Telematics firm Abax has launched a new van store inventory solution, said to be the first of its kind.

The new solution is aimed at any industry or business that operates multiple vehicles carrying valuable, critical tools, assets or equipment

Abax Smart Inventory works across the fleet, providing real-time oversight of customers’ tool inventories and ensuring that vans are always fully equipped and ready for the next job, without the need for physical checks.

If a van doesn’t contain a required tool, automatic alerts will warn both drivers and fleet managers within minutes, minimising downtime.

The tool helps slash the cost of lost or delayed jobs for drivers and businesses. One Abax customer in the UK construction industry reported that its drivers waste around 50 hours a week returning to collect forgotten items, with around £200,000 worth of tools missing in the last year.

Abax’s UK commercial director, Craig Allan said: “We know our customers regularly waste significant time, money and resources because their vans aren’t properly stocked, or because they have left tools behind. Tracking systems are helpful in identifying where the items are, but Abax Smart Inventory goes much further – it provides peace of mind for fleet managers and business owners, as they know drivers always have the tools they need to get on with the job in hand. Already our clients using the solution have found it drives efficiencies and saves them time, money and resource.”

The new solution is being trialled by ambulance services but is aimed at any industry or business that operates multiple vehicles carrying valuable, critical tools, assets or equipment. It works by enabling customers to create an inventory using their Abax system and then assign individual tools or items of equipment to a single vehicle. If a van then leaves a site without one of the allocated items, alerts go out automatically.

Morten Strand, CEO at Abax, added: “Abax Smart Inventory will help customers from multiple industries to deliver huge efficiencies. It’s the first solution of its kind in the market, and through Abax Smart Inventory we are confident that we will unlock additional opportunities with new and existing clients.”