Research from Verizon Connect shows some managers not utilising technology to offset basic tasks.
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Apr 03, 2020 • Fleet Technology • News • research report • Verizon Connect • fleet
Research from Verizon Connect shows some managers not utilising technology to offset basic tasks.
A survey into the behaviour of UK fleet managers has found the majority spend time on admin preventing them from focusing on daily tasks.
Interviewed
The research commissioned by Verizon Connect and conducted by Opinium interviewed UK 201 fleet managers who operate fleets of between three and 250 vehicles.
It revealed that two fifths of those interviewed spend 14 hours a week on general administrative tasks including route and schedule planning, the monitoring of driver behaviour and daily vehicle inspections.
The study also showed that less than half (47%) use fleet management technology to automate such tasks which Verizon says is the equivalent of nearly two full working days.
Fuel costs were highlighted as a particular concern for managers as was the search to find reliable drivers.
Derek Bryan, VP EMEA at Verizon Connect acknowledged that time pressure plays a huge part in fleet managers' day-to-day but said the use of technology can help negate this. "We know time is critical for fleet managers and many are tasked with trying to juggle lots of different tasks at one," he said. The introduction of a few simple technology tools can really make their life easier and help improve business efficiency."
Nov 22, 2019 • Features • Geotab • Verizon • Verizon Connect • fleet • telematics • Webfleet Solutions
As location-based technology and work scheduling tools merge into a neat mobility package, what role does telematics play in fleet management? Mark Glover asks if the technology has lost its way or does it have the future mapped out?
As location-based technology and work scheduling tools merge into a neat mobility package, what role does telematics play in fleet management? Mark Glover asks if the technology has lost its way or does it have the future mapped out?
Oct 10, 2019 • Features • Fleet Technology • Verizon • Verizon Connect • fleet
Derek Bryan, VP EMEA at Verizon Connect says real-time monitoring can pay dividends.
Derek Bryan, VP EMEA at Verizon Connect says real-time monitoring can pay dividends.
Aug 19, 2019 • Features • Verizon • Verizon Connect • fleet • Fleet Operations • Fleet performance
Derek Bryan, VP EMEA at Verizon Connect says pro-cycling's approach to data analytics can be mirrored in fleet handling.
Derek Bryan, VP EMEA at Verizon Connect says pro-cycling's approach to data analytics can be mirrored in fleet handling.
Across countless industries, the rise of performance analytics has had a fundamental impact on how organisations assess the contribution of their most valuable assets. Thanks to advances in data collection and analysis, managers now possess an incredible amount of information that they can use to evaluate and inform how their employees and their inventory help support the business’s growth. Likewise, employees now have access to more powerful self-management tools than ever before.
You’d imagine that a Silicon Valley giant or a hot tech start-up would provide the best example of an organisation doing this well. But you’d be wrong. It’s actually professional cycling that throws up one of the best examples, thanks to teams’ innovative and relentless use of data. As seen in last month’s Tour de France, every single aspect of their organisation is tailored towards giving their employees out in the field – their riders – every opportunity to perform at the highest possible level.
If performance analytics can be applied with this degree of success within a sporting context – where there is always great scope for uncertainty – then why can’t it be deployed to the benefit of those who manage fleets of vehicles? There are numerous techniques and methodologies that fleet managers can adopt from top road cycling teams to help replicate their success.
These techniques are all founded on one underlying technology that can drive business benefits for fleets of all sizes. Fleet management solutions have become increasingly popular in recent years as a tool to help monitor the health and performance of both vehicles and drivers. Simply deploying a fleet management solution, however, isn’t sufficient. Driving improvements at an enterprise and manager level requires businesses to act on the intelligence and insights collected and generated by these platforms to change their ways of working. In doing so, they deliver productivity and cost benefits for the entire business.
Here are four learnings fleet managers can take from professional cycling to drive performance across their business:
1. Drive greater performance from your employees
Professional cycling leads the way in performance and data analysis. By profiling and measuring every aspect of a cyclist’s performance – from their physiology to their diet, to their riding style – professional cycling organisations identify exactly what they can do to improve a rider’s performance. Whether that be changing their equipment, encouraging them to adapt their riding style/position, or adding or removing an item from their list of approved foods.You’d imagine that a Silicon Valley giant or a hot tech start-up would provide the best example of an organisation doing this well. But you’d be wrong. It’s actually professional cycling that throws up one of the best examples, thanks to teams’ innovative and relentless use of data. As seen in last month’s Tour de France, every single aspect of their organisation is tailored towards giving their employees out in the field – their riders – every opportunity to perform at the highest possible level.
If performance analytics can be applied with this degree of success within a sporting context – where there is always great scope for uncertainty – then why can’t it be deployed to the benefit of those who manage fleets of vehicles? There are numerous techniques and methodologies that fleet managers can adopt from top road cycling teams to help replicate their success.
These techniques are all founded on one underlying technology that can drive business benefits for fleets of all sizes. Fleet management solutions have become increasingly popular in recent years as a tool to help monitor the health and performance of both vehicles and drivers. Simply deploying a fleet management solution, however, isn’t sufficient. Driving improvements at an enterprise and manager level requires businesses to act on the intelligence and insights collected and generated by these platforms to change their ways of working. In doing so, they deliver productivity and cost benefits for the entire business.
Here are four learnings fleet managers can take from professional cycling to drive performance across their business:
1. Drive greater performance from your employees
Using fleet management technologies, fleets can monitor how their employees are performing on the road, and pinpoint specific parts of their performance or schedule that can be improved to drive efficiency for the business. For example, a fleet manager could advise a driver to reduce their speeding or refrain from harsh braking, based on analysis of their driving style, to reduce fuel usage. They could also encourage their driver to turn off their engine when in traffic or stationary on a job to reduce the vehicle’s emissions and fuel costs. Seat belt usage or acceleration are other performance areas that can be monitored as part of a constant feedback loop with drivers. Maintaining this loop is critical to driving higher, more efficient performance across their fleet of vehicles.
2. Give your team the tools to win
Every cyclist is only as good as the cycle they are riding, and as a result, cyclists will often use different bikes based on the specific demands of a race or stage. This approach should be the same for your drivers in the field.
Fleets can benefit from this approach by using fleet management systems to provide drivers the right vehicle for the job, based on its requirements. This means using fleet management platforms to allocate drivers the right vehicle for the job (whether an HGV, LCV or even an SUV) based on the amount of space required for a delivery, or the tools required to complete a job. It could also mean making sure the vehicle has the required number of occupants needed for a specific task, or verifying that it is compliant with local emissions regulations in the area where the job is located.
Certain vehicles can also be allocated to jobs based on the technological tools within the vehicle’s cab, such as on-board dashcams or handsfree connectivity tools, to allow drivers on the road to benefit from technology without disrupting their workflows.
3. Take one for the team
Within the cycling world, the ‘peloton’ is well known for working as a group to allow cyclists to cycle as efficiently and use as little energy as possible. Fleets can do the same by using fleet management platforms to review their routing and scheduling. These solutions allow them to both allocate and schedule jobs based on the most suitable candidate and vehicle, and calculate the most efficient route. Doing this allows drivers to work in harmony to deliver an efficient and effective service to customers.
4. Commit to conditioning
Today’s athletes pay more attention to their own conditioning than ever before. Professional cyclists have almost every aspect of their physiology monitored by their team while they are on their bike, including their heart rate, current load levels and workload threshold.
This monitoring is essential to managing the performance of cyclists, and ensuring they are not overburdened, which can lead to injury. Fleet managers can replicate this process by making use of the vehicle monitoring/diagnostics tools within fleet management systems to keep tabs on the condition of vehicles in their fleet so that they are fit for the job at hand. If not, managers can proactively schedule maintenance of a vehicle and shift its workload onto other vehicles in the network to reduce disruption and help fulfil customers’ demands on time.
Today, the most successful businesses are those that monitor performance and maximise efficiency both inside and outside of its traditional four walls. Many sports have already adopted this mindset, and it’s time fleet managers do the same. When a vehicle leaves the depot, it should no longer be considered an external asset – rather, it should be considered as an extension of the business, and as critical a workplace as the desk of the CEO.
Today, the most successful businesses are those that monitor performance and maximise efficiency both inside and outside of its traditional four walls. Many sports have already adopted this mindset, and it’s time fleet managers do the same. When a vehicle leaves the depot, it should no longer be considered an external asset – rather, it should be considered as an extension of the business, and as critical a workplace as the desk of the CEO.
Apr 11, 2019 • Fleet Technology • News • fleet safety • Verizon Connect • fleet
Application will enable Fleet Managers to monitor driver activity helping with tachograph compliance.
Application will enable Fleet Managers to monitor driver activity helping with tachograph compliance.
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.”
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 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."
Jan 31, 2019 • News • Verizon Connect • fleet
Verizon Connect, one of the leading suppliers of fleet management solutions, has been awarded official supplier accreditation by the Fleet Operator Recognition (FORS) scheme, demonstrating its commitment to improving the safety and productivity...
Verizon Connect, one of the leading suppliers of fleet management solutions, has been awarded official supplier accreditation by the Fleet Operator Recognition (FORS) scheme, demonstrating its commitment to improving the safety and productivity of fleets across the UK.FORS is a voluntary scheme for UK fleets which aims to raise safety standards and improve the quality of operations across fleet-based businesses. Through its array of resources, including classroom and eLearning courses and bespoke guides, it helps equip both drivers and fleet managers with the tools they need to meet its standard requirements and enhance the performance of commercial vehicles on Britain’s roads.
The scheme has three levels of recognition for organisations meeting its safety, efficiency and environmental criteria. Verizon Connect has been awarded supplier accreditation for its ability to help fleets operators in FORS’ Bronze, Silver and Gold categories improve road safety, increase efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and promote compliance.
Commenting on securing accreditation, Derek Bryan, VP EMEA at Verizon Connect, said: “Verizon Connect prides itself on helping to improve the safety, productivity and efficiency of fleets, while lowering operational costs so we’re proud to have been awarded supplier accreditation by the FORS. Many companies rely on our platform to promote best practice across their business. Lots of businesses are considering ways to not only manage their vehicles and employees, but also track the performance of other valuable equipment across the supply chain, and we look forward to working closely with FORS to help them drive efficiencies and promote safe operations.”
You can find out more information about the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) via its website, which you can see here. Further information about Verizon Connect can also be found here.
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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 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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