It’s no secret that fleet maintenance is essential to the operation of any fleet. It serves the pivotal function of addressing its overall state and is key to ensuring that vehicles are on the road and making money as much as possible.
But that’s not to say all ways of performing fleet maintenance are the same – there are definitely better ways to optimize efficiency. After all, a well-oiled machine is one that’s running as close to its potential as possible.
In this post, we’ll discuss how effective fleet maintenance can help you run a leaner, meaner operation – and save money in the process.
How Fleet Maintenance Improves Efficiency
The first thing to understand is that fleet maintenance and fleet efficiency are two sides of the same coin. Just as you wouldn’t expect a car to run without gas, you can’t have an effective fleet without properly maintaining it.
Proper maintenance helps to ensure that your vehicles are running as efficiently as possible. This, in turn, saves you money on things like fuel, repairs, and even vehicle replacement.
What Is Effective Fleet Maintenance?
To understand how to optimize your fleet, we first need to know what effective fleet maintenance looks like.
At its core, effective fleet maintenance is a proactive process, rather than a reactive one. It means staying well ahead of repairs with regularly scheduled check-ups, implementing best practices, and using high-quality parts and products.
The right solution will help minimize downtime and keep your vehicles on the road, whether by tracking maintenance records or scheduling future appointments.
Helps to avoid breakdowns: By catching problems early and addressing them head-on, you can help to avoid larger issues down the road. This not only saves you money in repairs, it also keeps your vehicles on the road and keeps your organization profitable.
Increases fuel efficiency: Regular maintenance helps to keep your vehicles running smoothly, which can lead to increased fuel efficiency. This lowers your overall operating costs and helps you save money at the pump.
Improves vehicle lifespan: Properly maintaining your fleet extends the life of your vehicles. This not only saves you money on replacement costs, but it also minimizes downtime.
Reduces repair costs: Because small problems have a tendency to snowball into larger, more expensive ones, addressing issues early on can help to reduce the cost of repairs.
Boosts productivity: Automating your fleet maintenance processes helps keep your fleet running smoothly, minimizes downtime and maximizes productivity.
Tips For Optimizing Your Fleet Maintenance
Schedule Regular Inspections
By scheduling regular inspections, you can catch problems early and prevent them from turning into larger issues. This helps to keep your vehicles on the road and minimizes downtime.
Use High-Quality Parts And Products
Using high-quality parts and products helps to ensure that your vehicles are running smoothly. This, in turn, increases fuel efficiency and extends the life of your vehicles.
Keep Accurate Records
Keeping accurate records is essential for effective fleet maintenance. This helps you to track maintenance history, schedule future appointments, and troubleshoot problems.
Automating these processes by digitally recording your maintenance data is the most time-efficient and cost-effective way to ensure data accuracy and easy access.
Develop a Preventative Maintenance Plan
Developing a preventative maintenance plan helps you to stay ahead of the curve and avoid problems before they start. This includes things like regularly scheduled check-ups and using operational best practices.
Work with a Fleet Maintenance Partner
Fleet maintenance is critical for any fleet-based business, but it’s only effective if done correctly.
An optimized maintenance program will result in fewer breakdowns, increased fuel efficiency, improved vehicle lifespan, reduced repair costs, and boosted productivity. All of this leads to a lower total cost of ownership.
Whether you’re tracking records, scheduling appointments or just want to stay organized, working with a fleet maintenance partner can help to take your program to the next level.
Your consultants at GoFleet can provide expert advice, and around-the-clock support. Contact us today.
Frequently, commercial fleets tend to get stuck with maintenance inefficiencies, simply because it’s “easier” than trying something new. With an exponential increase in maintenance expenses paired with advances in fleet connectivity, now is the time to think about upgrading your fleet maintenance strategy.
What is Fleet Maintenance?
Fleet maintenance keeps your vehicles operating in good condition so that they remain reliable and safe. A proper fleet maintenance strategy will also extend the life of your vehicles on the road and is an important part of managing a fleet.
TechTarget identifies fleet management as “an administrative approach that allows companies to organize and coordinate work vehicles with the aim to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and provide compliance with government regulations.” Proper fleet maintenance will reduce your operating costs and improve inspection outcomes, keeping your engines in good health and your drivers safe.
The Importance of Efficient Fleet Maintenance
Maintenance is the cornerstone of any successful fleet. Without vehicles that function properly, your operations will inevitably come to a grinding halt. Sticking with an outdated fleet maintenance strategy will only end up hurting you in the long run.
How?
Higher repair costs, more downtime, and less productive drivers to start. It’s also worth considering how much time is wasted using an inefficient system. In today’s fast-paced world, time is money – the sooner you can get your vehicles back on the road, the better.
The following strategies will help improve fleet maintenance and keep your vehicles on the road, where they belong.
1. Establish Standards For Vehicle Maintenance Performance
The first step towards having an efficient fleet maintenance strategy is to establish standards for performance. This means setting measurable goals for things like fuel economy, brake life, and scheduled downtime.
This simple step will give you a better idea of how well your vehicles are performing and where you might need to make changes in order to improve efficiency. It also provides a baseline against which you can compare future results.
2. Keep Track of All Maintenance Records Electronically
Another important part of running an efficient fleet is keeping track of all its maintenance data in an accessible and digital format.
From vehicle inspections and repairs to scheduled maintenance and downtime, these data sets will keep everyone up to date and reduce manual tracking. Using a vehicle inspection app simplifies record-keeping and inspection processes, ensuring everyone has the latest information. Digital tracking also offers several advantages. First, it allows you to easily access records and track trends over time. Second, tracking makes it possible to share information with other members of your team quickly and easily.
Finally, tracking helps you avoid losing important data if something were to happen to your physical records.
Using these maintenance tools will help you to save time and money, while also improving the overall safety and efficiency of your fleet.
4. Create a Service Schedule for Each Vehicle
One of the best ways to ensure that your fleet is running efficiently is to create a service schedule for each individual vehicle. This schedule should include things like oil changes, tire rotations, and other routine maintenance tasks.
Creating a service schedule will help keep your vehicles in good working condition and minimize the risk of unexpected breakdowns.
5. Keep Tabs On Inspections
Inspections are essential when it comes to properly caring for and reducing the maintenance needs of any fleet. Not only are they necessary to log and track issues with a vehicle, but they can also help to identify potential problems before they become more serious.
As such, it’s important to keep tabs on all inspections that are carried out on your fleet. This includes everything from routine safety checks to more comprehensive annual inspections.
6. Outsource Your Fleet Maintenance Strategy to a Specialist
If you don’t have the time or resources to properly maintain your fleet, you may want to consider outsourcing this task to a specialist.
GoFleet, for example, offers fleet maintenance strategies, and they can help to keep your vehicles in good condition while also saving you time and money.
Making even a few small changes to the way you manage your fleet can have a big impact on its overall efficiency. By following the tips in this article, you can make sure that your fleet is running as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Is your fleet currently using an outdated fleet maintenance strategy? Contact a GoFleet consultant and ask how we can help take your fleet maintenance to the next level.
Fuel is one of the most fluid factors – literally and figuratively – to determine the success of fleet management. Whether one considers price hikes or supply chain issues, fuel economy for fleets remains top of mind for all fleet companies.
While you may not be able to control the fuel market’s volatility, there are factors to consider when it comes to fuel consumption; namely how much your vehicles use, and where you can find areas of improvement.
In this article, we’ll discuss fuel efficiency and how a fleet management solution can positively impact your bottom line.
Why Focus on Fuel?
Fuel expenses constitute up to 60% of a fleet’s operational costs, making it the second-largest expense for most fleets and an ideal area of focus when looking to optimize a fleet’s operational efficiency.
Investing in a solution that optimizes your fleet and makes it more fuel efficient has a profound impact on your company’s budget and environmental sustainability efforts – two areas of focus for most of today’s business leaders.
What Affects Fuel Economy for Fleets?
There are a variety of factors that affect fuel efficiency, including:
Idling
Speeding
Driving Habits
Payload
Route planning and optimization
Fortunately, fleet management solutions can help fleet managers keep tabs on all of these factors – and more – to ensure optimal fuel efficiency.
Idling
Leaving a vehicle’s engine running while parked or not in use is a major contributor to wasted fuel. In fact, idling for just ten seconds can consume the same amount of fuel as restarting the engine.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), vehicles that idle more than 50% of the time when in use require more maintenance and cost fleets more money.
While there may be some instances where idling is unavoidable, such as in the case of emergency vehicles or delivery trucks that need to keep their refrigerators running, an automated, scalable fleet management system can identify idling patterns and offer solutions.
Speeding
While speeding may get drivers to their destination more quickly, it also significantly reduces fuel efficiency. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that for every 5 mph over 50 mph, fuel economy for fleets decreases significantly.
A fleet management solution, such as GPS tracking, allows fleet managers to monitor speeding events and correct them in real-time. Some fleet management solutions also trigger speed limit alerts that notify drivers when they are exceeding the posted limit.
Vehicle Weight
A recent UK study found that fuel consumption increased by 0.112 mpg on average for every tonne of payload added. Essentially, the heavier a vehicle, the more fuel it will consume. That’s why it’s important to ensure that vehicles are not carrying unnecessary weight, even when it’s in the spirit of reducing trips.
Telematics data is one way to monitor your vehicles and their payload to ensure compliance with weight restrictions. For example, a fuel management system enables fleet managers to track fuel usage patterns across their fleet.
Driving Habits
It’s not just speeding that can impact fuel economy for fleets. Aggressive driving habits, such as hard acceleration and braking, can also lead to wasted fuel. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that “jack-rabbit” starts and harsh braking can increase fuel consumption by as much as 40%.
Fortunately, telematics data can help to identify patterns of aggressive driving so that fleet managers can address the issue with drivers. In addition, some fleet management solutions offer features such as driver coaching that can help to improve driving habits and optimize fuel efficiency.
Route Planning and Optimization
An inefficient or poorly planned route can lead to a lot of wasted fuel – not to mention wasted time. By using a fleet management solution, fleet managers can plan and optimize routes based on real-time traffic data, which can help avoid congestion and reduce travel time.
In addition, some solutions offer route planning and optimization features that take into account factors such as vehicle weight and payload, which can further improve fuel efficiency.
Invest In a Fleet Management Solution
Incorporating a management solution into your fleet is a big decision, but one that pays off in many ways, including reducing your fuel costs.
When choosing a fleet management solution, it’s important to consider your company’s specific needs and choose a solution that not only offers the features you need to optimize your fleet’s performance, but does so in a way that permits growth as your fleet expands.
Look for a solution that offers comprehensive telematics data around things like fuel usage, idling, speeding, and more.
Furthermore, a good route planning and optimization tool can help you to plan the most efficient routes for your fleet, which can save you time and money.
Finally, a solution that provides real-time alerts based on triggered events can help keep your drivers from speeding and wasting fuel.
Managers can make a significant difference in cost savings and fuel economy for fleets. Contact your GoFleet consultant to see which fleet management system is right for you.
The logistics industry is a vast ecosystem of supply chains, software, and services that work in unison to deliver goods to customers as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.
From the ongoing demands of inventory management to data security and risk assessment, this industry demands constant vigilance. These struggles can be mitigated with efficient and effective fleet management. Below, we’ve listed the top five ways to improve fleet management in the logistics industry.
The World of Logistics: Current State
Currently, the logistics sector is growing at a rapid pace, making it a particularly attractive target for those looking to leverage their skills and enter the industry from a new angle.
The chief gap in logistics is a lack of quality data. At its most basic, the industry is made up of individual suppliers and businesses that come together to support business processes.
For fleet managers, an overflow of data sets (or not enough) makes it difficult for businesses to understand their supply chains and track the performance of their operations as a whole. Read on for five ways to improve fleet management in the logistics industry.
Utilize GPS and Telematics Devices for More Than Location Tracking
The telematics industry continues to create increasingly sophisticated apps that connect to fleet vehicles, allowing logistics companies to track the location of their fleet vehicles in real-time.
Of course, these apps are only as good as the data they receive. There are a number of benefits associated with incorporating GPS tracking devices in your fleet vehicles, including improved fuel efficiency, better driver safety, less vehicle maintenance, and reduced insurance costs due to liability or repairs.
Another option for improving fleet management is the use of telematics devices, which provide a variety of analytics, including fuel consumption and driving behaviour.
Fleet managers who use these devices not only know where their drivers are, but what kind of driving behaviour they’re engaged in.
These data sets can improve training and reduce accidents caused by risky driving activity such as fatigue or distraction.
Switch to Electronic Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports for Speed and Compliance
Electronic driver vehicle inspection reports for speed and compliance are the best way to optimize your fleet’s performance. These reports show a company’s progress over time, highlighting points where improvements can be made.
The electronic driver vehicle inspection report is an excellent metric for tracking business performance to boost productivity across the board.
You’ll also get access to customizable dashboards with metrics such as fuel efficiency and employee satisfaction so that you can see how your team members are performing, and where they can improve.
Of course, it’s not just about improving performance; these reports also offer security through monitoring drivers, vehicles, and companies across the supply chain.
With these reports, you’ll better understand how safe each link in your supply chain really is, and where privacy can improve.
Better Leverage Fuel and Maintenance Data with Integrations
Logistics companies that have a fleet management system typically have one of two options for integrating with logistics software.
First, they can use a web-based integration tool like API bridges, which is what most logistics companies do. This method is the simplest and most straightforward, but does not provide all the benefits that integration through a software platform offers.
The second option is to use third-party integrations, where logistics managers can better allocate resources across their supply chain and make more informed decisions about where they should place stockings and other materials.
Overall, integrating with a software platform provides logistical managers with more insight into their fleet’s performance and helps them improve it faster than ever before.
Track Expenses More Effectively
One of the biggest challenges in logistics is that it is a capital-intensive industry. An organization must spend a significant amount of money to maintain its operations.
With that said, it is also imperative that they can track expenses to keep tabs on overall performance.
For example, many logistics companies work with carriers who offer insurance and tracking services for their goods. These services do wonders for operational efficiency, but can be quite expensive.
The good news? A business can track these expenses by getting an invoice from the carrier and entering it on a spreadsheet, allowing them to monitor how much money they’re spending on these services over time.
This system does not only help a company see where their financial resources are being allocated, it also allows them to make more informed decisions about whether or not these investments are viable and sustainable.
Improve Fleet Management in the Logistics Industry with GoFleet
Without quality data, it’s difficult for companies to make informed decisions about their operations. One way to improve fleet management in your business is by using a customized solution with GoFleet.
We have a range of features that let you easily manage your fleet and keep track of the performance of every vehicle in your fleet.
With GoFleet, you can identify potential problems before they impact your bottom line. For example, if you notice that one of your vehicles is consistently late or experiencing mechanical issues, you’ll be able to rectify the problem before it becomes something more serious.
What is GoFleet?
We have premium fleet management solutions to meet the business needs of virtually every industry.
From telematics, work routing and dispatch, ELD, driver apps and asset monitoring, GoFleet offers countless hardware and software-based solutions to address all needs related to efficiency, maintenance and management in fleets.
Our fleet management software helps logistics companies across the globe improve fleet management and productivity. Our solutions are customizable, so you never have to worry about limitations or restrictions when it comes to business growth.
Commercial fleet managers face all the same problems as those in professional management—directing and coordinating people, talent and assets, while simultaneously trying to save money for the parent company. When your employees are on the road, there can be additional fleet management challenges in the logistics industry.
That’s a lot to juggle effectively; when your employees are most often on the road, crossing state lines and borders, logistics can get even trickier.
Fleet managers are often forced to solve a plethora of problems in real-time—vehicular accidents, personnel safety, package delivery issues, closed routes.
Often these fleet-management decisions are made within a shifting and sometimes volatile marketplace. One recent glaring example is the recent volatility in global gas prices.
When it comes to transit logistics and all the details involved in transport, there’s much that can go wrong in any single workday.
Recent digital innovations such as driver dash cams and integrated GPS communications have revolutionized logistics, allowing fleet managers to streamline information by automating a range of processes.
While the world prepares itself for the inevitable path towards automation, technology is causing seismic shifts across every industry. Businesses everywhere are upgrading, aware of the timeless maxim: adapt or perish.
For fleets, this usually means better fuel efficiency and improved onboard technology—car dashboard systems, wireless connections, vehicle sensors, telematics and more.
As the roll-out of innovative disruptions continue, smart technology is being instituted at an equal pace. However, with new tech come new challenges.
Logistics & Fleet Management
Fleet management is one of the industries most thoroughly impacted by recent technological innovations. Vehicles in particular have undergone massive changes in recent years, offering smarter navigation and driver-focused ‘infotainment’ centres.
Yet when it comes to logistics, most fleets are still struggling to manage their employees, stay on top of administrative paperwork, and adapt to each upgrade.
Here are the top eight most encountered fleet management challenges in the logistics industry, as well as how the digital revolution is currently addressing each challenge.
08. Excessive Administrative Tasks
TomTom, maker of car navigation systems, recently conducted a study of over 1,000 companies to determine the particular challenges most affecting fleet management. Most complaints revolved around inefficiencies in time management. Specifically, spending a majority of their time on rote tasks: a reported 42% said they spend too much time searching for the right employees, and 59% stated that reporting and management of staff work hours takes up the majority of their time.
Common rote tasks include sorting through spreadsheets and databases for up-to-date transit information, or updating printed lists of information that become obsolete immediately after printing.
Replacing paper-based systems with automation can help save businesses enormous time and considerable money over the long term. Automating administrative tasks can free managers from outdated practices that monopolize their precious time.
07. Rising Fuel & Maintenance Costs
Since 2019, the cost for fuel has risen. Not coincidentally, fuel and maintenance are often the largest expenses for fleets, with soaring costs significantly impacting fleet management.
As more cars move toward greater fuel-efficiency, including hybrids and electric vehicles, some drivers still prefer the more powerful gas guzzlers.
Telematics can also inform you of vehicle servicing dates and schedule maintenance reminders, as well as provide engine information and sensor alerts. These features in turn help fleets avoid or reduce larger maintenance costs.
06. Data Privacy & Control
Today’s world is teeming with data vulnerabilities and privacy concerns. As TomTom writes, “It’s common for new companies to be overwhelmed by the selection of tools and APIs when creating proprietary software to manage fleet operations, making it easy to overlook potential data privacy vulnerabilities.”
Many apps sell driver location information to third parties, which add cookies, trackers and even sales ads on top of GPS navigation screens.
GoFleet engineers work to streamline fleet operation processes. Our intuitive software solutions assist with data management, assuring that fleet managers do not drown in data.
We build scalable web and mobile solutions that integrate different platforms and device tracking types. This gives fleets control of their operations while seamlessly protecting wireless transmissions and data privacy.
05. Effective Fleet Communication
When drivers are on the road, it’s not always easy (or safe) to communicate using regular means such as calling, text or email.
Drivers must keep both hands on the wheel, yet successful fleet operations depend on open communication and regular updates. If a delivery suddenly changes, or a significant change in road conditions will affect ETA, all parties need to be made aware.
Our integrated devices and telematics support help simplify order workflow through automated messaging.
Both management and drivers can send automated messages, providing regular status updates and relaying key information: schedules, calendar and other regular communication through navigation devices, visual updates, and customized dashboard solutions.
04. Coordinating Geographic Diversity
Commercial fleets, whether coast-to-coast or across international borders, have quite a few logistical and travel hurdles to manage on a daily basis.
Large, active fleets are not always easy to track with accuracy. For example, coordinating communications providers across long distances can make remote fleet management very difficult, and changing road conditions can disrupt scheduled arrival times.
GoFleet telematics software and GPS tracking solutions let fleets of all sizes effectively integrate their communications systems and their customer service.
Locate drivers, track operations and communicate with your team more intuitively, anywhere on Earth. We help fleets maintain visibility across all terrain, with real-time data on all major moving assets.
Managing these fleet management challenges in the logistic industry amidst geographic complexity is what keeps drivers and fleets ahead of the game.
03. Asset Authorization & Utilization
Remote entry, keyless entry, facial recognition, and other asset authorization technologies have revolutionized fleet industries—from rental vehicle exchanges, to expanded ride sharing enterprises.
Automated authorization and chain-of-command GPS tracking help assure that assets stay in authorized hands and in designated areas.
Along with delivery deadlines and accurate ETAs, fleet management software can track all types of driver and vehicle behaviour. Such dashboard reporting systems can warn of aggressive driving behaviour, or if vehicles are operating outside authorized work hours.
Accurate metrics allow for a finely-tuned fleet-force, able to generate continuous cost savings and an optimal ROI.
Integrated fleet management services also include ZenduWork, which coordinates dispatching, work order tools and vehicles. This helps fleets keep utilization high, logistics efficient and people productive.
02. Integrated Data & Accuracy
It can be difficult to integrate apps, platforms and software operating systems at the same time and expect them to work as a streamlined whole. Especially when all of communication, onboard navigation and data transmission rely on a patchwork of cellular service providers.
Data integration means being able to support your drivers in real-time with alerts, status updates and responses. Well-integrated data lets fleets and delivery teams meet ETAs and send automated updates to waiting clients when backups occur.
These improvements in real-time road visibility and flexible support help fleet managers navigate unexpected events and avoid catastrophes.
01. Driver Safety & Productivity
For fleets, road safety and security are a must. Creating a driver safety program, educating and encouraging your drivers on good driving habits are essential.
Safe driving, paired with automated reminders for regular vehicle maintenance and servicing alerts, means that fleets today have every possible advantage when it comes to driver safety and accident prevention.
Not only does this save lives, but it also significantly reduces unexpected costs such as downtime, liability and insurance premiums.
Driver education and real-time driver coaching have come a long way. Features such as voice-activated technology, geofencing, ZenduMaps and other customizable navigation tools greatly bolster fleet productivity, accuracy and timeliness.
Next-generation safety solutions include the gamification of driver coaching, two-way dash cams and real-time safety alerts for distracted, drowsy or aggressive driving.
GoFleet: Rising to Fleet Management Challenges in the Logistics Industry
Telematics software and fleet management solutions have come a long way. In these past 20 years, customizable platforms and AI-equipped dash cam solutions have simplified transportation, streamlined data collection, and protected drivers.
Around the globe, vast fleet challenges are consistently being met by superior IT solutions.
At GoFleet and around the world, improvements in automation continue to make fleets safer and more efficient, with improved ROIs and a satisfied workforce. Contact your GoFleet representative for a free demonstration.
Effective fleet management provides organizations with real-time visibility into their logistic operations and increases efficiency through vehicle routing and accurate reporting. Fleet maintenance management software paired with vehicle telematics can help support your day-to-day transportation needs while providing an overview of your business. Below is a beginner’s guide to fleet management.
What Is Fleet Management?
Fleet management has gained popularity over the past few years based on its reputation for guaranteeing efficient performance, optimum fleet maintenance and helping organizations run smoothly.
Fleet management refers to all actions allowing a fleet to run on time, efficiently, and within a given budget.
Similarly, it can be defined as the process by which fleet managers monitor the fleet’s activities by applying asset management, vehicle dispatch, and routing to make informed decisions.
Benefits of Fleet Management
You can maximize the efficiency of your fleet using fleet management software or by hiring reliable fleet managers.
Here are the major benefits of fleet management, and how they can improve your bottom line.
Ability to Manage Fleets Remotely
With all the various components that require coordination and organization, managing a fleet of any size can be difficult.
The GPS feature on vehicles allows easy monitoring of performance and identifies possible vehicle damage. It is easier to detect potential maintenance issues when you have access to logistics such as mileage and tire wear.
Being well informed allows you to carry out and perform timely maintenance, thus improving the lifespan of your vehicle.
Improved Safety
Fleet management software allows managers to trace the location of a vehicle and keep up with the driver’s behaviour. Most fleet management software has a video recording feature to help monitor driving behaviour while on the road.
This prevents dangerous behaviours such as drowsy or distracted driving, thus improving the vehicle’s safety and consignment.
Fleet management software also provides accurate reports on your vehicles’ performance and total costs incurred during deliveries. These features all play an important role in cost reduction.
Central Data Management
It is a lot easier to organize and coordinate your fleet when all your data is centrally located. Fleet management software provides valuable data sets on demand, from a central (often cloud-based) location.
Improved Customer Service
Customers look forward to working with businesses whose feedback reflects accurate, reliable deliveries.
With fleet management software, you improve customer satisfaction by ensuring all the information you share with them is up to date. Additionally, the software will aid in tracking the current location of consignments.
Preventing Fraud
As a fleet manager, you have trust in your drivers. However, driver fraud does happen and requires even the most well-intentioned managers to stay vigilant.
Drivers who use their fuel card for reasons other than fueling company vehicles or falsely claiming card misplacement are both well-documented examples of driver fraud. Other examples include drivers using their own credentials to allow non-approved drivers to operate company vehicles.
An AI-powered fleet management system prevents fraud and helps promote transparency among your drivers.
Maintain Communication
Fleet management software equips your fleet with a built-in communication tool that allows you to make contact with your drivers directly.
As a result, drivers can communicate in real-time while on the road, without compromising safety or missing deliveries.
Vehicle Routing
Planning the day’s business in advance helps everything work seamlessly. A fleet management system can help you effectively assign vehicles, routes and drivers.
6 Tips For Effective Fleet Management
What are some of the fleet management steps can you incorporate into your operations, and where should you begin? Below, we offer some suggestions for managing your fleet more effectively.
1. Set Your Goals
If you want to be successful at managing your fleet, establish your business goals and monitor your progress from time to time.
Your goals should be specific, well defined and adequately aligned to the success of your business. Have a common objective to keep your team united and avoid the need for micromanagement.
2. Track Everything
Data is crucial in helping make sound business decisions. Having all necessary data on how your vehicles and drivers perform on a daily basis is essential.
Maintain a track record of how much fuel your vehicles consume, driver performance, and when deliveries are made. Keeping detailed records helps predict future outcomes and keeps your operations predictable.
3. Choose the Right Fleet Vehicles
Before purchasing or leasing any fleet vehicles, it is essential to assess your business needs. The vehicles you acquire should meet the size and scope of your operations, both in current and future states.
Purchasing too many vehicles up front could mean that several of them remain unused. Acquire too few, and your drivers – and trucks – could burn out.
4. Think About your Drivers
The credentials of your drivers ensure the safety of your fleet and consignment.
Having certified drivers with the right skillsets translates to better business performance, significantly reducing unnecessary costs and repairs.
5. Spend Wisely
As a fleet manager, you should consider all costs incurred through vehicles and equipment that are purchased, leased, or rented.
Spending your capital effectively depends on your knowledge base of strategies that help you meet return-on-investment goals. You should also consider available resources, flexible strategies, and any maintenance costs that change your business’s operational needs.
6. Invest in Fleet Management Software
Investing in technology-based systems such as fleet management software will help you utilize fleet intelligence, improve operational efficiency and properly manage your business.
Your fleet likely runs on data. Fleet management software acts as the “brain” behind your operations. The right fleet management solution will continually play a vital role in ensuring that fleet management activities are well coordinated and properly executed.
In addition, fleet management software records vehicle operations in real-time, allowing you to stay on top of maintenance and avoid potential breakdowns.
How Fleet Management Software Can Improve Fleet Safety
Fleet management is a data-driven process. It requires the involvement of multiple moving parts to function effectively.
It can help improve safety in several ways:
Real-time audio and visual feedback.
24/7 access to safety-related analytics, which can prevent accidents.
Driver performance applications keep your drivers safe and accountable.
Accurately records footage before, during, and after a reported incident. Footage can help prevent future accidents, assign liability and potentially exonerate your drivers.
A successful fleet management program tracks, analyzes, and optimizes your fleet. For more information, contact a GoFleet representative, and see how our fleet management solutions can benefit your business.
Creating a successful dash cam program within your fleet requires a few key ingredients. Optimal installation, platform integration, driver coaching, clear company policies and rewards programs are all important factors to consider. As we’ve mentioned in this post, getting your drivers’ buy-in is the lynch pin to any successful program; this is especially true for businesses that employ union drivers.
It’s understandable that unions will have questions and concerns on behalf of their members regarding tracking technology; how it works, but more so how it will be used. That’s why the most successful dash cam programs are those that put the needs, opinions and safety of their drivers first.
John Hamill, a Business Agent at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, began studying video-based safety back in 1994, when cameras were first being used in ambulances. Since then, Hamill has helped design strategic risk-management policies as part of successful collective bargaining agreements that advocate for video-based safety technology.
As an expert in strategic planning for ambulance and passenger transit companies, Hamill brings more than 30 years of experience in transportation, training, and risk management. An expert on safety change management, Hamill knows how to craft responsible dash cam programs that work for companies, drivers and their unions.
Hamill offers recommends the following four best practices to implement a responsible and successful dash cam program for union drivers.
Best Practice No. 1: Engage the Union, First
Driver and asset safety is the entire purpose for creating a dash cam program, and unions and fleet companies have the shared goal of keeping drivers safe. For these reasons, companies are advised to value and build on their union partnerships by engaging the union prior to any rollout.
“My biggest tip to companies with union drivers is this: before going to your drivers, get the union to buy in first,” Hamill says. “Not going to the union first can lead to so many issues down the line. If, for example, the union hears about an issue first, they may want to shut down the initiative entirely. That can set a precedent that’s hard to overcome.” When unions help in crafting the policies and rollout, future misunderstandings are avoided, and everyone wins.
When beginning the dialogue with unions, Hamill recommends that companies communicate the many benefits of video-based safety for drivers. To fully articulate such benefits, says Hamill, “use data and proof points from other companies to really show the value of cameras.” This means expressing, with evidence, such benefits as:
Annual decreases in the frequency of preventable accidents as a result of video-based driver coaching and alerts.
Number of drivers exonerated from road accidents because of dash cam evidence.
Increase in driver retention and decrease in turnover after implementation of video-based driver recognition and driver rewards programs.
Many companies employ a mix of union and non-union drivers, often after negotiating annual contracts. However, notes Hamill, even in cases where the contract has already been negotiated and the dash cam program is not part of the collective bargaining agreement, companies can still utilize a side letter or a memorandum of understanding (MOU). Side letters or MOUs “are the best way to implement cameras before the next contract,” Hamill states.
Best Practice No. 2: Survey Your Drivers to Alleviate Anxiety
After starting a dialogue with the union, open the lines of communication with your drivers. Hamill recommends that you survey your drivers, introduce the topic, and ask for their opinions. Then, says Hamill, “you can build policies to alleviate their anxieties and really help create that trust.”
Hamill suggests using initial surveys that allow for broad questions and free responses, such as How do you feel about dashboard cameras as they pertain to safety? “That will give you an overall sense of sentiment. You might be surprised what the answers reveal about their specific concerns or experiences,” says Hamill. “Doing a survey can really help inform what your policy should address.”
These surveys will highlight key concerns from your team. One recurring fear of drivers is the belief that dash cams will be used to ‘spy’ on them and watch their every move. This is a common misconception that can be addressed early on. “Before you install a single camera or even build out your policy, transparent communication about the technology is key,” Hamill states.
Communicating how the technology works and what types of road events will be recorded will help build trust and transparency. Be sure to identify the following:
What are the specific dash cam capabilities
What types of events will trigger footage to be recorded and uploaded
Whether audio is being captured
What other dash cam features may be activated or deactivated
Whether in-cab coaching and safety alerts will be turned on.
“Communication will help combat fear and anxiety—which are so dangerous not only to your safety program and the culture of your company, but actually to the drivers themselves,” Hamill notes. Instead, drivers should feel comfortable and secure, with their focus safely on the road.
Best Practice No. 3: Create & Follow Clear Safety Policies
Hamill states that the key to successful fleet operations lies in designing thorough safety policies so your company’s expectations and driver requirements are clear, and following those policies.
While every company will have different needs and safety requirements, he recommends articulating the basic rules required by law—such as DOT standards—and then building out company policy from there. Safety policies may include:
A ‘zero tolerance’ policy for dangerous or illicit activities, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
A tiered system of discipline based on the seriousness of an infraction, such as distractions or texting while driving.
A strike (or point) system for infractions such as speeding, close following distance or not wearing a seatbelt.
Coaching drivers and explaining clearly in advance which behaviours will result in training or coaching, and which behaviours will result in progressive discipline.
Both drivers and their union representatives should be provided with written documentation of your company’s safety and coaching policies, guidelines for coaching, and a clearly outlined process for any disciplinary actions. You can also use GoFleet’s driver coaching tools to ensure follow-through and accountability, and provide benchmarks such as driver scorecards and compliance reports.
Best Practice No. 4: Make Good Driving Rewarding & Fun
“It’s so important to make safety fun,” Hamill says, “and reward the people who are driving safely.” The ‘gamification’ of any activity—be it taking the stairs or good driving, has been proven effective by countless studies. When an activity is made more fun or rewarding, people are far more likely to do it.
Hamill notes that as a safety manager for MV Transportation, they offered a $200 bonus to drivers who went without incident for a year. This created genuine excitement and excellence from drivers. “If you don’t offer that positive incentive, you’re not encouraging people to strive for excellence,” Hamill says. “By default, you’re rewarding complacency.”
GoFleet helps incentivize driver performance through KPI metrics and driver rankings. We recommend creating a Driver Safety Rewards Program to encourage and reward safe drivers; we can also help you start a Safe Driver Contest to reinforce good practices. Our telematics devices allow you to rank driver safety so you can reward safe drivers and help ensure driver retention.
Hamill notes that while the initial perception of dash cameras can be challenging, the long-term benefits in fleet safety and efficiency make all the difference with regards to a company’s safety culture and success. Certainly, the same holds true for the safety and success of its drivers.
Interested to learn more and talk to one of our dash camera specialists? Contact us today!
At its core, the fundamental goal of fleet management software is to ensure the proper utilization and protection of every driver and vehicle. Managers can leverage fleet tracking data to evaluate the demand for vehicles throughout all four seasons, predict growth, and track driver safety. Most important to effective fleet management? Choosing the right software to support their specific industries.
ACHR News recently sat down with Vishal Singh, CEO of GoFleet, a provider of industry-leading digital fleet tracking technology. They asked Singh for some pro tips on strategies for fleet management, and what to look for before you invest in fleet tracking software.
Fleet Management Responsibilities: 5 Key Areas
“Fleet management is about responsibility,” says Singh. While ensuring the safety of each driver and vehicle is the top priority, Singh believes any proactive focus should concentrate on:
Safety: The primary responsibility; making sure drivers and vehicles are kept safe.
Productivity: Keeping fleet operations productive and on target.
Compliance: Assuring compliance, not just on the road but with regards to company policies.
Maintenance: Being proactive instead of reactive and decreasing vehicular down time.
Sustainability & Growth: Making sure fleet scalability is integrated so it can expand as your business grows.
“When I’m looking at fleet management software, I’m thinking, ‘how can I best manage these five key areas?’” says Singh. “You need to think about what’s best for you and ask yourself ‘what suite of tools can best help me operate in my industry?’”
Choosing Fleet Management Software
Digital fleet management software has expanded since general GPS tracking, first introduced two decades ago. “Today, we can track a lot more than dots on a map,” says Singh. Using two-way dashboard cameras, fleet managers can actually observe drivers and their driving habits and prevent emergencies before they happen.
Collecting the right data is perhaps the most important criteria for choosing fleet management software, and the data you need will depend on the industry in which you operate. “If it’s for food delivery, I need something to monitor the temperature of the food,” Singh says. “If I’m in a high-risk area, where I’m delivering something of high value, I need cameras. I might also want to monitor and have video recordings, which can connect to the on-board devices for live-streaming.”
For example, if you are an HVC contractor, Singh emphasizes having good maintenance routines and a proactive seasonal maintenance strategy. “With fleet management software you can set up maintenance reminders to service every vehicle,” he says. Singh also warns that failure to do regular checks means you might miss something, leading to costly repairs.
The Advantages Of Fleet Management Software
Electronic tracking devices are essential tools for locating vehicles and monitoring road safety, but they can’t operate alone. When paired with fleet management software, companies can access a rich ecosystem of telematics data. “Fleet management software allows companies to monitor vehicle faults, making sure there are no issues with the vehicles,” says Singh. “We can also, depending on the software, have software that signs work orders for the vehicles.” This can simplify regular seasonal maintenance, routine inspections and more.
Predictive maintenance is a major benefit of fleet management software. Plugging an electronic tracking device into a vehicle’s onboard diagnostics provides a holistic overview of that vehicle’s health. “We can measure how well they’re being maintained, or if there are faults on the vehicle,” Singh explains. “Understanding those faults can tell us if we need to troubleshoot.”
What does tracking actually measure? “[Tracking allows me to] measure the actual behaviours that can help me in each of those key areas,” says Singh. This can include monitoring the temperature of goods being transported, the safety of your drivers, allocating resources — the list goes on.
“With this technology you can create a way to engage keyless ignition, making it easier to pool vehicles,” Singh says. “People can share vehicles a lot easier if anyone can use their phone to start the vehicle.”
Also important, says Singh, is knowing exactly where the failure points are in fleet operations. For fleet managers, the benefits of streamlining records collections for rich, actionable data improves operational efficiency while making the best use of your fleet.
Singh goes on to explain how an integrated system of dashboard cams, video recordings, sensors and management software can all work together to protect company liability and improve safety. “Vehicle tracking is one thing; tracking the behaviours, harsh breaking and all those conditions,” says Singh. “But having video evidence helps people be more accountable.”
How? “Having cameras onboard limits your risk,” said Singh. “If there’s an accident and you have video evidence, you’re going to avoid a potential lawsuit.” Having video footage of road incidents can also help exonerate your driver “so you don’t have to deal with investigations and claims. Now, if the driver was at fault, you can deal with the payout or settlement and then move on,” he adds.
Moreover, this niche tech an help avoid accidents altogether. “When you have all this data —cameras, video — you don’t need to wait for the accident to happen. You can proactively know who your at-risk drivers are,” he says. “Then, you can work on coaching them and help them take the necessary steps to improve their driving habits.”
Knowing When To Expand
To evaluate when it’s time to expand, he recommends first measuring vehicle utilization. “Generally, companies will set up a threshold where if the utilization is above a certain amount, it’s a trigger indication that they need more vehicles,” says Singh.
“Using fleet management software, I can evaluate the demand of my vehicles through my seasons,” Singh says. “When you evaluate things like engine usage, or miles driven, you want to evaluate that against the total available hours you can drive these vehicles.”
While utilization metrics will vary with each industry, Singh recommends the following: “If you feel that utilization is above, say, 80% or whatever metric — you can then evaluate the utilization to determine how many more vehicles you need to purchase.”
With the current supply chain challenges due to COVID-19, he notes it has become more difficult to acquire new vehicles, making it even more important to plan ahead. “If you see some vehicles are not well utilized, you can cut vehicles from the fleet by pooling them,” he advises. Singh also suggests leasing additional vehicles from pools to expand fleets in a cost-effective manner.
Sustainability & Beyond
While fleet managers look to the future, there has been a big move towards electric vehicles. Singh warns, however, that there are a lot of things to consider before plugging into the electric vehicle trend. “You have to consider installing electric chargers and charger sites. You have to consider how many miles or kilometers you are driving each day,” he says. If vehicles are traveling more than 200 to 300 miles, that might be more travel time than the range of the battery can offer.
For those transitioning to electric vehicles, Singh recommends adding one vehicle at a time. Despite the initial investment, Singh says the cost savings on electric vehicles is impressive, including lowered fuel, vehicle usage and maintenance costs.
Whether you have a few vehicles or an entire fleet, electric tracking devices paired with fleet management software provides your business with benefits that are scalable, cost-effective and safe. The real beauty of fleet tracking, Singh explains, is that “when you’re evaluating this data on a monthly basis, you’re going to be ahead of the curve.”
Running your commercial fleet requires more than simply sending vehicles from point A to point B. The success of your drivers and your business depends heavily on optimizing the things you can’t see once a vehicle leaves your warehouse. Vehicle Tracking Devices can optimize your fleet by providing real-time GPS updates, collision notifications, and even engine fault detection.
In this post, we’ll break down what Vehicle Tracking Devices are, the latest generation of tracking devices currently available, and how your business can benefit from this advanced fleet protection.
What Are Vehicle Tracking Devices?
A vehicle tracking device is like the black box of an airplane; it receives GPS signals, collecting and sending navigation data and other critical vehicle information. This small piece of hardware can be as small as a matchbox, or as large as a shoebox.
Most tracking devices come equipped with a SIM-card slot and an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II) plug to connect to your vehicle. Once connected, it receives GPS signals and sends vehicle information — such as vehicle location or driver speed — using the internet, satellite networks or cellular services. Tracking devices differ with regards to the data collected, how they attach to the vehicle, and their respective power source. Types of devices include:
Factory-fitted Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) devices
Plug-In devices
Hardwired after-market devices
Smartphones or tablets enabled with real-time GPS tracking
Installing tracking units can be as simple as plugging into a vehicle’s OBD-II port, or may require a qualified technician to connect the tracking device to the wiring harness of the vehicle. Most light commercial vehicles purchased since 1996 already have an internal OBD-II port, often found behind the panel below the steering wheel.
Once connected, GoFleet’s specialized tracking software can collect GPS and vehicle data. It then transmits the data in real-time to a wide variety of pre-programmed devices, such as a cell phone or a computer IP address.
Internal Data-Protection Safety Features
Each of our vehicle tracking devices has a unique code, known as the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. This allows GoFleet’s patented tracking software to match the unique code of each vehicle, preventing confusion and maintaining fleet management integrity.
The information collected and sent from GoFleet’s tracking devices also has a range of security features that prevent third-party penetration. These cryptographic features include:
Data encryption
Authenticated end-to-end telematic security
Verification of message integrity and unique IMEI tracker codes
Non-static security keys, which impede faking a device’s unique identity
Firmware with digitally-signed pre-programming to verify the source of updates
Validation of technology by independent third-party experts
What Type of Data is Collected?
GoFleet’s vehicle tracking devices collect and transmit a rich array of information. Even when the vehicle is parked underground or indoors, the telematic tracking unit begins recording the moment the key turns in the ignition.
Using AI and the enhanced data security features, some of the telematic information collected by GoFleet’s tracking devices include:
Precise Vehicle Tracking: This includes vehicle location, driving speed, engine idling, trip distance, time markers, driver ETA and more.
Fleet Health Assessments: Our software extracts and collects essential vehicular information such as engine faults, odometer readings, service maintenance needs, vehicle VIN, even risky driving habits such as acceleration, fast cornering or harsh braking.
Advanced Telematics Capture: Our trackers receive data from a variety of internal vehicular sources, such as the engine, instrument clusters, drivetrain, diagnostics and other subsystems. This allows for methodical and data-driven dashboard reports.
Collision Notifications: If a collision is detected, GoFleet’s superior tracking devices use AI and patented algorithms to collect and send detailed forensic data. This allows for forensic reconstruction of road events, including in-vehicle reverse collisions. This data is automatically uploaded from the tracking device, and collision notifications are sent in real-time via email or desktop alerts.
Driver Coaching: By providing your drivers with immediate feedback, you can improve fleet integrity and security, reduce risk to your drivers, and encourage immediate corrective action. Visible or audible alerts, as well as spoken guidance, can be given in cases of speeding, excessive idling, or unsafe driver behaviour.
GoFleet’s Advanced Vehicle Tracking Devices
Below are the latest and best vehicle tracking units available on the global market. They also come equipped for IOX expansion. This means that your tracking system and third-party integration management can expand with your fleet, allowing for scalable telematics solutions and greater fleet flexibility. IOX add-ons include: satellite tracking, driver ID, temperature tracking, hours of service (HOS), dash cam systems and more.
GoFleet’s GO9+
Welcome to the future of vehicle tracking devices. The GO9+ is the most advanced telematics device on the planet, providing industry-leading insights on the health of your fleet vehicles, as well as trip details, driver safety and much more. The GO9+ provides everything needed for advanced telematic capture and transmission, all in a tiny, compact package.
Best of all, the GO9+ brings its own Wi-Fi hotspot on-board, allowing your vehicle to stay connected to high-speed Internet without siphoning data from individual plans. In addition to reliable Wi-Fi wherever your drivers go, GoFleet’s GO9+ offers the following state-of-the-art features:
Unparalleled GPS tracking technology
G-force monitoring
LTE connectivity and secured communications capability
Intelligent in-vehicle driver coaching and alerts
Advanced collision detection and notification
Expandability of the external device via IOX Technology
Built-in gyrometer and auto-calibrating accelerometer
Instant vehicle data, including engine and battery health assessments
Accelerated GPS acquisition time via Almanac OTA support
GPS+GLONASS support and connectivity
Advanced native support for a variety of vehicle protocols
End-to-end cybersecurity measures, including non-static security keys
Easy installation
Recommended for: Small businesses, heavy-truck fleets, corporate vehicles and ride sharing.
GoFleet’s GO9 RUGGED
If you need a vehicle tracker built for harsh environments, meet the GO9 RUGGED. This device is designed to withstand external installation, protecting against elements such as dust, water, dirt and other solids.
The GO9 RUGGED builds on the GO Rugged family, providing even more speed, reliability, security features and telematic power. That’s because the GO9 RUGGED is powered by a 32-bit processor, offering 4 times the memory and 5 times the RAM of its predecessor, the GO8 RUGGED. Using GoFleet’s AI algorithms and tracking platform, the GO9 RUGGED can accurately recreate vehicle trips, analyze incidents, provide in-vehicle alerts to notify drivers of infractions in real-time, and provide end-to-end data encryption. Features include:
State-of-the-art GPS technology
G-force monitoring
Simple and sturdy design for covert installations
Smart, live in-vehicle driver coaching capacity
Industry-leading collision detection and notification
Instant vehicle data, including engine and battery health assessments
On-board auto-calibrating accelerometer and gyrometer
Accelerated GPS acquisition time via Almanac OTA support
GPS+GLONASS support and connectivity
LTE connectivity and secured communications capability
End-to-end cybersecurity, including authentication, encryption, message integrity verification, and non-static security keys
Advanced native support for a variety of vehicle protocols
Expandability of external device via IOX Technology
FIPS 140-2 validated by the NIST
IP68 & IP69K certified for protection from water, dust, sprays and other external pressures
Does not require a dash-mounted antenna or wire splicing for installation
Recommended for: Fleets using heavy equipment, farm machinery, powered trailers, yellow iron and other major assets.
Main Benefits of Fleet Vehicle Tracking
GoFleet’s tracking devices provide businesses with the hard data required to ensure smooth operations and peace of mind. Our software works seamlessly with vehicle tracking units to integrate command centre visibility into your fleet operations.
We recommend using tracking devices for businesses that manage fleets of any size, including cars, trucks, limousines, ride-sharing, pickup trucks, trailers, farm equipment, plumbing, roofing or construction vehicles. Our devices are scalable and can connect you to your vehicles, whether you have one or 100.
Among the most prominent benefits to using vehicle tracking devices are improved fleet management and maintenance, enhanced driver safety, lower labour costs, reduced fuel costs and superior theft deterrence. Additional benefits include:
Precision GPS technology, eliminating guesswork
Live updates and visibility, providing regular updates as often as every 2 seconds
An integrated, user-friendly fleet command dashboard; giving you access to your fleet with just a few swipes
Individualized regular servicing dashboard with service records for your vehicles
The ability to capture and view telematics data such as vehicle speed, direction, and fault codes
Asset monitoring, such as temperature data and asset location
Immediate 24/7 support for fleet owners
Integrated Software and Dispatch Performance
GoFleet’s tracking units let you view your entire fleet simultaneously, regardless of their location. Our devices work synergistically with individualized driver management software, letting you streamline and fine tune your fleet’s performance to ensure peak performance and compliance.
Our integrated software monitoring system allows businesses to capture when the driver’s workday starts and ends, displays routes in real-time, and records driver stops — both scheduled and unscheduled. Our data captures also record idle periods, fuel consumption, driving speeds, mileage, and even provides alerts on lost drivers or thefts.
The benefits of our integrated platform command centre to monitor dispatch performance include:
Ensuring drivers are on schedule and automatically sharing ETAs with customers
Confirming driver HOS & PTO availability, which reduces check-in calls
Recording Driver Scorecards and 365-day performance history
Alerting to acceleration, harsh breaks and collision detection
Streamlining routing options and dispatch management
Recording miles-by-state for IFT
Assuring FMCSA 395.15 compliance
Locating lost drivers and aiding the recovery of stolen property.
Ready to Protect Your Assets?
With all of the benefits of vehicle tracking devices, can your business afford not to invest in a telematics solution that saves you time, money and resources? Our experts can help you determine which asset tracker best suits your fleet’s needs. Schedule your free consultation and demonstration today.
Kemal Leslie, a strategic consultant to GoFleet, talks about Lord Selkirk School Division’s biggest pain points, and how GoFleet’s comprehensive and integrated telematics solutions solved some of their biggest back to school issues.
Tell me a bit about LSSD and the kinds of things they were looking for.
KL: They began working with GoFleet a few years ago to help them manage their bus fleet maintenance and location tracking. This also included management of driver operational safety.
How did Bus ETA factor into the equation?
KL: At that time, they were also looking at Bus ETA as a solution, where a student or parent of a student, for example, could know when the bus is on its way to pick up or drop off, as well as the whereabouts of that vehicle. This has become a more popular solution over the last, I would say, five or six years, where parents or students want to know when to arrive at the bus stop.
So it seems that Bus ETA also offers peace of mind?
KL: Well, for safety and security reasons, they received feedback that parents want to be able to track kids’ travel to and from school. They wanted an easy way to oversee their safety. That’s what the Bus ETA application really was about.
What were the other components of your proposal?
KL: At that time, GoFleet implemented not only their bus tracking and status reports, but had also integrated another solution called On Command Connection with their Geotab telematics system, which is a diagnostic maintenance offering under Navistar. Their maintenance provider can track their buses and advise if any need to be repaired based on automated scheduling and alerts from real-time vehicle data; their maintenance team can call in a repair just by looking at the status report that’s provided through On Command.
Finally, Transfinder became the next third party integration for this solution. It’s a mobile application that tracks where the student is; if they are on the bus, when the bus is arriving, that type of thing. The system actually utilizes Geotab telematics data to manage the reporting within the application where the student might be at any given time, or where the bus is in terms of its daily trips.
So in terms of the evolution, it started as a fleet management application to manage the hardware, the equipment, location status, etc. And then student tracking for parents was integrated to centralize everything within their GoFleet solution.
That sounds really comprehensive. What are some other applications for this system outside of LSSD?
KL: Well, the entire solution could serve many verticals really, either in part or as a whole integrated solution. The fleet management piece can apply to any industry that requires management of their own automated fleet — it could be heavy equipment, trucks, small vehicles — any of that can be adapted to use this functionality.
The same goes for the maintenance piece; to be able to connect to and manage the fleet without needing to bring in the vehicle, to have diagnostics established if there’s a problem with a unit and it needs to be called in. Those things can adapt to pretty much any industry.
And what about Transfinder?
KL: I think that the Transfinder solution, as it relates to tracking when a vehicle is coming to pick someone up, certainly has its application in schools. But it would also have applications for other transportation clients, really any type of privatized or public transportation, the TTC for example. There will always be people who could use an app to tell them when to expect their ride.
All in all, I think it’s a pretty robust solution; the equipment management piece, the maintenance piece and the transportation communication piece. Operators benefit from having a really strong, interconnected solution that provides important efficiencies.
Interested to learn more about how GoFleet’s solution could help your fleets unique needs? Contact us today by clicking the button below!
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