{"id":2897,"date":"2019-06-09T17:30:30","date_gmt":"2019-06-09T15:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/en.advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/?p=2897"},"modified":"2019-06-09T17:30:30","modified_gmt":"2019-06-09T15:30:30","slug":"2897","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/2019\/06\/09\/2897\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Creative Uses for Telematics Tech"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"MiX<\/p>\n

MiX Telematics allows fleet managers to institute a blind period before turning the system on, providing a clear before-and-after picture of driver progress.\u00a0Photo courtesy of MiX Telematics<\/p>\n

7 Creative Uses for Telematics Tech<\/h2>\n

By now, it\u2019s safe to say telematics technology is here to stay. But the nature of the technology, and moreover, the creative uses of it, aren\u2019t standing still. What started as a way to track vehicles using GPS has become an ever-evolving staple of fleet management, helping shape safer, greener, more efficient, and more cost-effective fleets.<\/p>\n

Adding Geozone Tagging<\/h3>\n

Geofencing is a popular use of telematics. If you\u2019re not familiar, geofencing allows users to determine a territory in which a truck can operate. If the truck leaves the area, the device issues an alert. This can help fleets prevent theft and misuse of company vehicles.<\/p>\n

Geozone tagging is similar, but also lets fleet layer on additional information to yield actionable insights. For instance, Steve Wells, founder & CMO, ClearPathGPS, said his clients use geozone tagging capabilities to understand the type of work being done, then use that information to bid jobs more precisely.<\/p>\n

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\u201cOur clients saw that inaccurate bidding was leading to less profitability. We enable them to geozone job sites and tag them with the type of work completed, then run a geozone tag report to continue to hone bids,\u201d he explained. \u201cThis helps the companies bid more accurately.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wells said geozone tagging can also be used to improve customer service. \u201cAnother creative use is to geozone tag your most important clients and pass them along thank you gifts\/notes when they hit certain milestones,\u201d he added. \u201cFor instance, the note could read, \u2018We\u2019re grateful to have completed 500 hours of work on your projects this year.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Using Forms with Embedded Photos<\/h3>\n

People often think of telematics as it relates to vehicles and tracking only vehicle-related information, but Verizon Connect has solutions for mobile workers that enable them to work efficiently in the field, providing them with the ability to upload photos related to their work to customized forms.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmbedding photos within a field as proof of delivery is pretty standard, but many customers have used forms with photo capability in interesting and innovative ways,\u201d said Chris Ransom, associate director of solutions engineering, Verizon Connect. \u201cFor instance, some of our customers send forms with photos of potholes on roads and runways to relevant departments for repair, and forms with photos used at accident sites to document damage and other relevant information can be sent to the back office or stored.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ransom also said forms are often used to show proof of job completion for trash emptying and landscape maintenance. Depending on the usage, embedding photos can lead to improved efficiency, cost savings, and increased safety. For the customer using forms to capture photos of potholes, it resulted in reducing pothole repair time and ultimately reducing wear and tear on vehicles.<\/p>\n

Instituting a Blind Period<\/h3>\n

Telematics innovations<\/a> also apply to the implementation process. Adam Bruttell, VP of sales and marketing, MiX Telematics North America, said MiX Telematics has been working with new customers to institute a blind period, where telematics devices have been installed, but drivers aren\u2019t being actively alerted or coached, and managers aren\u2019t yet viewing related data.<\/p>\n

Drivers are aware the device is installed but can ease into the idea of their driving behaviors being tracked. After a few weeks, MiX turns on the alerts, begins coaching drivers through proactive calls, and starts tracking results. They also open the portal so managers can view the data.<\/p>\n

Traditionally, all tracking and monitoring is turned on at installation. The challenge with that approach is that fleets can\u2019t know for sure whether drivers have always been driving that way or if device installation changed their behavior. Instituting a blind period allows fleets to see a before and after scenario.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve now established a behavior baseline before the alerts go on. Fleet managers and drivers can see marked improvements once the alerts go live,\u201d Bruttell explained. \u201cFeets can see that there are real, measurable results on lowering risk for unsafe driver behavior, decreasing idle time, decreasing fuel bills, and extending vehicle life through maintenance reminders. Fleets spend significantly on telematics systems and need to see a real ROI. This blind period approach helps prove the need.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ClearPath
ClearPath GPS offers geozone tagging. Similar to geofencing, it also lets fleet layer on additional information to yield actionable insights. Photo courtesy of ClearPath GPS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Powered-Down Tracking<\/h3>\n

Fleets today often use telematics to prevent theft when trucks and equipment are idle. Now, solar trackers allow fleets to see where unpowered assets are located. Beyond theft, Wells said using solar trackers helps ClearPathGPS customers maximize utilization as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany of our clients loan their equipment out when it\u2019s not being used,\u201d he said. \u201cBy putting trackers on their unpowered assets, they can easily locate their equipment when they need it \u2014 even if it\u2019s not on a job they\u2019re on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shifting Driver Perspectives with Video<\/h3>\n

Smart Care Equipment, a major commercial kitchen service organization in the U.S., understands that while driving is not their main business, it\u2019s a critical component of technician\u2019s day-to-day responsibilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn field services and construction, safety is always a priority on the job, but that emphasis can sometimes fall short when getting behind the wheel after a job is complete,\u201d said Dave Riordan, chief client officer at Lytx. \u201cIncreasingly, fleets in these industries are adopting video-based telematics to gain deeper insight into their overall business operations and foster a safety culture that goes beyond the jobsite and into the cab of their vehicles.\u201d<\/p>\n

Initially, Smart Care used GPS data from another telematics provider and results from internal driver analysis to create the company\u2019s own driver safety program. The company saw some success, but it wanted greater visibility into its fleet and to enhance their coaching capabilities. That\u2019s when they sought out Lytx\u2019s video telematics technology. Their goal? To reduce adverse driving behaviors that led to rear-end collisions, which represented about 65% of the company\u2019s collisions overall, and the claims associated with those events.<\/p>\n

But first, the company had to shift the way technicians thought about the driving aspect of their jobs \u2014 and in a way that would make them better drivers for the long-term.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe needed real insights into our technicians\u2019 driving behaviors and an established coaching workflow to help us get our technicians on track and reward them when they show improvements or do everything right,\u201d said Kevin Kelley, safety health & environmental director, Smart Care Equipment Solutions. \u201cWe were very honest and proactive at the forefront, letting our technicians know that driving safety is an expectation of employment at Smart Care and the new Lytx program would be a tool to help get them there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Management established from the start that the DriveCam event recorders were not there to watch their every move but to help make them better drivers and keep them safe. \u201cThis upfront communication from Smart Care management to its technicians went a long way in fostering enthusiasm around the program,\u201d Riordan said. \u201cWe\u2019ve even had instances where Smart Care workers have personally thanked us for offering this service to their company, completely unsolicited.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the six-month trial of Lytx\u2019s Driver Safety Program and Fleet Tracking, Smart Care experienced a 62% reduction in coaching events, reductions in distracted driving, and improvements in the severity of incidents such as hard braking, rolling, and incomplete stops.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe visual component of our telematics program has been a game-changer. Our old solution didn\u2019t offer video, so we had no context for events or risky driving incidents, making them easy to forget or dismiss,\u201d Kelley said. \u201cVideo allows us to see the full story surrounding an incident. Videos of coachable events are organized and delivered to our managers\u2019 dashboards each morning in Lytx\u2019s online workspace. There, managers can view profiles of each of their technicians containing historical information on past driving events and behaviors so they can personalize their approach for each and track improvements.\u201d<\/p>\n

After the trial period, the team implemented Lytx\u2019s video-based Driver Safety Program and fleet tracking on 600 service vehicles across 50 states.<\/p>\n

\u201cSmart Care has gained deeper insights into operations and technicians\u2019 driving behaviors, allowing for more personalized coaching efforts,\u201d Riordan said. \u201cIn addition to having a positive impact on driving performance, collisions, and claims costs, this dedication to safety often translates to improved customer service and a protected reputation in front of both existing and potential customers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Verizon
Verizon Connect provides the ability to embed photos and fill out forms for proof of job completion.\u00a0Photo courtesy of Verizon Connect<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Adding New Stops Efficiently & with Ease<\/h3>\n

Parks & Sons, a family-owned and locally operated waste and recycling hauler in Sun City, Ariz., used to rely heavily on CB radio and cellular devices to communicate the physical location and destination of their drivers across 50 to 65 different routes. Implementing telematics helped them eliminate overlapping routes and unnecessary fuel costs.<\/p>\n

When Parks & Sons experienced substantial growth and an expanded footprint across the Phoenix area, it meant greater complexity. As new stops were added to routes, assigning them was a manual process and one that didn\u2019t account for route overlaps. That\u2019s a major inefficiency, as route overlaps extend the amount of time it takes to complete area pickups, as well as extending the usage of the vehicle and the fuel it takes to operate the vehicle.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe route inefficiencies were addressed through the GPS Insight route replay feature, which allows dispatchers see the routes for multiple vehicles at one time,\u201d said Jenny Shiner, communications manager, GPS Insight. \u201cFuel is their company\u2019s fourth highest expense \u2014 so any marginal change in that cost significantly affects their bottom line.\u201d<\/p>\n

With route efficiency, Parks & Sons achieved significant fuel savings in addition to improving productivity by reducing the amount of time relaying key location data between drivers and dispatchers.
\n\u201cWe were able to identify route overlapping with ease; it\u2019s all there on a single screen for us to see,\u201d said Shawn Parks, business manager at Parks & Sons. \u201cMaking our routes more efficient has never been easier for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

By correcting route inefficiencies and improving overall vehicle usage, Parks & Sons saw fuel savings of $150,000 in the first year alone, far surpassing the initial return on investment. Implementing telematics has also made a significant impact on the day-to-day operations for Parks & Sons.<\/p>\n

Getting a bird\u2019s-eye view of where their trucks are instead of relying on phone calls or CB radio communications to relay a driver\u2019s current location or destination significantly reduced the dispatchers\u2019 time spent on these tasks. Instead, they can now focus on revenue-generating tasks, such as taking more orders or expanding service to customers.<\/p>\n

Revolutionizing Dispatching<\/h3>\n

United Road Towing, which operates a fleet of 550 vehicles across seven locations and completes 40,000 tows each year, uses telematics for improved routing and dispatching. They used the latest technology, such as big screen TVs, tablets, and APIs, to give telematics insights a larger presence in their operation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey equipped each dispatch office with a big-screen TV displaying the Teletrac Navman fleet management system\u2019s map view so that when dispatchers get a time-sensitive call, they can quickly see where each truck is and identify the nearest driver,\u201d said Marco Encinas, product manager, Teletrac Navman. \u201cDispatchers put assignment details into their integrated dispatching software, connected through an API, and the job is automatically pushed to the driver\u2019s in-cab Teletrac Navman tablet, avoiding having to call each driver directly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Real-time insights and communication from Teletrac Navman has also helped United Road Towing meet service-level agreements (SLAs), getting on site in the agreed upon amount of time. It also serves as a system of record, logging each call that comes in, when it was communicated to a truck, when that truck was in route, and when it arrived. If clients question if the SLA was met, these reports serve as proof.<\/p>\n

More Innovation Ahead<\/h3>\n

Sometimes telematics innovations emerge because of new technology. But more often, they are spawned by fleet business needs. As fleets work with providers to leverage the technology to their specific goals and challenges, it\u2019s likely creative solutions will continue to materialize.<\/p>\n

\u201cInnovative usage of telematics solutions is happening every day with different companies in different industries,\u201d Ransom said. \u201cWhat works for one business might not work for another, but there\u2019s almost always a solution that can be used as-is or modified in a way that can be useful and lead to greater efficiency.\u201d<\/p>\n

Source: https:\/\/www.automotive-fleet.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"JMF\"I\u00b4m\u00a0a Fleet Management expert, and the manager of\u00a0Advanced Fleet Management Consulting<\/a><\/strong>, that provides Fleet Management Consultancy Services.<\/p>\n

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Advanced Fleet Management Consulting, en colaboraci\u00f3n con Jaltest, GantaBI, Optimatics y Transporte Profesional, organizan el \u201cCurso para la Gesti\u00f3n de flotas de veh\u00edculos\u201d con el fin de formar a los profesionales en gesti\u00f3n de flotas a tomar una visi\u00f3n global y conocer todas las actividades y factores clave involucrados en la gesti\u00f3n de una flota de veh\u00edculos. El curso es \u00fanico en Espa\u00f1a y presenta un enfoque innovador al desarrollar una metodolog\u00eda propia para la gesti\u00f3n de flotas de veh\u00edculos.<\/p>\n

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18\u00ba CURSO PARA LA GESTI\u00d3N DE FLOTAS DE VEH\u00cdCULOS-Barcelona 9-10-11 de Octubre 2019<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n

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MiX Telematics allows fleet managers to institute a blind period before turning the system on, providing a clear before-and-after picture of driver progress.\u00a0Photo courtesy of MiX Telematics 7 Creative Uses for Telematics Tech By now, it\u2019s safe to say telematics technology is here to stay. But the nature of the technology, and moreover, the creative…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18],"tags":[41],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2897"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2897"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2897\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2897"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2897"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2897"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}