RIO is a tool that will allow the participants in a supply chain (sender, freight forwarder, transport company, loading company, customer, driver and recipient) to be connected in a single information system. The solution is being released on the market.
Individual entities in transport industry use different systems for managing loads and vehicles. It may be difficult to use data in such situations. It will change now. Participants of the supply chain –sender, freight forwarder, transport company, loading company,customer, driver and recipient – can be connected in a single information system and an app with the prediction function.
RIO is a system which can analyse all kinds of data sources thanks to smart algorithms. It can connect information about tractor, trailer,body, driver and task and supplement them with external data such as traffic, weather and navigation data providing users with specific recommendations. Everything is done in real time.
Soon MAN vehicles will be equipped with the RIO system. Also Scania vehicle users will be able to connect with the platform. Piotr Stański (Chairman of the Board in MAN & Bus Polska) in an interview with the monthly magazine Trucks & Machines stresses that MAN customers will have the first access to RIO as the company is the initiator of this great project.
The option to connect other brands of vehicles to the platform will be made available in a short period after the launch – we are talking here about retrofitting the vehicles with RIO devices or interfaces with other providers of such services present on the market, says P.Stański
RIO was created thanks to the initiative of industry moguls, companies: MAN, Continental, Schmitz-Cargobull, Krone, Meiller and Tom Tom. MAN Digital Solutions is responsible for its development. The scope of the app functionality is varied, ranging from truck sharing, driver’s coaching, communication system or the possibility to download DTCO and geofencing.
RIO can be used regardless of the brand of the vehicle and used telematic system. In any case, the existing solutions (used as a unit), for example responsible for data management, maintenance, spare part storage or disposition of drivers are located on a common platform. Owners of mixed fleets can use it benefit from digital services in a single, cohesive solution.
Markus Lipinsky (MAN Digital Solutions) explains that the work on RIO were not aimed at introducing another telematic system.
The system was deliberately designed as an open platform connecting individual island solutions. I am sure that no technology company is able to meet all requirements of an extensive and comprehensive logistic industry. That is why we are trying to contact many partners who are aiming at one objective – optimisation of the global transport chain which allows for reduction of costs and emissions – says M. Lipinsky
The RIO System will be subject to automatic updates in a so called cloud and the updates will be made dozens of times a year. Creators pay attention to simple digitisation. Thanks to that RIO will be an interesting solution not only for operators of large fleets but also small and medium-sized transport companies, without the need for special IT knowledge or asking experts for help.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
