Viably Reducing Transport Costs

By Dave Oakes, sales director, Powelectrics Ltd

Telemetry is used to automatically measure the amount of lpg within a storage tank so that the volume of each delivery can be increased; run outs and emergency deliveries can be eliminated; part load deliveries, order processing errors and manpower can be reduced; customer service can be improved and proactive delivery scheduling can be initiated.

Over time, we have seen the cost of transporting product in bulk increase because of issues such as the cost of fuel, drivers and insurance, the working time directive, increased congestion on the roads, and so on.

At the same time, the cost of telemetry has come down, making solutions viable, even when the numbers of deliveries each month, or even each year, are minimal.

Telemetry reduces the cost of transportation, but also increases the benefits for customers – they no longer have to walk out to the tank and take a reading, and they have the added assurance that their supplier is monitoring the situation and telling them what they need. This saves having to arrange a delivery in a panic, and logistics and manufacturing can be scheduled to save money.

So, why has telemetry become so viable?

Advancements in electronics and mobile phones mean that this technology can be utilised as a means of communication. GSM telemetry has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years – reliability has improved and other application areas have latched onto it, so there has been some decent investment and the economy of scale has kicked in.

Microprocessor technology has also come on a long way, meaning that five and seven year battery powered solutions are now possible. This further simplifies installation, reduces costs and even improves lightning integrity.

By using the mobile phone network, installation can be completed without access to the customer’s house. There’s no need for the customer to be at home while the installation takes place and they can’t inadvertently unplug the phone line and stop the telemetry from working.

With automated remote tank level monitoring, the responsibility for maintaining inventory shifts to the supplier, which no longer needs someone to check tank levels and report to purchasing on a regular basis.

Machines that do not forget, and do not call in sick, check tank levels automatically. The supplier controls the amount delivered and the time of delivery. The number of people and departments involved in the inventory management process is also reduced, decreasing the risk of mistakes and accidents that can result in an outage.

Safety is always an issue with larger tanks, where levels must be checked by climbing atop with a stick or drop line. Automation greatly reduces the risk of employee injury and workmen's compensation claims.

The Metron ATEX from Powelectrics is capable of monitoring six tanks with just one telemetry unit and has a five-year battery life. It uses the GSM mobile phone network, has variations to suit large and small bulk tanks, is easy to test and includes temperature monitoring.

Powelectrics has been supplying telemetry solutions to a wide range of industries on five continents for over 15 years. Its key to success is offering proven, stable technology, coupled with an ‘end to end’ approach. It supplies the sensor, telemetry outstation, sim card, installation and maintenance, and data hosting, leaving the supplier to do what it’s good at.
Data is delivered directly to where it is needed, and simple web based interfaces provide easy data presentation and collection. With user configurable alarm levels, the telemetry solution becomes proactive.

And it doesn’t stop there. Powelectrics has solutions that can monitor the location of tankers as they travel across the UK, Europe and the world. Following the events of June 2005, the terrorist threat to tanker fleets in the UK has become foremost in the minds of transport managers.

Vehicle tracking pinpoints the location of a fleet at the click of a mouse. The same system can also be used in the case of theft, alerting operational staff to potential hazards, accidents, driver issues or even theft, giving the exact location of the tanker so that appropriate action can be taken immediately. Information can also be sent to managers out of hours via SMS text message.

The solution comprises a GSM/GPRS based telemetry module that is fitted to the tanker. This communicates every minute back to a server over the mobile phone network, and users can then log on to the server via the internet.

Various on-vehicle parameters are monitored, such as location and speed, as well as other signals relating to panic alarms and vehicle immobilisation. Geo fences are used, so alarms are created should a vehicle leave the compound out of normal hours, or leave its normal working area.

Pictured Above: Metron ATEX.

Contact Powelectrics on 01827 310666
www.powelectrics.co.uk

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