Telematics and the future of fleet maintenance

Thanks to companies such as Uber, fleet managers are starting to learn that an improved user experience is critical to the future success of their organizations.

With traditional telematics systems, all driver and vehicle data is provided to an overburdened fleet manager, who rarely has time to decipher the data, let alone do anything about it. 

FieldLogix (www.fieldtechnologies.com) is leading the charge in taking some of this burden off of the fleet manager’s shoulders by sharing some of it with the drivers and the end customers. The drivers can see how they are performing, in order to improve driver behavior, and the customers can get more accurate details as to who will be servicing them and when they will arrive.  

GPS fleet tracking? There’s an app for that. Most people would be surprised to learn that fleet tracking technology has advanced to the point where managers can use an Uber-like app to easily track and monitor fleets. Leading the charge is FieldLogix, a fleet management system that provides the technology needed to help cut down on fuel expenses and vehicle maintenance. As user-friendly fleet management systems like these are investing in mobile technology and improved networks they are able to greatly reduce companies’ carbon footprints while decreasing overall spend.

Here are a few tips on what types of technology maintenance managers should adopt in order to get the most return from your fleet management system:

Route Optimization

Another way that companies like FieldLogix help fleets save work to save on fuel expenses is through route optimization. On top of finding the shortest distance between a driver and their next destination, route optimization considers multiple complex variables to formulate the most efficient route possible. Take advantage of this feature in FieldLogix+Nav, which also provides status updates information on dispatched jobs and work completed. Using up-to-date technology to find the driver’s fastest route possible will not only improve their ETA, but save on mileage and idling.

Driver Behavior Reports

Worried about fuel consumption? This is the first place to start. With detailed Driver Behavior Reports, managers can access the data needed to drastically reduce costs stemming from idling, speeding, and aggressive driving. FieldLogix offers an Excessive Fuel report that displays who is performing the best and worst when it comes to idling and speeding.  Many of the company's customers use the Excessive Fuel report as a leader board for their drivers in order to share driving performance metrics and curb fuel consumption. The Aberdeen group recently concluded that GPS vehicle systems have helped companies reduce their overall fuel costs by 13.24 percent on average.

Maintenance Alert Notifications

FieldLogix helps users easily schedule alerts for maintenance, so employees can stay on top of routine upkeep of the fleet. FieldLogix proactively notifies users when vehicles are approaching a maintenance threshold so service can be scheduled on the vehicles at the appropriate time. Alerts can be sent to the shop technician or maintenance coordinator and can be reset after the maintenance is complete.

Labor Savings

GPS tracking can also help to reduce labor costs significantly. A recent study by Motorola concluded that companies save an average of $5,484 per employee each year by utilizing GPS technology. Savings from reduced overtime, unjustified downtime and more efficient routing quickly add up to greatly scale down overall costs.

The Future of Fleet Management: Introducing Goose

Goose is a mobile app designed to boost customer loyalty for delivery and service companies by providing clients accurate ETA notifications via text message. Goose also aims to be a driver’s wingman on the road. This tool allows drivers to service more customers, improve routing decisions, reduce fuel expenses, and optimize communication. By the click of a button, drivers can update dispatchers on their status for each stop or send messages to elaborate on details. Dispatchers optimize routes and send to drivers to view status as they complete their day.

Yukon Palmer is the founder and President of FieldLogix, which provides the first sustainability-oriented GPS fleet management solution in the US. He started FieldLogix in 2002 and has grown it to an installed base of thousands of vehicles throughout the U.S, Canada, and Mexico. He founded his company with a $3,500 initial investment based on a business plan he wrote in the MBA program at San Diego State University. His company has since grown significantly and it has received extensive recognition within the telematics industry.