Web: www.fleetmatics.co.uk
Derek Br yan
European Sales Director, Fleetmatics Since its inception almost 20 years ago, fleet tracking has evolved significantly; ‘always on’ internet access has enabled the technology to shift from a simple track and trace offering to a full business intelligence solution. The Fleetmatics GPS vehicle tracking system has many features that would appeal to firms operating in the freight industry. By providing historical, current and predictive data of vehicle operations, the vehicle tracking system can be used to support better business decision-making, thus helping transportation companies to gain a competitive advantage within their marketplace and helping facilitate business improvements in the long run. Fleetmatics is a total package solution, where all the elements required to access the core system via the internet – hardware, software and GPS airtime – are consolidated within one contract, with monthly payments typically spread over a three year period. In the current climate, this total package solution sets Fleetmatics apart from other fleet tracking businesses as there is no hardware cost to the customer and no third-party lenders involved. The Fleetmatics system runs on an online software platform; fleet owners are not required to install software on their own server and instead can access the platform through a web browser. There are obvious advantages to using a web based system – its ease of use, reliability and the fact that the software can be upgraded automatically without user intervention. A less obvious advantage of online platforms is that they can be accessed via a laptop or PC from anywhere that has an internet connection and, through the innovative use of modern-day Apps, from smart phones and tablets too. The best systems allow functions such as driver, vehicle and trip profiling, dispatching, monitoring of idling times for fuel efficiency, and so on. The Fleetmatics GPS vehicle tracking system also provides current and relevant information to empower drivers and dispatchers to improve fleet performance and help make their life easier. By using a good fleet management system, business owners can increase productivity, reduce fuel costs and provide additional security to its fleet.
Photo Credit: Highways Agency
By knowing the precise location of every vehicle in the fleet, fleet operators can manage routing and dispatching more effectively and, whenever needed, direct the closest, available vehicle to an unplanned pick-up location. In addition, firms can ensure drivers take the most direct route to any job site and quickly re-route them should they get lost. Some GPS tracking solutions also provide real-time traffic reporting, enabling businesses to warn drivers of traffic delays and provide rerouting whenever needed. This improved routing can also help lower fuel consumption. “The most obvious ways to reduce fuel consumption for any vehicle is to reduce speeding and eliminate any unnecessary driving habits”, says Derek Bryan, European Sales Director for Fleetmatics. While most standard GPS vehicle tracking solutions can provide accurate speed information about each vehicle tracked, the best fleet management systems also include alerts that will, for example, notify the fleet operator when a vehicle exceeds a set speed threshold. Derek Bryan says: “We also have a ‘Driving Style’ tool that monitors acceleration, cornering and braking – key indicators of aggressive or unsafe driving.” Another major area which the system addresses is excessive vehicle idling, a bad driving habit that is a tremendous cause of fuel usage. Any time a vehicle spends time idling, it is realising zero miles per gallon, reducing its average fuel economy. Some GPS vehicle tracking systems include features that monitor vehicle idle times and engine-on status. Fleet operators can use these tools to ensure that drivers are not wasting extensive time idling in one location or spending an excessive amount of time at a particular job. Combine this with an alert function and fleet operators can be notified if a vehicle has idled or remained inoperative after a certain amount of time and quickly determine the cause. It’s worth bearing in mind that according to the Ford Motor Company, every hour that a vehicle is idling is the equivalent of approximately 25 miles of driving. Transport for London (TfL) tests show that, contrary to popular belief, vehicle engines can be switched on and off more than 100 times an hour with no discernible ►
environmentmagazine.co.uk | 107 |