Leeds-based Ctrack helped deliver a successful Grand Départ of the Tour de France by providing an advanced vehicle tracking solution over the race weekend.

Ctrack Plug & Play, the self-installed tracking device, was fitted to 20 hire vehicles for the duration of the event to provide added real-time visibility and control over vehicles operated by event organisers Welcome to Yorkshire.

Ctrack Plug & Play connects to the OBD II diagnostic port to capture vital data that provides a simple way of monitoring vehicles, protecting against misuse and ensuring they are being driven responsibly.

Because the device can be installed in seconds and easily transferred or removed, it offered the ideal solution for Welcome to Yorkshire, which needed a simple and effective short term system to monitor the fleet of vans used to help coordinate and support merchandise outlets around the route.

Organisers were able to view live vehicle positions and status online via a web-based user interface, or through a smartphone or tablet using the Mobi2 mobile tracking application. Meanwhile, Welcome to Yorkshire was able to access a comprehensive suite of reports to track vehicle and driver performance as well as configure email and text alerts to warn of any accidents.

Vikki Harris, head of marketing at Welcome to Yorkshire said: “Our commitment to delivering the grandest Grand Départ meant we needed to effectively manage every aspect of the event. Therefore, we wanted to take advantage of leading technology solutions such as the Ctrack system to have greater visibility and control over our team that was spread across a wide geographic area. Plug & Play provided advanced tracking with quick and simple installation, so was ideal for our fleet of short term rental vehicles.”

John Wisdom, managing director of Ctrack added: “We are delighted that the organisers of such a prestigious event have recognised the value of our tracking tool. Plug & Play was developed for a range of applications where a hardwired tracking solution is both time and cost prohibitive due to the frequency of installation and de-installation. As a result, it is an ideal solution for any short-term or part-time tracking requirements to gain visibility of employees, temporary workers and sub-contractors.”