MyGeotab Version 2002 – See What’s New

MyGeotab Version 2002 First Look

As we have come to expect, when a new version of Geotab is released there all always a lot of questions. We just got our first look at MyGeotab version 2002 and want to share an advance look at what is coming soon. By turning on “Feature Preview” in your Geotab account settings, you will see some changes sooner.

To turn the preview on, click on your username in the Geotab UI, then click options. Scroll about halfway down the page to UI Settings and click the on button for Feature Preview. Don’t forget to scroll back to the top of the page and save your new setting.

 

turning on feature preview
turning on feature preview

What’s New in MyGeotab?

Users – You can now designate your support, training and procurement contacts for your organization in the UI

This is an optional setting that may be very helpful, especially in large organizations. Assign key experts from your organization who can answer questions and solve problems in MyGeotab! As professionals in areas of training, procurement and technical support, these individuals can share knowledge and identify tools to help meet your needs in the Fleet Management Application. They can also receive important updates about new features, and other areas we are working on to support your business. Individuals designated as support contacts must provide a phone number, since we may redirect calls if we cannot assist a user from your organization who needs help.

New User Options in MyGeotab version 2002
New User Options in MyGeotab version 2002

New Phone number field and System Communications tab on the User Edit page

There is a new System Communications tab which combines email reports, in-app notifications and service updates, into one convenient view. Use in-app notifications (formerly called: news notifications) to stay up-to-date with service updates and other news, all without leaving MyGeotab. There is also now an phone number field for all users.

User Authentication Advances

Basic HTTP-based authentication using the HTTPS/SSL security methods.
SAML Single sign-on (SSO) authentication. [Active Directory (Azure or ADFS) is available from Fleetisitcs]
MyAdmin Uses your MyAdmin credentials for access to MyGeotab.

Users can now transition between three authentication types:
SAML > Basic
Basic > SAML
MyAdmin > Basic

Start your week on any day

In MyGeotab version 2002 you can choose any day to start your work week. In previous versions this was limited to Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Moving on to the Map

Using a clustered approach,there are new tools to show you where your vehicles are, which vehicles have stopped (indicated in orange), and which vehicles are driving (indicated in green).

live map clustering

Driver Assignments

Driver Assignment The live Map now displays new drivers as soon as they are assigned to a vehicle. Previously, new drivers were only updated when the next trip occurred. Also, the pop up window for assigning a driver is now much clearer to understand.

The driver will be assigned to the vehicle for all trips until:

  • The driver is assigned to another vehicle.
  • Another driver is assigned to this vehicle.
  • The driver is unassigned from this vehicle.
Other new features worth mention are a new pending changes message, updated system notices, a billing reminder message when removing a device, and the diagnostic code token is now available in all custom notification templates.

The EV Charging Report and EV Charging Activity indicators on the live map are out of Feature Preview.

Visit Geotab to see all of the details.

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

Ford OEM Telematics Program

Ford - Geotab Partnership

Understanding Ford integrated telematics

Ford OEM Telematics Program Overview

Ford OEM Telematics leverages a GPS tracking device that comes as standard equipment on new Ford vehicles. Ford, like other OEMs are installing a telematics solution in vehicle prior to delivery. Geotab is establishing relationships with Ford and other OEMs to put the telematics data into the Geotab platform. Geotab is relying on companies like Fleetistics to implement and support fleet customers with either the OEM or Geotab GO device.

In this article we explain the pros and the cons of the OEM approach as well as the Geotab GO device approach. Fleetistics’ mission is to help customers select the best option for their fleet situation without preference or bias.

 

Who Is Eligible?

There are only a few requirements and if you have additional questions contact Fleetistics at
877-467-0326.

 

  • FIN code issued to fleet operator after fleetaccount.ford.com account is setup
    • Purchase 5 or more Ford vehicles at once
    • Have more than 15 commercial fleet vehicles in service from any manufacturer. Vehicles on blocks do not count.
  • Vehicles purchased Q3-Q4 2019 or 2020 with pre-installed telematics
Ford OEM Telematics

Current Fleet Vehicles

  1. Contact Fleetistics and express your interest in Ford OEM Telematics and an account manager will be assigned to walk you through the process and review the pros and cons to both approaches.
  2. Send a list of VINs and FIN to Fleetistics.
  3. Complete the Fleetistics order.
  4. Fleetistics sets up Geotab account.

New Fleet Vehicles

  1. Contact Fleetistics and express your interest in Ford OEM Telematics and an account manager will be assigned to walk you throgh the process and review the pros and cons to both approaches.
  2. Create and setup your Ford account. https://www.fleet.ford.com/get-started/
  3. Send a list of VINs and FIN to Fleetistics.
  4. Complete the Fleetistics order.
  5. Fleetistics sets up Geotab account.

 

1. Q: What is the contract term?
A: It ranges from month-to-month to several years depending on customer selected options.

2. Q: What if I have a mixed fleet?
A: A Geotab GO device can be used on any vehicle or asset that does not have an OEM telematics device
installed.

3. Q: What about asset tracking?
A: It is not part of the program but Fleetistics can handle that with a Geotab device.

4. Q: Who will bill me for service?
A: Fleetistics handles all telematics services

5. Q: Is there a fee for the installation or GPS unit?
A: No. There is a small setup & implementation fee per vehicle.

6. Q: Who do I call if I have an issue?
A: Fleetistics 877-467-0326

7. Q: Can I see the rest of my fleet in the Geotab portal?
A: Yes. Ford data is integrated into your current Geotab portal.

8. Q: How long does the process take?
A: 1-2 weeks under normal conditions and if everyone works together.

9. Q: What other manufacturers is Geotab integrated with?
A: Currently Ford, GM, Volvo, Mac and John Deere. More are in development.

10: Q:
A:

11. Q:
A:

To get started with Ford OEM Telematics, go to https://www.fleet.ford.com/get-started/

Select Get Started Here or email (reply in 1-2 business days) the name and email of the first account administrator to fcs1@ford.com

Navigate to the Vehicles menu. Your deal should have the VIN already entered. If not, contact Fleetistics and we will look into it for you. If you create a temporary user for your Fleetistics account manager, the account mananger can go into your account and do the setup for you.

Add vehicles if necessary. If a FIN code was not available at the time of purchase you will see unverified. You must email proof of ownership to Ford Customer Service (3-7 day turnaround).

Select the vehicles you want to activate telematics service on and choose Add Consent.

Select Geotab as the telematics service provider.

 

Send a list of VINs which have consent to your Fleetistics account manager so they can be added to your Geotab account. If you are a new customer an account will be created and you will be contacted to schedule training. The login page can be found at old.fleetistics.com/login

Ask your account manager about logging in with Active Directory , dash cams or tablets.

Features

  • Service plans
  • Integration, 3rd parties
  • Accident data
  • Activation/Setup
  • AEMP 2.0
  • APIs
  • Asset tracking
  • Battery on crank
  • Battery monitoring
  • Cell carrier options
  • Check engine light
  • Driver Feedback Buzzer
  • Driver ID
  • DTC
  • ELD service
  • Electric vehicles
  • Engine Hrs
  • Fuel
  • Harsh driving
  • Installation
  • Memory Out of Coverage
  • Modular harness, IOX
  • Vehicle Manufacturer
  • Move GPS device to next vehicle
  • Odometer
  • Roadside assistance
  • Season service
  • Update rate
  • Track Resolution
  • Warranty, Lifetime

Ford

  • Base (LITE) & Pro
  • Limited
  • No
  • Yes
  • No
  • No
  • No
  • No
  • No
  • AT&T
  • No
  • No
  • No
  • Yes
  • No
  • No
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Forward, backward
  • None
  • 8 hrs
  • No
  • Ford only
  • No
  • No
  • No
  • Yes, limited
  • 30 seconds
  • 30 seconds
  • Matches vehicle

 

Geotab

  • Base, Compliance, Pro, ProPlus
  • Yes, 200+
  • Yes
  • No with GO device
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • AT&T, VZN, T-Mo
  • Yes
  • Yes, heartbeat
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes, all directions
  • Yes, OBD port
  • Yes – J-Bus, OBD, CAT, etc.
  • 30,000+ logs (weeks)
  • Any
  • Yes
  • Virtual and Vehicle
  • Yes, ProPlus
  • Optional
  • As needed. 10 to 300 sec
  • 1 sec
  • Limited lifetime

Features listed include many optional services that require additional fees. The lists are to demonstrate the general capability and flexibility of each platform. Contact a consultant for more details. 855.300.0527

Ford Pro | Ford Portal | Ford Data Sets

Fleet Management Solutions

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

GPS Tracking

Fleet Management

Phone Tracking

Tablets & Data

The Alert Notification Conundrum

Alert Notifications… 3 enough? 6 too many?

One of the things users of GPS tracking systems struggle with is alert notifications. That is what you asked for when you deployed your system because alerts were going to solve a lot of problems. The plan was to be on top of everything going on. Soon after you deployed, your cell phone was filled with text messages and your email inbox was overloaded. You knew everything that was going on, but could not get anything done, so out of frustration you just turned those alerts off.

Some of you may not be old enough to remember the old Fletcher’s Castoria commercial from the 1960‘s. It made the phrase “three enough, six too many?” famous. The product was a mild laxative for children, said to be better than prunes because there was no guesswork regarding the dosage. Giving a child too many prunes was something mothers wanted to avoid for obvious reasons. But the right amount was a very good thing.
Similarly, alert notifications from your GPS tracking platform are a great solution to some of the big challenges fleet managers face. At the same time, too many alerts create disaster. With our cell phones constantly alerting us to every little thing we have become numb to the notification sounds and can easily learn to ignore them, or even worse, allow them to distract us unnecessarily. It can even lead to distracted driving!
Multitasking manager

Managing by Exception

In contrast, if we create rules to uncover the things we want to know, but we don’t get alerts and we don’t schedule reports, we are not getting the full benefit of the system. Your GPS tracking system was designed to save you time and money, not keep you at a desk reviewing everything everyone did. Managing by exception is key. Filter what should not occur to the top of the pile and use the system to find the details that paint the full picture of those events/

The answer is achieving balance using alert notifications and scheduled reports in tandem. Consider what the things are that you really need to know as soon as they occur. If a sewage pump stops pumping, you probably want to be on top of that in a hurry. When a collision occurs and your driver is perhaps unable to call you, that is critical information as well. But, if Billy drives 5 mph over the posted speed limit, we can probably deal with that later.

Keeping it Super Simple

The common denominator is simply deciding which events require immediate action when they occur. If you will stop what you are doing to attend to the situation as soon as you know about it, an alert notification is appropriate. Conversely, if it is just more information that isn’t necessary right now, there is no need to send a notification message. You can digest that kind of information when it is more convenient by using scheduled reports. Scheduled reports will get the same information to you. Moreover, it is condensed with all events for all drivers for a day, a week, or a month, allowing you to separate isolated events from trends and bad habits.

What About Critical Alert Notifications?

When critical alerts are necessary, even 24/7, consider subscribing to Fleetistics Priority Notification Service. PNS uses a round-robin notification process to alert key individuals of critical issues. This occurs outside the noise of the standard GPS service information. Notifications are sent via SMS and then a digital voice call. First, they are sent to the primary person responsible for critical issues. Then, if that person is unavailable due to travel, vacation, cellular coverage, or whatever, the next contact on your list is notified. By including multiple people in the notification process, others are automatically notified when the primary is unavailable. Sign up for a 30-day trial if PNS sounds right for you.

Try Priority Notification Service, or any MyFleetistics service free for 30 days. No contracts! It’s easy, just log into MyFleetistics and go to:

MyFleetistics > Account > Administer Services

Priority Notification Service Free Trial

 

Click the button to turn on the service you want. Most services come with a 30-day free trial. Once the service is enabled the free trial automatically begins. The setup fee (if applicable) and monthly service will automatically begin billing after the trial ends, unless you switch the service off using the same button you used to turn it on. Once services are activated your panel will look like this:

 

Administer Services after Activation