BGL and TIMOCOM Collaborate on Real Time Visibility

(Erkrath/Frankfurt) “Initially, shippers will benefit from Real Time Visibility in road freight transport,” said BGL spokesperson Prof. Dr. Dirk Engelhardt in Munich. By automating the provision of shipment-related data, they can improve their inbound and outbound processes and thus enhance their competitiveness. To this end, TIMOCOM integrates its Real Time Visibility solution into common transport management systems (TMS). “With this integration, dispatchers can focus on their TMS instead of jumping between different telematics portals, phone calls, and their email program,” said Steven van Cauteren, Director Sales – Visibility Solutions, Key Account & Partner Management at TIMOCOM. “We are now offering this convenience for live shipment tracking as well.”

As BGL members, clients receive an additional incentive, as Steven van Cauteren explains: “Together with BGL, we have developed a transaction-based billing model. It is based on the number of shipments realized with our Real Time Visibility solution.” The partners have also agreed on exclusive conditions for contractors. Transport companies that are BGL members but not TIMOCOM customers will receive free access to live shipment tracking. Additionally, they will receive compensation for the digital provision of shipment information.

Sharing vehicle information related to shipments

Real Time Visibility offers many advantages, but it only works if transport service providers are willing to share their data. “From the beginning, it was important to us that our members do not have to share their shipment tracking data arbitrarily and without rules,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Dirk Engelhardt. The solution was found in live shipment tracking. There, transport companies remain the owners of their data at all times and decide for themselves which information to share, when, and with whom.

In live shipment tracking, transport companies can share information about their vehicles related to shipments by

• reporting the arrival at the loading point to the system
• setting an automated start based on a time schedule
• agreeing to an automated start via geofencing
• or providing their business partners with processed data on the expected arrival time (ETA) and status updates instead of raw GPS data.

Variety of options is important

“This variety of options was important to us. Because especially carriers should feel comfortable with live shipment tracking and sharing their data,” said Steven van Cauteren. “At the request of the carriers, we have also developed a link for third parties. Through this, users can share information with process participants outside the system, for example, with their own fleet management, the service department, or the recipient of the goods.”

Photo: © TIMOCOM / Image caption: Prof. Dr. Dirk Engelhardt (left, BGL spokesperson) and Steven van Cauteren (Director Sales – Visibility Solutions, Key Account & Partner Management at TIMOCOM) seal the collaboration