

We take an integrated approach to fleet management that looks at all the variables and seeks to make cost-savings across your operation. To find out more about how electric vehicles can contribute to savings on your last mile deliveries, call our customer service team on 02380 737 983, or email info@integrated-skills.com.

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The UK Government’s approach to diesel powered vehicles has been one of the most embarrassing environmental blunders of the century so far. In an effort to reduce carbon emissions to meet the UK’s Kyoto targets, in 2001 the Labour Government introduced tax incentives to encourage a move away from petrol vehicles. In response, millions of private and business vehicle owners made the switch to ‘cleaner’, more affordable diesel cars – the number of diesel cars on Britain’s roads increasing from 3.4 million in 2001 to 8.1 million in 2016.

Unfortunately the government’s plan was misguided. The expansion of diesel vehicles led to a vast increase in Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions. These pollutants are far more toxic to human health and CO2, directly contributing to over 7,000 deaths in the UK each year, according to an estimate made by Kings College (London) in 20161 (out of a total of 30,000- 40,000 premature deaths attributed to air pollution).

Panic began to set in in government circles when it became clear that the UK was set to miss its EU target to reduce Nitrogen Oxide emissions to acceptable levels by 2020. A raft of measures have been proposed to address rising levels of air pollution in the UK, especially around major cities. Unfortunately, commercial vehicle operators have been left in confusion by the government response, which has at times been ambiguous and indecisive.

Current and proposed actions on diesel vehicles can be summarised below:

End Of Tax Incentives For Diesel Vehicles:

After a DEFRA report in 2016 declared the rise in NOx emissions to be a ‘public health emergency2’, in February 2017 the government discussed removing the tax incentives that allow individuals and businesses to purchase diesel vehicles at a lower Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). Subsidies would be transferred to promote so-called Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEV), such as electric buses. Businesses that purchase new diesel vehicles will see an increase of up to 20% in VED.

While this move makes good common sense, it has understandably caused concern among commercial vehicle operators, many of whom operate large fleets of diesel vehicles purchased in good faith under the previous dispensation. The cost of replacing old vehicles or upgrading engines is considerable, hence the recognised need for financial assistance for businesses to migrate away from diesel vehicles.

Vehicle Scrappage Scheme

Proposals put forward in April 2017 suggested a ‘diesel scrappage scheme’; a series of cash incentives to encourage drivers to exchange diesel vehicles for less polluting models. These incentives would be targeted at drivers in areas with a particularly bad air pollution problem.

The current proposals envision a National Vehicle Scrappage Fund3, accessible by vehicle owners operating in a Clean Air Zone city. The model for these zones is the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (LEZ) – and will include 5 additional ‘Clean Air’ cities by 2020 (Nottingham, Derby, Southampton, Leeds and Birmingham). Currently there are three tiers of proposals suggesting different levels of support to vehicle owners to scrap older, polluting vehicles. Leasing guarantor funds have also been proposed to support small businesses and charities.

Low Emission Zones

Independently of action taken by the central government, individual towns and cities are already taking action to limit diesel vehicles and, by extension, to reduce nitrogen oxide levels. The London LEZ is the most prominent example. Lorries, gritters, refuse vehicles, concrete mixers, removal lorries etc. weighing over 3.5 tonnes already have to pay a daily charge in the Capital if they don’t meet strict emission levels for Nitrogen Oxide and Particulate Matter (e.g. soot & lead). These standards were expanded to TfL buses in 2015.

Other measures being proposed include outright bans of diesel vehicles from certain areas, parking surcharges and punitive tax increases on diesel fuel.

The Future Of Diesel Policy For Businesses

For the sake of clarity, we hope that a coherent and fair diesel policy will emerge from the government over the next few months. Clearly commercial vehicle owners play an important role in the transition to cleaner engines, but businesses should not face retrospective and unfair penalties for taking advantage of a government-sponsored scheme in good faith.

We recommend commercial vehicle operators start looking into ways to upgrade or replace their current fleet in progressive implements, rather than wait for a new regulatory regime to come into place. The new generation of clean engines are more fuel efficient and cost less to run than their older equivalents, as well as being more environmentally sustainable.

Sources:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3632355/First-bribed-buy-diesel-cars-want-tax-us.html
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/27/uk-air-pollution-public-health-emergency-crisis-diesel-cars
http://content.tfl.gov.uk/proposal-national-vehicle-scrappage-fund.pdf

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The self-driving car truly is a marvel of the modern world that looks poised to revolutionise industry in the coming years.
Just how will industry benefit as the result of the dawn of the autonomous vehicle? There are certainly many possibilities to consider. The concept is finally being embraced after a few years of hesitation, with a large amount of money being invested in the testing of these vehicles.
All industries affected

The logistics industry could be revolutionised by the autonomous vehicle. Because these vehicles can drive, park and pick up and drop off their passengers without human intervention, the efficiency of pickups and deliveries will vastly increase, resulting in more revenue for logistics companies.
Commercial vehicles will be able to travel much more closely together, which will reduce petrol-wasting drag. As well, because the computers on the vehicles will be able to plot the most optimal routes, efficiency will increase.
Accident prevention

These vehicles eliminate the main causes of accidents, which have been identified as distraction, drowsiness, drunkenness and driver error. The autonomous vehicle will keep drivers alert by employing lasers, radar and cameras to monitor how the vehicle is moving.
Working on the go

These vehicles will increase the productivity of employees. In being able to work from inside a connected vehicle and collaborate with others via video & telephone conferencing, there is virtually no limit to what can be accomplished in a work day.
Habit correction

Poor driving habits, such as not signalling before changing lanes on a motorway, will be noted by the vehicle, sounding an alarm when the undesirable activity occurs. If done repeatedly, the vehicle will notice this pattern and warn the driver that it’s time to take a break. Of course, all of these things will result in better vehicle operator health as well, and also help the companies they work for ensure that their focus stays on the health of their employees.
Maintenance

Many types of autonomous vehicle will employ the latest technology and be able to make thousands of complex calculations in a single second for the purpose of vehicle health. These diagnostics can include everything from engine and brake monitoring to searches for system errors. Instead of manually tracking vehicle repair histories, companies can receive instant reports about what is going on with their vehicles and address the issues as soon as an employee returns from their route.
More testing needed

With money being put into the testing of the autonomous vehicle, its appearance on the road may come sooner than later. However, the recent fatal crash involving a Tesla vehicle on a Florida motorway has brought many a risk to light. What occurred in Florida was a flaw in the vehicle’s system that prevented the detection of an object into which the vehicle crashed.
Extensive testing of these vehicles will need to take place, over long periods of time, in a wide variety of situations, before autonomous vehicles ever become the mainstream in UK industry or in the rest of the world.
www.ukisl.com

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Businesses that manufacture products need a way to transport those products in a way that meets delivery deadlines and at the same time ensures that the company stays within its operational budget. This task is vital to the profitability of a business, but transportation of goods is not always at the top of the priority list.
Managing the logistics of delivery can either be an in-house operation with a fleet of vehicles or outsourced to third parties, often called third party logistics suppliers abbreviated to ‘3PL’. How can you be sure that you’re partnering with the right one when so many providers offer the same services?
Your needs

Choosing the correct supplier isn’t just about the cost per mile. The relationship with the 3PL is important especially when there are delays in the supply chain and/or manufacturing process and you need to quickly adapt the logistics of delivery. What software they use and whether it allows you to view the GPS trail of a vehicle, and the record of delivery from handheld terminals is another factor. Another factor that may affect your choice is the environmental credentials of the 3PL, and the type of vehicles they use. Granted, these are basic points to consider but they will get you started in identifying your needs.
Understanding the supplier-business relationship

You know your company’s logistics inside and out. Understanding how your relationship with a supplier will benefit your business, however, is critical. It may be that you need the assistance of someone outside your organisation to help you understand these advantages. If choosing to go down this route, it will be important to choose someone with lots of logistics knowledge across a wide range of providers.
Non-Disclosure and fiscal stability

Once you’ve chosen your provider, it’s vital to have a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) in place. This agreement should be mutual and implemented before you develop your value proposition.
Following this, it's imperative to ensure that the logistics provider you've chosen has proven their financial stability. Doing this will keep your business running as you and your customer expect. Stability also includes payment history, which can be confirmed by requesting their list of partners and contacting them.
Track record, references and sales impact

A list of reliable and long-term clients will reveal a provider's continued reliability and efficiency, and the more of these they have, the better. A list of referees with nothing but good things to say is a good indicator of a provider that's well-suited to you. Similarly, the provider you're considering should also be able to show their impact on client sales.
Can they offer scalability?

The ability of the 3PL to offer scalability will have a direct impact on your supply chain's efficiency. Their ability to quickly scale up or down when demand for your products increases or decreases will speak volumes about their scalability. The best provider for you will be one who has already experienced these business ups and downs with their other clients, and it is reflected in the payment terms and contract.
When all of the above points have been addressed and your new provider relationship begins to gather momentum, the most important thing will be to communicate frequently. Not doing so can breed doubt about the partnership, which can ultimately cause slow-downs in your supply chain and result in unhappy customers. Once everyone has settled in with the new partnership, your communications may not need to occur as frequently.

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