Geotab Drive “Must Have” Add Ins & ELD Reports

by Lynn Rios | May 28, 2020 | FMCSA-ELD-DVIR, Fleet Management

Geotab Drive with ELD Reporting – Free Marketplace Tools

Geotab Drive makes ELD compliance easy, but many users miss the free add-ins and reports that truly simplify a fleet manager’s life. In this post, we present the options that we feel are “Must Have” applications for our clients. Everything shown can be downloaded or directly installed in your system from the Geotab Marketplace. Just click on “Marketplace” at the bottom of your main menu and open up a world of possibilities.

ELD Services – Settings Validator Add-In

There is a multitude of settings and entry fields presented to you when initially setting up your ELD drivers. When drivers begin to use the system, all of the static information that must be included in their RODS is pulled from these entries. Thus, if the driver’s license issuing state was not completed when the driver was created in the system, it will not show up on a compliance print when generated. Unfortunately, when this happens at a roadside inspection, you have likely ruined your driver’s day. Using this add-in assures that all required information is accessible to the Geotab Drive app, and compliance prints or RODS transferred to FMCSA will include all required information.

The ELD Settings Validator is a free add-in for Geotab. It identifies missing driver data and links you right to the form to correct the ommissions. Fields marked with an X are an indication that information is missing for that field. Select the information icon on the right-hand side for quick access to the driver’s User Settings. Simply fill in the missing information and select Save at the top of the screen. Drivers that are not missing information will not be displayed, only entries that need to be corrected.

ELD Add-In – Driver Access to
Support Help Desk

The ELD Information Add-In provides instant, driver-friendly access to the Reseller Support Help desk. View the latest ELD information documents that are required during a roadside inspection in accordance with ?395.22 (h), or stream the latest How-to videos for Geotab Drive. Please note that this add-in is currently only available for mobile devices running on Android.

With this add-in installed in your Geotab system, all drivers will see the add-in populated on their HOS Dashboard. The step by step instructions for using Geotab Drive are contained in the Data Transfer Guide, ELD Manual, and Data & Diagnostics ELD Malfunction Sheet Guide. All are launched right from the app in a single click. Most importantly, these are the documents required to be kept in the cab under the FMCSA regulations. By linking to the electronic documents you know you always have the latest version.

Workflow documents for HOS and DVIR are also available anytime a quick refresher is needed. Alternately, for drivers that prefer video learning, a playlist of video training is also linked to the app. The linked documents and videos are updated when changes are made to the app, so the latest information is always available to the driver.

Want Custom HOS Reports? Here’s a dozen to choose from!

Just download the report from the Marketplace and upload it to your database to get the most out of Geotab Drive.

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Geotab T-Mobile Support 3G to 4G Upgrade Program

by Eron Iler | May 14, 2020 | Announcements-News, Fleet Management

T-Mobile 3G Sunset 12/31/2020

3G to 4G UpgradeÂ latest news: T-Mobile has announced they will enforce the published date to deactivate 3G Geotab fleet tracker T-Mobile GPS tracking devices. This means Fleetistics customers with GPS devices using the T-Mobile 3G network need to plan now. Those devices will stop reporting at the end of the year. Fleetistics has several programs in place to aid customers in transitioning from TMO 3G to the newer 4G technology.

AT&T and Verizon customers are not affected by T-Mobile’s plan. They have committed to maintain their 3G networks until 12/2022.

Customers must be in good financial standing to participate in the 3G to 4G Upgrade program.

Call

877.467.0326

TMO 3G to 4G Upgrade Program (Geotab customers only)

Existing ProPlus and Fleetistics rental customers automatically get replacement devices in Q4 of 2020 or at Geotab’s discretion with a service agreement that extends past 2020. Now is the time to call Fleetistics customer service and schedule 3G upgrade for Q4 to be sure GPS devices are available. ProPlus includes Roadside Service – Learn More. Compare Geotab service plans – Click here.

2. Customers not wanting to upgrade to ProPlus may purchase a replacement device at a deeply discounted and subsidized price. Contact Fleetistics for details

3. Customers not wanting to purchase a 4G device may receive a free T-Mobile 4G device with a minimum service agreement of 24 months. If you love the Geotab platform and never plan to leave the most robust fleet management solution available, why not take advantage of this free 4G upgrade offer.

Changing Cellular Network Carriers On Upgrade

In some situations network coverage changes and a customer may feel a different carrier is now a better option. Since this program is T-Mobile specific the free upgrade program does not offer carrier switching. However, for a nominal fee, customers may choose to replace T-Mobile device with an AT&T or Verizon telematics device. Contact your Fleetistics account manager or customer service for pricing and details.

Installation Requirements

To avoid undue delays and administrative fees you will have 5 days to install the replacement devices from the date of delivery before the old 3G devices are deactivated. If you have more GPS trackers than you can replace in 5 days Fleetistics will work with you to provide multiple deliveries for the cost of shipping.

The goal is to make this exchange process for customers across the United States quick and efficient.

Replacing Devices In MyGeotab

It is important that you replace the old GPS devices with the new devices in your MyGeotab account. The linked document, Geotab Replacing A Device, walks you through this process. Be sure to contact us with the serial numbers of the devices you have replaced so they can be deactivated. Failing to do this step will result in double billing. It is recommended that you open a support ticket in MyFleetistics asking customer service to verify everything is correct once you feel the replacement is complete.

After swapping the GPS devices, replacing them in MyGeotab, and confirming with Fleetistics customer service, the 3G T-mobile devices can be disguarded since they will be deactivated and cannot be reactivated.

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GPS Tracking

Fleet Management

Phone Tracking

Tablets & Data

Measuring Fleet Productivity & Idle Waste

by Lynn Rios | May 11, 2020 | Fleet Management, ROI

Measuring fleet productivity and controlling idle waste are two easy ways to save money in difficult times.

Contributed by Sherri Mills

In this blog, we discuss two top cost-control strategies using Geotab GO device data to help boost productivity and vehicle uptime. In the business we often refer to this as the “low hanging fruit”.

What is fleet productivity?

Tracking fleet productivity is a top concern for many businesses, especially when labor is one of their most significant costs. Improving productivity will help you provide optimal service to your customers, which is important now more than ever. Telematics technology gives fleet managers accurate and detailed visibility over their vehicles, helping businesses allocate assets where they are needed most.

Maintaining 100% visibility over vehicle utilization and work assignments helps make sure that Hours Paid = Hours Worked as much as possible. Gaining just one hour of driver productivity per day, or even per week, adds up quickly.

Keeping Score

Fleet productivity is the basic measure of employee work output. Creating a productivity score provides a way to objectively measure performance so you can identify successes and pinpoint where improvement is needed.

Keep in mind, it is not ideal to expect 100% productivity, especially when employees lack control over their own output, for example when they are dependent upon customer availability, or when they are impacted by adverse weather and traffic.

Productivity score formula

(Total Hours Worked) / (Shift Hours less Lunch, Breaks or Meetings, Downtime like traffic) = Productivity Score

For example:
(Drive time = 5 hours + Office time = 1 hour) / (8 hour shift – 1 hour lunch and breaks)

(5+1) / (8-1) = 86% Productivity score

You can adjust this formula as needed depending on the structure of your business.

Managing Idling

If you’re looking at ways to improve productivity, idling is another area to look at. While not all idling is avoidable, for example in heavy traffic, there are many instances where it can and should be minimized.

Excessive idling not only wastes fuel, but also time idling vehicles are not making deliveries or driving to their next work location. Idling can also put extra load and engine hours on your fleet, increasing the number of oil changes and other maintenance tasks required.

While the GO device automatically monitors idling within each trip (no setup required), customizable reports and rules make tracking idling easy.

Here are the most effective reports for identifying and curbing idling:

1. Highest Idling Duration

See the percentages of engine time spent idling versus driving, per driver, per day. The results of this report can be used to determine which drivers need further training.

2. Daily Idling Cost Trend

The Daily Idling Cost Trend report provides a rolling, seven-day view of your fleet’s total cost of idling, which can be refreshed daily. You can use this report to spot trends during certain days of the week, which may correlate to specific work assignments or job sites, allowing you to make adjustments for the following week.

3. Last 3 Months Idling Trends Report

This report displays the total fuel spent while idling across the entire fleet. You can use this report to assess whether or not your efforts to reduce idling have been successful. Trend reporting tools can also be used in areas like asset utilization.

You can download the Last 3 Months Idling Trend from the Geotab Marketplace. View report.

4. Idle Cost (previous 30 days)

The Idle Cost report provides a 30-day rolling view of the fleet’s total cost of Idling. While managing productivity is key, seeing the whole cost of idling over 30 days is impactful as well.

Conclusion

Telematics systems can be used to measure and understand the productivity of fleets. With Fleetistics and the Geotab telematics platform, you and your customers are assured exceptional data producing real ROI results.

We look forward to partnering with you and demonstrating real success for your customers’ fleets in 2020. The best is yet to come.

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DOT Compliance For Small Business

by Eron Iler | May 6, 2020 | FMCSA-ELD-DVIR, Fleet Management

Small Business Explanation

DOT compliance for small businesses can be confusing. This blog is designed as general information for the small business operator who is unsure if their line or volume of work requires being DOT registered and compliant. The video will help distinguish between a weekend warrior and commercial entity. It will guide you through some of the most common requirements so when you are eventually pulled over you are prepared. It also gives you an idea of how to respond if you are not a commercial entity so you can get on your way quicker. Be sure to check your local regulations and read the FMCSA website for details.

Does My Business Need to Be DOT Compliant

Knowing if you need to be DOT compliant as a small business may be confusing. There are a few questions to answer to make this determination. Once realized, you can work to get compliant in an organized manner.

The first criteria is whether your power unit (truck) is being used to generate revenue. Are you acting on behalf of a business to make money? Second is gross vehicle weight. Does your power unit and trailer have a combined GVWR over 10,001 lbs? The gross vehicle weight rating is marked on the decal inside the door jam. Most heavy duty pickup trucks have a GVWR over the 10,001 lbs limit. When you add a trailer to the power unit, it is easy to exceed 10,001 lbs.

Last, where is the vehicle operating? If the vehicle is operating state-to-state, the vehicle is considered to be a commercial vehicle. There are mileage exceptions to this. Most widely used is the 100 air mile short haul exemption. A commercial vehicle that stays withing a 100 mile radius of the work reporting location, and returns to that location within the work day may be exempt. There are also agricultural exemptions for a 150 mile radius.

Always refer to the FMCSA guidelines and FAQ to be sure your vehicle qualifies for an exemption. If DOT compliance is in doubt, contact your local FMCSA filed office for guidance.

FMCSA Compliance Made Easy

Once you are designated as a commercial operator, you are required to implement electronic driver logs for hours of service compliance. This can be a daunting realization. Failing to be compliant can lead to all sorts of terrible consequences such as DOT fines, higher insurance rates or even being dropped. On top of that, reduced delivery times with limited driving hours and a host of computer related activities will suck up your time and financial resources.

In contrast, compliance with a full featured ELD system eliminates wasting time correcting paper driver logs, a second set of books, and potential DOT fines. Ultimately it rewards you with happier drivers and less turnover. In the end, your investment in ELD generally pays for itself in many ways. Fortunately, Fleetistics offers ELD, DVIR, IFTA and other services in a single platform to facilitate FMCSA compliance and save you time and money.