The company opted for the system as part of its continued commitment to reducing environmental impact as well as to reduce fuel use, enhance driver safety and improve customer service.

The company had previously used telematics systems but the SageQuest solution, delivered through a standard web browser, helps Virgin Media to respond more quickly and highlight opportunities for fuel saving, then action them immediately.

The SageQuest system has many fuel-saving features, such as the engine idling alert while the “Driving Style” functionality monitors the way in which a driver handles the vehicle and alerts management to examples of hard accelerating, cornering, braking and speeding, also helping to warn of possible problems to driver safety.

And the system also operates as a lone worker alert by providing an emergency button that can be triggered by the technician.

Virgin Media also opted for the system in a move to improve customer service.  The solution for Virgin Media is integrated with Garmin navigation devices and also incorporates Google’s ‘Street View’ to help prevent drivers from becoming lost and to help them locate the exact address they are looking for. Due to these features, Virgin Media is able to schedule appointments more accurately and within tighter time windows. 

Maurice Daw, Virgin Media’s executive director – access, said: ‘We believe that selecting the right tools that will increase the safety of our technicians, reduce their drive times, improve our subscribers’ experience and support Virgin Media’s environmental initiatives will have a big payoff for all of us. SageQuest has a great deal of experience in the communications business fleet sector and, although it is too early for a detailed report on the benefits that the system is delivering, Virgin Media is confident it will see wide-ranging improvements through use of system.’