GPS Tracking Reveals Delivery Deficiency at Coca-Cola
Monday, June 1st, 2009The benefits of GPS tracking technology is growing constantly.
Not content with merely tracking truck locations to see that deliveries are being made on time, Coca-Cola Enterprises has moved into a new area: analysis of GPS data for optimal efficiency.
The soft drink giant employs more than 10,000 driver/merchandisers, who are valued for their reports from the “front lines.” The delivery people are the first to know which products are moving, how fast they are moving and the benefits of product placement in a retail store.
That’s why Kevin Flowers, the director of enabling technologies for Coca-Cola, has furnished drivers with mobile GPS tracking devices. GPS tracking units have become so accurate, they can record location within just a few feet. Managers can now monitor each individual driver’s movements, independent of the company vehicle.
GPS tracking units can be equipped with about a hundred of hours of flash memory; and have their data read using almost-unlimited space on a personal computer. Fleet managers can do in-depth analysis of the wealth of GPS tracking data. Patterns of activity and habits can be identified – both those that work, and those that do not. (more…)
