Businesses in the transport and logistics industry understand the need for clear communications throughout the entire supply chain, from the warehouse right through to the point of delivery. In a warehouse two way radios are the fastest and most effective way to ensure worker safety, coordinate staff and their vehicles, protect drivers against unforeseen eventualities and ultimately to connect the supply chain.
Transport two way radios allow all points of contact to effortlessly pass on messages to each other, communicate updates and relay changes. Two way radios are designed to be effortless to use, being continuously in receive mode until such time as the “speak” function is activated via the push of a button and the user communicates. This simplicity of use ensures that no messages are missed and all users have the opportunity to contribute their views, confirm their position and reduce risk in the workplace.
Just as with warehouse two way radios, vehicle two way radios use a push-to-talk function, allowing drivers to receive instant voice communications at all times, while being able to respond easily with the push of a button. They are mounted onto the vehicle’s dashboard within easy reach of the driver, but with no screens or unnecessary lights to distract them.
Many van radios operate on a licensed frequency band, which ensures that communications between drivers and their head office remain private with a reduced risk of interference from static. This layer of protection not only enhances the clarity of the system but also helps transport and logistics businesses comply with government data privacy regulations, particularly in instances where customer personal data, such as names and addresses, needs to be shared to facilitate collections and deliveries.
Additionally, to ensure driver safety and road legal operation, many van radios and truck radios now offer enhanced functionality in the form of hands free operation via an earpiece. This clever technology enables drivers to communicate effortlessly with each other and their head office without removing their hands from the wheel.
Rugged Design
Truck and van radios are sophisticated pieces of communications equipment that are designed to withstand the rigours of life on the road. As well as being resistant to dust and water ingress, they are ruggedised to protect against drops and vibrations.
Location Tracking
In addition, many truck radios feature GPS tracking, which can help operators to manage their fleets, monitoring their vehicle locations and supporting drivers in navigating around road closures, traffic problems and other delays which could otherwise impact delivery timescales and harm performance metrics.
Emergency Alert Functions
Many van radios feature an emergency alert function, which drivers can activate should they feel threatened or unsafe at any point. This discrete function can be programmed to radio the main office or the emergency services, depending on what the client deems most appropriate.
There is a vast choice when it comes to choosing the right transport two way radio for your particular operating environment. Generally speaking, Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radios are best indoors and in urban environments where tall buildings can interfere with the radio signal, while Very High Frequency (VHF) radios are better suited to rural environments and open roads.
Depending on the type of business that you operate, you may need a mix of both UHF and VHF radios together with strategically positioned repeaters on-site to ensure maximum coverage. By issuing the right radio to the right person at the right time, you are investing in a secure communications infrastructure that will help your business deliver on time, every time.
One of the primary benefits of two way radios for the transport and logistics industry is that they do not typically attract costs beyond the point of purchase. In general, two way radios that are suitable for professional use cost only a couple of hundred pounds – less than a good mobile phone – but unlike a mobile phone, they require no monthly subscriptions, call packages or data bundles that must be accounted for going forward. The price you pay is static, transparent and frontloaded.
As transport two way radios have become increasingly sophisticated, their battery life, ruggedness and functionality ensure their longevity, meaning that they are unlikely to need replacing in the near future, allowing businesses greater certainty in their financial forecasts and ultimately reduced costs over time.
With their extended range, vehicle two way radios are suited to a wide variety of businesses within the transport and logistics sector, including freight haulage, public transport, courier services, and warehouses.
When used in a warehouse two way radios can be clipped to an operator’s waistband or worn on a lanyard around their neck. Alternatively, they may be fixed to a specific position, such as the inside pillar of a forklift truck. This versatility and portability means that they are ever-present, keeping the worker connected and able to immediately report any issues so that they can be resolved before they escalate and present a safety or security risk.
When you buy your professional two way radio solution from radio communications specialist NRC Radio, you benefit from our vast experience in the transport and logistics industry, with tailored advice and guidance, as well as outstanding after-sales support.
We understand the complexities of the sector and can guide you to the most appropriate solution for your business, based on your specific needs. With our help, you can overcome the challenges of long range radio communication, increase worker safety, improve operational efficiency and ensure low lifetime cost of ownership. Please talk to us today to find out more.