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Apr 11, 2019 • Fleet Technology • News • fleet safety • Verizon Connect • fleet
Verizon Connect has announced the launch of a digital tachograph tool that shares information with fleet managers including driving times and rest periods.
A digital tachograph is a device that records speed, distance and driver activity; data, which when used correctly, can ensure European Tachograph regulation is adhered to.When this data is used with Verizon Connect's fleet management platform users can save time, improve processes and remain compliant, the firm says.
“One of the biggest challenges for fleet managers is helping drivers understand their tacho status so customers aren’t losing time and money by pulling drivers off the road to manually download tachograph files from trucks,” said Derek Bryan, EMEA vice president, Verizon Connect. “Digital Tacho Live View provides the visibility necessary to access driver data quickly and easily, helping managers make quick and informed decisions, produce more accurate plans and receive advanced warning of infringements.”
Apr 03, 2019 • Fleet Technology • News • digitization • smart automation • SMEs • Survey • Tom Tom • TomTom Telematics; telematics
Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) who use vehicles are aware of digitisation benefits but many still rely on manual processes.
Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) who use vehicles are aware of digitisation benefits but many still rely on manual processes.
The study, which canvassed over a thousand companies across the EU and USA, revealed 81% of those decision makers surveyed said they could get more jobs done if they could digitise more of their workflow.
However, the majority of those questioned admitted taking a manual-paper heavy approach to every day tasks such as expense management, customer updates and quoting and invoicing.
Beverly Wise, TomTom Telematics' UK Sales Director said the survey highlighted two key areas. "First, SMEs are frustrated by the costliness, time ineffectiveness and potential for error explained when handling essential tasks manually," she explained. "And two, managers want digital solutions to take care of these jobs."
You can download the full here.
Apr 03, 2019 • Features • Fleet Technology • Autonomous Vehicles • Machine Learning • fleet • Glympse • telematics • The Field Service Podcast • Location Based
Let’s travel back to 1999, the year of the Palm VII, seen as the first truly wireless handheld device. Chris was (and still is) a fan. “It was why I got into wireless,” he says with nostalgia. “The idea that we run little applications on mobile devices was hugely inspiring to me. It was amazing because, until that moment, most of our experiences were from a dial-up modem in hour homes and we’d sit in front of our PCs, and that was how we got content and communicated with people.
“Now all of a sudden with this mobile device we were able to view content and share things with people. It really became the beginning of mobility and mobile applications. Starbucks had an app where you could find stores. It was really amazing, you could find coffee on your Palm VII.”
Is it collecting dust in Chris’ loft? “I might have it in a box somewhere,” he says laughing. “I tend to keep all my devices. I know I have seven generations of BlackBerries up there. They soon became my addiction."
“Mobile device improvements have been modest ones,” he says when I ask him about the evolution of mobility hardware. “They are mostly around cameras and screens but the underlying tech has been pretty stagnant for several years and generations now. It means it’s becoming a pretty mature market, just like the PC,” he suggested.
Chris has been with Glympse just over a year now, prior, he spent a significant chunk of time – 18 years – at connected car technology and automotive telematics provider Xevo where he joined in its infancy, overseeing various executive positions and becoming its President, CEO and Chairman. He remains on the board.
"Starbucks had an app where you could find stores. It was amazing, you could find coffee on your Palm VII...”
The potential of automotive technology, therefore, forms a good part of our conversation, most notably when I ask where he sees the next big disruption in field service. “I believe that in the big Iot space that autonomous driving will create a huge change in field service,” he says. “It’s going to make everything more productive, it will improve communications with consumers and it’s going to make it safer. I think this will re-shape the industry more than any tech enhancement than we have today.
He also cites machine learning as a significant enabler in the sector, providing service in real-time and pre-empting faults but he thinks another pinch point could be the way a product is delivered, syncing with the arrival of the technician.
“We’re currently looking at way of tracking two or more things simultaneously, in a healthcare scenario, for example,” he explains. “Here a skilled nurse and the drugs they need to administer need to be at the patient’s house at the same time.
“You could see that in some of the advanced field services and even big machinery cases; where the part and tech show up at the same time, assisted by machine learning that alerts the service company when the asset is about to break.”
I ended the podcast by asking what motivates Chris in his work. His answer is wide-ranging that touches on potential of technology as well as making a difference in society. “I’m motivated by two things,” he says. One is being able to continually push the envelope of what’s available using technology. Two is making a difference in the world.
Can he cite an example? “During the hurricane season, while the search and rescue operations were taking place, teams were using Glympse to keep track of each other, ensuring they wouldn’t lose touch while they carried out the task.
“That to me is super inspiring. That I can work on technology that actually makes a difference in people’s lives.”
Apr 02, 2019 • Fleet Technology • News • Verizon Connect • GPS Tracking
Tool measures vehicles' health and performance by tracking fuel consumption, distance travelled and diagnostics.
Tool measures vehicles' health and performance by tracking fuel consumption, distance travelled and diagnostics.
Verizon connect has launched Engine Connect, a tool aimed specifically at Light Commercial Vehicles.
The tool works by gathering data directly from the engine to help prevent mechanical problems. The data is combined with GPS location information and can identify driver behaviour linked to fuel costs. Software automatically keeps VIN records updated and can receive diagnostics trouble code alerts, the company says.
Engine Connect gives fleet managers a complete view of their vehicles' performance, enabling them to identify potential vehicles' issues before they become costly," said Derek Bryan, VP EMEA at Verizon Connect. "With a better understanding of vehicle performance, we can help customers save time and money in the future and provide them with peace of mind knowing their vehicles are running optimally."
Feb 22, 2019 • Fleet Technology • News • fleet
Synovia publishes new version of mobile app which includes tracking inoperable and lost/stolen vehicles and enhanced mapping functionality.
Synovia publishes new version of mobile app which includes tracking inoperable and lost/stolen vehicles and enhanced mapping functionality.
The fleet tracking technology company has launched the latest upgrade to its free mobile application designed for fleet managers to manage their fleet from anywhere with a smart device.
The latest version released to the Apple app store and Google Play will allow users to see multiple vehicles on simultaneously as well as filter vehicles shown on the map by groups. It will also allow for quick and easy navigation to broken-down vehicles to help personnel in the field get up and running more quickly.
Users will also be able to toggle between satellite views to provide greater understanding when vehicles may be off road or situated in a large parking facility.
“We continue to listen to our customers and invest significantly in our technology to better deliver the features and functionality they need to operate smarter and safer fleets, save money and provide improved customer service,” said Jon King, CEO, Synovia. “We recognise fleet managers require more information in a mobile application and will continue to innovate to enhance the mobile experience and deliver a more sophisticated user experience.”
Dec 28, 2018 • Fleet Technology • News • Verizon Connect • Berg Insight • fleet management • APAC • Australia • Australisa • New Zealand • Teletrac Navman
The number of active fleet management systems deployed in commercial vehicle fleets in Australia and New Zealand was almost 0.8 million in Q4-2017 according to a new research report from the leading IoT analyst firm Berg Insight.
The number of active fleet management systems deployed in commercial vehicle fleets in Australia and New Zealand was almost 0.8 million in Q4-2017 according to a new research report from the leading IoT analyst firm Berg Insight.
Growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.4 percent, this number is expected to reach nearly 1.7 million by 2022. A wide variety of players serve the fleet telematics market in Australia and New Zealand, ranging from small local vendors to leading international solution providers. Though there is a myriad of very small players, the number of providers with large installed bases in the region is however relatively limited and the market is comparably consolidated in terms of market share.
The top-10 players in Australia and New Zealand account for almost 60 percent of the active units on the market, and more than 40 percent is even represented by the top-5.
Berg Insight ranks Teletrac Navman as the largest solution vendor in Australia and New Zealand, being the only player which has surpassed the milestone of 100,000 active units in the region.
“The runners-up are Verizon Connect, EROAD, MTData and Netstar based in the US, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa respectively”, said Rickard Andersson, Principal Analyst, Berg Insight. He adds that MTData is now owned by the Australian operator Telstra since 2017.
Other vendors with comparably sizeable subscriber bases in Australia and New Zealand include the local suppliers IntelliTrac, Smartrak, Coretex and Digital Matter, as well as international players including MiX Telematics and Fleet Complete. “Also a notable number of commercial vehicle OEMs have introduced fleet telematics solutions in the region, either independently or through partnerships with established telematics providers”, continued Mr. Andersson. Examples include Isuzu, Volvo Trucks, UD Trucks, Scania, PACCAR, Toyota, Hino, Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi.
Additional players including international aftermarket telematics providers and vehicle manufacturers as well as local actors are expected to expand in the market in the coming years. “The fleet management market in Australia and New Zealand is currently influenced positively by a number of different drivers including regulatory developments related to health and safety regulations, chain of responsibility legislation and road user charges”, concluded Mr. Andersson.
Download report brochure: Fleet Management in Australia and New Zealand
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Dec 27, 2018 • Fleet Technology • News • fleet safety • fleet technology • field service • field service management • fleet management • ABAX • Mobie workforce management
Additional measures must be taken to keep your fleet on the road during the winter months. This recent post from ABAX on their blog details how to do this...
Additional measures must be taken to keep your fleet on the road during the winter months. This recent post from ABAX on their blog details how to do this...
Winter can cause havoc on those who rely on fleet transportation to deliver their goods and services. Poor weather, road closures and festive traffic all mean your drivers could end up delayed or worse, unable to attend a job.
So don’t let winter get the upper hand this season. A GPS vehicle tracking system can help you keep a closer eye on your drivers in real-time, allowing you to react to issues immediately to keep everyone going on the road. Here’s how implementing this tech across your fleet and carrying out a number of safety measures, can ensure they stay safe and the job gets done.
Try to always stay one step ahead
Beating the weather in the winter months is all about preparation and planning. It’s up to you to ensure drivers have enough time to reach their jobs, so they can safely navigate winter roads without worrying about time. Always allow extra time for them to get to their destination when the roads are wet or icy in winter, a 10-15 minute buffer is good in wet weather while 30 minutes may be needed in snow or ice.
When it comes to preparing for the colder months, breakdown cover is essential you should have in place. Ensure your policy covers your fleet and that drivers know where to call in the event of their vehicle becoming unresponsive.
Get support from a GPS tracking system
A GPS tracking system can offer you an extra pair of eyes, monitoring your fleet while out on the road. If you spot drivers are stuck in traffic and another is able to reach their destination, you can reroute to ensure the job still gets done. You can also make changes to protect drivers from more treacherous conditions, redirecting them around closed-off areas or finding alternative routes around roads that are not fit for driving on due to weather conditions.
With a GPS tracking system like ABAX’s, you can see exactly where the traffic has built up. It uses Google Maps to generate a colour coded traffic system that makes you aware of any congestion before your driver reaches the area. This means you can suggest alternative routes and avoid festive queues and hold-ups, keeping your fleet moving at all times during the winter months.
Vehicle maintenance is of great importance
Ensuring vehicles are properly maintained during the winter months is of great importance. This means everything from washer fluid to headlight lamps must be checked before drivers head out on the roads.
The fleet should be in top condition to ensure it can cope with whatever the British weather (and roads) has to throw their way. Here is a list of things your maintenance team and drivers should regularly check:
- Battery - It’s important this is checked, as cold weather can have an effect on how well batteries charge and turn the engine over once started. In-house battery testers will tell you how effective the battery is and whether it is creating enough energy for the car to run efficiently. Do this check at least once a week in winter.
- Screen wash - Snowy and wet conditions cause spray on the roads and when driving on motorways, lorries and other cars kick this up continuously. Screen wash is essential, to clear this dirty water from windscreens and so it’s important it is checked and topped up at least once a week.
- Exterior lights - A dull or dead headlamp is not only illegal but dangerous for those behind the wheel, ensure drivers check the lights every day before heading out in the winter months when the nights draw in sooner.
- Tyres - Tyre pressure is important, not only for the efficiency of the car but also how it handles on the road. You should also check tyre tread, to ensure your vehicles are road worthy. As well as this, it’s worth considering having winter tyres installed on your fleet vehicles if they’re out on the road all day. These specialist tyres can handle icy and wet conditions far better, improving driver safety out on the roads. For areas that see particularly heavy snowfall, consider installing snow chains to add grip and a safer drive.
Maximise driver safety with a winter car kit
As well as these main checks, fleets should also have the following in the boot or under the passenger seat as standard:
- A warning triangle - To make other vehicles aware if your driver has stopped.
- Screen wash - If the spray from the road is particularly bad and this needs topping up while out and about.
- Spare headlight bulbs - These should be changed immediately if it is dark and one has dimmed or blown.
- High vis jacket - To ensure drivers are visible in the case of a breakdown or accident.
- Torch - To enhance driver safety when out of the vehicle at night.
- Car mobile charger - This ensures drivers can always reach the main office in case of an emergency.
- Gloves - Hands are one of the first things to feel the cold, so ensure your drivers are covered if they need to wait outside for whatever reason.
- Traction mats - These ensure if a vehicle gets stuck in snow or mud, the driver has a better chance of easing it out as it offers the tyres extra grip.
- Snow chains for trailers - If your vehicles pull trailers, snow chains can improve grip on snow-covered or icy roads. However, it’s worth noting that they can only be used when there is enough snow or ice to warrant them. You can read more about this here.
Encourage safer driving
Drivers should be reminded that they need to drive in line with the road conditions in the winter months and this means paying close attention to their speed. With your business vehicle tracking tech, you can monitor if drivers are paying heed to these warnings and even implement imposed speed limits on certain roads that you know are hazardous.
It’s also important drivers are reminded to keep a safe distance from cars in front during winter, as wet and icy conditions increase stopping time. Know when to also stop drivers from heading out, in particularly bad conditions it’s safer to cancel jobs and reallocate your now free workforce to support another area of the business, instead of risking their safety.
You should also encourage drivers to make decisions when out on the road that if the weather turns and they don’t feel like they can navigate the roads safely then they should stop until it is clear. This message must come from a managerial position and picked up regularly with drivers during the winter months to ensure the safety of themselves and other road users.
The colder weather doesn’t have to impact your fleet and in turn the efficiency of your business. This winter, keep these tips in mind and utilise your vehicle tracking system to its full potential. Speak to ABAX for more information on how a GPS tracking system can support your business, today.
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ERM Advanced Telematics Targets Stolen Vehicle Recovery and Fleet Management Market in Latin America
Dec 21, 2018 • Fleet Technology • News • fleet technology • field service management • fleet management • Service Management • telematics • ERM Advanced Telematics
International automotive technology provider ERM Advanced Telematics whose products have been installed in more than 5 million vehicles worldwide, is accelerating its penetration into the Latin American market with its offering for fleet...
International automotive technology provider ERM Advanced Telematics whose products have been installed in more than 5 million vehicles worldwide, is accelerating its penetration into the Latin American market with its offering for fleet management and solutions for Stolen Vehicle Recovery (SVR).
ERM plans to take advantage of its network of business partnerships throughout the region. In parallel, the company is planning to strengthen its reach and to increase the penetration of its telematics and fleet management solutions, including the StarLink modular telematics product line as well as products like eSafe for driving behaviour monitoring and eFuel, which is designed to provide alerts on fuel theft.
ERM is already active in a number of Latin American countries and is expected to utilize its teams, technology and know-how to customize the company’s products to meet the specific demands of the Latin American markets. This will enable ERM to offer dedicated and customized solutions to its local partners’ needs and allow the provision of various additional options such as white labelling products with the branding of the partner incorporated into the product.
“The demand for telematics solutions in Latin America stems from the need for vehicle security and tracking systems, which provide immediate support in emergency cases - such as panic buttons for vehicle hijacks, tracking for recovery of stolen vehicles and voice options for further assistance,” says Eitan Kirshenboim, CMO at ERM Telematics. “Many of the fleets in the region use basic fleet management tools, which limit their ability to monitor and improve the fleet performance in order to reduce costs."
"ERM is introducing to the Latin American market a line of unique solutions, that are backed up by patents and are flexible in design and customization abilities..."
Kirshenboim continued: "We believe that ERM’s advanced solutions and business strategy can help these fleets to improve their fleet performance, lower their operational costs and maximize their ROI.” He adds that ERM is introducing to the Latin American market a line of unique solutions, that are backed up by patents and are flexible in design and customization abilities, to support a wide range of scenarios and a variety of needs.
Kirshenboim notes that the company welcomes cooperation with leading players in the automotive and fleet management sector in Latin America. ERM’s business model is based on its customers being long-term partners, with whom the company is in close and ongoing relations, enabling them to define their demands and for ERM to supply a customized technological and service solution, backed up by a Spanish website, salespeople and customer support.
ERM offers different solutions for fleet management and Stolen Vehicle Recovery operations. The solutions vary from basic implementation to more comprehensive solutions, in order to better control and manage the fleets and to assist in the retrieving of vehicles and to enable each of ERM's partners to adopt a solution that is best suited for them.
ERM’s SVR basic implementation consists of vehicle location tracking and added accessories such as immobilization system, which requires drivers to identify themselves by using a code or other identification methods. Additional accessories include an alarm system, break in sensors, tow detection, remote door and windows control. Some of the more sophisticated technological solutions include CANbus integration for advanced diagnostics of the vehicles' mechanical and computerized environment. The diagnostics helps evaluate in real time the use made of the vehicle and helps to remotely identify in advance events which might affect the vehicle’s performance.
"The add-on features are based on the wide range of ERM sensors and hardware applications, as well as applications from third-party vendors..."
Some of the more comprehensive solutions offered by ERM include tracking devices equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, and a variety of add-ons to enable safety and fuel monitoring, voice capabilities and other alerts. The add-on features are based on the wide range of ERM sensors and hardware applications, as well as applications from third-party vendors.
Some other possible solutions for assisting ERM’s partners in SVR operations include a patented solution for jamming mitigation that enables the tracking of jammed vehicles by transmitting a distress message that is being picked-up by nearby vehicles. Another patented solution is designed to locate leased vehicles whose owner stopped its payments – “Parking Habits”.
The need for SVR solutions in Latin America is backed up by a market study by Berg Insights, which found the level of car theft in Brazil is four times that of the U.S. and that the situation in other Latin American markets like Mexico, Argentina and Venezuela is about the same.
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Dec 11, 2018 • Fleet Technology • News • fleet technology • Verizon Connect • field service • field service technology • fleet management • telematics • Asset Maintenance • GPS Tracking • Location Based
Verizon Connect is expanding its fleet management system REVEAL with a solution that enables businesses in the UK to manage assets in addition to their fleet of vehicles.
Verizon Connect is expanding its fleet management system REVEAL with a solution that enables businesses in the UK to manage assets in addition to their fleet of vehicles.
With the launch of the new GPS tracking system for assets, companies can gain insight into the location and performance of valuable assets such as cranes, trailers and excavators. As a result, they will be able to deploy their assets optimally, plan maintenance more efficiently and help reduce the risk of theft and other types of unauthorised usage.
Derek Bryan, EMEA Vice President, Verizon Connect: “At Verizon Connect, we are committed to ensuring that businesses in the UK have the tools to harness the power of data from every company asset. Many companies already rely on our solution to help them manage their vehicles and employees, but being able to track other valuable equipment and assets will further help them drive efficiencies, lower operational costs and improve their planning.”
Insight in location, usage and productivity assets
Similar to REVEAL’s system for vehicles, the new asset tracking system offers the ability to access data in both near real-time and historically to understand where equipment is and where it has been. It is also possible to see if machinery is running and how often it is used. This gives users and managers insights into equipment utilization and determining which assets should be moved elsewhere within the organisation or perhaps cycled out of use.
Asset maintenance and control
REVEAL’s asset tracking solution also offers users a variety of options to help minimise theft risk and other unauthorised usages. For example, it is possible to set up alerts that send managers a warning when equipment is turned on or moved outside of working hours – or when machinery is moved outside of its designated location.
To help companies plan the maintenance of their assets more efficiently and maximise uptime, REVEAL’s asset tracking solution also enables companies to record when trailers and other equipment are due for maintenance. For each asset, the system keeps a log and alerts can be configured based on planned maintenance or predetermined options, including engine hours.
For more information on the REVEAL fleet management solution visit https://www.verizonconnect.com/uk/solutions/gps-asset-tracking/
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