Social Distance With High Productivity

by | Apr 2, 2020 | Fleet Management, Data Integration

Social Distance, the New Normal

Businesses should always put any slow time encountered to good use. This is even more important as social distance becomes our temporary reality. Today, restaurants are limited to delivery and pick up. Retail businesses limit the number of people that can be gathered at once. As a result, businesses that serve those sectors can find themselves with some time to invest. What are some things you can do now that will help you come back even stronger when this is all over? It’s a great time to research technologies of interest that you just have not had time or reason to take a serious look at before.

Assessing Current Operations, a Good Place to Start

Did you know that Fleetistics assesses routes? Our Route Optimization Assessment Tool analyzes your routes as they are being driven now, and evaluates the impact that an optimized route of the same stops has. The report considers routes as driven compared to the same order of stops optimized for the shortest distance, and finally, re-ordered for the most efficient order of stops and shortest distance. Ultimately this data is charted to evaluate miles, time, and fuel usage. There is even an interactive chart and map that allows you to dig into the individual route details.

Contact us today! 855.300.0527
Efficient routing and scheduling is a major difference between companies that just do OK and companies that thrive. Without hard data, many managers just don’t realize how much routes impact profitability. Money is left on the table when routes are left up to the driver or best guessed using brainpower alone. Even more, small changes in a route that may seem insignificant can save significant amounts of fuel and man-hours.

Route Optimization Tool

 

 

In the example above for just one vehicle, $24 was saved in one day. Add to that, 30 minutes of labor cost or time to complete another job, and you can see this adds up to some significant dollars even in a small fleet. Call 855-300-0527 to schedule a route optimization assessment for your fleet today!

Expand Work From Home Capabilities

Maintaining social distance is forcing many companies to embrace telecommuting. Working remotely is not a new idea. Many companies are well prepared to leave their offices and telecommute. Sure, there are some challenges, but we are adaptable.

If you are a Windows 10 user working from home, learn to use the task view icon on the taskbar. It is a good substitute for having multiple monitors. If you don’t have windows 10, try holding the windows key and pressing tab to get to task view. It displays all your open windows on one screen so you can navigate between them faster.

Need help getting setup to work remotely? Our IT company, IGTech365 can help you implement Microsoft Office 365 with Teams. Work anywhere, at any time, from a smart phone, laptop or desktop. Being seamlessly mobile is a strategic requirement to be able to always assist your customers.

Implementing Change in the Mobile Workforce

Mobile forms apps quickly generate custom forms. They work hand in hand with your fleet GPS Tracking bringing vehicle location and form data together. These easy to use forms apps are a great tool to remind field workers of all the new steps they must take to stay safe. Also, steps are recorded as completed creating a clear record and chain of custody. Most important, electronic forms are easily modified as safety guidance changes.Electronic Forms Used this way, mobile forms apps assure adherence to social distance protocols and evolving procedures needed to adhere to today’s guidelines. Certainly processes will remain in a state of change, so being able to adapt quickly is critical.

Look for New Opportunity

Certainly there is good news we can focus on. As a business operating a fleet, remember fuel cost is down, delivery and the need for more of it is up, and road traffic is low. What assets and skills do you have available that can be put to work in our new temporary environment? We hear amazing stories of companies re-purposing their products and vehicles to do what is most needed now.

  • Restaurant suppliers shifted to supplying grocery stores when their shelves were empty.
  • Auto makers are building respirators.
  • Clothing companies are producing face masks and gowns.
  • Commercial delivery fleets are assisting in moving emergency supplies to hospitals.

The more we focus on the positives, the stronger we will all come out of this.

GEotab GO9 GPS Vehicle Tracking
Fleet Management Platform
Mobile Phone GPS Tracking App
Fleet Weather Service

GPS Tracking

Fleet Management

Phone Tracking

Tablets & Data

Fleet GPS Tracking with Roadside Assistance

by | Mar 16, 2020 | Fleet Management

Roadside Assistance Add-In For Geotab Fleet Tracking

If you use Geotab for your GPS fleet tracking needs, you could be missing out on a pretty attractive perk. By subscribing to the Pro Plus service level you are qualified to use the Geotab Roadside add-in free of charge for light-duty vehicles. As a general rule, light-duty is any motor vehicle with GVWR of under 10,000 lbs. Full details are found in the Roadside add-in User Guide.

Just go to the marketplace and install it in your database. Your drivers can then install the app on their mobile devices.

 

The Geotab roadside add-in is a simple solution for requesting help. Use it to call for service when a fleet vehicle breaks down or has other common roadside issues. Now there is no need to take another driver out of service to assist.

The most important thing to understand about Geotab Roadside Assistance is that service must be requested using the mobile app. Using the app assures easy approval, notification of dispatch, and automated updates between driver and service provider. For that reason, ALL requests must be made via the Geotab Roadside app. The app does the work to confirm the eligibility of the vehicle. It then communicates all of the necessary information to the service provider regarding the roadside assistance needed.

Roadside assistance services include towing, flat tire change, lockout service, battery boost, fuel delivery and winching (please see conditions in the guide mentioned). For personal situations other than roadside assistance you can turn to the free PubSafe public safety community app and get help from other app users in your area. Click here to view PubSafe.

What Happens Next?

The app used in tandem with GPS tracking devices on both your vehicle and the tow truck delivers a simple and effective user experience. The system searches for a nearby service provider once the service request is created. When a provider is found, they are dispatched to the vehicle’s location. The app shows the estimated time of arrival for the service provider, as well as their location, live on the map. Both driver and dispatcher are able to see the updates, so no back and forth phone calls because everyone already knows what is going on.
Once the service provider arrives at the breakdown location, the add-In automatically updates to Service in Progress. The screen updates with information about the service being performed. If the requested service is a tow, then the locations of the service provider and the towed vehicle are updated on the map as the tow moves towards its destination.
The value of free roadside assistance alone may offset the difference in cost from Pro to Pro Plus. Contact us to learn more.
Contact us today! 855.300.0527
GEotab GO9 GPS Vehicle Tracking
Fleet Management Platform
Mobile Phone GPS Tracking App
Fleet Weather Service

GPS Tracking

Fleet Management

Phone Tracking

Tablets & Data

Small Fleet GPS Tracking

by | Mar 5, 2020 | Fleet Management

Small Fleet GPS Tracking Needs are Unique

Small fleets tend to have fewer needs and can focus more on the basic GPS tracking to save money. The general mindset is to start with an inexpensive GPS tracking system that can be upgraded as the business grows. As fleet management needs change, upgrades can be made. Knowing up front that there is an upgrade path to a more capable GPS portal ensures small fleet customers will not have to start all over. Being able to use the same GPS tracking devices means not having to reinvest in hardware when the tiome to upgrade comes.

At first, simple vehicle location, or dots on a map, and start-stop information is sufficient for most fleets under 5 vehicles. Ultimately, these two variables with a low price like with the Fleetistics LITE platform at $9.95 is an entry level system. The LITE system can be upgraded to the Fleetistics ONE (FONE) platform for a few more dollars monthly. The FONE platform opens the doors for small fleets that are seeing expanding needs. Data used to increase safety and reduce accidents can lower insurance cost. Increased productivity means more billables. The right set of data drives down expenses and increases productivity, thus profitability.

 

Low Cost GPS Tracking

 

Starting with an OBD plug-and-play GPS tracker provides the quickest and least expensive way to start tracking. Fleetistics offers the same great training options as for our large fleet clients.  As revenue increases a small fleet operator may want to add OBD extension harnesses to get the GPS vehicle tracking system into the dash, but it certainly is not a requirement. Serial number zip ties and a good driving policy is often enough to keep tampering under control.

Sample GPS Tracking Employee Policy

Sample GPS Tracking Policy

Small Fleet GPS Tracking

Compare GPS Tracking Systems

Small Fleet GPS Tracker Solar

GPS Trackers

GEotab GO9 GPS Vehicle Tracking
Fleet Management Platform
Mobile Phone GPS Tracking App
Fleet Weather Service

GPS Tracking

Fleet Management

Phone Tracking

Tablets & Data

Fleetistics Products and Services

by | Mar 5, 2020 | Fleet Management

Fleet Tracking Service Admin

Fleetistics Products and Services Easy Reorder

Fleetistics customers can easily order additional products and services using the Order Online menu. It is a great resource to stay on top of what products and services are available in the Fleetistics portfolio. Reorder devices and cables or MyFleetistics integrated services and receive the same great customer service you are accustomed to. Fleetstics offers a wide array of GPS trackers, custom developed services such as Weather Pro, Active Directory integration and dashcams. When using the online order system you are not billed at checkout. Instead, your order is sent to an account manager who will review it to ensure the correct items are being ordered. If there is any question about the items or services listed, you will be contacted to clarify the order is correct. Next, our standard online order will be created and sent to be approved by you. On completion of the order you will receive an email invoice for payment.

Free Trials

Many of the Fleetistics products and services come with a free 30-day trial that can be enabled at any time by an account administrator. To test a service go to Account>Services>Adminster Services. Try any or all the services to determine which is right for your business.

Fleet Tracking Service Admin
Fleetistics Products and Services

GPS Fleet Technology Pricing

by | Mar 4, 2020 | Fleet Management

GPS Fleet Technology Pricing

What Determines GPS Fleet Technology Pricing

 

There are a wide variety of variables that determine the cost of a GPS tracking solution. There are low cost GPS tracking services, low cost GPS tracking devices and everything above. Most of the cheapest GPS tracking services are temporary in that the profit margins are not high enough to sustain a business for the long run and eventually have to be increased or the provider goes out of business.

 

Variables In GPS Fleet Technology Pricing

 

  • The type of communication network can vary the price greatly. Cellular communication is less expensive than satellite communication. Most fleets operate well on cellular communication.
  • The cellular network used will vary. T-Mobile is generally less than Verizon but the coverage area is also different.
  • The more detail or data used, the higher the monthly service fee.
  • The physical size and quality of construction of the GPS tracker impacts price. Large solar tracking devices are more expensive than OBD GPS units. Devices that are IP rated for environmental factors are more expensive than other trackers.
  • The technology in the GPS tracker can be very simple or very complex and capable. Pick a tracker that matches your needs. The Geotab GO9 runs a Linux operating system making it the most advanced telematics system available.
  • The quality and capabilities of the web portal impact price. The more robust the online features, the more they cost to develop, thus the more expensive to use.
  • Purchasing a GPS tracker may seem more expensive but it is always less expensive in the long run. It is similar to purchasing a car vs leasing it. Sometimes a lease makes sense or is simply preferred for the convenience. In the fleet management industry we call this a software as a service (SaaS) model. In a SaaS model you never own the tracker and must return it at the end of the relationship.

 

XT4769-1-FetrdEdgTransBG.jpg
Map & Visit Your Customers
Sample Employee GPS Tracking Policy
Sample employee gps tracking policy