Mr Paul Cheng, Chief Executive Officer

Focusing on the promotion and implementation of Intelligent Transport System (ITS) and logistics services solutions, Autotoll Limited is Hong Kong’s leading ITS and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) services provider in the transport and logistics industries. Its advanced technology and efficient customer service attracts large local and multinational customers, as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is considerably more effective than traditional barcoding systems, able to read information over a greater distance and track moving objects. A customer-oriented company, Autotoll aims to provide convenient and reliable transport and logistics management solutions to the public and to corporate clients.
With over 10 years of experience in the application and implementation of RFID technologies, Autotoll has been managing and operating the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system in Hong Kong since 1998. Its ETC system provides maximum convenience to motorists by allowing the toll collection process to be automated in such a way that motorists do not have to stop and pay cash at a tollbooth. Currently, ETC is available in all of the toll roads/ tunnels across Hong Kong, involving 330,000 daily transactions from over 230,000 Autotoll subscribers. Autotoll has gained considerable support from the city of Hong Kong, as the ETC system improves traffic management by providing free flow on Autotoll lanes.

In 2006, the company launched Autotoll Club as a way of thanking subscribers for their continued patronage. Members are issued with a card that entitles them to a number of value-added benefits including fuel discounts as well as food and beverage, leisure, shopping and entertainment offers. Several large-scale events are organised each year, and this year’s highlights were a China Self Drive Tour to Zheng Cheng and Conghua as well as movie nights and a Happy Mother’s Day event. Autotoll members can also freely drive through the Guangdong highways and certain tollways with the Autotoll-Unitoll Card, which streamlines cross-border travel between Hong Kong and Guangdong. It is the first card issued in Hong Kong to offer toll settlement on highways and toll roads in Guangdong Province.

In addition to RFID applications, Autotoll also offers comprehensive logistics support with its telematics service, launched in August 2004, providing vehicle/fleet real-time data, historical record and management reports for fleet management covering the Pearl River Delta and Guangdong Province, which comprises 21 cities and a population of 78 million. The benefits of telematics are plentiful and reach every sector of the transport industry.

The last 12 months have seen the introduction of several new initiatives at Autotoll, including the On Board Trucker Information System (OBTIS), a mobile GPRS unit aimed to produce faster turnaround and better customer service within the transport industry.  Autotoll has been participating in the provision of the Traffic Speeds on Main Routes in Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Territories South since 2007. This interactive, intelligent Traffic Speed Map was developed for the Transport Department in collaboration with Hong Kong Polytechnic University. While not a new service, Autopark, a non-stop parking payment method available at designated car parks, has also proved popular with customers of late, says the company’s CEO Paul Cheng. “According to a recent survey, out of all the services provided by us, this has been particularly welcomed by customers, so we are keen to expand this service from over 40 to around 100 participating car parks,” he explains.

Asked about what he attributes the company’s success to, Cheng says, “Every morning we have a meeting attended by management from each department, who provide an update on their status and if there are any problems, we deal with it there and then. This also gives the different departments a sense of accountability,” he points out. So what inspires this CEO’s no-nonsense management strategy? “I’ve read a book called Execution [by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan about the structural processes that lead to executing strategy effectively] and I believe execution is the job of the leader, and this is a principle I believe and follow.”

Asked how he plans to ensure company growth in 2009, Cheng says, “we are revising our business plan and have set realistic targets that take into account the current economic situation. It will be difficult but we need to respond to what’s happening in the market.” As for long-term plans, the CEO says they will continue to expand in Guangdong although there are no plans as yet to expand the business further afield.
- Helen Dalley

PHILOSOPHY
Autotall aims to provide quality intelligent transport and logistics services in the most professional, efficient and market driven manner, and contribute to the safety, convenience and efficiency of transport and logistics management systems. Autotoll seeks to deliver the best value proposition in the market through continuous innovation of its products and services. It believes its ongoing technology development offers convenience to transport and logistics industry professionals in Hong Kong. Autotoll will continue to strive to develop different markets and serve customers with the highest quality services.

FAST FACTS
2008
• Becomes the system builder and operator of On-Board Trucker Information System (OBTIS)
2007
• Works with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to provide the “Traffic Speed Map for Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Territories South” to the Transport Department
• Receives Caring Company Award 2007/2008
2006
• Launches Autotoll Club to provide customers with benefits such as reduced fuel costs and other privileges
2005
• Receives Outstanding Award of the first Hong Kong Wireless Technology Excellence Award for its GPS service
2004
• Launches Telematics service in the Pearl River Delta and Guangdong Province
1998
• Company is formed through the merger of The Autopass Co. Ltd. and Electronic Toll Systems Ltd