The UK branch of DP World has told how the need for stricter vehicle and driver authentication for refuelling was instrumental in their system upgrades with Merridale.
The global logistics provider, which has a proud history of humble beginnings in 1972 as a port operator in Dubai, now has operations in over 69 countries and spans every continent. DP World is an integral part of the supply chain, moving 10 percent of global trade through their seamless, interconnected global network of ports and terminals, economic and free zones, logistics hubs, and marine services.
With dual authentication, people now must identify themselves with a Datatag and ID badge rather than just a Datakey. This has allowed us stricter control over who is fuelling up which vehicle and where. This has also helped tighten up reporting across all our sites, which has been very good!
As part of the upgrades at their UK sites in Southampton and London Gateway, which employ over 800 staff and contractors and use a fleet of over 200 vehicles, DP World chose to install the Merridale MX – I integral system with dual authentication as well as the MX – T tank management system.
“With dual authentication, people now must identify themselves with a Datatag and ID badge rather than just a Datakey. This has allowed us stricter control over who is fuelling up which vehicle and where. This has also helped tighten up reporting across all our sites, which has been very good!” explained engineering manager David Bowers.
“Previously, we had unreliable data caused by drivers swapping keys when they’ve misplaced or damaged theirs, for example, so we required a better method of authentication.
Merridale Datakeys are the most reliable in the industry, but for extreme environments, contactless identifiers are sometimes preferred. Merridale Datatags provide a contactless alternative to datakeys and can be programmed with ease. For a sturdier solution to data transfer, Merridale also offers a vLink direct fuel management system to vehicle solution.
Since its introduction to the market in 2013, Merridale’s vLink system has become more and more popular with fleet operators. Developed in conjunction with the University of Wolverhampton as part of a government-sponsored Knowledge Transfer Programme, the vLink is a rugged snap-on and quick-release communications cable which enables the fuelling point to automatically authenticate the vehicle being refuelled.
Designed to speed up depot fuelling, the vLink system consists of a reader unit on an umbilical communication cable that reads the vehicle ID from a contact plate attached to the vehicle. When used as an alternative to data tags, it offers a more robust option for use with dedicated fleet vehicles in harsher working conditions. Where a fleet vehicle can’t be fitted with a contact plate, the system can be used in conjunction with a handheld proximity data tag.
DP World also uses Merridale’s advanced web-based platform, FuelWorks, as part of its fuel management system. Designed in-house by Merridale after many years consultation with fleet operators, the software allows users to monitor fuel usage and efficiency, show stock and predict restocking requirements, and evaluate environmental impacts, therefore, enabling users to adhere to FORS reporting standards.
“We have integrated Merridale’s systems into our own with ease, to further enhance our stock monitoring and reporting, and the API that Merridale developed to enable us to do that was quite neat.”
To find out more about our data transfer options and how a complete Merridale fuel management system could benefit your company, contact Merridale on 01902 350 700 or visit www.merridale.co.uk.
