While telematics is certainly being used as a way for companies to monitor their own employees and equipment, some companies are taking it a step farther and using the technology to track those within their own supply chain.

Take Arniella S.A., www.arniella.com, a pan-European chemicals transport and logistics company, for example. Earlier this month, the company completed beta testing with a new app that allows the company to track its subcontractors’ drivers. Because the fleet outsources part of its transport activities, the ability to access realtime information on the progress of subcontractors’ trips was critical. By using a Driver Telematics App from Qualcomm, www.qualcomm.com, the transportation company says it was able to do just that.

The new app, which will be available on Google Play for the Android market, provides Arniella with realtime data, including location, load information, and status and workflow. According to Juan Fernández, Arniella’s director of purchasing and maintenance, the solution allows the transportation company to integrate relevant management information into the backoffice, including workflow related data sent to drivers and tracking and tracing information for the load.

A free-form messaging option allows subcontractors to immediately inform transport companies of any changes to the transport job in order to keep customers abreast of changes to the estimated time of arrival. Qualcomm says the app also offers advantages when a company’s own fleet vehicles do not have on-board telematics equipment installed but occasionally need access to a telematics application.

By improving communication with subcontractors and keeping close tabs on loads, Qualcomm says fleet managers can simplify realtime decision-making and eliminate dependence on outdated information or missing subcontractor input. Users can also validate invoice details, perform detailed evaluations of subcontractor performance, and monitor compliance with service-level agreements.

Perhaps the biggest benefit, however, is that it helps companies like Arniella improve communication with customers by allowing them to proactively provide updates and respond to questions on load status—even when they are not the ones pulling the load.

In all, it truly is amazing not only what the technology can enable these days, but also the different use cases that customers are envisioning for the applications.