Amsterdam - 20 March, 2007 — TIP Trailer Services, a division of GE Equipment Services, and EUROWATCH have announced an agreement whereby customers of GE’s VeriWiseÔ Asset Intelligence solution can now benefit from improved security and driver safety across the enlarged European region by using the EUROWATCH service to gain immediate access to police whenever and wherever a freight crime occurs.
Telematics is a term used in the transport industry to describe the integration of wireless communications and sensor-generated information about freight and equipment status. GE’s telematics product, called VeriWise Asset Intelligence, is a wireless (both satellite and cellular) system that enables precise and timely monitoring of trailer assets -- even when they are not connected to a tractor.
First introduced by GE in April 2003 in the US and in Europe in 2004, the VeriWiseÔ solution consists of a fully protected trailer-mounted transceiver, a discreet antenna, and a patented power management system , and is supported by GE’s Asset Intelligence business based in Schaumburg, Illinois, with advanced research and engineering resources from GE Global Research.
Even with a telematics system installed on their trailers, lorry drivers outside their home country can have a difficult time obtaining immediate police assistance when they are the victim of a crime: police emergency numbers and local languages vary by country and relevant GPS tracking data cannot be immediately accessed by police to locate stolen vehicles/assets. Additionally, in Europe, police emergency numbers are only available nationally and cannot be called across borders. All these factors can hinder the police from being informed quickly enough to make a difference.
Designed to combat the 200,000 lorry crimes committed each year across Europe and stem losses to industry estimated to exceed €10 billion a year, the EUROWATCH service enables drivers to immediately access local law enforcement resources virtually across Europe whenever a crime occurs.
Now, customers of GE’s VeriWise solution can choose EUROWATCH cover as part of their monthly service package and have access to police in 33 countries, working via a single telephone number that can be called from any country, allowing information to be communicated in any European language. A unique feature of the EUROWATCH service is its capability to forward VeriWise vehicle tracking information direct to police in real-time, enabling them to respond with greater speed and precision. The service works through a network of National Service Providers in each country who have accreditation to police and provide service cover 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and are all linked by a central website www.eurowatchcentral.com.
In the future, GE Equipment Services plans to offer EUROWATCH cover as part of its trailer rental package
Willem Duijf, Strategic Marketing Leader of GE’s Equipment Services - Asset Intelligence business said, “Security is a pressing issue for shippers and freight forwarders. With the addition of EUROWATCH coverage to VeriWise, GE Equipment Services closes the loop by providing them an all-in-one, pan-European solution.”
Peter Vyvyan-Robinson, Managing Director of EUROWATCH said, “We are delighted that GE customers can now benefit from the EUROWATCH cover as part of their monthly service package. The fact that the TIP Trailer Services trailer leasing fleet will have EUROWATCH cover should be very attractive to transport operators who carry higher value and/or at risk goods and who need to lease trailers for limited periods”.
GE’s Equipment Services business offers VeriWise Asset Intelligence solutions worldwide and is developing similar asset tracking and monitoring services for the rail, marine and intermodal markets.