Fleet GPS Tracking with Roadside Assistance

by | Mar 16, 2020 | Fleet Management

Roadside Assistance Add-In For Geotab Fleet Tracking

If you use Geotab for your GPS fleet tracking needs, you could be missing out on a pretty attractive perk. By subscribing to the Pro Plus service level you are qualified to use the Geotab Roadside add-in free of charge for light-duty vehicles. As a general rule, light-duty is any motor vehicle with GVWR of under 10,000 lbs. Full details are found in the Roadside add-in User Guide.

Just go to the marketplace and install it in your database. Your drivers can then install the app on their mobile devices.

 

The Geotab roadside add-in is a simple solution for requesting help. Use it to call for service when a fleet vehicle breaks down or has other common roadside issues. Now there is no need to take another driver out of service to assist.

The most important thing to understand about Geotab Roadside Assistance is that service must be requested using the mobile app. Using the app assures easy approval, notification of dispatch, and automated updates between driver and service provider. For that reason, ALL requests must be made via the Geotab Roadside app. The app does the work to confirm the eligibility of the vehicle. It then communicates all of the necessary information to the service provider regarding the roadside assistance needed.

Roadside assistance services include towing, flat tire change, lockout service, battery boost, fuel delivery and winching (please see conditions in the guide mentioned). For personal situations other than roadside assistance you can turn to the free PubSafe public safety community app and get help from other app users in your area. Click here to view PubSafe.

What Happens Next?

The app used in tandem with GPS tracking devices on both your vehicle and the tow truck delivers a simple and effective user experience. The system searches for a nearby service provider once the service request is created. When a provider is found, they are dispatched to the vehicle’s location. The app shows the estimated time of arrival for the service provider, as well as their location, live on the map. Both driver and dispatcher are able to see the updates, so no back and forth phone calls because everyone already knows what is going on.
Once the service provider arrives at the breakdown location, the add-In automatically updates to Service in Progress. The screen updates with information about the service being performed. If the requested service is a tow, then the locations of the service provider and the towed vehicle are updated on the map as the tow moves towards its destination.
The value of free roadside assistance alone may offset the difference in cost from Pro to Pro Plus. Contact us to learn more.
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Small Fleet GPS Tracking

by | Mar 5, 2020 | Fleet Management

Small Fleet GPS Tracking Needs are Unique

Small fleets tend to have fewer needs and can focus more on the basic GPS tracking to save money. The general mindset is to start with an inexpensive GPS tracking system that can be upgraded as the business grows. As fleet management needs change, upgrades can be made. Knowing up front that there is an upgrade path to a more capable GPS portal ensures small fleet customers will not have to start all over. Being able to use the same GPS tracking devices means not having to reinvest in hardware when the tiome to upgrade comes.

At first, simple vehicle location, or dots on a map, and start-stop information is sufficient for most fleets under 5 vehicles. Ultimately, these two variables with a low price like with the Fleetistics LITE platform at $9.95 is an entry level system. The LITE system can be upgraded to the Fleetistics ONE (FONE) platform for a few more dollars monthly. The FONE platform opens the doors for small fleets that are seeing expanding needs. Data used to increase safety and reduce accidents can lower insurance cost. Increased productivity means more billables. The right set of data drives down expenses and increases productivity, thus profitability.

 

Low Cost GPS Tracking

 

Starting with an OBD plug-and-play GPS tracker provides the quickest and least expensive way to start tracking. Fleetistics offers the same great training options as for our large fleet clients.  As revenue increases a small fleet operator may want to add OBD extension harnesses to get the GPS vehicle tracking system into the dash, but it certainly is not a requirement. Serial number zip ties and a good driving policy is often enough to keep tampering under control.

Sample GPS Tracking Employee Policy

Sample GPS Tracking Policy

Small Fleet GPS Tracking

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Fleetistics Products and Services

by | Mar 5, 2020 | Fleet Management

Fleet Tracking Service Admin

Fleetistics Products and Services Easy Reorder

Fleetistics customers can easily order additional products and services using the Order Online menu. It is a great resource to stay on top of what products and services are available in the Fleetistics portfolio. Reorder devices and cables or MyFleetistics integrated services and receive the same great customer service you are accustomed to. Fleetstics offers a wide array of GPS trackers, custom developed services such as Weather Pro, Active Directory integration and dashcams. When using the online order system you are not billed at checkout. Instead, your order is sent to an account manager who will review it to ensure the correct items are being ordered. If there is any question about the items or services listed, you will be contacted to clarify the order is correct. Next, our standard online order will be created and sent to be approved by you. On completion of the order you will receive an email invoice for payment.

Free Trials

Many of the Fleetistics products and services come with a free 30-day trial that can be enabled at any time by an account administrator. To test a service go to Account>Services>Adminster Services. Try any or all the services to determine which is right for your business.

Fleet Tracking Service Admin
Fleetistics Products and Services

GPS Fleet Tracking Pricing

by | Mar 4, 2020 | Fleet Management

GPS Fleet Tracking Pricing

What Determines GPS Fleet Tracking Pricing

 

There are a wide variety of variables that determine the cost of a GPS tracking solution. There are low cost GPS tracking services, low cost GPS tracking devices and everything above. Most of the cheapest GPS tracking services are temporary in that the profit margins are not high enough to sustain a business for the long run and eventually have to be increased or the provider goes out of business.

 

Variables In GPS Tracking Pricing

 

  • The type of communication network can vary the price greatly. Cellular communication is less expensive than satellite communication. Most fleets operate well on cellular communication.
  • The cellular network used will vary. T-Mobile is generally less than Verizon but the coverage area is also different.
  • The more detail or data used, the higher the monthly service fee.
  • The physical size and quality of construction of the GPS tracker impacts price. Large solar tracking devices are more expensive than OBD GPS units. Devices that are IP rated for environmental factors are more expensive than other trackers.
  • The technology in the GPS tracker can be very simple or very complex and capable. Pick a tracker that matches your needs. The Geotab GO9 runs a Linux operating system making it the most advanced telematics system available.
  • The quality and capabilities of the web portal impact price. The more robust the online features, the more they cost to develop, thus the more expensive to use.
  • Purchasing a GPS tracker may seem more expensive but it is always less expensive in the long run. It is similar to purchasing a car vs leasing it. Sometimes a lease makes sense or is simply preferred for the convenience. In the fleet management industry we call this a software as a service (SaaS) model. In a SaaS model you never own the tracker and must return it at the end of the relationship.

 

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Sample Employee GPS Tracking Policy
Sample employee gps tracking policy

Winter Driving

by | Mar 2, 2020 | Fleet Management

Winter Driving Best Practices

Driving during dangerous conditions can impact us personally and professionally. People die every year in private and commercial vehicles due to hazardous winter driving conditions. Is this mother natures fault or the drivers fault? In most cases accidents are avoidable. First of all, simply not to drive when the conditions are too bad. Similarly, we can choose to wait out a storm at a rest stop, and when we do drive, drive much slower to allow for more stopping distance. 99% of the time we have the power to determine the outcome by taking precautionary steps to avoid an accident. In some rare cases we are simply victims of someone else’s poor judgement.

Avoiding Dangerous Driving Conditions

Ideally, we can simply avoid dangerous driving conditions by not going out or driving around the hazardous areas. Fleetistics offers a Pro weather service which can predict areas of snowfall, black ice and high winds with a high degree of probability. Waiting 1-2 hours at a rest stop or taking an alternate route after the worst weather has passed could mean avoiding a massive pile up. In situations where you simply feel compelled to drive in bad conditions following winter driving best practices can reduce your chances of being involved in a significant accident.

 

Two Rules To Live By

There are two very simple things you can avoid doing to reduce your chances of becoming involved in an accident. If you remember nothing but these two things they could be what brings you home safe at night to your family.

 

Driving Too Fast

By driving too fast you reduce your reaction time. The decision making process is condensed and your ability to weight your options is also limited. Secondly, the severity of the accident is going to be compounded. In a big truck this means a higher potential to kill people around you and to damage your load.

 

Following Too Close

With more stopping distance you can reduce your speed and make better decisions. If you cannot stop in your lane you have more time to consider options such as changing lanes or going off the road. Sometimes hitting an object at a slight angle is safer than swerving off the road altogether.

Current & Future Weather

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Guide to Winter Driving

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Winter Driving Techniques and Training Guide

Infrastructure Health and Safety Association, 2014
Visit ihsa.ca

Winter Driving Safety Guide – Canada

The Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA) created a guide to help remind drivers of the basic and important steps to driving safe during winter conditions. Canadians are some of the most qualified drivers in winter conditions. The below outline shows the major topics of the guide. Consider printing and distributing the guide on an annual basis and look into classroom training. It is a nice break from the routine and helps drivers focus on being safe. When everyone drives accident free, everyone and the company wins.

 

Prepare For Winter

The Six Primary Hazards of Winter Driving

Techniques for Skillful Winter Driving

Emergency Vehicles

National Safety Council – USA

 

Fleetistics is a certified National Safety Council training partner located in sunny Tampa Florida. The Defensive Driving Course (DDC) is taught monthly and is available to companies for onsite training. Students successfully completing the course receive a certificate recognized nationally by almost all organizations, including the Courts.

Learn More about NSC DDC Training
GO9 GPS Vehicle Tracking with Telematics

GPS Vehicle Tracking and Telematics

 

To keep vehicles safe Fleetistics provides GPS fleet tracking solutions which provide vehicle use data. Winter driving can be studied, rules created and exceptions generated that enable fleet managers to spot drivers who have not adjusted their driving behaviors for winter driving conditions. By correcting the behavior or routing around hazardous winter driving conditions, fleet can be safe and arrive on-time.

 

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