Vehicle tracking and fleet management systems, in its most basic form, help dispatchers, supervisors and managers track the positions of their assets in real time using global positioning systems (GPS). Like a lot of other modern day technologies, it is easy to simply take advantage of how truly extraordinary these everyday instruments are.
Intro to GPS Technology
GPS technology, in short, works when signals are sent from a satellite network that orbit the earth in its atmosphere to your GPS device situated on, or close to, the Earth’s surface. These signals are read and interpreted by the receiver, which then provides you with your relative location.
A standard GPS receiver must have the ability to detect broadcasts from a minimum of four satellites to calculate your position:
Three of the satellites are used for determining your position
The fourth is used as validation in the event that the other three happen to produce inconsistent data
The time it takes for each signal to reach the receiver is used to calculate the distance of the receiver from the satellites.
This data is used to determine your:
Longitude & latitude accurate within about three meters
Altitude
Velocity
Synchronized time
Factors That Can Impact GPS Performance
On the spectrum of signals, signal strength is considered to be relatively weak. This means that your GPS can be affected by certain factors that are uncontrollable. Here are some situations in which performance of your receiver may be compromised:
There are poor weather conditions, such as heavy precipitation or dense clouds
The receiver is in an environment where physical obstructions, such as deep valleys, mountains, bridges, overhangs, tall buildings or tunnels are apparent
The receiver is blocked by something within the vehicle
Understanding GPS Jamming
To address the last point about local interference, also known as jamming, it is important to note that GoFleet’s Geotab GO6 device and other newer models have the ability to detect the occurrence of local GPS jamming. In the case that local jamming does occur, the modem will report a “debug log” which can be found in the Log Details within MyGeotab: “GPSJammingDetected”.
If you find that your device does not have the ability to track your vehicle accurately, you will want to check for any instances of this debug log being reported. If it has been reported, you will be able to begin to identify what could be causing the GPS jamming.
In certain trucks, some metal components in the steering column can interfere with the GPS signal. In other vehicles, such as limos, the signal may be obstructed by a special metallic coating on the windshield that is not visible to the eye.
It isn’t always easy to determine what is causing the jamming. For example, some of the newer models of Hino trucks use a certain Jensen radio system, that includes a CD laser reader that has been previously proven to obstruct the signals.
If you cannot determine what is jamming your signal, contact GoFleet and we will be happy to assist you in identifying the possible causes and suggest resolutions.
Rich in features, applications, and benefits, fleet maintenance management tools are assets in today’s transport industry. In this article, we’ll explain them in detail – from the technology behind them to modern-day applications that keep your fleet running efficiently and cost-effectively.
Defining Fleet Management
Fleet management is the process of managing a company’s commercial vehicles. This includes everything from purchasing and servicing vehicles to scheduling preventive maintenance, tracking fuel consumption and more.
Fleet management also includes tracking a vehicle’s usage and performance data to ensure that it’s being used responsibly and efficiently. This data can help fleet managers make informed decisions about upgrading or replacing vehicles, as well as how to maximize cost savings and enforce environmental sustainability.
How Do Fleet Management Systems Work?
Fleet management systems operate through the use of connected sensors, trackers, and satellites that relay information to one another, and ultimately send collected data to a main administrative hub.
These systems leverage a combination of technologies, including GPS and on-board diagnostics (OBD), to build a comprehensive picture of a vehicle’s movements and status in real-time.
What Fleet Management Systems Do – Main Functions and Features
The technology behind fleet management tools make them capable of performing a wide range of functions. Below are some of the most common features on the market today.
GPS Vehicle Tracking
Fleet management systems use GPS technology to pinpoint and log an asset’s geographical location on a map. They can also track the speed of a vehicle, as well as its route and total distance traveled.
Fleet managers can use this data to identify where assets are at a given moment, as well as how they’re being used and by whom. Furthermore, fleet management allows managers to use predictive data to find alternative routes for improved efficiency.
Real-Time Alerts
Real-time alerts are sent to stakeholders when specific events are triggered. Triggers might include speeding, tailgating, harsh braking or straying from an assigned route; alerts can then be sent to the driver, fleet manager, or other authorized personnel.
Vehicle Diagnostics
Vehicle diagnostics allow fleet managers to monitor the performance of their vehicles in real-time. This includes monitoring fuel and oil levels, tire pressure, engine temperature, battery health and more.
Having access to these data sets in real-time allows fleet managers to reduce fuel costs, maintain engine health, and identify potential issues before they become more serious.
Driver Behaviour Analysis
This feature allows companies to monitor driving habits, such as how often drivers accelerate, brake hard, exceed the speed limit, or idle. Monitoring this information enables managers to address any gaps in training and ensure their staff are safe on the road.
Route Planning
When it comes to transport, route congestion can make or break a delivery. Fleet management systems use real-time traffic data to find the most efficient routes for assets, saving fuel, wear and tear, and time in the process.
Fuel Management
Many fleet management systems come with fuel tracking features, which allow companies to manage how much fuel each vehicle has consumed. This type of data is invaluable for optimizing routes and ensuring that assets are being used efficiently.
The Prevalence of Fleet Management Systems On Today’s Roads
The numerous features, capabilities and benefits of management tools have made them a hot commodity among fleets big and small.
Recent data from Government Fleet’s annual benchmarking survey estimates that over three-quarters of managers use fleet tracking software or telematics to support at least some of their day-to-day operations.
As technology continues to evolve and landscapes become more competitive, this number is expected to increase. Economic data valued the global fleet management market at $19.47 billion in 2020, and projects that it will double to $52.50 billion by 2030.
The Benefits of Fleet Management
These tools are popular for a reason; these tools offer amazing benefits:
Increased efficiency in managing fleets of all sizes
Optimization of supply chains and delivery times
Reduced fuel costs due to route management
Real-time visibility of vehicles and their locations
Monitoring of driver behaviour to increase safety
Maintenance scheduling to avoid potential costly repairs
Improved customer service by providing accurate ETAs
Automation of administrative processes such as invoicing, hours of service (HOS) and route planning
The impact is clear – management tools are a must for any competitive fleet. Not only do these solutions provide unparalleled visibility and control, they also encourage considerable cost savings, improved customer service and a safer work environment.
With the global fleet management market expected to grow exponentially in the coming years, now is the best time to invest in a robust system for your fleet’s future. Contact your GoFleet consultant today to learn how to stay ahead of the curve.
Your organization’s assets represent a massive investment; asset tracking provides visibility into their status, location and usage. As a result, these solutions can help optimize your assets’ efficiency and extend their lifecycle, saving your organization money in the short and long-term.
Are you interested in asset trackers for your business but not sure where to start? This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about this essential fleet management technology.
What Is Asset Tracking?
Asset tracking refers to the process of monitoring physical property. It’s a strategy used by countless organizations to keep tabs on their valuable items and gain insight into the way they’re used.
This concept has been around for decades, traditionally taking the form of paper-based spreadsheets and notes. As technology has evolved, so too has the process, to the point where most asset tracking systems today are entirely digital.
Modern tracking software uses a variety of tools to do its job, including barcodes, QR codes, GPS and RFID tags. Each of these technologies work differently, yet all serve the same function of connecting a physical item’s real-world status to an online database.
What Is Asset Tracking Used For?
Asset tracking is used in a variety of industries and for a number of reasons. In the context of transportation or fleet management, companies usually invest in the technology to keep tabs on their vehicles and/or payload.
These systems might be applied to ensure that a company vehicle is being used as intended, to recover a stolen vehicle, or to make sure that a vehicle’s contents are delivered on time.
In other industries, such as healthcare and retail, asset tracking systems are used to keep inventory in check. This might involve tracking high-value items such as medical equipment or designer clothes. In some cases, the system might be used to keep an eye on company property, such as laptops and tools.
The Top Five Benefits of Asset Tracking Systems
While there’s no doubt that asset tracking is growing in popularity, there are those who remain hesitant to invest in the technology. The main reason for their reluctance is cost. While some asset trackers may indeed be cost-prohibitive, there are scalable, economic solutions for fleets of every size. In addition, the benefits can quickly outweigh the burden of the initial investment.
Here are the top five benefits:
1. Increased Equipment Longevity
Maintenance is a key practice in the world of transport – let it fall by the wayside and you’re quickly looking at operational disruptions, accidents and added costs.
Fleet managers have traditionally relied upon paper-based systems and maintenance logs to keep track of when their trucks, buses and cars are due for maintenance. The problem with this method is that it’s often inaccurate and incomplete, leading to assets being overlooked and neglected.
An asset tracking solution automatically logs vehicle data, including usage and mechanical status. When it comes time to service the vehicle, a tracker will flag the vehicle and send an alert to the fleet manager.
As a result, assets receive the maintenance they need when they need it, meaning they’re less likely to break down and require repair or replacement.
2. Centralized Data
Another downside of paper-based tracking systems is that data is often stored in a number of different places. From spreadsheets and individual notes to diaries and planners, it can be difficult for fleet managers to get their hands on the information they need, when they need it.
Asset tracking stores all data in one centralized location, meaning it can be accessed quickly and easily by anyone with permission. Instant access to vehicle data helps improve decision-making, maintenance schedules and even route optimization, as managers are no longer working with outdated or incorrect information.
3. Improved Operational Efficiency
Time is money. In transportation, the longer a vehicle is on the road, the more money it’s making for the company.
While asset tracking represents an initial investment, this technology can help reduce costs in a number of ways.
As we’ve already mentioned, asset tracking systems can help to extend the life of your vehicles by ensuring they receive the maintenance they need, when they need it. In addition, collected data can be used to improve fuel efficiency and reduce wear and tear on assets. In some cases, asset trackers can even qualify as anti-theft devices, thereby reducing insurance premiums.
5. Enhanced Customer Service
In the world of transportation, customer service is key. Your clients want to know that their goods will arrive on time and in good condition – anything less and they’ll take their business elsewhere.
An asset tracking system can help to improve customer service in a number of ways. For example, asset tracking data can provide updates on a shipment’s progress. If there are any delays or issues, the system can be used to quickly reroute assets and minimize the impact on customers.
It’s the twenty-first century – why rely on paper-based systems that are inefficient and inaccurate? Asset tracking systems offer a number of benefits that can improve the efficiency of your business.
From reducing costs to enhancing customer service, there’s no reason not to make the switch. Contact your GoFleet consultant today and find out which asset tracking solution is right for you.
If you’re anything like most fleet managers, you’re aware of the benefits that asset tracking technology can offer your business. But with all of the different options on the market, it can be hard to know where to start and what solution to invest in.
In this article, we’ll break down the five main types of asset tracking technology, as well as the top considerations to keep in mind when choosing a solution for your fleet.
The Top Five Types of Asset Tracking Technology
1. Barcodes
Barcodes are one of the most popular and well-known asset tracking technologies. From store shelves to boxes and clothing tags, they offer a degree of simplicity and cost-effectiveness that make them ideal for a range of applications.
Standard one-dimensional barcodes work via laser-scanning technology. Their dense series of black and white lines reflect light in unique patterns that create analog signals the scanner can interpret as digital data. This data is then passed on to a software application that uses it to track the associated asset.
While conventional barcodes are still in use today, their storage capacity is quite limited. This necessitates the use of multiple barcodes to track a single asset, which can quickly become cumbersome and impractical.
Another challenge of barcodes lies in their implementation; because the codes are printed onto labels that are applied to assets, they can be easily removed or tampered with.
2. QR Codes
Quick Response (QR) codes are a slightly different version of the conventional barcode. Rather than relying on a single analog set of black and white lines, QR codes use square-based patterns of dots that can store more data in a much smaller space.
Like barcodes, QR Codes are scanned and read by an imaging device. Data is then interpreted by a software application to track the asset. Their increased capacity for data storage allows these unique codes to store far more information than barcodes. This means that an organization can use a single QR code, rather than multiple barcodes, to track an asset.
Because of their digital nature, QR codes are harder to tamper with, but printed QR codes can still be removed from an asset.
RFID tags are small devices that emit radio signals. They can be either active or passive. Active RFID tags have their own power source and can transmit signals over long distances, while passive RFID tags rely on the power from the reader to transmit signals over shorter distances.
RFID readers are devices that receive and interpret the radio signals emitted by RFID tags. They are connected to a software application that uses the data from the tags to track assets.
One of the main advantages of RFID technology is that it does not require a line of sight to work. This means that assets can be tracked even if they are hidden from view, making it ideal for tracking inventory in warehouses.
The only downside is that while tags themselves can be inexpensive, the readers can be cost-prohibitive.
4. Near Field Communication (NFC)
Have you ever paid for something by tapping your debit card or even your smartphone? Chances are you’ve used Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.
This short-range, wireless communication technology is similar to RFID in that it uses radio signals to communicate data.
However, the key difference is that NFC requires physical contact between the tag and the reader, while RFID does not.
5. GPS
GPS is already widely-used in the world of fleet management. Companies have long used it to plan routes, give directions and identify vehicle locations. Currently, GPS is finding utility in asset tracking.
By equipping assets with GPS trackers, companies can see where they are at any given time, as well as where they’ve been and how long they’ve been there. This information is valuable for tracking inventory, particularly if products are being delivered to multiple locations.
How to Select the Right Asset Tracking Solution for Your Fleet
With so many options to consider, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But the process doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a quick rundown of the main factors you should keep in mind when selecting a. asset tracking solution.
Business Goals
While asset trackers serve the same function, they aren’t always used for the same reason. Some companies implement them to improve fleet safety, while others use them to boost efficiency or cut costs. It’s important to know what your goal is before selecting an asset tracking solution, so you can narrow down your options.
Budget
Asset tracking solutions can range in price from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. You don’t necessarily have to invest in the biggest, most expensive technology to reap the benefits of asset tracking. It’s important to have a realistic budget in mind before beginning your search, as this will help you rule out any products that are out of reach.
Work Environment
If you’re planning on tracking assets that are outdoors, you’ll need a solution that can stand up to the elements. This might mean opting for a waterproof tracker or one with a long battery life.
Similarly, you’ll want to ensure that the solution you choose has a wide enough range to track assets through walls, or find assets that have been moved out of range.
Assets
There are tons of asset tracking technologies on the market, each with their own pros and cons. With that in mind, you should select a product that makes sense for your specific assets and how they will be used.
For example, if you’re looking to track long-distance vehicles, GPS would likely be the best solution.
As technology continues to evolve, the opportunity to take advantage of asset tracking solutions will only grow. Understanding the different types of technology will help you select the right one for your business needs.
Don’t wait to improve the safety, efficiency and overall effectiveness of your operations. Contact your GoFleet consultant today and ask about our asset tracking solutions.
As the commercial fleet industry continues to grow, evolve and adapt, having the right tools in your vehicles can help with improved productivity and efficiency. To that end, there are a number of ways in which telematics improves fleet management.
As fleet safety managers and owners work to retain drivers and integrate systems, it’s essential to consider fleet efficiency and new engagement opportunities. To that end, telematics provides valuable insights and data, changing the game in fleet management technology.
What is Telematics?
Telematics brings together two key areas – telecommunications and informatics. Telematics devices collect and transmit data on commercial vehicle use. This includes maintenance requirements and servicing needs.
Using telematics, it is possible for fleet managers to coordinate the vehicles they manage. It also enables them to have a complete view of the profitability, health, and productivity of their fleet at any time.
How Telematics Improves Fleet Management
What does telematics do for your organization? When it comes to investing in fleet management software or solutions, understanding the direct impact on your business’s bottom line is critical. Here are a few ways that telematics can help you to do that.
Decreased Fuel Costs
With fuel costs on the rise, it is critical to have a plan in place to reduce operational costs. Telematics can help identify areas of waste. For example, it can help identify problems with fuel slippage and idling, both of which can increase costs dramatically.
Additionally, telematics enables better route planning and can create alternative routes that are more fuel (and time) efficient. Other examples of reducing unnecessary mileage and improving fuel efficiency using telematics include:
Improving driver behaviours that often increase fuel costs, such as harsh braking, idling or speeding
Creating maintenance schedules in a timely manner so as to reduce vehicle stress and improve overall engine health
Improving Overall Fleet Safety
Telematics improves the safety of your vehicles and your drivers, which contributes to your fleet’s financial gain, especially with regards to reducing insurance claims and accident-related liability claims.
A continuous feed of recorded video footage allows fleet managers to assess driving habits, and to provide live in-cab coaching when an event is triggered. Ongoing training and coaching is just one of the services that telematics provides, and is equally useful in the moment, or for creating better driving behaviour in the future.
Secondly, the same video footage can be collected and reviewed in the event of an incident, identifying who was at fault and potentially reducing false claims while lowering insurance premiums, all of which feed into the safety and security of your fleet.
Improved Productivity
Telematics includes real-time GPS data that can be used to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency. Directly and indirectly, this increases driver productivity.
Accurate, real-time data can identify delays due to traffic and create alternative routes. It can also help fleet managers plan for poor weather that may keep drivers off the road, allowing them to adjust timelines or routes to minimize risk.
In addition, telematics data provides a bird’s eye view of your fleet. If the office manager needs to add a new stop or change a destination, having a holistic overview of your vehicles’ activities can help.
Better Financial Management
Because telematics provides better insight into vehicle start and end times, it helps manage compliance requirements, such as hours of service (HOS).
From a business standpoint, telematics allows you to get the most out of your resources by identifying money going in and out of your fleet.
Benjamin Franklin famously said that “nothing is certain except death and taxes.” Given today’s fractured economic climate, one could easily add the skyrocketing cost of fuel to that list.
In the transportation industry, fleet managers are challenged to mitigate rising fuel costs without compromising other aspects of their business. Many companies have chosen to add electric vehicles to their fleet. While these vehicles definitely save on fuel costs, they can be cost prohibitive.
Telematics combines telecommunications and informatics. Electronic logging devices (ELDs) automatically record hours-of-service (HOS) and driving time data.
Through the use of GPS and communication technologies, telematics provides fleet managers with data about vehicle location, vehicle use, kilometres driven, idle time, fuel economy, driver behaviour, and engine maintenance.
Within the transportation industry, telematics can track all aspects of the vehicle, from electrical, mechanical engineering to software engineering.
In the context of saving fuel costs, telematics controls and monitors vehicles on the move; it acts as a single monitor for all the different sensory and electrical features of your vehicles, including fuel efficiency, all the while providing data on-demand and in real-time.
Here are just a few of the ways that telematics can help you reduce fuel costs.
Improving driving habits
Everyone develops bad habits over time, and commercial drivers are no exception. Idling, aggressive driving and sudden acceleration can all add up to large fuel costs.
With telematics data, fleet managers can receive alerts in real-time, allowing them to coach the driver to prevent future incidents. Many of these telematics systems are paired with powerful software packages to help track vehicle activity and manage fuel consumption.
Telematics can also help you keep scorecards for your drivers, allowing them to challenge each other, and themselves, to improve their performance on the road.
Deterring fuel theft
Telematics solutions in your vehicles can be accessed remotely to help you keep track of fuel usage. Instant alerts let you know if there is any suspicious behaviour around fuel consumption.
Monitoring and maintaining diesel fuel levels
A poorly maintained diesel exhaust fuel (DEF) level can have an adverse effect on your vehicles’ mechanics, resulting in inefficient use of fuel, and an unfavourable impact on the environment.
Telematics ensures that DEF maintenance is optimal. These solutions send real-time data alerts when diesel exhaust levels are not on par with the emission regulation threshold.
Providing proactive maintenance schedule alerts
Regardless of the telematics solution you choose for your fleet, running full-time diagnostics should always be a priority, especially if fuel conservation is a pain point.
If the device senses that something isn’t running as it’s supposed to, it proactively sends an alert to the driver, while simultaneously alerting the repair centre.
Maintenance alerts slow down the gradual wear and tear on your vehicles and helps prevent future breakdowns, all of which help you save on fuel costs.
Optimizing existing routes and finding new ones
The data collected by GPS integration (common in most telematics systems) can be used to find better, safer routes, which can reduce not only the overall travel time, but the amount of fuel it takes to reach your destination.
GPS can also provide real-time traffic or route status; in the event of heavy traffic, this feature can help you find an alternative route and avoid idling.
General tips on reducing fuel costs
The alerts provided by telematics give you a holistic overview of your fleet. Most of these alerts have a direct impact on fuel consumption and acting on them can create big savings with minimal effort.
Here are a few of the diagnostics that telematics can track and alert you to in order to save fuel:
Keeping tires properly inflated. You can increase your gas mileage by up to 3% by keeping tires inflated to the correct pressure.
Reducing the use of air conditioners and heaters, or keeping them at optimal levels.
Staying on top of alignments and other scheduled maintenance work. Regular maintenance not only improves fuel efficiency, it also minimizes the risk of accidents.
Telematics can identify if the vehicle’s payload is too heavy, which can cause damage to your fleet and exponential gas consumption.
You can improve gas mileage by using the vehicle’s recommended grade of motor oil. Motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the packaging can also support your fuel-saving efforts with friction-reducing additives.
Conclusion
Whether you choose a telematics solution that gives you real-time feedback on fuel consumption or provides data to help you make informed decisions about maintenance and vehicle replacement, the fact remains that telematics can improve the status of your vehicles while having a positive impact on your bottom line.
Contact us at GoFleet and ask us how our telematics solutions can help reduce your fuel costs!
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.
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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.
In the most general terms, telematics is the fusion of telecommunications (e.g. phone lines and cables) and informatics (computers) to create a holistic overview of one’s enterprise. Most often, telematics solutions are applied to commercial fleets, automating and leveraging the collection of GPS data across any number of assets.
While certainly not a new industry, the telematics field stands at the precipice of massive growth opportunities.The following is GoFleet’s primer guide on telematics; we’ll show you how it works, the types of data sets that are collected, and how to harness the power of telematics to increase your productivity and profitability.
How did telematics start?
The digital science of merging telecommunications channels with information technology (or informatics) began In the 1960s, when The Department of Defense in the U.S. developed GPS — the Global Positioning System. GPS was created specifically to trace the movement of their domestic military assets and improve internal communications.
As the internet expanded, more telecommunications networks went up, transferring data in real-time and enabling information to travel remotely, automating the capture of detailed data for a variety of purposes. Telematics was also made possible due to technological breakthroughs in machine-to-machine communication (M2M) — highly intelligent computer devices that gather and analyze mass data to manage real-world systems.
Today, vehicle telematics integrates wireless communications, GPS navigation, third-party software platforms, hands-free cell phones, automatic driving assistance systems and message encryption. Telematics systems can report on a vehicle’s speed, idling, tire pressure, driver habits, engine fault codes, collision detection and much more.
Added to the tracking device hardware, GoFleet’s software platform, AI algorithms and other patented knowledge allows for accuracy, quality and protection of GPS and other data transference. Known as ‘curve-logging’, this allows our software to discard unnecessary information, while preserving and logging the most useful vehicle maintenance data.
How telematics works
With regards to fleet tracking, vehicles equipped with Vehicle Tracking Devices; small, durable black boxes that provide superior GPS and asset tracking technology. These telematics devices often plug into an OBD II or CAN-BUS port in the vehicle. Paired with a SIM-card and on board modem, the units enable constant communication across all cellular networks.
The asset tracking, vehicle information recording, and communications transmission devices involved in telematics logging include the following key components:
GPS receiver
Engine interface
SIM card
Accelerometer
Buzzer or other audio messaging
Interface for input/output (expander port)
The devices then retrieve and record an enormous amount of data generated by a vehicle, and transmit that data through cloud technology, providing fleet towners with dashboard reports and command-centre visibility into their operations.
Since telematics devices connect to a vehicle’s sensors and hardware, the type of data they process and analyze includes:
Real-time GPS positioning
G-force and vehicle speed, measured by a built-in accelerometer
Trip distance, routing and time
Idling time records
Fuel consumption
Harsh braking, hard cornering, rapid acceleration and other bad driving habits
Seat belt usage
Vehicle faults, engine light information and other engine data
Battery voltage and vehicle temperature
Service reminders and other vehicle maintenance warnings
All of that data is captured, encoded and then transmitted through fleet management software. It is then decoded for authorized, preprogrammed users, allowing for secure transmission of actionable data to IP addresses or cell phones.
This provides the command-centre data needed for generating, viewing and exporting dashboard reports. Business intelligence insights can even create driver scorecards — identifying safe drivers, speeding incidents, or opportunities for scheduled maintenance.
Telematics in fleet management
Telematics has become an essential tool for commercial and government fleet management. In addition to tracking major assets across the globe using GPS, advances in machine learning and data analytics mean improved fleet performance and productivity. Fleets can even use benchmarking measures to compare safety, fuel consumption or other standards against similar fleets.
Though telematics data can be stored and sent from closed-vehicle systems, most often a fleet’s telematic technology is shared through open platforms via proprietary software. This allows businesses to integrate other hardware, after-market accessories, and third-party apps for greater efficiency, expandability and insight into business operations, while retaining data privacy.
In fact, vehicle security and identification sensors have improved so much that fleets can now authenticate a driver’s identity before they are able to start the vehicle.
Every day, more businesses, nonprofits and government agencies move toward the hard data and superior protection that telematics affords. According toAllied Market Research, the automotive telematics market was valued globally at $50.4 billion in 2018. By 2026, experts believe it will reach $320 billion.
The benefits of telematics are self-evident; they offer diagnostic tools that prolong the life of vehicles, warn of pending issues and identify areas of concern. Telematics contribute to ROI and savings so exponentially, Verizon recently wrote: “32% of fleets using fleet management technology achieved a positive ROI in less than a year,” sharing this and more data points in their2021 Fleet Technology Trends Report.
Industries currently employing telematics for their fleet tracking include:
The applications for telematics cannot be understated; it harnesses a rich ecosystem of information — from granular drivetrain details to post-collision reconstruction of driving events — ensuring the health of your vehicle and the safety of everyone on the road.
Safety tracking:
Fleet managers can use telematics to monitor the speed and location of their vehicles, as well as ensure that drivers employ good driving habits now and in the future. In the event of an accident, telematics can help identify who was at fault and what the road conditions were prior to the event, ensuring the safety of their drivers and preventing future incidents.
Maintenance:
By understanding the entire operational life cycle of their vehicles, including hours of service (HOS), warranty recovery and preventative maintenance scheduling, managers can find areas of improvement and identify problems before they occur.
Insurance:
Insurance companies can leverage telematics data to assess risk factors within a fleet and adjust premiums accordingly. Factors such as accidents, fuel consumption and engine wear can all determine — and possibly lower — insurance rates for your fleet.
GoFleet telematics support
GoFleet and our trusted partners have identified seven key areas where fleet management receives the greatest direct advantage from telematics support:
Improved Productivity: Using real-time GPS tracking and automatic trip reporting, fleets can greatly improve dispatching, routing, ETA notification and customer service.
Increased Safety: In-vehicle driver coaching alerts to drowsiness or other risky driver behaviours; collision reconstruction and theft location notifications help protect your assets.
Optimization of Fleets: Streamlining vehicle servicing with predictive maintenance and remote diagnostics improves fuel management, driver habits and vehicle integrity.
Fleet Compliance: Automates FTA reporting, inspections and compliance logging.
Platform Integration: Makes sure all your mobile asset apps and equipment communicate seamlessly, integrating camera, sensors, CRM technology and more.
Adaptable Sustainability: Reduces the environmental impact of carbon emissions, adapts to emerging power sources, and analyzes the cost effectiveness of electric vehicles.
Insurance Premiums: Because fleets can now share their safety compliance data as proof with insurance companies, risk assessments often generate lower premium costs.
The future of telematics
As GPS tracking systems and M2M technologies advance, the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to grow; every advance made brings us closer to the edge of a telematics revolution. From enhanced collection and capture of intelligence data to performance benchmarking and reporting for fleet optimization, the future of telematics is bright. Contact your GoFleet consultant to discuss how telematics can bring tomorrow’s technology to your fleet, today.
If you’ve ever been in an airport, visited someone in a hospital or required private transportation to an event, you’ve likely used a shuttle bus. In today’s fast-paced world, telematics provide benefits to shuttle bus fleets, giving businesses an edge for retaining top-tier employees while providing peace of mind to commuters. Every year, more companies invest in shuttle services; with the right telematics solution, those same companies can also realize improved productivity, visibility and efficiency.
Tracking
Vehicle tracking platforms, such as GoFleet’s Bus ETA, provide essential information to drivers, fleet managers and to public citizens to ensure a seamless, automated experience. Ultimately, tracking saves you valuable time and resources, offering a window into your current operations, inefficiencies along routes and reporting features.
With the app, passengers can review live ETA data right on their phones, with just one click. They can view current vehicle routes, expected total route time, as well as stop and start points, all in real-time. Automation streamlines these processes by reducing wait times and reducing the number of inbound callers for real-time updates, while fostering goodwill with passengers.
Passenger Safety
GoFleet has a number of product offerings that can be scaled to your fleet’s requirements, including commercial dash cams such as ZenduCAM. Perhaps one of the best use cases for ZenduCAM resides with shuttle buses. Imagine being able to track passenger safety by ensuring that your driver follows all necessary protocols. Dash cam footage keeps your drivers compliant, keeps your commuters safe, and helps reinforce good driving habits.
Vehicle Diagnostics
When you use a GoFleet product or service, you’re leveraging a rich telematics ecosystem that can provide all kinds of data sets to improve your business. Monitoring the health and productivity of your shuttle vehicles is an essential part of any holistic fleet solution. Connecting fleet vehicles and fleet managers in real-time and with daily or historical reports for optimum fleet performance.
Our GO9 GPS vehicle tracker, for example, not only provides accurate data on vehicle location, speed and trip distance, it can also extract valuable data on a vehicle’s overall “health”, letting you know the status of the odometer, engine faults and much more. Connecting fleet vehicles with fleet managers in real-time helps to gauge when and if a vehicle requires maintenance, track fuel efficiency and reduce the time and frequency of inspections, all of which stop vehicle problems before they start. With the right diagnostics tool, you can easily optimize your fleet’s performance and save money in the process.
Telematics data is critical to the success of nearly every type of fleet. GoFleet’s solutions are comprehensive, scalable and offer easy installation and a user-friendly interface. Whether you use shuttle buses to manage guest parking, take travellers to and from the airport or need your commuters to arrive at any destination efficiently and on time, we can help you take full control of your fleet’s operations for better business outcomes. Contact one of our consultants today to see how GoFleet can work for you.
This month marks the back-to-school season, offering students across the country a mass exodus from lockdowns and a welcome break from online learning. These new beginnings bring with them opportunities for school administrators and third-party fleet managers to revamp their bus operations using technology and telematics data to make the school year safer and more efficient. Below we’ve listed some of GoFleet’s product and service offerings that are available to both schools and to the public to help keep kids safe.
GPS tracking of bus operations with Bus ETA
GoFleet’s Bus ETA app marks the first step in safety and communication between parents and their child’s school. Bus ETA is an app that allows school admins to provide live location updates of arriving or departing school buses.
The app also allows parents to track their child’s bus to make sure it arrives/departs on time by allowing the parent to create routes and define which students (or “Travellers”) are assigned to those routes. Bus ETA is updated automatically, so that parents (or “Guardians”) have access to real-time updates on their computers, tablets, or mobile devices.
Bus ETA is integrated with ZenduIT ecosystem (same functionality as ZenduCAM alerts) to create and review multiple routes, monitor multiple travellers and allow their guardians to log their information in the event of an emergency. A 2-step verification process ensures safe guardian login.
Knowing when and where a school bus will be at any given time — and having that information available on a live app — improves efficiency by reducing wait times and avoids having to wade through a field of update calls from anxious parents. Routing and dispatching can be done quickly, providing a live location for all buses employed by the school and increasing visibility between parents and the school’s administration.
The school can import and manage guardians and travellers while creating and managing routes from the travellers addresses. Conversely, guardians can track several bus routes and travellers from one mobile app while reviewing a history of arrivals and notifications. Ultimately, knowing when and where a bus will arrive allows families to organize their day without the fear of missing a ride to school.
Tracking student safety with GO9 trackers
It’s all well and good to know where the bus is, but what if your child isn’t on it? Thankfully, Bus ETA can merge seamlessly with ZenduIT’s tracking system for a more comprehensive (and safer) solution. For example, our third-party GO9 tracker plugs directly into the vehicle to track its routes, and a traveller tag tracks the student’s mobility when used in conjunction with a GO9 + NFC reader. Whether you’re tracking your child’s bus, or tracking the bus and your child, our technology gives schools and parents peace of mind while promoting safe travel to and from school.
ZenduCAM for heightened safety
Our commercial dash cam solutions provide a wealth of options for fleets of all sizes. Connecting a product such as ZenduCAM to your buses gives you data sets for all kinds of cost-saving and safety-promoting initiatives, including:
Accident reconstruction: In the unlikely event of an accident, ZenduCAM helps you determine who was at fault, as well as the events that led up to the collision.
Road compliance: Dash cams keep your bus drivers accountable by preventing unsafe driving habits such as rapid acceleration, harsh braking and turning.
Passenger-facing cameras can help scan your precious cargo to keep them safe and accounted for.
Driver scoring and training: Your dash cam system provides an overall scoring system to help identify areas of improvement, incentivize good driving habits and keep drivers and students safe.
When integrated with GoFleet’s rich telematics ecosystem, Bus ETA can help create a 360 solution for schools and bus fleets. Through years of IoT experience, our specialists have a wealth of knowledge and an ability to recommend the right integration of apps and hardware for different verticals. We design, develop and implement premium automation solutions to help drive success — and your vehicles. Contact your GoFleet consultant today and see how we can bring your bus fleet to the top of the class.
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