WiseTech Global – a developer of technology solutions for the logistics industry – and Motorola Solutions have worked together to make mobility an affordable option for transport companies, and to reduce the cost of RF in warehouses.
The ‘logistics device-as-a-service’ (LDaaS) program sees CargoWise and TransLogix services being packaged with Motorola Solutions’ handheld ruggedised mobile devices and a SIM card.
Initially available in Australia and New Zealand, LDaaS offers an affordable, comprehensive, mobility solution for a monthly fee, similar to that of a smartphone plan – a claimed first for the logistics industry.
The company says a business seeking a mobility solution must make multiple investments in the software, mobile devices and SIM cards. Seeing the economic challenges this posed to small and medium-sized transport companies,they developed a solution that allows these businesses to take advantage of the productivity and operational benefits of mobility software, without the traditional expense.
WiseTech will offer its one-stop-shop LDaaS mobility solution that provides comprehensive job management, GPS tracking and sign-on-glass, for a small monthly fee and no yearly contract commitments.
Also included in the program are a number of Motorola RF options, including hands-free and voice picking, offered with the warehouse management software.
Ralf Moller, WiseTech’s general manager, marketing, says LDaaS will change the way logistics businesses integrate mobility into their operations.
“With the proliferation of smartphones, we’ve come to expect mobile software solutions at a very low cost,” says Moller. “However, consumer smartphones just aren’t suitable devices in the operational rough and tumble of the transport industry.
“In this environment, we need durable, easy-to-support and standardised devices that are locked down so that they can only be used for the business purpose they are provided,” Moller says. “While costs have come down, suitable ruggedised devices for business remain relatively expensive compared to consumer products.
“In our partnership with Motorola Solutions, WiseTech is one of the first in our industry to bundle a rugged device, SIM and a logistics software solution for a simple monthly fee – at a similar price to a smartphone plan – without locking customers in for a year or more,” he explains.
“LDaaS will give our customers simplicity, affordability and the best logistics software solutions on the market in one easy-to-manage option.”
