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Affordable Windows and Conservatory Group, a Lancashire-based manufacturer of upvc windows and doors, has taken on the services of Quartix telematics to provide the company with real, anytime tracking software for their 18-strong nationwide fleet.

According to a press release, this service enables the staff member to locate any vehicle round the clock. John McVey, sales director of AWCG, said, “I wanted anyone in the company to be able to go on any screen in the company to find out where a vehicle is and answer the question a customer has asked, which is usually ‘when am I getting my windows?’ So this is of great benefit to us.”

He added that it was crucial for the £20million Lancashire business to know where its vehicles were at any time, and how they were being used or even abused.

“Now if we have to divert a driver, we know where the nearest one is to where we need them to go. Before, you could have six drivers roughly in the same area and it was a wild guess as to who to send. Today, we can look at the on-screen map and see who’s nearest,” said McVey.

AWCG, which has grown rapidly over the years, eventually reached a stage where its transport-fleet management had become “erratic” and realized vehicle tracking was becoming essential. Fortunately, McVey had done “a bit of spadework” on the internet to discover who was offering the best telematics system and support. After looking into five different companies he decided on Quartix.

“I found them businesslike, they offered the goods, had good practice and provided a good deal. Also, they were good to negotiate with and the easiest people to deal with,” he said.