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With
Masstrack solution,
the era of car snatching
is over |
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incessant cases of car snatching in Nigeria have continued to challenge
the efficiency of security agencies in the country. While little or
no success has been made in stemming this tide, this ugly trend has
continued to be on the rise thus raising some posers for both Government
and its security agencies. Succour appears to be here at last with
a solution provided by Security and Allied Technologies Limited (SAATECH).
The firms Managing Director, Ndubueze Onyeka told Ifeanyi Osueke in
this interview that indeed the end is here for car snatchers.... |
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In
the beginning
SAATECH is an acronym for Security and Allied Technologies Limited;
the company was incorporated in April 2005 and started operations
immediately on security service provision. Our core products
are surveillance CCTV systems, burglar alarm system, fire alarm,
access control and so on.
We are determined to make SAATECH a household name in security
and allied solutions in Nigeria. But because of the demand of
the market, in 2006 we moved into vehicle telematics. Vehicle
telematics is the management of vehicle security and operations
through tracking and fleet management, running on GPS/GSM Platform.
By our incursion into vehicle telematics industry, we have made
a progressive in-road. We are the official company that tracks
for Julius Berger Plc. Coca-Cola and DHL have shown good interest
in our solution.
In the area of surveillance CCTV system, we also have done jobs
for companies like Julius Berger and some other companies. For
burglar alarm, access control, biometrics time and attendance
management, we have companies like United Bank for Africa (UBA
Plc), Nigerian Breweries Plc etc. That is in a nutshell what
we have done and are still doing; we are driving home security
solutions cut across physical security and total mobile asset
management.
How the technology works
Vehicle tracking like I said before, leverages on GPS/ GSM infrastructure.
GPS is Global Positioning System commonly called satellite;
with satellite you are able to know the position or location
of the vehicle. Tracking means that you can track and monitor
where your vehicle is at any moment, using the GSM platform
for communication between the vehicle and the system-PC which
we call the Server-Software.
In the software, you already have a digital map of the location
you are covering for an example, if you are covering or tracking
in Nigeria, you must have the digital map of all major cities
covering the road and street network.
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Security and Allied
Technology has invested heavily on digital map of Nigeria covering
the thirty-six states of the federation including the major cities
up to street levels; what it means is that we can through the GPS
monitor and locate the position of the vehicles anywhere, any time
in Nigeria and beyond. The GPS comes in form of longitude and latitude,
which is vague to the Vehicle owners but with our digital |
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are able to interpret the position of the motor vehicle. For example,
if the Vehicle is in Ogba, |
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Ikeja
as in Lagos state or if it is in Aba-Owerri Road in Aba, Abia State,
or if it is in Danbuwa Road in Borno State, wherever the vehicle is,
there is no problem at all because we already have GSM coverage in
these areas.
It will be very easy for the vehicle to report its location to the
PC software called Base station either through SMS or GPRS. The point
is that there must be a communication platform between the vehicle
and the PC Server, which could either be the GSM or CDMA technology.
This is vehicle tracking as it is.
Another good feature of the vehicle security we showcase is such that
you can use your handset to stop or demobilize the vehicle. It is
easy for you to listen-in to your car, it is also easy for you to
know when your door is open, and it is easy for you to shut down your
vehicle anywhere in Nigeria.
SAATECH showcases another level of tracking that is, Web Based -tracking;
whereby anywhere in the world, once you are logged on to the Internet,
with the password given to you, you can see your vehicle. You can
monitor and shutdown your car from anywhere in the world still via
the web as it is not restricted to the territorial boundary of Nigeria.
That is what we mean by web based vehicle tracking and fleet management.
It is important for people that have large fleet especially haulage
companies that have problem managing their workforce and vehicle monitoring.
For example, banks with over 500 vehicles in their fleet in over 150
branches would definitely require fleet management system. Companies
like DHL, Coca-Cola or Nigerian Breweries that supply their brand
all over the country would also require robust fleet management solution.
Tracking and the GSM, CDMA, GPRS technologies
Every technology comes with its own problems. The GSM infrastructure
as you know is not without some inherent problems but these problems
are what we call third-party problems. In our contract with the clients,
we state it clearly; that there may be loss of signal in the satellite
or the GSM platform may also experience congestion but what is important
in deciding a carrier is their spread and also the robustness of the
GSM infrastructure like Base Station and Cell Sites.
We are seriously concerned with issues of congestion on Base Stations
these days that cause delays in SMS; we do hope that GSM operators
are doing something about it. But our tracking technology is such
that if you have sent a command to your car to be shut down if stolen,
the message will queue in and when the car is driven to area with
active service network, the car will automatically stop. |
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This is because
you have sent a programme to demobilize the car, which must
be carried out. The next thing is to track the car via the digital
map for stolen vehicle recovery. Apart from recovering a stolen
vehicle, you may wish to know where your vehicle is, you just
send the command, even if the network is bad in Lagos it may
not be bad at the same time in Ibadan, Ondo or Akure etc.
Availability
Opportunity in vehicle tracking and fleet management is not
open to big companies alone but the truth about it is that every
tracking company targets the big companies because investment
in vehicle tracking is very colossal. For example, the cost
of |
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map of 50 cites in 36 states of the country alone is more than
N50million, which is investment on only map. |
So it may
really be too expensive for individuals
who may wish to track their vehicles, but thanks to the innovation
that SAATECH is bringing in the industry by trying to bridge
the gap and to meet the yearnings of individuals who may wish
to track their vehicle at low cost.
We are the first company to give out our hardware free (at no
cost to the vehicle owner) To this end, we have launched MASSTRACK;
MassTrack is Consumer Tracking and Vehicle Security meant for
personal vehicle owners across the country. One good thing about
this product is that we have subsidized the hardware, called
In-vehicle unit, (the system you store in the vehicle that enables
you to get the GSM/GPS signals).
Ordinarily the hardware is expensive, that is why it is restricted
to fleet management companies that can afford it, pay for the
installation and service charge, which comes either monthly
or annually. It is because of the high cost and in our sincere
desire to making Nigerians benefit in this novel product that
SAATECH is absorbing the cost of the hardware and is giving
it out for free. You do not pay for it, you only pay for the
installation and service charge annually and it comes in paltry
sum of N10, 000 for installation, and N35, 000 service charge.
When you compare the cost of comprehensive insurance of certain
brands of vehicles, especially those used by high net worth
Nigerians, you will agree that the cost is very affordable.
You find out that what you are paying to secure your vehicle
is very unimaginable, so we have come with this product for
general Nigerian car owners and we are the only company showcasing
this solution right now.
Unique selling point
Like I explained before, under MassTrack for vehicle tracking
and security, our unique selling point is to make tracking available
and affordable. We are interested in the solution not in the
“hardware sales”. While other competitors are interested
in making money by selling the hardware, we are interested in
being the only vehicle tracking company for consumers in Nigeria
for the mass market.
Our unique selling point is to secure your vehicle and make
you happy. Not only that, we have a bundle pack offered together
with MassTrack. This product is called Tyre Protector. We are
in synergy with Ambassador John Fashanu who is championing Tyre
Protector International in Nigeria.
Tyre Protector is a solution that comes as a value added product.
In addition to giving you the hardware for Masstrack for free,
we treat your tyre with a sealant that protects it against puncture.
So we are interested in security and safety of our client totally,
that is why we give you that “bundle pack” offer.
Get our tracking solution as an individual car owner automatically,
you are qualified for our bundle pack that is, we will treat
your tyre with our puncture preventive sealant. We are not driven
by money, but in making our clients happy in total mobile asset
management.
How we see competition
The competition is healthy and opportunities abound. We are
talking about a country with over 150 million population with
high-level vehicles that are worth protecting. The market is
competitive that is why we have come out with Masstrack, some
other companies have their own product but so far no company
can do what we are trying to do in Nigeria and that is our unique
selling point.
The industry is still growing, you know GSM started 2001 and
this telematics solution is a technology that leverages on GSM
platform so without GSM/GPS, we cannot be talking about vehicle
tracking and security. Like the telecommunication industry is
experiencing a boom, more licenses will be awarded, more carriers
will come in. The same way, when other companies come in with
their different solutions and products, vehicle tracking and
fleet management solution will open up.
Because many people complain that vehicle tracking is expensive,
that is why SAATTECH is now coming in to play a role as a market
leader, designing the future market for vehicle tracking in
Nigeria by offering Masstrack
At pace with GSM
The Masstrack is developing as GSM technology spreads. Already,
we have six franchise distributors; we are interested in building
the largest GSM tracking and fleet management network in Nigeria
leveraging on a choice GSM operator. Because Mass track is a
national product, our target is the whole country. So right
now, we have Regional Franchise North (RFN), Regional Franchise
East (RFE), Regional Franchise West (RFW), and Regional Franchise
South (RFS).
By franchise, we are building a network that is why we have
invested heavily on map of over 36 states and 50 cities in Nigeria.
Our huge investment in digital GIS maps is to position us to
give Nigerians the best. Already we are in Abuja, Port Harcourt,
Lagos, Maiduguri, Kano, Kastina and major areas running under
our franchise channel partnership arrangement. Again, the franchise
dealers have the power to appoint other sub dealers; it is a
major Network building obtained in normal telecom marketing.
We are prepared for the future for vehicle telematics in Nigeria.
Government role
The government has started well by making sure there are unified
licenses. You must be licensed to practice vehicle telematics.
NCC came out with that and SAATECH together with our foreign
partners are certified to do vehicle tracking. So there should
be control process to monitor quacks because we are talking
about vehicle security.
Government must come up with a body that will regulate the influx
of the hardware equipment for vehicle tracking and security.
If you go to Alaba International market, you see people who
import all kinds of things for vehicle tracking and tell you
they do the same job. Government should make laws that will
protect genuine people and spell out criteria for operation.
That is what I think the government should do.
Nigeria and security
The security situation is not impressive even though the government
is doing something about it. The security agencies in Nigeria
need some private support and the National Assembly should make
laws that will enable security agencies do their work well.
For example, we are talking about vehicle tracking, the government
should make regulations that would make agencies like Federal
Road Safety, the Police and so on ensure that all the vehicles
in Nigeria have tracking device that can communicate with the
Police; it will help in tracking armed robbers. There is so
much that vehicle tracking can do like audio surveillance; you
can even through the camera view the vehicle in motion. A regulation
on this will open up the market, protect the citizens and empower
the police to reduce crime to the barest minimum
Creating awareness
Like I told you, it is a technology that leverages on GSM infrastructure;
it is still new so not many people are in the business and they
are not willing to spend money on marketing awareness for fear
of the workability. And that is why players are still apprehensive
that the huge amount to be spent in advert and media awareness
may not yield the desired result.
People are still testing the market; I can say that what we
are doing now is a pilot scheme, testing the market, the technology,
the solution and the acceptance of this technology nation-wide.
Things are getting better by the day; the industry is gathering
acceptance and with time, companies will begin to make budget
appropriation for awareness. |
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Security
of lives and property is no doubt a cardinal responsibility of the government.
But rather than curb the ugly trend of crime rate in their areas, government
agencies saddled with this responsibility seemed to have lost ideas on crime
control. They watch helplessly while crime rate grow in a geometric proportion.
The consequences of this ungodly act are far-reaching both on the economy
and the citizenry. It hinders commerce, reduces foreign investment and leaves
the people in fear and uncertainties. People now sleep with one eye open
keeping watch on the vehicle, the Jewellery and other valuable materials,
even when it is obvious that their wake-keep may not check the marauders.
A major area of crime concern is vehicle theft. Nigeria has a very high
rate of stolen and unrecovered vehicle. Though various reasons could be
adduced for the alarming rate of this ugly crime, such reasons may be unemployment,
unskilled men of the security agencies, lack of modern security gadget,
among others. But it has been clearly established that stolen vehicles are
linked to organised crime and terrorism. The vehicles are stolen sometimes
for its value, sometimes for the commission of other crime. What this means
is that a relative control of vehicle theft will have a commensurable reduction
effect on other criminal activities such as robbery both within Nigeria
and the neighbouring African countries.
However, the real obstacle to combating vehicle theft in a country like
Nigeria is lack of reliable database for stolen and recovered vehicle. For
example, a visit to the website of Nigeria Police reveals a scanty information
database on vehicle theft and related crime.
This in no small measure limits the public access to the state of security
on vehicle and suggests that the criminal rate especially on vehicle theft
is ignoble, yet vehicle theft has been described as 'a major business in
Nigeria'.
This becomes more worrisome when we consider the fact that Nigeria is the
most populous black nation in the world with population figure of over 140
million. That one fifth of the world population lives in Africa, that more
than a quarter of all the countries in the world are in Africa then, one
wonders why Nigerian government and her sister countries in Africa are paying
lip service to protection of lives and properties such as vehicles.
The need for making available an updated database on stolen and recovered
vehicles across the region cannot be overemphasized. This is equally applicable
to other African countries especially with greater advancement in the application
of ICT tools in government and security businesses in today's world.
Nigeria and indeed the whole of Africa should join the rest of the world
in keeping detailed database of stolen and recovered vehicles in the continent.
They should be part of this project by responding and returning questionnaire
by relevant organizations attempting at solving and documenting vehicle
theft and related crimes.
According to Data for Africa, “only seven out of 53 African countries
(about 13 per cent) responded to the eight United Nations Crime Trend Survey
in 2005”. The organization observed that, “the absence of reliable
information contributes to the limited attention devoted to solving crime
and safety problem in the region in addition to the lack of data collection
system hampering the eventual development of Africa by its governments and
the international community.”
The importance of information dissemination about vehicle theft, drug and
general crime, was one of the issues identified as area of priority intervention
in the programmes of Action for Africa 2006 2010 set at the Abuja Round
Table.
Contrary to the above, the developed countries of the world view the issue
of proper record and documentation of crime and vehicle theft as possible
panacea to the continued rising incidence of this social ill which has become
illegitimate international business activity among syndicate organizations.
The perpetrators of this criminal act steal vehicles in a country and ferry
them across the ocean or the borderlines of other countries where they will
be disposed. That is why security agencies of developed countries have detailed
and comprehensive information accessible in their database on the Internet
on recovered and stolen vehicles.
Hence the International Police in an attempt to check this highly orchestrated
crime has developed the automated search facility stolen motor vehicle (ASS-SMU)
database. An estimated 146 countries (Nigeria not inclusive) make use of
this with over 3.4 million records of reported cases of stolen vehicles
at the end 2006.This is an opportunity the Nigeria Police must maximize
to track down large number of its stolen vehicles transported to neighbouring
countries and beyond.
There is no doubt that the security agencies like the Police need information
from the public to build its database and possibly track down stolen vehicles.
But several factors play down this public role.
For instance in Nigeria, the possible uncivil approach of Police to people
with helpful information, their deep rooted corrupt tendencies, cases of
the hunter becoming the hunted; the victim being victimized and other stinking
attitudes of the Police that have drastically reduced public estimation
of the agency before the civil society, account for why the public has not
been forth-coming with information for the purpose of which this piece is
devoted to. Where then does this leave us? And what are other options available
to Nigeria on vehicle theft and security?
The available option is the Police; other security measures are complimentary.
Security measure such as the car tracking technology which though highly
technological and pretty expensive but very effective in controlling vehicle
theft; the technology that gives you the opportunity to shut down the engine
of your car from your bedroom irrespective of distance is yet, another measure.
Discussion on this novelty is a matter for another day.
It however, behoves on the security agencies like the Police to provide
security. The Police should be properly equipped and provided with hi-tech
gadgets for effective monitoring and tracking down of stolen vehicles. There
must be proper reorientation of the Police on public relation. Nigeria Police
must source for opportunities open to them in the area of information gathering,
storage and dissemination geared towards proper security of lives and properties.
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