Lantern Recovery Specialists
When Lantern Recovery Specialists needed to improve the efficiency of its fleet...Masternaut came to the rescue
Challenge
Lantern Recovery Specialists is one of the largest independent breakdown and recovery operators in the UK delivering a range of services including roadside breakdown assistance and recovery, vehicle transportation (including heavy plant transportation), on-site servicing and commercial recovery and assistance. With over 40 years’ experience catering for car and commercial vehicle breakdowns nationwide, the group delivers a bespoke customer service offering around-the-clock emergency call-out to its thousands of clients, handling an average 2,000 calls a day from its headquarters at Potters Bar. Tasked with coordinating its fleet across the whole of the UK and between its four satellite depots, Lantern wanted to bring in a tool which could increase the efficiency and flexibility of its fleet while cutting down on associated fuel costs.
Solution/Implementation
Shortly after making the decision to bring on a telematics system, Lantern began conversations with Masternaut, which was able to demonstrate its vehicle tracking expertise and the ability of its technology to address the group’s requirements.
In addition to vehicle tracking the group was also keen to bring on a system with the ability to instantly alert drivers as recovery jobs were flagged, in order to improve ease of scheduling. Masternaut demonstrated a couple of solutions in response to this requirement, including both its in-cab PDA and its mobile device software – the latter was selected by Lantern as most suitable following an in-depth trial. The package, which offers fully configurable, free-of-charge software, allows full reports and real-time updates delivered directly to employees’ mobile devices, as well as customised alerts providing new job details.
As a result Masternaut’s vehicle tracking solution, complete with mobile-compatible software, was installed across the whole of Lantern’s fleet. Phased installation was conducted over a period of a few days, in order to prevent too significant a reduction in the group’s on-the-road fleet at any point.
Results
Since Masternaut’s telematics system was implemented, Lantern has witnessed a significant increase in the efficiency of its fleet. The data generated from the technology provides fleet managers with an at-a-glance view of the exact whereabouts of every vehicle within the fleet, at any given time. Fleet managers can therefore use this insight to instantly ascertain the closest driver with the necessary skills and equipment to respond to the breakdown. This driver can then be deployed via the mobile-compatible software, which sends a full alert detailing job description and whereabouts to the employee’s handheld device.
As such, the technology has facilitated an improvement in customer service levels with a reduction in waiting time for roadside recovery services. Customers can also be kept fully updated as to the whereabouts of their recovery service, enabling the customer service and call centre teams to actively manager customer expectation.
This increase in efficiency – and, accordingly, decrease in time spent on the road – has allowed Lantern to reduce its fuel consumption across the fleet, facilitating significant cost savings.
As a result of these benefits, Lantern made the decision to renew its contract following the expiration of its initial trial period, and continues to deploy the technology across all vehicles in its fleet.
Quote
“Since installing Masternaut’s vehicle tracking solution for our fleet we have streamlined operations in order to improve the level of customer service, while saving a significant amount on fuel as a result of the reduction in unnecessary time our drivers spend on the road.”
“Masternaut’s team have themselves delivered an excellent service, conducting a seamless implementation process while remaining constantly on-hand to discuss the latest innovations in the technology, and how we can be improving and developing the way we use the solution. Having recently renewed our contract, we look forward to further exploring these opportunities, in order to get the very best out of the systems.” Peter Blackman, Corporate Manager, Lantern.