SDS makes security upgrade
Hijackers who used insecure radio communications between trucks and their base to help them trace and rob vehicles in the Republic of Ireland later prompted the operator of the stricken vehicles to upgrade systems to a full fleet communications operation.
Special Distribution Services, a division of the Irish postal service, An Post, runs 150 vehicles ranging from 3.5-tonners to artics and wagon and drags. It is the country’s largest carrier for goods between 1kg and 30kg. The consignments can be high-value goods, potentially putting the 200 or so drivers at risk.
SDS projects manager Gerry Agnew’s solution is a mix of Aplicom hardware and applications from its partner Satcom Technology.
The system operates at two levels. GPS tracking and a multi-point alarm system connect to a control room, run by MCM in
Cork, that covers the island. The position of each vehicle is available to MCM and SDS’s depots in real time and they can see which way it going, or if it is stopped, and whether the ignition is on or off.
Routes can be varied instantly without the need for the driver to get involved, beyond looking at the new instructions.
The alarms cover most of the vehicle and link direct to MCM’s control room. Voice contacts allow the driver to call up to 10 connections simply by pushing one button. MCM is able to immobilise each vehicle remotely.
At the moment, proof of delivery involves the customer signing beside a bar code that can be read by the Aplicom hardware. On-screen signatures will require a software upgrade.
The set-up is fully compatible with Irish GSM provider Eircell. The GPS system uses a standard GPA antenna connector, and the standard routes have been programmed into the Aplicom computer.
