LEOPARD Systems claims transport and logistics companies can make substantial savings on petrol and vehicle wear and tear by using mobility technology.

Although mobility technology has been around for some time, escalating oil prices has meant it is economically sensible to implement it now, according to the company.

The technology involves the use of a hand-held device installed on each truck which sends information to head office through a wireless connection.This system removes the need for run sheets, log books, and trips back to head office, reducing the amount of time spent on the road, thus saving fuel and vehicle maintenance costs.

The systems can be enhanced with built-in GPS technology which directs drivers to the most efficient route for each delivery. This can increase productivity by completing more deliveries in less time and with fewer trucks.

Other technologies which could be incorporated into mobility technology include 3G, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), VoIP, Bluetooth and built-in cameras, which allow faster and more efficient communication, tracking and visual recording.