NavAssist Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture; President: Daisuke Eguchi; hereinafter referred to as NavAssist) announces that SBS FlexNet Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo; President: Mitsugu Sumi; hereinafter referred to as SBS FlexNet) has implemented "ITP-WebService V3 (Fujitsu Digital Tachograph: DTS-G1D3/DTS-G1O)" to eliminate the risk of "distracted driving" through its navigation function, reduce driver burden, and improve operational management efficiency.

Challenges Before Implementation

SBS FlexNet operates a general trucking business, primarily in food logistics, with approximately 700 drivers and 500 vehicles across about 70 sales offices nationwide. Previously, they operated "Logfit TM-NexTR (Fujitsu Digital Tachograph: DTS-D1D)" but faced the following complex challenges:

1. Need for Replacement Due to Maintenance Expiration

The maintenance period for the digital tachographs in use was approaching expiration, making system replacement mandatory from a legal compliance perspective. Ensuring a successful transition within the limited timeframe was a management challenge.

2. Distracted Driving Risks and Safe Operation Challenges

As the previous system lacked a navigation function, there was a constant risk of drivers operating smartphones to check routes to their destinations, leading to "distracted driving." There was an urgent need to strengthen mechanisms for safe operation to prevent traffic accidents.

3. Challenges in Grasping Near-Miss Incidents

Responses to accidents and near-miss incidents relied heavily on driver interviews, making comprehensive understanding difficult and leading to omissions. There was an urgent need to establish a system for collecting and analyzing more objective and evidence-based near-miss information.

4. Continuous Response to Customer Demands

As the company primarily handles frozen and refrigerated foods, temperature management during transport is a critical service requirement. A system capable of acquiring temperature data at shipping and delivery points was essential. While Logfit TM-NexTR met a certain standard, the new system needed to maintain equivalent or superior functionality.

Decision-Making Process for Implementation

Selection Emphasizing Existing Asset Utilization and Usability

During comparison with multiple competing products, SBS FlexNet prioritized the following points:

Possibility of utilizing existing master data

Ease of operation for drivers

Data compatibility between new and old systems

Furthermore, some of their sales offices had prior experience with ITP-WebService due to client requests, and the confirmed operational effectiveness of these implementations further supported the final selection.

Implementation Scale and System

Phased Implementation Nationwide

Target of Implementation: Approximately 500 vehicles

Implementation Period: March 2025 - October 2026 (approx.)

Implementation Method: Phased rollout

Optional Selection: Labor Management Option

Results After Implementation

Instead of a one-time mass implementation, a phased approach was adopted, allowing each sales office a learning period to familiarize themselves with the new system. This minimized initial confusion and ensured smooth operations.

1. Improved Safety and Reduced Driver Burden

Effects of the Navigation Function

Sharing navigation settings verbally without needing to explain destinations reduced driver burden. Eliminating the need to operate smartphones significantly reduced the risk of "distracted driving."

Safety Alerts Through Dangerous Area Registration

Automatic voice alerts in areas requiring special attention prevented absent-minded driving. A mechanism was established to encourage drivers to consciously improve their attentiveness.

Utilization of Drive Recorder Footage

Footage was utilized in various scenarios, including driver training, confirming situations during accidents and near-misses, and objectively verifying circumstances during complaint handling.

2. Reduced On-Site Burden and Improved Convenience

Intuitive UI Design

The touch panel UI received positive feedback for being easier to operate than before. Operation was made possible regardless of the driver's IT literacy.

Reduced Management Burden

The ability to make inquiries directly from the ITP screen streamlined operations that previously required going through internal departments, reducing the management burden by bypassing the need for a central point of contact at headquarters. Compared to the Logfit TM-NexTR era, the number of inquiries to headquarters has shown a downward trend.

Strengthened Communication System for Long-Distance and Remote Areas

The message transmission function enables reliable and rapid communication of complex instructions and important information. This feature has been particularly utilized in the Hokkaido and Kyushu areas and supports long messages.

3. Improved Working Environment and Optimization of Routine Operations

Utilization of the Labor Management Option

The violation and warning functions for long driving hours were used to ensure strict compliance with the Improvement Standards Notification. This helps prevent excessive fatigue driving by drivers, contributing to an improved working environment.

Data Aggregation and Reflection

Daily collected digital tachograph data is reflected in monthly profit and loss statements per vehicle. This allows for accurate understanding of the financial status of each vehicle. Using aggregated data for reporting to group companies and the parent company reduced operational workload.

Future Outlook

SBS FlexNet aims to further evolve the safe operation foundation built with the implementation of ITP-WebService V3. They anticipate the implementation of more advanced automation and analysis functions, such as automatic video acquisition upon event occurrence, automatic creation of profit and loss statements through integration with accounting systems, and automatic detection of dangerous driving patterns by linking digital tachographs with AI.

These initiatives aim to establish a new model for operational management in an era of driver shortages and are expected to support decision-making at all levels, from management to the field.

As a message to companies considering implementation, SBS FlexNet emphasizes three points: "Confirm in advance whether the necessary data can be acquired and processed in the desired format," "Gradually roll out while suppressing on-site resistance through preliminary trials," and "Verify compatibility with existing systems and the possibility of migrating master data in advance." Their case demonstrates a model for achieving sustainable digitalization in the transportation industry by continuously creating new value while maximizing existing assets.

About ITP-WebService V3 (Fujitsu Digital Tachograph)

Fujitsu Digital Tachograph (DTS-G1D3)

Data transmitted from network-enabled in-vehicle devices is centrally managed in the cloud, allowing for operational status monitoring from anywhere, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Dynamic management and messaging functions enable immediate and accurate instructions to drivers at remote locations, and real-time acquisition and confirmation of drive recorder footage strongly support safety guidance from afar.

Company Profile: SBS FlexNet Co., Ltd.

Company Name: SBS FlexNet Co., Ltd.

Location: Sumitomo Fudosan Shinjuku Grand Tower 25F, 8-17-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (Headquarters)

Representative: Mitsugu Sumi, President and Representative Director

Established: January 2015

Business Activities: General trucking business, Class 1 freight forwarding business, industrial waste collection, transport, and disposal operations, loading and cargo handling operations within warehouses, etc.

URL: https://www.sbs-flec.co.jp/sbsflec/company/group/

Company Profile: NavAssist Co., Ltd.

Company Name: NavAssist Co., Ltd.

Location: 521-8 Moto-soja-machi, Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture (Headquarters) 2225 Sugaya-machi, Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture (System Technology Center)

Representative: Daisuke Eguchi, President and Representative Director

Established: December 1975

Business Activities: System integration services, infrastructure-related services, LCM services, outsourcing services, robot application development, sales of ICT-related equipment (computers, communication equipment, supplies)

URL: https://www.nav-assist.co.jp/

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