Entrepreneur of the Week: Tools to keep tabs on drivers

COLTRANE · (#1 (**permalink**))

(1) Africa's huge potential for tech innovation.
(2) All the software systems are imported.
(3) The enterpreneur's non-tech future plans

Newton Mutunga, the software manager of Orchid Detection systems

Many people with large fleets of transport vehicles will tell you that
their
biggest worry is dishonest drivers. Ike Allibhai, Managing Director of
Orchid Detection Systems (ODS), has managed to put their fears to rest
by
providing products that allow the owner to keep track of his vehicle
and his
driver.

"In 1996 I started ODS because I realised that fleet owners and
transporters
had the same needs. They all needed to control their drivers, to
control and
monitor the consumption of fuel and workshop control," says Allibhai.

According to him, drivers misuse vehicles almost on a daily basis by
driving
badly, siphoning fuel, using unadulterated fuel, stealing parts,
replacing
tyres and other misdeeds.

Orchid first introduced into the market Fleetlog, an on-board computer
used
to monitor the driver’s activities such as speeding, sharp braking,
distance
travelled, any incidents or accidents, and unscheduled stops.

Following the success of Fleetlog, Allibhai introduced Fuellog, a
specialised fuel pump computer that is mounted on the fuel pump to
control
fuel consumption.

The hardware for both products was obtained from Israel.

"My first clients were Securicor and British American Tobacco. Between
1996
and 1998, they used these systems and within no time they were already
making savings," says Allibhai.

Then his clients wanted to find out how much it cost them to run their
vehicles and ODS came up with RoadBASE, a software from the UK.

RoadBASE is used to run fleet operations through daily logistics,
purchases,
stock control, licences, job cards and management reports.

Allibhai spent the next two years integrating the systems. From 2000 to
2003
he not only integrated the entire system but also upgraded it and web
enabled it. Clients could now view all the operations on the Internet
via
their own servers.

Allibhai is an engineer by profession. He did his Bachelor’s Degree at
Exeter University, UK. " After graduation in 1978 I worked with
Industrial
Promotion Services (IPS) in one of their companies called Wire Products
until 1985 when I invested in a tyre retreading company, which I ran
for
eight years until 1996 when I started ODS," says Allibhai.

ODS also has offices in Tanzania, Uganda, and Nigeria.

Q: Who are your clients?

A: My clientele has grown to include Uganda Electricity Distribution,
Nation
Couriers, Akamba Bus Company, Oserian Flower Company, Kenya Breweries
Ltd,
Uganda Breweries, Total Kenya, and Coca Cola in Dar es Salaam,
Scandinavia
Bus Company in Tanzania, Celtel and Safaricom.

Q: How did you get to hear of these products?

A: In 1996 I worked with E-Drive Technology, an Israeli based company
that
provides smart automotive system solutions and applications. I later
signed
an agreement for the African market and I was appointed the agent for
these
products in Africa.

Q: What were some of the failures you experienced when you were
starting
out?

A: I had installed 20 units of fleet management products on the
dashboard of
vehicles and the drivers sabotaged them, I made losses amounting to Sh2
million. The systems are now hidden in the vehicle in such a way that
no one
can tamper with them.

Q: What is the success rate of your products?

A: Fleetlog, Fuellog and RoadBASe are successful in their own right but
together they are superior to any other fleet solution worldwide.
Africa is
the region to test any product — most fail here till the quality and
durability is increased and honed to perfection. This is what has
happened
here by continuously improving these products we now have what we call
Global Fleet Solution — where all three work together, which is where
our
success lies.

Q: Do you have any new products?

A: We are working with Safaricom through the use of General Packet
Radio
Service (GPRS) to provide our clients with an on-line tracking system
where
all one needs is a laptop and no matter where they are they can keep
track
of their vehicles and drivers. We have also launched a new service in
conjunction with Simba Colt Motors, which we are calling fleet
management.

Q: What is Fleet Management and how much does it cost?

A: A client comes with his own vehicle and at a lease fee we install
our
products in the vehicle, which enables the owner to keep track of the
vehicle and the driver. For a fully computerised system one will be
charged
Sh2,999 per month for 3 years.

Q: Any new ventures?

A: The latest venture is now Global; Fleet Solutions (K) Ltd which is a
leasing arm of Orchid Detection Systems and will enable fleet
management
systems to be available at a low cost per month.

Q: What are your future plans?

A: We want to provide further value-added service to the client whereby
the
client out-sources the management of his vehicle, his workshop and the
drivers. We want to not only lease equipment but also drivers and cars
a
concept that is already working in our offices in Nigeria.