Owner-operators as well as fleet managers are missing a straightforward opportunity to reduce their overheads, according to research carried out at Truckfest 2000 by mobile phone specialist, m-viron. )
The Bedford-based organisation, who represented Orange at the event, discovered that drivers were wasting an average of almost £200 per annum by not being on the mobile tariff most appropriate for their usage pattern. For fleet operators, the losses could run into thousands if not tens of thousands - of pounds.
"We analysed the usage patterns of over one hundred people at the event," says m-viron owner James Lunnon. "It soon became apparent that significant savings could be made for the majority of them, simply by reviewing their tariff on a regular basis. Many hadn¹t even considered this option, basically because it has never been offered to them by their network or their mobile phone supplier."
Bill analysis by m-viron also revealed some interesting anomalies for fleet operators who utilise group talkplans to cover a number of phone users.
"These talkplans deals can be extremely useful, but their cost-effectiveness can be weakened if occasional mobile phone users are included in the participating group," says James Lunnon. "It could be more economical to group heavy, medium and light users into three separate talkplans."
Discussions with Truckfest visitors also highlighted other areas where phone users were losing out.
m-viron lists regular bill analysis, 24-hour phone replacement, a tri-band phone loan facility for overseas visits and a nationwide vehicle kit installation service as key requirements of after-sales service.
"If these services are missing, they¹ll create expensive headaches for the user when they are required," says James Lunnon.
