Preparing Fleet Operations For The Coronavirus

by | Feb 27, 2020 | Fleet Management

Coroanvirus Preparation for Fleet Operations

Coronavirus Preparation

 

Experts are saying the Coronavirus is coming to America and there is little we can do to stop the spread. The good news is that it has proven to date to be less deadly than the flu by numbers but higher by percentage. The US has seen the impact on the Chinese, Italian and other economies and the impact is real; the stock market verified this. As the world’s largest economy, the United States will suffer directly as people and business slows due to infection and precautions taken and as a result of our trading partners taking measures to protect their countries.

Now is the time to get your business and fleet ready to battle the Coronavirus. There will eventually be a rush on basic supplies leaving some without. By stockpiling anti-viral supplies now, your business can remain operational longer due to healthier employees. Gloves and hand sanitizer are already in short supply.

 

Proactive Measures

 

The team at Fleetistics developed the list below of things you should be considering now.

  • Meet to create an action plan
  • Brief the organization and get feedback for more good ideas
  • If a Coronavirus case is confirmed at your business, have an emergency plan to avoid taking it at home
  • Make online sales calls vs in person
  • Issue hand sanitizer to all employees and carry it in all vehicles
  • Bring meals from home instead of eating out
  • Avoid shaking hands or hugging
  • In the field wear 1 set of gloves per customer and train people how to properly take them on and off and dispose of them
  • Make bleach wipes readily available
  • Take temperature each morning
  • Do more teleconferencing and conference calls instead of meetings
  • Be more understanding if someone wants to go to the doctor to be tested if they do not feel well
  • Cancel social events
  • Protect your mail room personnel from the Coronavirus on packages
  • Increase cleaning in common areas
  • In a worst-case scenario, implement a work from home plan using tools like Office 365
  • Encourage employees to join a public safety network such as PubSafe to be prepared in the event public infrastructure is affected
  • Establish a hand washing policy before entering the break room.
  • Encourage people to eat outside in warm weather where the virus is less likely to survive

 

Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Globally _ CDC

 

 

Coronavirus Facts

 

  • If you have a runny nose and sputum, you have a common cold
  • Coronavirus pneumonia is a dry cough with no runny nose.
  • This new virus is not heat-resistant and will be killed by a temperature of just 26/27 degrees. It hates the Sun.
  • If someone sneezes with it, it takes about 10 feet before it drops to the ground and is no longer airborne.
  • If it drops on a metal surface it will live for at least 12 hours – so if you come into contact with any metal surface – wash your hands as soon as you can with a bacterial soap.
  • On fabric it can survive for 6-12 hours. normal laundry detergent will kill it.
  • Drinking warm water is effective for all viruses. Try not to drink liquids with ice.
  • Wash your hands frequently as the virus can only live on your hands for 5-10 minutes, but – a lot can happen during that time – you can rub your eyes, pick your nose unwittingly and so on.
  • You should also gargle as prevention. A simple solution of salt in warm water will suffice.
  • Can’t emphasize enough – drink plenty of water!

 

Corona Virus Symptoms

 

  • It will first infect the throat, so you’ll have a sore throat lasting 3/4 days.
  • The virus then blends into a nasal fluid that enters the trachea and then the lungs, causing pneumonia. This takes about 5/6 days further.
  • With the pneumonia comes high fever and difficulty in breathing.
  • The nasal congestion is not like the normal kind. You feel like you’re drowning. It’s imperative you then seek immediate attention.
GPS Tracking for Fleets

Tampa GPS Tracking and Telematics

by | Jan 24, 2020 | Fleet Management

Tampa GPS Tracking & Telematics For Fleets

Serving Fleets for 21+ Years

Fleetistics has been the Tampa GPS Tracking and Telematics authority since the technology was in its infancy. We are recognized as a leading provider of fleet management technology both locally and nationally from Tampa since April 2001. Fleetistics was formally known as GPS Fleet Solutions for the first 15 years of operation. Over time the industry focus shifted from GPS tracking equipment to data-driven solutions. To reflect that shift GPS Fleet Solutions became Fleetistics (Fleet – Statistics).

Map Tampa GPS Tracking for Fleet

What the Future Holds

The long-term goal of Fleetistics is to translate data from any source and process it into readily consumable information. Data that comes from GPS tracking, dash cameras, sales reports, and other IoT devices provides a clearer picture when viewed contextually as part of a larger puzzle. We can leverage more out of every system when we use them together.

Additionally, the information provided at the right time, and in the right format, increases ROI. It enables fleet managers and field service operations to make good decisions quickly. By knowing the historical trend, a future trajectory can be projected. This allows fleet operators and other Tampa GPS tracking consumers to visualize where their business is going in the next 30 to 90 days.

Tampa’s #1 GPS Vehicle Tracking and Fleet Management Provider

Tampa GPS Tracking At a glance safety dashboard

As part of transforming into an information company, Fleetistics has developed several key capabilities. We are focused on development that facilitates growth and success in the telematics industry in Tampa, Florida, and nationally. As a result, Fleetistics has custom-developed our tools to take complex data strings from IoT devices and decode the information.

Simplifying Complex Integration

When data is transmitted by an IoT device (Compare GPS trackers) the data is sort of like a VIN. The entire GPS coordinate, battery voltage, and other status data are not clearly included in plain language. Instead, the data is put into a code string and each letter or number, or combination, in the string represents something. It is very much like the VIN on a vehicle but more complicated.

The reason it is done this way is to minimize the number of kilobytes being transmitted. Sending a complete latitude and longitude + other data might be 10 kilobytes but the same data is encoded in a string it is 2 kilobytes. Over the course of a day or month, the 80% savings is reflected in a significant cost reduction from cellular carriers like AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Telefonica.

We process that complex data into a usable API saving our clients the time, cost, and frustration associated with complex development projects. Call us to learn more.

Contact us today! 855.300.0527

Active Directory User Management

by | Jan 16, 2020 | Fleet Management

User Rights Management Using Active Directory

 

Single sign-on (SSO) is quickly becoming one of the most requested features we provide. It is not surprising that fleets using multiple technologies struggle with managing users. Drivers and support employees access multiple apps and software platforms to do their jobs. In Fleet operations, the GPS tracking solutions, maintenance software, ELD and MVR services all require logins and ongoing user rights management. Certainly, it is a challenge for managers to keep up with users across multiple platforms. Similarly, users struggle to remember multiple login URLs and passwords. Additionally, as employees are hired and retired each platform has to be updated. If an employee leaves under duress it becomes even more important to remove them from all systems. In departments that are already understaffed, all of this can create utter chaos.

Normally, when an employee joins or departs an organization HR or IT adds or removes them from network access. This is their access for payroll, reporting, and other internal services, so someone is almost always on top of keeping users up to date. Unfortunately, it doesn’t translate through to the platforms the fleet department has to manage on their own.

 

Fleetistics Active Directory Integration

 

Fleetistics understands the time and effort that goes into managing users on top of all other fleet management tasks. In response, we developed a service that integrates with Active Directory. When the IT department updates a user, the user’s access to MyFleetistics, and the incorporated telematics platforms are also updated. As new employees are added to the company network, the IT department assigns them to a GPS user group. That group assignment determines their permissions within MyFleetistics. That means fleet managers no longer need to add or remove users from MyFleetistics. More importantly, when an employee leaves the company and their network access is removed, their access to MyFleetistics is removed as well.

Fleetistics has many years of experience working with large fleets with many users. In large organizations with hundreds or thousands of users, this is a huge time saver. It also significantly improves company security. Finally, the employee’s user experience is improved as well. They can use a single sign-on (SSO) which means they don’t have to keep entering their login credentials. After they log into their computer or onto the network, they will click a link specific to a customer and they will be authenticated and allowed to pass through to MyFleetistics.

 

Is Single Sign-On Secure?

 

Our integration uses a standard method and capability provided by Microsoft. There are many variables that make this process a minimal risk in relation to the value provided. The most important aspect of the security to understand is that user credentials are not being passed and all critical information is encrypted.

 

Other User Rights Management Platforms

 

 

The Fleetistics integration with Active Directory supports both ADFS and Azure Active Directory. Fleetistics is interested in working with large fleet operators to integrate single sign-on using their existing platforms. We are happy to evaluate if your current technology is compatible for integration. Platforms such as WebSphere are utilized by some of the largest companies in the world and there is a good business case to develop SSO solutions. If your large or enterprise-class organization has a URM platform you want integrated contact Fleetistics to discuss the project and discounted rates for leading the effort and partnering with Fleetistics through the integration.

If you are interested in Active Directory integration, send us an email at contact@fleetistics.com or email your account manager and we’ll be in touch.

GEotab GO9 GPS Vehicle Tracking

Fleet Tracking Portals

Fleet Management Platform

Fleet Tracking Portals

Fleet Weather Service

Fleet Weather Service

Fleet Tracking with Weather Radar

by | Dec 6, 2019 | Fleet Management

Weather Radar Improves Trucking Safety

Weather Radar HOS Trucking
Weather radar enables dispatchers to account for delayed delivery, slower travel times and HOS exceptions.

Weather Impacts Profitability

When Time Counts

When the weather turns bad, consider how frequently you check the weather radar. You recognize the importance of good weather radar and data in your personal life, but do you apply the same to your fleet management practices? Weather radar provides information on more than just rain and snow. There are weather services that can predict black ice, surface temperatures and even tornado several hours into the future. The impact of good weather radar for drivers and dispatchers cannot be overestimated.

National Dispatching

When a team of people in a New York call center are dispatching trucks across the country, they must understand the weather factors in areas they are unfamiliar with. When there is 5′ of snow on the ground it is foolish to attempt a delivery to some areas. When dispatchers are able to see areas of heavy snow or probable black ice, they can route vehicles around hazardous weather and produce more revenue than otherwise possible. Drivers arrive alive. Trucks are not stuck or involved in accidents and customers expectations are managed and met more consistently.

 

Predictive Logistics

Wouldn’t it be great to know what is going to be needed before you received the order so you can offer just in time delivery of inventory? Everyone is familiar with the challenge of having the right inventory on hand to meet spikes in demand. Understanding where short-term demand will take place and how to get the supplies to meet the demand, can result in significant revenue increases. Of course you have the option to continue to do business the old way and respond two weeks after the demand has passed.

With almost everything in this country moving by truck at some point, knowing how weather impacts supply on short-term demands is critical. In many industries weather impacts demand in addition to supply. If a cold snap means the corns gets picked early, having trucks available to transport the corn is vital. If more tires are needed when the temperature exceeds 110 degrees in Arizona, having a 2 day heads up to move inventory can mean a spike in revenue. Being HOS compliant means not getting stuck in a hotel for 12 hours.

 

Weather Radar Integrated with GPS Tracking

With over 17 years of experience working with fleets, Fleetistics recognizes the need for fleet operators to see the location of their vehicles on same map during major weather events. Fleetistics customers utilizing Geotab telematics devices can choose from a variety of weather map layers depending on their location and transportation needs. Companies providing roadside assistance, to truckers, can deploy their technicians in a safer manner or change the schedule based on weather conditions to keep employees safe and customers serviced.

 

Safety Tips for Female Truckers

by | Dec 5, 2019 | Risk and Safety

Truck Alarm for Safety

Truck Alarm

Female Truckers Staying Safe on the Road

Women face many challenges in the male dominated industry of trucking. Of the estimated 3,000,000 truckers, 200,000 are believed to be female truckers. This is a 50% increase in the last thirteen years. With the economy growing and the FMCSA ELD mandate reducing the number of hours that can be driven in a day, the demand for truck drivers is beyond the supply of drivers available. Women are filling this role more than every before. Women who are entering phase two of life after children, find themselves available for a life on the road making a good income. This shift in the workforce is not without risk.

Female truck drivers report a host of safety issues while being on the road. One can imagine the potential for safety issues on a truck lot with 500 trucks and needing to use the truck stop facilities late at night. Females can take several basic precautions to improve their safety.

Try these easy to take safety steps:

 

  • Maintain situational awareness at all times.
  • Avoid areas where you can be isolated.
  • Use a video camera that records inside and outside the truck and transmits to the cloud.
  • Report all incidents in writing, even if you have to get job. With the current demand, there are lots of opportunities.
  • Know how to record conversations on your phone if you feel uncomfortable with a trainer or coworker and save directly to the cloud. There are apps just for this.
  • Park in a well lit area.
  • Park on the end so you don’t have to walk between trucks.
  • Avoid inspections after dark when possible.
  • Keep your eyes, open head up and ears on alert when walking around the truck.
  • Carry a 3 D-cell flashlight with a flashing mode which can be used as a weapon, to disorient an attacker and draw attention.
  • Carry mace or better yet, bear spray. You don’t have to be a perfect shot with bear spray.
  • Put an alarm on the truck with a wireless remote. This allows you to get right into the truck when approaching or activate the panic button.
  • Keep a firearm in your truck but be aware of the risk of carrying a concealed weapon in some states.
  • Secure the doors with the seat-belts.
  • Travel in pairs and park next to other trusted drivers.