Transport & Logistics Communications | Mobile Systems Limited
Transport and logistics operations live and die by coordination. A truck sitting idle because the depot couldn't confirm a bay allocation, a driver who can't reach dispatch when a route changes, or a warehouse team waiting on information from the yard — these are everyday productivity losses that compound across every shift, every vehicle, every day. In an industry with thin margins, the quality of your internal communications is a competitive variable.
Where communications breaks down in transport operations
Depot & warehouse Forklift operators, dock staff, dispatchers, and supervisors need instant coordination. Most warehouse workers don't carry phones on the floor.
Yard operations Truck movements, loading, unloading, and traffic management need real-time coordination to keep flow moving and prevent queuing.
On-road vehicles Drivers need reliable contact with dispatch for route changes, delivery exceptions, and safety check-ins — without taking their eyes off the road.
Remote routes Rural and regional routes often have limited mobile coverage. Radio operates independently of cellular infrastructure.
How digital radio improves transport productivity
Instant, hands-free driver communication
The Tait Open2 TO2-M55 mobile radio is designed for vehicle installation — clear digital audio, a colour display, and user-friendly controls that can be operated safely while driving. Push-to-talk requires no dialling, no looking at a screen, and no handheld operation. A driver receiving a route update from dispatch gets it instantly and confirms in a single transmission.
Depot coordination with portable radios
Forklift operators, dock loaders, warehouse pickers, and supervisors on foot use the Tait Open2 TO2-P10 or TO2-P55 portable. Clear audio in a noisy warehouse is a significant improvement over shouting across the floor. Productivity gains from faster task direction and exception handling are immediate and measurable.
Multi-depot coverage for regional operations
For transport companies with multiple depots, Tait Open2 supports IP-linked multi-site operation. Dispatchers at a central hub can communicate with drivers and depot staff at regional sites on a single integrated network. For up to 9 sites, the base station's built-in channel controller handles this natively — no separate server required.
"All Tait Open2 radios support Tait EnableFleet (wired), allowing centralised configuration management across your fleet — software updates and channel programming applied fleet-wide without vehicles returning to depot."
Driver and worker safety
Transport is one of New Zealand's highest-risk industries for serious injuries and fatalities. Road incidents, reversing accidents, manual handling injuries, and lone workers across multiple locations are all common hazards. Communications plays a direct role in managing these risks.
Notable: The Tait TO2-M55 is one of very few mobile radios in its class to include a functioning emergency button and emergency call capability as standard. The Motorola DM4600e — a common competitor at a higher price — does not include an emergency button at all. For transport operators with genuine driver safety obligations, this difference matters.
Tait Open2 vs the competition
| Feature | Tait TO2-M55 | Motorola DM4600e | Hytera MD62X | Kenwood NX-1700 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colour display | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Emergency button | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Emergency call | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Lone Worker | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ARC4 encryption | Standard | Standard | Optional | Optional |
| GPS | Hardware option | ✗ | Optional | Optional |
| IP rating | IP54 (head) | IP54 | IP54 | IP54 |
| Channels | 1024 | 1000 | 256 | 260 |
Frequently asked questions
Our drivers cover a wide area of New Zealand. Can one system cover that?
Radio systems provide coverage within range of a base station. For drivers covering wide geographic areas, the practical solution combines radio for depot-to-driver communication within range, with mobile data for long-range contact. Mobile Systems can help design a system that addresses both needs.
Can we track our vehicles using the radio system?
Yes. The TO2-M55 mobile supports optional GPS hardware, and the TO2-P55 portable includes built-in GPS. Combined with a compatible dispatch and mapping application, live vehicle location tracking is achievable across your fleet.
Our depot is noisy. Will the radios be loud enough?
The TO2-M55 delivers 4W of audio from the control head speaker, with an option for a 10W external speaker. DMR digital audio is significantly cleaner than analogue at equivalent volume levels, making it easier to hear in noisy environments even at lower volumes.
Can we use the same radios for in-vehicle and on-foot use?
Yes. For drivers who frequently move between vehicle and foot operations, a portable radio in a vehicle mount is a practical solution. Alternatively, a vehicle-mounted TO2-M55 paired with a portable TO2-P10 or TO2-P55 on the driver's belt covers both scenarios comprehensively.
We have a mix of older analogue radios and want to upgrade gradually. Is that possible?
Yes. Tait Open2 radios support both DMR digital and conventional analogue operation. You can operate in mixed-mode as you transition to a full digital fleet, protecting your existing equipment investment and spreading the cost of the upgrade.
What maintenance does the system require?
Beyond normal battery maintenance, Tait Open2 systems require minimal routine upkeep. Mobile Systems offers maintenance and servicing agreements for operations that want ongoing support, and extended warranty options for equipment taking a hard working life.
Improve how your operation communicates
Mobile Systems Limited works with transport operators, logistics companies, and distribution businesses throughout the Bay of Plenty and New Zealand. We understand the operational demands of the industry.
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