Member Info for dc2_

Quartix are in the insurance space but are backing out - they do not find it cost effective. In my opinion that does not make it a bad market e.g. Ryanair/Easyjet prove you can be profitable and still be cheap so it would be naive to assume this market is any different.

VisionTrack (VT) was created by a very large insurance group. One of the things I think the bears miss is the value of the data collected. In a meeting I had with the MD of VT (if you have heard this before then sorry), it was made clear that the existing insurance model of 20 odd risk variables was dated and in the future drivers would build a 'passport' based on telematic driver behaviour. OK, nobody is saying that Trakm8 owns the data but it is clear that the likes of AA (who are building their insurance arm) would benefit from releasing SB into the wild. As an aside, the MD also predicted that Trakm8 would fail because they were too expensive - to be fair, he was pretty much correct. The question is whether they are now competitive whilst able to make a profit - I hope so.

I have no proof but I did a Google search using Microlise and Sainsburys and there are many links like this (in different languages)..

https://live.microlise.com/SAINSBURYS/TMCWebPortal/authentication/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fsainsburys%2ftmcwebportal&lang=1086

Perhaps it is just Argos

Personally, I do not see it that way. Given they already provide telematic solutions to Sainsburys, I think Microlise assisted Trakm8 to win this work, The opportunity for bells and whistles is really down to whether Microlise can offer their services or not and in this case Trakm8 stepped in.

I think this is confirmed by one of the answers to our share holder question.

Q11 "Trakm8 and Microlise are competitors in some aspects and so have maintained their independence to a great extent. We have collaborated on some purchasing activity and we have shared opportunities if one or other of us is not well placed to secure new business. We have exchanged some technology to improve the solutions for both companies. "

I'd be more inclined to assume that for each time Microlise use Trakm8 for services then it demonstrates to Microlise that they should purchase Trakm8. Furthermore, If I am correct then this is great for Trakm8 i.e. the fact that Microlise trust Trakm8 to deliver to their high value customers.

I had a battery replacement a couple of weeks ago and naturally I asked the patrol about the bid. The guy was very knowledgeable and being part of the share scheme was looking at 50p per share as a break-even (although, he said they have a 2 for 1 offering so perhaps 25p would be the actual bottom).

The main take-out was the idea that he felt the consortium had a track record in doing the right thing for the companies they acquire. Hopefully this is true...and hopefully SB is part of that.

I think you are correct, although it would be nice for a director purchase to calm the nerves...

I may have missed this video but I thought it was worth a watch. Heavy reference to Iceland and stating that Trak are leaders in route planning.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/trakm8_route-optimisation-planning-fmcg-activity-6737650770675539969-cyP4

Another partner....

https://www.alltruck.co.uk/pages/fleet-technology/trakm8-telematics

Thanks, I agree that the downside appears much more limited and whilst I did not make much off the AA it is certainly a relief it is finally coming to a conclusion.

Whilst I am no expert, the AA offer price of 35p appears desperate to me. On the one hand, a new owner may inject needed cash and hopefully take SB with it. On the other, if the deal does not go through or the new owners asset strip it (ok, there are no assets to strip but you get my point) then what will happen to SB - could the AA fail!?. The next question would be how much impact will SB be to Trakm8 either way (it gets scrapped or more investment into the tech)

Thoughts anybody.

No problem. It is worth saying that my experience may be unique and it was a while ago. Does my experience make Trakm8 a bad company to work with - I would say no. As proven with the RH600 problems, they do not leave you hanging out to dry - they work with you. Is Trakm8 unique in having issues - definitely not.

My experience with them is mixed. There have been historic questions about build quality and promised functionality versus actual e.g. we went to them for their CANBus expertise but the reality turned out very different - they did resolve the issues but it proved a very stressful time (it did not look good for us from our client's perspective - Trakm8 had over-promised IMO). To be fair, CANBus is hard (or was at the time - different standards and manufacturers turning it off etc) - I think that is why they went over to accelerometer driver feedback e.g. harsh braking g-sensor vs CANBus brake pedal angle.

Build quality has not always been great and the configuration tool was horrible (we use a different supplier now and their platform is great by comparison) but when I contrast it with the units still in service they deliver outstanding performance (some are well past warranty). We looked for alternatives but (at the time) nothing compared (for our needs). Even today we would find it difficult to find the product Trakm8 gave us (ok, I am not looking).

Ultimately, Trakm8 decided not to work with integrators like us - instead preferring to keep it all to themselves (I believe their partnership offering still relies on bringing devices to their servers).

I would finish by saying their support team (the actual tech people) have always been fantastic. Not so the initial response.

My comments would just repeat what everybody else has said. That said, what happened to the circa 40K new devices committed from last year. The number of connected units has not gone up that much (unless I have misread it).

Disappointed with AA news but .....

That is how I feel about it. Company sponsors event/pays for table at event etc and low and behold they get nominated for something - not saying it is happening here but I have seen this happen. Like you say, good PR.

Some news...

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/trakm8_trakm8-wins-big-at-uk-fleet-champions-awards-activity-6735549988115369985-hn2g

Good to see you here mouse.....

Here's hoping for a comprehensive update, as you describe. Given the price and uncertainty it is the least they could do.

I'm still waiting for the AA (feels like I am stuck on the side of a road) to free up some cash. Psychologically it is proving very difficult to have faith in Trakm8 at the moment so I think the next update is key for me (not to sell my current holdings, just whether I add).

Agreed..... I am curious, was that you picking up the 30K?

Not a bad write up on their website....

https://www.trakm8.com/news/trakm8s-transformative-partnerships-shortlisted-for-industry-awards/

Nothing new IMO (getting nominated for things is not that impressive to me - money talks), just good PR

Stopped reading it, haven't looked back. Bipolar is an interesting way to describe it - I assume you mean polarised between bears and bulls and not a single poster who flips - no need to answer, unlike some of those bears, I have moved on from that forum.

As for make or break. There are risks - debt, loss of clients and large overheads. I suspect Furlough v2 will help by reducing some of the staff costs and even allow them to look at whether they need so many. Debt needs to be reduced but I can't see how given they are loss making and loss of clients is what it is - although, I think they are shifting out of the competitive part of tracking into the fringes and that may help e.g. seemingly having less reliance on fleet, more on insurance.

Obviously, my money is also on make.