Author: Courtney redwell

The ELD Final Rule Has Arrived! (Finally)

Posted on | by Courtney redwell

The ELD Final Rule has finally been released by the FMCSA.

 

On December 10th, 2015, the FMCSA announced the new ELD mandate. It is expected to save 26 lives, prevent 562 injuries, avoid 1,844 crashes, and result in savings of over $1 billion dollars in paperwork on an annual basis.

It’s also estimated that nationwide about 3 million drivers will be affected by this new legislation.

You can check out the full release from the FMCSA here.

 

ELD Solutions Already Available

ELD Final Rule HOS Solution

Geotab Drive, our comprehensive ELD solution, is already available in both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. The application connects to the GPS GO device in order to provide an automated process for creating accurate records of the drivers time spent in each duty status. The system is very user-friendly and allows drivers to spend more time completing their daily tasks by simplifying the annoyance of always documenting their time. Through this automated process, fleets are finding as much as en extra hour a day! That directly translates into added productivity.

 

Geotab Drive is BYOD

 

One of the core features that make Geotab Drive stand out from it’s competitors is that it’s a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) solution.

ELD Final Rule Geotab Drive

  • Support off-the-shelf iOS and Android tablets
  • Plug-and-play, easy installation (no roof mounted antennas necessary)
  • Flexible open platform for adding and removing rulesets in case regulations change
  • Create driver applications using Geotab’s open APIs and SDK
  • One device runs all the driver’s favourite driver applications
  • Over-the-air firmware and software updates

 

Geotab Drive Benefits

 

  • US Federal FMCSA 395.15 compliant
  • Track regulated driver’s time spent in each duty status
  • Automatic duty status changes: Driving to On Duty; On Duty to Driving
  • Alerts for drivers not logged in
  • Violation alerts
  • 16 hour day support
  • Co-Driver support
  • Platform for dispatch application support
  • Platform for future rule support
  • Adverse weather condition support
  • Visibility in MyGeotab reporting of driver logs, violations, and remaining hours

The ELD Final Rule is not going to be pushed back any longer, so why not start using an electronic logging device (ELD) now? You are going to have to in the near future, and it will save you both time and money over using paper logs.

Speak with a specialized fleet consultant today to find out whether the ELD Final Rule affects you.

 

Contact a Fleet Consultant | Phone: 1-888-998-1122

Extended Functionality with Geotab SDK

Posted on | by Courtney redwell

GPS fleet management solutions vary from one company to the next and no two are the same, just like no two company’s fleet management needs are the same.

Implementing telematics for your business growth means staying focused on your 5 year business plan and tapping into the potential of the rich data that is available, in addition to extending the information to help make measured management decisions. By setting milestones, you will be able you to achieve a long term vision for growth. The future of telematics is connecting data with business processes and operations.

GoFleet does not simply offer an out of the box GPS telematics platform, we take full advantage of the Geotab API & SDK to work with companies to extend functionality and provide the utmost value to our clients. Working closely with our partner, ZenduIT, we provide anything from dispatch solutions, Truckmate integration and maintenance management, to completely custom solutions created for your business.

What exactly is the Geotab SDK?

A Software Development Kit (SDK) is a set of software development tools allowing for the creation of applications. Essentially, it’s a platform that helps people further extend the functionality of MyGeotab. The SDK contains many Application Program Interfaces (APIs); the APIs are used to communicate with the raw data seen in the MyGeotab application such as Devices, GPS data, Trips, Engine Data, and so much more. They provide you with the extended ability to add, update and remove data from the system using different sources other than the MyGeotab application and are securely exposed via HTTPS (the web standard that is the foundation of data communication for the World Wide Web). By using this web standard it means the SDK can be utilized through a large variety of systems.

Learn More about the Geotab SDK

If you have a custom solution request, feel free to contact one of our fleet consultants to discuss it; if we do not already have what you are looking for, our partners at ZenduIT are always looking to take on new challenges and they would be happy to assist.

Benefits of Plug and Play GPS Device Installation

Posted on | by Courtney redwell

Plug and Play GPS

 

Our plug and play GPS devices make installation a breeze; it’s quick, easy, and doesn’t require any special tools or the assistance of a professional installer.

Many of our competitors who do not offer a plug and play GPS device, will often argue hard-wire GPS devices are the better option.

They claim that plug and play GPS devices:

  1. Can be easily tampered with
  2. Only work in OBDII port equipped vehicles
  3. Do not receive accurate GPS data

As our current customers are well aware of, these plug and play issues are not the case for our devices.

  1. We offer our customers a T-Harness or EZ-Harness for secure and tamper-proof installation
  2. We are well equipped for handing vehicles without an ODBII port with 6-pin, 9-pin, and 3 wire harnesses available
  3. Our GPS data has a recorded uptime of 99.99% since September 2011

Benefits of Plug and Play GPS Device Installation:

  • Self InstallationNo expensive install costs.
  • No Vehicle DamageMultiple customers switched from a hard-wired solution to our plug and play solution because of the bad experiences they had with hard-wired device installers damaging the vehicle.
  • Engine DiagnosticsAccurate engine data pulled directly from the vehicle to better manage maintenance and monitor engine faults in real-time.
  • In-Vehicle Driver CoachingIn-vehicle audible alerts that help increase safety and decrease fuel costs.
  • InterchangeabilityMany of our customers like the ease of changing our devices from one vehicle to another, when they replace vehicles, without having to call an installer and risk damaging the vehicle.
  • Curve-Based Logic, Accurate Accident DataUsing the solutions patented curve logic algorithms millisecond accuracy can be seen under accident conditions to prove exactly what happened.

When looking for a GPS solution provider, make sure you carefully examine your options. There are many myths about different GPS providers and solutions so it is important you do your research. We are confident in our solution, which is why we are happy to offer a free 30 day trial for you to see just how much we can help you optimize and streamline your business.

GPS Turns 20 Years Old Today

Posted on | by Courtney redwell

 

GPS Celebrates 20th Anniversary

 

Global Positioning Systems (better known as GPS), a technology many of us have started to rely on daily, turns 20 years old today!

On July 17th, 1995, full operational capacity was announced by the Air Force. Two decades ago, global positioning systems had 24 satellites in orbit, providing global 24-hour coverage. Worldwide, 4 billion GPS-enabled devices currently exist according to the Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency, and that number is expected to double in the next 5 years.

It all started out as a military effort, so that airplanes and troops would know exactly where they are. Since the development of GPS, it has taken on multiple purposes, from navigating your way around, to knowing where your fleet vehicles are located in real-time for better management, to finding things that have seemed to disappear.

GPS helps fight crime, especially when it comes to stolen vehicles. If your vehicle has a GPS tracker installed, and your vehicle gets stolen, you will be able to track down your car and also hopefully the person responsible for the crime.

GPS has improved and expanded so much in the last 20 years, it will be interesting to see how much more it will develop and grow over the next 20 years.

 

Sources:
9 News: GPS Turns 20 Years Old This Week
Fed Pulse: GPS Turns 20

Top 5 Features to Look for in A GPS Solution

Posted on | by Courtney redwell

GPS Fleet Solution: Top 5 Features

 

Driver Coaching

GPS tracking systems have come a long way since being used to simply track your vehicles whereabouts. With the capabilities now available there are many different ways you can get a ROI while increasing the safety of your drivers and those they share the road with; driver coaching or audible alerts is something you definitely want to look for in your GPS solution. Driver coaching, which is also referred to as audible alerts, are alerts that occur inside the vehicle when drivers are driving in a way that wastes excessive fuel or put them at risk. These alerts are commonly used for speeding, hard braking or accelerating, harsh cornering and excessive idling. The driver coaching alerts usually work as a beeping function inside the vehicle in real-time so your drivers can correct the inappropriate behavior immediately.

Secure & Easy To Use

It is important that your software is reliable, secure, and can be customized to fit your fleet management requirements. You should be able to navigate around the software quickly and easily with very basic training. It’s important the software you choose does not require you to invest a ton of your time in learning how to use it but you also want to be able to learn to use it effectively to get the ROI you are looking for. You want to look for an easy to use system that is easy to install to avoid any downtime.

Plug And Play Install

Customizations & Reporting

Data generated from any GPS fleet solution should contain meaningful insights to help make strong strategic decisions. Most applications provide practically unlimited data, but the way the data is analyzed can vary among different solutions. Along with basic reporting it is important to enable advance reporting to refine data based on your company’s preference and requirements. It is important to ensure that reports can be customized as well as accessible to compare multiple reports and measure performance.

Actually Real-Time

All solutions offer basic tracking; however it is important to differentiate among the type of tracking being offered. Real time tracking is the ability to view your entire fleet at a glance on a map, and the frequency of the data logged is a true reflection of how accurate the route is within the tracking software. Most applications are able to show you data but the route taken will not incorporate any turns, stops, detours etc. Instead it will record data from Point A to Point B; failing to take into account any important logs that occurred during the course of the route. Although an increase in logs may result in an increase of data usage, it is necessary to select a solution that is capable of providing accurate information without affecting data charges, helping to make necessary cuts & adjustments to improve efficiency.

Expandability

Advancements in technology require heavy investments in the long run. This means constant changes need to be made to keep up with industry requirements. Which is why, it is important to ensure that any solution chosen is scalable and capable of growing with your company’s needs. The device should have the capability of offering added flexibility and integration with third party providers. The IOX technology is a great place to start as it can: communicate with external serial devices, read digital ON-OFF signals and read analog signals, 0 to 30V. This way you can take advantage of powerful add-ons to future-proof your fleet.

For more information on the important features of GPS fleet tracking, and how it could help your business save thousands of dollars, contact one of our highly trained fleet consultants today!

Extending Value with Third Party Software

Posted on | by Courtney redwell

With today’s technology, it is no surprise to us that our clients are often looking for a lot more than a basic tracking solution. With the limitless capabilities of our software and our continuous development and growth, we are happy to almost always be able to meet our clients needs. For the times we can’t, that is where our amazing third party software integration partners come in!

What Motivates Continual Development & Growth?

  • 12,000+ Customer Base That’s Growing Everyday
  • 500,000 Units Currently in Service & Constantly Growing
  • World Leader in Large Fleet Telematics Technology
  • 30% of Customers Operate in 2 or More Countries, Multilingual Capabilities
  • 50% of Install Base Rely on our SDK to Share Data with Third Party Applications

What is the SDK?
The SDK (software development kit) allows you to get even more our of our platform. With the Geotab library of functions and methods, you can create new applications, reports, or integrate data within your own system.

 

Click here to learn more about what the SDK package includes.

 

 

Solution Engineering

 

Third Party Add-Ons
Some of our third party add-ons include: Cameras, Temperature Monitoring, Wireless Gas Detection, and Man Down System. Our add-ons have a peripheral device that connects to your GO6 or GO7 GPS device through the IOX port. These add-ons have another physical component to them but can be used within our MyGeotab software platform as well as a separate platform.

Third Party Add-Ins
Some of our third party add-in include: MapsBI & PaperDoDo. Our add-ins do not have another physical element and are built right into our software for our customers to access. There are no other devices or software platforms needed.

Because of the large amount of data our devices can pull from a vehicle, and our software development kit, development companies love us! The possibilities are endless and that is why we have so many third-party partners and the list continues growing.

Many other companies sell you software, but not an actual solution. The reason we partner up with so many other great add-on and add-in partners is because we want to provide our customers with a customized solution to fit exactly what they are looking for.

 

Contact one of our trained fleet consultants to find out
how we can customize a solution to fit your business needs:
1-888-998-1122 | [email protected]

 

GoFleet versus the Competition

Posted on | by Courtney redwell

With the large continuous telematics growth it is no surprise how many other GPS fleet management companies are out there today. Being in such a highly competitive market it is hard for consumers to make a truly educated and confident decision when choosing their fleet management partner.

What makes GoFleet stand out?!

Let’s start with the basics. When you are looking for a partner in fleet management what is your number one focus? Return on investment (ROI).

GoFleet in partner with Geotab offers the 5 pillars of ROI:
Productivity | Fleet | Safety | Compliance | Expandability

Productivity:
  • Arrival and departure times to and from job sites and the main office
  • Various reports such as time spent at the office vs. driving vs. customer locations
  • Customizable rules such as late arrival, early leaving, idling, unauthorized home stops, too much office time, long lunch, etc.
  • Congregation reporting highlighting if/when your drivers are meeting for long lunches, etc.
Fleet Optimization:
  • Most extensive metrics available to reduce poor fuel consumption
  • Better trip planning with built in route optimization
  • Highest engine diagnostic capabilities on the market + supports J1708 & J1939 (which no one else supports)
  • Planned versus actual trip analysis + cost report (many competitors do not offer this and if they do it is normally an extra fee)
Safety:
  • Very few competitors offer in-vehicle audible alerts, no competitors offer anything close to the capabilities and customization that we have
  • Posted road speed vs. actual road speed reporting
Compliance:
  • Easy to use future proof software built on HTML5 (no expensive hardware necessary)
  • Drivers love the software, it’s easy to use and understand, unlike many competitor’s solutions
Expandability
  • One of our biggest differentiators, no competitors come remotely close to the IOX expansion we offer
  • Truly future-proof, it is a complete long-term solution on one bill
  • Offer integration with multiple add-ons to provide a complete fleet management solution custom for your needs

Our 5 main pillars are our heart and soul and really make us stand out. The capabilities of our system far outweigh our competitors which is why we always invite our prospective customers to test out our solution along side our competitors to see the results and capabilities for themselves.

Take a closer look at even more differentiating features we have to offer:

Curve-Based Tracking

There is no other solution on the market currently offering the patented curve-based tracking that we do. Our competitors use time-based intervals (normally around every two minutes) to track vehicles however we use science and accelerometer. Our competitors risk losing valuable information such as in the case of an accident. With our curve based tracking any sudden movements within the vehicle will always be tracked, along with any sort of turn or anything else. Typically it is around every 15 seconds but could be slightly more or less depending on the situation.

Totally Customizable

Many of our competitors have limited customization capabilities and can often only be done by the vendor themselves. However, we offer an unimaginable amount of customization options that can be done by either our customers themselves or we are happy to help.

At the end of the day, choosing the best fleet management software is not easy so it’s important you do your research. Without doing research you’ll likely end up with the cheapest solution you come across with outdated features that will not give the ROI you are looking for.

The Power of PTO Connections in GPS Tracking Technology

Posted on | by Courtney redwell

GPS Tracking Technology and the Power of PTO Connections

Business owners and fleet managers need to choose a GPS tracking technology provider whose system allows for integration with other devices and products. The PTO (power take-off) is a primary example of a device that can be integrated with our system and Geotab GO Device that adds value to the overall fleet management system.

What is PTO?

PTO, Power Take-Off, can refer to the activity of any motorized device connected to a vehicle. It is comparable to a portable power generator, in the event that you lose power, you would still be able to run all of your appliances and equipment around your home. Comparably, many companies rely on the PTO to generate power for a specific piece of equipment, without only relying on using the engine itself.

Examples of PTO Use

Some of the typical applications of PTO use (although not limited to) include:

  • Raising the bed of a dump truck
  • Running a truck mounted hot water extraction machine used for carpet cleaning
  • Operating a garbage truck compactor

An example of one way companies are utilizing PTO with our GPS device is in the use of document shredding and destruction. Companies have mobile trucks with a shredder built on board, they collect many important documents and are able to destroy them securely using the shredder.

The devices have the capacity to gather data from the vehicle’s ECM, also known as the engine control module, and provide information about the status of the PTO unit. In general, you do not want to have the vehicle moving while the PTO is engaged. This is one instance where during operation you should monitor the status of the vehicle. If a driver were to have the vehicle moving while the PTO is in operation, it could cause severe stress and ultimately damage the motor, leading to extensive repair or replacement.

Another important aspect to consider is the green effect in our society that has brought attention to the issue of idling in the management and operation in large fleets. The GoFleet Getoab GO devices have the ability to set up specific rules to determine the length of time a vehicle has been idling. Whenever a rule is broken an “exception” is then generated. This can then point management to see particular trends or excessive behavior that is non-compliant. When it comes to PTO, the device can assist in looking ever further into the problem and has the ability to determine the difference between idling due to PTO use and excessive vehicle idling.

Connecting the PTO

The PTO module normally has direct connection to the vehicle’s ECM. The PTO is often referred to as a “6 Pack” because of the number of external pins it has. Our devices would typically be connected using a harness to the vehicle’s diagnostic port using either a 9 pin or 6 pin connection, depending on the model and make of the vehicle. A harness, such as an HRN-EZT would be required to connect to the ECM and the GO device would then be connected to the HRN-EZT. It’s recommended that you use a T-harness for connections, that way it will leave an extra port available for a mechanic to use.

What to Remember When Using the PTO

In order for the GPS device to pick up the signal from the ECM, the vehicle with the PTO module installed would need to be returned to the dealership to have the ECM reset to be able to read the PTO module. Only once that has been completed will the device be able to pull the data from the diagnostic port directly. Most trucks made in 1996 or later have the ability for the ECM to read PTO automatically and therefore there is no need for an auxiliary input.

To learn more about PTO connections and the other opportunities for external integration with GoFleet and Geotab GO devices, contact us today: 1-888-998-1122 or [email protected]

Original Article Written by: Owen D’Acres, Customer Support at Geotab
http://www.geotab.com/blog/power-pto-connections-telematics/

5 Easy Tips for Safer Passenger Car Tires

Posted on | by Courtney redwell

Tires are often overlooked and forgotten when it comes to passenger vehicles. Not only do they have an affect on the mileage of the vehicle but also on the overall safety of the vehicle.

Let’s take a look at a few tips from Automotive Fleet that will help you & other fleet managers ensure proper tire safety on a passenger cars:

Tip #1: Understand how to properly inspect a tire.
Before heading out on the road, drivers should inspect all four car tires for any damage, including nails. Also look at the tread depth and tire inflation.

Tip #2: Understand how to check the tire pressure.
Yes, many vehicles today may already come equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) but it’s important drivers still know how to properly check tire pressure and where to find the OEM’s recommended tire pressure rating. Tires can lose up to one psi per month under regular conditions and an addition one psi for every 10°F drop in temperature.

Tip #3: Get periodic tire maintenance.
Take the car in for regular tire rotations, alignment and balancing to help evenly spread tire wear and to provide another check for any damage. Our software offers the option to add in scheduled maintenance reminders so you’ll never miss tire maintenance and keep your vehicles in the safest condition.

Tip #4: Check the tread depth on tires frequently.
There are a couple easy and fast ways to check the tread depth on tires; use a small tool specifically made for the job, or a penny can work fine just to eyeball any problems. If any part of Abe Lincoln’s head is covered up by tire tread, that’s a sign you are safe and good to go!

Tip #5: Know how to read a tire’s sidewall.
This skill allows a quick check to know if on a specific vehicle type, the right tire is being used.

Source:
Author Lauren Fletcher in Automotive Fleet: Keeping Passenger Car Tires Safe

Driver Fatigue and the Underestimated Dangers

Posted on | by Courtney redwell

 

Driver Fatigue Danger

 

Driver fatigue can often be an underestimated danger. Companies rely on their drivers for getting to remote job sites, product deliveries, and transporting goods between warehouses. Your fleet drivers may often have to take long trips and/or inconsistent driving schedules which then results in them driving tired. A study in the US focusing around this issue found that being awake for 17-19 hours straight causes impaired performance equivalent to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05%.

The National Sleep Foundation’s report “Sleep in America” found that of the 169 million adult drivers polled, 60% admit to driving while drowsy and 37% reported falling asleep behind the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) made a conservative estimation when stating that 100,000 of police reported crashes each year are caused by driver fatigue. Professionals have difficulty generating these estimations since it is often hard to prove fatigue is the sole cause of accidents. Unfortunately, there are no tests similar to alcohol impairment that can be administered and currently police do not include a fatigue assessment in their investigation practices. Driver fatigue is most common in the following demographics:

  • Shift workers with long commutes and/or inconsistent schedules
  • People living with children
  • Young adult males

Drowsiness can happen fast and many professional drivers tend not to consider tiredness a big threat therefore do not act right away. In the “Sleep in America” report mentioned before, it estimated that 1 in 5 drivers recognize drowsiness and pull over to take a rest. The most alarming and obvious ramification of continued driving is falling asleep at the wheel but there are other consequences that also may lead to accidents:

  • Driver’s ability to drive defensively decreases
  • Driver’s get irritable or impatient making them more susceptible to road rage
  • Driver’s alertness decreases which may cause them to miss road signs or traffic signals

Companies rely on their drivers to be alert and safe and driver fatigue poses a threat. If there is an employee injury or accidents due to a driver being too tired it can cost millions of dollars in damages and potential lawsuits if a third party is involved.

The need for technology to monitor this issue is increasing and some ideas have been circulating within the industry. Some of these ideas include heart rate detectors or eye scans to monitor driver fatigue. It is the responsibility of both the drivers and their fleet organizations to ensure best practices and safety when driving. This includes: strong recognition and decision making skills, being well rested, and always taking the correct steps when starting to feel too tired.

Telematics technology helps to track the health and status of your vehicles and also helps managers better manage drivers; it is important to also consider fatigue. An overly tired driver is much more likely to get in a crash than a well-rested driver. Business and fleet safety managers must encourage their drivers to spot driver fatigue symptoms (like slow reaction time, trouble focusing etc.) and to stay off the roads when experiencing these symptoms. The consequences of accidents linked to fatigue have been found to be more serious because drivers in this state normally make little attempt to avoid the crash.

 

Source:
Original Article Written by: Tori Denning, Accounts Administrator at Geotab
http://www.geotab.com/blog/underestimated-dangers-driver-fatigue/

Healthy Sleep: Judgement & Safety
Sleep Foundation: National Sleep in America Poll
Drowsy Driving: Facts & Stats