Category: Blog

Automated Fleet Routing Software Can Reduce Your Operating Costs

Posted on | by Devin Johnson

 

Reduce Your Operating
Costs With Automated Fleet Routing Software

When you add-on automated fleet
routing software to your
GoFleet GPS tracking system, you will be able to track your performance
and
reduce operating costs. You will be able to deliver excellent customer
service because you will receive automatic messages, visual
notifications and operational
reporting. Advanced tools can be used to help companies schedule more
efficient routes, track fleet performance and analyze their fleet operations.

Automated
Fleet Routing Software Features

There are many valuable features to
using automated fleet
routing software including:

  • Fleet
    Planning:     The planning tool allows you to plan, optimize
    and analyze your fleet. You will also be able to plan your driver
    resources and
    fleet sizing requirements.
  • Intelligent
    Mapping:     Automated fleet routing software
    provides you with intelligent mapping, automatic notifications and
    performance
    reporting.
  • Builds
    Detailed Routes:     The software also builds routes for
    your business. It can build dynamic daily routes or fixed routes. It
    also has capabilities
    for multi-day, single day and one-way routes.
  • Customer
    Service Reporting:     You will be able to provide superior
    customer service because you can track orders for your customers and
    provide
    customer service reporting.

Benefits
Of Automated Fleet Routing Software

  • Reduces
    Operating Costs:     Better route planning and driver
    dispatching
    will lower your operating costs. You will be able to generate a return
    on
    investment in a matter of months instead of waiting years.
  • Increased
    Fleet Efficiency:     Your fleet will be operating at
    maximum efficiency with effective driver tracking and route planning.
  • Real-Time
    Estimated Times Of Arrivals:     You will know exactly
    when your drivers should arrive on a job location with real-time ETAs.
    Automatic notifications will be sent to the fleet manager to provide
    updates.
    Drivers can also get turn-by-turn directions if they need assistance
    finding a
    job site.
  • Competitive
    Advantage:     Using intelligent automated fleet
    routing software, your business can use performance reporting to gain a
    competitive advantage. Customer satisfaction will increase because
    drivers will
    arrive at the given ETA and they will be able to track orders.

More information: Automated Fleet Routing Software

 

Police Use GPS To Track Missing Children

Posted on | by Devin Johnson

GPS Used by Police To Track Missing Children

police - gps unitPolice are now using GPS tracking
devices as a tool to track autistic children as well as other missing kids. This technology is
normally used to locate elderly individuals who have a tendency of wandering away.

An autistic child in Steilacoom,
Washington went missing.
The police took an hour and a half to locate the boy. Luckily, the boy
was
alright; however Detective Tom Yabe was unhappy with the amount of time
it
took.

Yabe declared “Time is absolutely of
the essence”. The town
of Steilacoom has many hazardous areas such as active train tracks and
the
waterfront. Yabe does not want the police department to wait until
there is a
tragedy for them to do more for the families with more vulnerable
children.

Approximately 50% of autistic
children tend to wander or
bolt. That is why Yabe started looking into wearable GPS tracking
technology commonly
used by Alzheimer patients or other elderly individuals. Some of the
systems
use radio transmissions and others use global positioning to track
people.

GPS tracking is much more precise,
but the devices can be
more expensive and they require recharging frequently. Yabe worried that the
children might try to wander away when devices are charging.

Radio transmitters just give the
missing person’s general location, but they last almost 30 continuous days without charging.

Steilacoom Police Chief Ron Schuab
says the promise of the new technology is to help the police as well as other agencies work
much smarter. He thinks there is great value in using this technology for
the parents.

There is a program offered by the
U.S. Department of Justice
that provides a grant for tracking devices. The town of Steilacoom is
requesting a grant from this program. They hope to have the new program
in place before winter. The county of Snohomish has a program called
Project Care-Track.
Other cities throughout the United States are also using GPS tracking
technology to find both adults and children.

 

Adding Tire Monitoring To Your GPS Fleet Tracking System Saves You Money

Posted on | by Devin Johnson

Tire Monitoring Add-On to GPS Fleet Tracking System Saves Money

 

Did you know that tires
are actually the largest contributor
to the operating costs of your fleet? When you add-on tire monitoring system
with a GoFleet GPS fleet tracking system, you will have reliable, accurate and
real-time tire pressure monitoring on your vehicles. This system also
monitors your tire temperatures.

When your fleet has
properly inflated tires, you will save
on fuel costs and maintenance. It will also increases your vehicles’
safety.

How
Does Tire
Monitoring Work?

Valor uses a patented
TPMS solution to monitor the air
pressure and air temperature of your tires in real-time using robust
sensors that are installed internally. If you use trucks and trailers, they are
paired automatically and wirelessly using an innovative drop & hook
solution. This will save you both money and time as it gets your trucks back on the
road safely.

Tire
Monitoring Features

  • Real-Time
    Monitoring:     Every 4 seconds the robust sensors measure the
    temperature and
    tire pressure on your vehicles.
  • Alerts:
    Management is alerted automatically by SMS or email when there are any
    issues
    with tire pressure, leakage, or high temperatures.
  • Automatic
    Drop & Hook:     This was designed for the trucking industry specifically to overcome some of the tire monitoring challenges. Your trucks and trailers are paired automatically and wirelessly.
  • Fleet
    System Integration:     The tire monitoring system is seamlessly integrated
    with GoFleet’s Geotab G06 GPS tracking system. This enables mangers
    to proactively manage their fleet’s tires using the GoFleet MyGeotab software.  

Benefits
Of Tire
Monitoring

  • Improved
    Productivity:     There is no need for monitoring the tire
    pressure manually.
    You will receive automatic updates alerting you of potentially
    dangerous and
    costly tire issues.
  • Extended
    Tire Life:     Real-time tire monitoring will ensure all of your
    tires are inflated
    properly, which will extend the life of the tires and increase safety.
  • Savings:
    When your tires are inflated properly, you will reduce your fuel costs
    and maintenance
    costs.

Contact GoFleet today to find out more information about adding tire monitoring to your GPS fleet tracking system.

 

GPS Tracking Devices Are Expected to Surpass $3.5 Billion By 2019

Posted on | by Devin Johnson

In 2019 GPS Tracking Devices Expected To Surpass $3.5 Billion

ABI Research reported that GPS tracking devices including fleet management, health, Beacons, and wearables, and are expected to generate over $3.5 billion by the year 2019. ABI Research provides quantitative forecasting and in-depth analysis in global connectivity trends and emerging technology.

In the past, the market was struggling to meet its potential because of huge barriers including the subscription requirements, the inability to track inside, high prices, and severe fragmentation and regionalization. As a result, the GPS market was not able to lower costs or create revenue to support the needed advertising/marketing campaigns.

Wearable GPS devices, which are designed for the elderly, children and pets, have boosted the market. In addition there is a growing use of GPS tracking devices among companies for fleet management and employee tracking, which has also contributed to the sales increase.

“Personal Location Device and Application Markets”, ABI Research’s latest report, considers the adoption of GPS tracking devices as well as smartphone applications across families, workers, elderly, health industry, personal assets and pets. The market potential continues to draw interest and investment. There have been a ton of new companies entering the market over the past year.

  New start-ups are entering the market, such as Mastermaut and iBeacons, and are moving into lone worker applications and workforce management areas. The home market is also evolving to a support personal protection of cars, children and pets.

As many GPS units are being offered at a lower prices, they have been adopted all over the world for many applications. There has been a significant increase in shipments of GPS units over the past 12 months. iBeacons will solve the issue of indoor location issues and create a low-cost entry point. They are expected to be a major driver in the market. This new market boom is raising both consumer awareness and acceptance.



References: ABI Research

Increase Fleet Protection Using GPS Tracking With A Dual Camera Add-On

Posted on | by Devin Johnson

Protect Your Fleet With GPS Tracking and Camera Add-On

GPS fleet tracking technology is one of the 21st century’s most profound innovations improving productivity, reducing costs and lowering risks for business owners. When you add-on a Smartwitness dual camera system to your GoFleet GPS fleet tracking system, you are taking your fleet protection to another level. In addition to having all of the advantages of a GoFleet real-time tracking system, you will now have real-time video of the events that occur both inside and outside of the vehicle. The integration is seamless with the GoFleet GPS software. It includes an integrated GPS antenna, speaker, microphone and impact senor.

How Can A Smartwitness Camera Add-On Provide Additional Protection?

Dual Cameras:
With a real-time dual camera system, you will be able to record events outside and inside of the vehicle. In the event of a traffic accident, this will prove invaluable as you will have a high resolution video of what actually happened.

Accurate Tracking:
The dual cameras are not only recording driving events as they occur, you are actually able to pinpoint the exact time and location of the event.

Emergency Recording:
When an emergency event occurs, such as impact, sudden stop or start, over speed or parking, the G-force automatically records the event. This way you do not have to worry about the emergency event not being recorded. You will be able to view the emergency recording at a later time.

PC Playback:
Simply use the PC View to manage and view the recorded videos. This easy-to-use computer program allows you to backup, e-mail and print videos that were recorded.

Additional Vehicle Protection:
The dual camera add-on also has motion recording capabilities to assist you with vehicle protection. Also, there is no need to worry about night vision because Smartwitness has got you covered.

The dual camera add-on is just one of the reasons that GoFleet is an industry leader. They go above and beyond to provide additional fleet protection for business owners.

More information: Live Streaming Incident Camera Add-On.

Battle High Fuel Costs With GPS Tracking in Your Fleet

Posted on | by Devin Johnson

Reduce Your Fleet Fuel Costs With GPS Tracking

Companies with fleets feel the effect of high fuel costs more than other businesses. They not only have many vehicles relying on fuel to provide a service for their customers, they have to ensure their drivers are making the most effective use of their vehicles. Without proper supervision and a sophisticated monitoring system to control these factors, the company runs the risk of losing a large amount of their hard-earned profits because the fuel costs are not being managed.

4 Ways GPS Tracking Helps Reduce Fuel Costs

GPS tracking is a sophisticated monitoring system that helps you increase your fuel efficiency. GPS tracking can help reduce high fuel costs with:

  1. Decreased Idle Times
  2. Improved Dispatching And Routing
  3. Speed Monitoring
  4. Proactive Maintenance

Decreased Idle Times

Every hour a vehicle is idling is equal to approximately 25 miles of driving. The EPA states, contrary to popular belief, restarting a vehicle’s engine only uses 30 seconds of idling time and does not have a harmful impact on the vehicle’s components. It costs the business a lot of money when drivers use their vehicles to control the climate. GPS tracking systems help reduce high fuel costs by notifying you when a vehicle is idling for an excessive period of time, wasting fuel and decreasing driver productivity.

Improved Dispatching And Routing

GPS tracking lets you know the exact location of your vehicles and allows dispatchers to manage dispatching and routing more effectively. Dispatchers can make sure the vehicles take direct routes to each job. They can see which vehicles are closest to a job site to ensure each job is efficiently assigned. Fleet managers can also see if drivers take unauthorized journeys or extended routes.

When vehicles are managed and effectively dispatched using GPS tracking, the vehicles will not spend as much time on the road between jobs. Shorter travelling distances equal reduced fuel costs.

Speed Monitoring

Excessive speeding burns extra fuel and is a safety risk. In addition to having a greater chance of getting into an accident, drivers can get a ticket when they are speeding. GPS tracking alerts managers and drivers when the speed exceeds the set limit. Fuel economy can be decreased up to 20% when vehicles are speeding. A 20% decrease in fuel costs can have a huge positive impact on businesses. A GPS tracking system can help managers monitor the drivers’ driving behaviors, encourage drivers to practice safer driving habits and reduces high fuel costs.

Proactive Maintenance

A high quality GPS tracking system will ensure your fleet vehicles receive proper maintenance. Maintenance alerts can be set based on engine, on time, mileage or calendar time depending on the service type. Check out our new Maintenance Assistant add-on to get an in-depth look at all the features available. Vehicles that are properly maintained not only save you money on repairs, they have better fuel efficiency and will last longer.

GPS tracking has changed the way many business owners look at fuel consumption. The challenge they face is to consume fuel in the most effective way possible. With fuel cost constantly rising, owners are seeking cost-effective ways to manage this expense. GPS tracking is one of the most cost-effective ways to manage these unavoidable fuel costs.

Want to learn more about GPS fleet tracking and how it can help you battle high fuel costs? Contact one of our highly knowledgeable fleet consultants today!

Better Route Optimization With A Fleet Management System

Posted on | by Courtney redwell

Fleet Management System & Route Optimization

Original Article Written by: Thomas Jiang, Geotab Senior Developer

It wasn’t that long ago drivers of fleet were using paper maps with directions on paper. They would rely on their own memory to come up with the best route for reaching the destination. With the introduction of advanced fleet management technology, organizations and companies with large fleets have recognized the significance of route optimization for improving the efficiency of an entire fleet.

Routing has proven to be one of the most important parts of fleet management, especially in an economy with rising fuel prices. Routing can significantly increase productivity and efficiency of the fleet while reducing costs at the same time. Route planning is especially important to fleet managers; for example, a fleet manager at a delivery company would be responsible for setting a delivery plan each day for every driver using the best possible route. The driver would then be required to follow this route. While this may have proven to be somewhat efficient there was room for improvement and simplification to further increase productivity. With the integration of routing into the always advancing fleet management systems, drivers now follow pre-scheduled routes that have been put into the system and directly sent to the driver. The fleet managers can then review at the end of the day whether the driver followed the provided route and can determine the productivity of each individual.

Users can easily create a route consisting of multiple zones on a map in the My Geotab fleet management system. Drivers can then see the routes from their GPS device.

The fleet management system also provides an easy way to compare actual routes versus planned routes, as well as other important information such as:

  • Expected Arrival Time
  • Actual Arrival Time
  • Stopped Zone
  • Duration of Idling

Managers can also access the Route Summary Report to find out the number of routes that have been followed over any specific time period. This will allow them to see a summary of the entire fleet. Through the Route Summary Report, users also can access:

  • Route Name
  • First Departure
  • Last Arrival Time
  • Office Duration
  • Home Duration
  • Driving Distance

fleet management system fleet route optimization
fleet management system fleet route optimization

The routing calculation itself can be quite complicated.
Many larger corporations have developed their own route calculation system over the years based on their own requirements. Creating thousands of routes one by one, however, is a huge task – especially when routes change over time. In order for users to be able to integrate their routing calculation into the MyGeotab fleet management system and make the best use of the other fleet management features, MyGeotab provides a comprehensive solution where users are able to import their routes using the Software Development Kit (SDK).

In a typical case, with the help of the SDK users are given the options to import vehicles, zones, routes and drivers in just a few API calls, and MyGeotab will automatically pick up the defined route. The fleet manager can then go to MyGeotab to view and dispatch the routes as well as run different reports on these routes. Because of the powerful SDK from Geotab, users can update their routes regularly.

To learn more about our fleet management systems, MyGeotab, or about route optimization, contact one of our fleet consultants today!

Original Article Written by: Thomas Jiang, Geotab Senior Developer

http://www.geotab.com/blog/ins-outs-route-optimization/

Many Advantages of Using GPS Tracking for Taxi Companies

Posted on | by Devin Johnson

GPS Tracking for Taxi Companies

Taxi cabs make up a large part of the transportation system in major cities. Major cities, such as Chicago, can have as many as 6,000 taxis operating on the road. Today, many taxi fleets owe their easy operations and flow to a GPS tracking system. Taxi customers do not have to wander around aimlessly trying to find a cab or wait forever for one to arrive.

Taxi cab companies are faced with the challenge of reducing fuel consumption while improving the efficiency of their vehicles. A customized real-time GPS tracking system provides the greatest control level over a taxi fleet.

Since punctuality is a major concern for taxi customers, the GPS tracking system needs to be able to locate the cab closest to a given destination to dispatch a cab for quick pick-up. It can also be used to provide the customer with a real-time estimate of when the taxi will arrive at their location. This results in much happier customers.

There are many advantages to GPS tracking for taxi companies including:

  • Improved taxi dispatch and route management
  • Improved customer service
  • Real-time updates
  • Greater driver activity control
    (regardless of the driver’s distance from the hub)
  • Increased profitability
  • Historical mileage logs
  • Theft recovery

Taxi companies are now realizing that real-time GPS tracking is the best method for managing their taxi cabs. Companies will know exactly where each taxi is 24/7, providing better control of their operating costs and profit management. Making more informed choices about the business will make the taxi company more competitive.

GPS tracking systems are a must for all taxi cab companies in order to properly manage their taxi fleet. Owners will not have to worry that drivers are taking unauthorized brakes or routes. Real-time tracking can help taxi businesses make more money by improving customer service, improving productivity and reducing costs.

For more information, contact a fleet consultant.

Advantages Of Real-Time Tracking

Posted on | by Devin Johnson

Real-Time Tracking Advantages

One of the major advantages of GPS vehicle tracking is that businesses are able to view their vehicles’ location in real-time. Real-time tracking lets a business have direct control of their vehicles while they are en route, which allows them to make better decisions and improve customer service.

Unfortunately, not all GPS tracking devices have the live tracking option. First-class fleet management solutions, such as GoFleet, report vehicle location information in real-time within a matter of seconds. Fleet managers can use real-time tracking to see where a vehicle is and when it is expected to arrive at a given destination.

Real-time vehicle tracking provides many advantages including:

  • Increased Productivity:
    Companies that are using a real-time tracking system increase the amount of service calls per day by approximately 23%. With live tracking, fleet managers can easily identify drivers that are not operating their vehicle efficiently. In addition, drivers are more likely to drive with better driving habits, obey guidelines and take the most direct routes when they know they are being closely monitored.
  • Improved Customer Service:
    Live tracking systems help improve customer service with improved response times and increased productivity. On average, the drivers that are monitored with a real-time tracking system arrive within the promised response time 46% more often. The improved customer service alone, from implementing a GPS tracking system, often increases revenue by 16.4%.
  • Reduced Fuel Costs:
    Fuel costs are one of the highest operating expenses for a business with a fleet of vehicles. Real-time tracking allows business owners to manage these expenses effectively by decreasing idle times, improving dispatching and routing, monitoring speed and getting an alert to stay informed of necessary vehicle maintenance.
  • Reduced Labor Costs:
    If drivers are being paid an hourly rate, GPS fleet tracking prevents false time claims and extended trips to job sites.
  • Hands-Free Mileage Logbook:
    Business owners won’t have to rely on their drivers to record all of their mileage logs or job arrival and departure logs. All of that information will be automatically calculated and reported by the real-time tracking system.
  • Speed Monitoring:
    Real-time GPS tracking sends alerts to the business owner or fleet manager if a driver exceeds the set speed limit. Speeding causes higher fuel consumption, and increases the risk and severity of automobile accidents.
  • Reduced Unauthorized Use:
    Fleet managers will automatically be notified by the real-time tracking GPS system when a vehicle is driven outside of working hours or in areas that are not authorized.
  • Theft Recovery:
    Owners know where their vehicles are around the clock. If a vehicle is stolen, the real-time tracking system can be used by police to locate the vehicle.

In addition to all of the above real-time tracking advantages, GoFleet provides many extra benefits making them an industry leader. Implementing GoFleet’s GPS tracking system includes: a 15 second tracking refresh rate, audible driver feedback, vehicle diagnostics, Garmin integration, mobile phone viewing application, simple plug and play installation, and much more. GoFleet provides cost-effective fleet management system tailored to your business. To learn more, contact one of our fleet consultants today at 1-888-998-1122.

Benefits of GPS Vehicle Tracking With Garmin Integration

Posted on | by Devin Johnson

GPS Vehicle Tracking With Garmin Integration

In keeping with the promise of making the most superior products in the automotive, aviation, marine, outdoor and sports industry that are an essential part of our lives, Garmin is a market leader in creating value and quality for the customer. Indeed, GPS vehicle tracking with Garmin integration has made it easier for business owners to track their trucks and for individuals to monitor their personal cars as well.

For business people, this platform has enabled them to facilitate easier communication with various vehicles dispatched from their central places of work, all the way to the field. With the capability of this system sending and receiving alerts and messages in real time has made lots of people start to shun those time consuming (and sometimes dangerous) phone calls as a means of tracking the whereabouts of their vehicles. The end result here is less time wastage, ensuring the safety of your drivers to keep them off the phone while driving and increased productivity.

As if that wasn’t enough, GPS vehicle tracking with Garmin integration offers you as a driver a cut and dry communication avenue avoiding a lot of mind boggling challenges on the road and more so with features like the preloaded detailed maps of more than 40 states that offer the latest updates, navigable complex interchanges, easy to search points of interest and addresses mode, you can definitely enjoy your journey. One of the more important things while driving is having the ability to keep your eyes on the road and not get distracted by responding to a phone call or text message. This is undoubtedly the basic advantage here.

Need to make more money as a business owner? Here we go! With this tool, your driver(s) can get feeds and avoid traffic jams, road diversions and other pitfalls along the way therefore getting to your destination a lot quicker. With other integration options you can count on various functionalities that you may require. In a large extent, GPS vehicle tracking with Garmin integration includes tons of features of creating and assigning tasks based on addresses, monitoring job statuses at any time and remotely and ensuring seamless communication between the dispatch team and the team back at the office.

To learn more about our GPS tracking solutions and GPS vehicle tracking with Garmin integration contact one of our fleet consultants today! Call 1-888-998-1122 or email [email protected].

This article was written by guest author Samuel Abuya.