How Can Tracking Equipment Save You Money?

by | Aug 25, 2022 | Fleet Management, GPS Tracking

Tracking equipment is an often overlooked segment of a total asset tracking and management program. It can be a massive task that can take hours, if not days. You may be familiar with the frustration of searching for lost equipment. Like most people, you don’t like doing it.  

But we have good news! 

The best way to monitor your assets has changed over the years. If you are still using pen and paper or software spreadsheets to manage your equipment, it’s time to modernize your approach. You may think the old ways work, but you’re losing money and time while the competition sweeps you off your feet.

If you want to discover how you can save money by tracking equipment with GPS and telematics software, then you’re in the right place.

Time is Money

Equipment tracking makes it easy to monitor your property and helps you get the most out of them. Your business can benefit greatly from an asset management solution like Fleetistics Asset Tracking because it helps your team watch a wide range of assets in real-time. That piece of equipment might be as close as a few miles away or as far away as several states. 

Finding missing equipment the old way takes too long, and those moments could be spent doing important tasks. Instead of wasting time calling around and doing the legwork to track down your equipment, when you use GPS tracking and telematics systems, all you need to do is check your dashboard and view its current GPS location.

The hours you save by immediately finding your assets make your team more productive. After all, the less time your assets float in limbo, the more they will be used to get another job done. 

With live data and analysis, tracking equipment is easy!

Trailer Tracker Asset Tracker

Keeping Better Records

Many businesses struggle to keep accurate records, and one human error can cost you hundreds if not thousands of dollars. 

But with equipment tracking software, you can save revenue by keeping perfect records. The information you collect will help you to run your fleet better. 

Managing a fleet demands meticulous record-keeping, including:  

  • What equipment you own
  • Financial Investment
  • Age
  • Total use
  • Mileage
  • Operating time
  • What’s been rented out
  • Who is responsible for the asset
  • Maintenance scheduling & performance
  • Damages
  • Repairs
  • Location
  • Destination

Now you don’t have to continue tracking equipment through long logs and piles of data. Keeping track of your assets and those changes is easier with the aid of GPS tracking and telematics systems. This data may be used to improve productivity and maintenance by calculating only what matters to you.

Geo Zones - Geofences

Prevent Loss and Theft with Tracking Equipment

Equipment tracking software can offer huge savings by lowering the risk of loss. The National Equipment Register (NER) estimates that construction equipment thefts are worth $300 million to $1 billion annually. Replacing expensive equipment can take an enormous toll on your yearly ROI. 

However, with a GPS tracker, you always know where your assets are. And when you use telematics software, all of your assets are always accessible. 

Using equipment tracking technology helps fleet managers have more control and awareness of how their assets are being used. 

Take, for instance, geofencing – you may designate certain zones where your equipment should be allowed, and the system sends notifications when those borders are crossed. This lets fleet managers know exactly where their equipment was and when, as well as where it is right now. 

This precise monitoring significantly decreases the chance of loss or theft.

Equipment Tracking in Tampa Bay with Fleetistics Solutions

Using advanced technology from Fleetistics to keep track of your assets is a priceless tool that can make your company more efficient and profitable. Tracking equipment using GPS tracking and telematics software guarantees that you are always up-to-date on what is going on and have complete control over the usage of all of your equipment.  

With that kind of power in your hands, you not only have full authority over your equipment but even more control over where your money is going. Speak to a friendly representative at Fleetists today to discuss what solutions are best for your business.

 

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Do You Protect Your Commercial Vehicles From a Staged Accident?

by | Aug 18, 2022 | Fleet Management

It’s a normal work day until a car recklessly turns into your lane and hits your commercial vehicle. When you both pull over to exchange insurance, they’re holding their neck and shouting at everyone nearby that you hit them.

You are the victim of a staged accident. 

As the police pull up, the other driver eagerly tells them a tall tale about how you “came out of nowhere and hit them.” They go on to insult your competence and claim that you may have been sleeping behind the wheel.

When the officer approaches you, you inform him that you have a telematics system, including a dashcam that captured what happened, and you are not at fault.

This is how you protect your commercial vehicles from a staged accident. 

Criminals look for drivers they believe are well-insured or easy targets and create elaborate plans to make an accident appear to be your fault. The scene can be so convincing that everyone sides with them, and your insurance has to pay for their “injuries” and vehicle damage.

Protect yourself against fraud like a staged accident

What is Insurance Fraud?

Insurance fraud is a serious threat for anyone, but businesses have more to lose. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, commercial vehicles are a prime target because they are more likely to be covered by a quality insurance plan. Knowing your driver is well-insured provides criminals with the perfect recipe to make a fraudulent insurance claim or sue your business. 

Some businesses have even removed branding from their vehicles altogether to protect their drivers! But in some jurisdictions, commercial vehicles are required by law to display the company name,business license number.

Who are the Frauds?

You may be surprised by who actually commits something like a staged accident! They are not performed by a con man faced with poverty but white collar business women and men. 

The FBI states that fraud (like a staged accident) is often practiced by an organized group of attorneys, medical practitioners, and insurance brokers, agents, or executives. These criminals are closely connected with insurance claims and can leverage the system to make money. Occasionally, repair shop owners will participate in this type of scheme too.

This is why the FBI also suggests that you should be wary if a stranger approaches you at the accident site and recommends a certain attorney or suggests that you seek medical attention from a specific doctor. These are warning signs that you are involved in a staged accident. 

fraud and staged accident protection

How Does Telematics Systems Protect Against a Staged Accident?

There are many areas that might be left open to interpretation during the claims process, either due to misunderstanding or fraud. However, the data that GPS tracking and telematics software provide will paint a clear picture for law enforcement and your insurance company.

So, what type of information can telematics systems offer up as evidence in the case of a staged accident?

  • Speed
  • Acceleration
  • Brake Data
  • Cornering
  • Vehicle Position
  • GPS Location
  • Seatbelt On/Off
  • Engine Status
  • RPM
  • Date
  • Time
  • In Cab Video Footage
  • Dash Cam Video Footage

Fleet tracking technology and software are used in collision reconstruction to better understand the events that took place before, during, and after a collision occurs. Because telematics data is science, it is extremely valuable.

Through real-time monitoring of vehicle and driver data, telematics systems offer businesses hard evidence surrounding an accident. The information recorded becomes a crucial tool to protect your drivers and your company. 

Preventing Accidents with Safe Practices

Although there are times when we can’t avoid an accident, the risk of being involved in a staged accident can be diminished with defensive driving tactics and safe practices. Good driving behavior can prevent a collision in most cases, even when criminals are plotting against you. 

Catching your driver’s bad behavior before it results in an accident and correcting it is key.  

Telematics data that are recorded and reported to your fleet management team may include:

  • Tailgating
  • Cell Phone Use
  • Hard Braking
  • Hard Cornering
  • Fast Acceleration
  • Speeding
  • And more…

Through driver coaching or training, your company can build a safe driving team that rarely experiences accidents, whether they are staged or not. With the Fleetistics GO Talk coaching system, our technology speaks directly to your driver to curb bad behavior on the spot! Make your messages as serious or playful as you want to, depending on your teaching style. Or use our automatic feedback buzzer as a simple warning.

GPS Tracking and Telematics Systems for Businesses in Tampa Bay, Florida, and Beyond

Quick overturns and training classes can be expensive. Cut your costs and gain employee loyalty by developing your team and protecting them. Teach drivers how to be safe without hovering over their shoulder, and defend them when they are the target of fraud with Fleetistics help!

If you live in the Tampa Bay area and own commercial vehicles, you need to learn more about Fleetistics GPS Tracking and Telematics Systems. Contact us today to discover what we can do to help protect you from a staged accident.

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4 Great Benefits of Including a Camera with Your In Vehicle Monitoring System (IVMS)

by | Aug 3, 2022 | Fleet Management

Whether it is an advanced telematics system, a Global Positioning System (GPS), or simply an app for a smartphone or tablet, having something to collect and report data is extremely beneficial to your business. These electronic devices are referred to as “in vehicle monitoring system” or “IVMS” for short. IVMS are used to sense and send data about the activities of a vehicle and the behavior of the driver.

Today, we will be focusing on one of the most effective electronic devices for in vehicle monitoring – the camera. If you have ever wondered who was to blame for a collision or if your employees are driving safely, a camera will offer you accurate answers and peace of mind. 

When you have a dashcam that records outside and in your company vehicles, it can provide you with more access to your drivers’ behavior than ever before. In this article, you will discover four incredible ways that a camera included with your in vehicle monitoring system can improve your business.

CrewChief T2 Dashcam Night Vision IR

1. Help New Drivers Improve

Dashcams and cab-facing cameras allow fleet management teams to receive unparalleled insight. Live footage of their assets and staff can be clearly monitored and recorded for future review. 

Crystal-clear, HD video is an invaluable addition to any in vehicle monitoring system because it reveals a deeper understanding of the data. When driver behavior is risky, it’s easier to sit down with your staff and show them a video than a report sheet. 

An employee cannot deny their own actions caught on camera. Paired with a positive attitude to succeed, the evidence can be used as a learning tool.

Knowing that the camera is always rolling may be worrisome to new drivers, but with supportive guidance and training, they can grow to appreciate it. 

Sometimes it’s hard for new drivers to catch their own mistakes; However, when they see it on screen, it’s impossible to deny. Once they have accepted their bad habits, they can begin to make a conscious effort to remedy them.

2. Cut Training Costs

If you invest in driver evaluations and training, you might give all your drivers the same training. But the cost of that training can be substantial. 

Since in vehicle monitoring systems allow you to continuously monitor driver behavior, you can determine which drivers require training and which ones don’t. Systems using artificial intelligence identify and store the events of interest so you don’t have to comb through hours of video to learn what you need to address. You can also identify what specific areas drivers need more training in to create a strong team of skilled, efficient, and safe employees. 

IVMS with cameras can help you to tailor training around your drivers’ needs. When you customize lessons to their personal skill set, you reduce company costs and increase your entire team’s proficiency.

In-Cab Video System for Fleet Management

3. Eliminate Fraudulent Claims

When collisions occur, dashcam footage can provide hard evidence of who is at fault. You can see exactly how your staff was driving before the incident and if he or she was wearing their seatbelt, texting, or nodding off. 

You can review the video of the crash itself to decide who was to blame and give it to your insurance company to prove it. If your drivers are innocent and fraudulent claims are made, the recorded video footage can give you the edge you need to be found innocent in court.  

This is a big reason why many insurance companies will provide special discounts to businesses that use in vehicle monitoring systems to collect data about fleets and their driving behavior.

4. Increase Employee Morale

When putting in place new systems for monitoring vehicles, it is essential to have an open dialogue about the expectations your company has. Demonstrate to your staff how this contributes to their safety, and then develop a program based on it.

Involve your drivers and present a positive view of the cameras. They are a tool that can assist them in becoming better drivers and protect them from being a victim of fraud.

Inspire them to exhibit positive behavior, and be sure to acknowledge their successes. Establish both group and individual goals for your drivers to present them with a challenge and the opportunity to earn rewards.

In Vehicle Monitoring System Near Me

If you are interested in installing an IVMS in your commercial vehicles in the Tampa Bay Area or anywhere in the US, contact Fleetistics today! We will speak with you about your needs and tailor a solution to suit your company. If you have any questions or concerns, we will be happy to address them and help you to decide how telematics systems can benefit your business.

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How Can Telematics Reduce the Dangerous Risk of Driver Fatigue?

by | Aug 3, 2022 | GPS Tracking and Telematics, Risk and Safety

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) driver fatigue causes 100,000 collisions per year which leads to the injury of over 40,000 people. More than 1,500 lives are lost. 

Even more concerning is the fact that this number is only an estimate. Why? Because law enforcement may overlook driver fatigue as the cause of many accidents.

Is your fleet management team staying on top of driver fatigue? Without telematics software, it’s difficult to keep track of driver hours and when (or if) they take their breaks. 

Your drivers can easily comply with the United States Department of Transportation through the use of customizable fatigue management reporting tools. These tools are made possible by fleet GPS monitoring, known as telematics software. By adjusting your business’s tools to meet the requirements of specific fatigue legislation you can feel at ease knowing that your drivers will be alerted when they need to take their breaks.

blurred vision from driver fatigue

What is Driver Fatigue?

Driver fatigue is a state of being very tired, drowsy, or worn out, which makes it hard to concentrate. This causes drivers to have a delayed reaction when split-second decisions may be the difference between life and death. When tiredness makes it hard to make quick decisions on the road, ‭everyone’s safety is threatened.

Fatigue can happen to the best of us. What’s most important is that we identify the reasons and catch the signs before it’s too late.

Driver fatigue can be caused by:

  • Physical exhaustion
  • Inconsistent sleep patterns
  • Insufficient naps or breaks
  • Medication that causes drowsiness
  • Health problems or disorders

Noticing the signs of driver fatigue can help to save lives. According to the CDC, its effects are much like being under the influence of alcohol. Drivers should pull over and rest immediately if they experience:

  • Disorientation
  • Lack of focus
  • Microsleeps
  • Loss of peripheral awareness
  • Forgetfulness
  • Drifting lanes
  • Delayed reactions

Driver Fatigue Legislation

Maximum driving and work hours are set for commercial truck drivers by the US Department of Transportation, but this doesn’t take into account other commercial vehicles. Your drivers may not have any regulations guiding them through safe practices. 

But the good news is a fatigue risk management system (FRMS) can help any business fight driver fatigue. Fleetistics telematics software is your greatest ally when forming an FRMS by offering your fleet management real-time data and your drivers easy and accurate reporting.

reducing risk of driver fatigue with telematics

Fleetistics Telematics Software Solutions for Driver Fatigue

The majority of GPS tracking and telematics hardware is hosted by software that can determine the time and distance of a journey, but it can do so much more.

Fleetistics software can:

  • Alert the driver and office when vehicles are driven for an excessive amount of time
  • Alert for breaks/rests
  • Provide electronic logs/reporting to record hours on the road and break times.
  • Identify distracted driving behavior
  • Identify impaired driving behavior
  • Monitor speed
  • Catch hard braking

In addition, we highly recommend that you install dashcams and cab-facing cams in your commercial vehicles. This will allow you to record and save video of an accident for insurance purposes (and in the case of a lawsuit). Accident reconstruction telematics and liability can give you crucial information that could save you thousands if not millions of dollars. 

Vehicle cameras can also help your fleet management team to monitor drivers in real-time for visible signs of trouble. From nodding off to yawning excessively, these indications of driver fatigue cannot be caught through technology alone. But a keen eye can make a huge difference. 

If you’re ready to start your own fatigue risk management system and want the assistance of technology to make it easier, talk to a Fleetistics representative today. We can answer all of your questions, including if fleet management solutions are right for your business. 

You can combat driver fatigue effectively, and Fleetistics can help!

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Improved Fleet Management Operations with Reporting

by | Jul 28, 2022 | Fleet Management

A better grasp on your fleet management operations is rooted in a deeper understanding of your commercial vehicles. This will allow you to cut expenses while also increasing the effectiveness and productivity of your business’ operations. 

But how can you get the information? By using effective telematics reporting.

What is Effective Reporting? 

Flexible reporting customization allows you to tailor the information you receive to match your company’s needs. GPS telematics reporting can offer you a clear picture of your fleet’s productivity by allowing you to compare your fleet’s day-to-day activities. These can help you to identify areas of focus that can improve your drivers’ speed, performance, and profit. 

The challenge for fleet management operations is recognizing which information is valuable and why. Fleet managers may achieve this with thorough reporting with Fleetistics.

Fleet management operations

Reporting Safety

Some of the most dangerous driving habits include: 

  • Speeding
  • No Seatbelt
  • Cell Phone Use
  • Harsh Braking
  • Fast Acceleration

Your telematics system with Fleetistics will provide you with critical data on your drivers’ behavior. The reports can help you to guide your drivers to develop better habits that keep everyone safer. 

In addition, you may use telematics reporting to see how well a particular driver is improving after you have spoken to them or given them additional training. 

Some drivers may find it useful because it brings awareness to unconscious habits. They may not know they practice unsafe driving behaviors until you bring it to their attention. As they make a conscious effort to correct those behaviors, reports offer an accurate assessment of how well they are doing.

Track Vehicle Health

Knowing the health of your vehicles can help you to budget more accurately and reduce financial strain, which is a decided benefit for your fleet management operations When you take the time to observe patterns in the repairs you’ve received in the past, it can assist you to plan ahead for the future. By predicting when they will happen, you will reduce the frequency of unexpected commercial vehicle maintenance and eliminate the negative impact it can have on your business. 

Repairs don’t have to be a surprise. You can learn a lot about the health of your commercial vehicle and be easily notified of necessary repairs or regular maintenance requirements.

With Fleetistics’ telematics reporting, you don’t have to depend on your drivers to tell you about noises, smells, or other signs of trouble. You will be alerted if the tire air pressure changes, you need an oil change, or your engine is getting too hot. This also helps your company to stay on top of repairs and maintenance that could develop into more expensive problems if ignored.

Fleet Management Operations with Reporting

Increase Productivity with Reporting

By improving your uptime, you get the most out of your vehicles. To minimize downtime and maximize your ROI, vehicles must be continually moving.

Keep your fleet “right-sized”  as much as possible by considering the time spent:

  • Arrivals 
  • Departure
  • Travel Duration
  • Idle Vehicles
  • Stopped/Unused Vehicles

With these in mind, telematics reporting can provide your fleet management operations with vital information that’s easy to sort through and benefit from.

Use this data to:

  • Optimize Fuel Use
  • Avoid Traffic
  • Schedule Employees
  • Find Better Routes
  • Change Driver Behavior

Fleet Management Operations with Reporting in Tampa Bay

Every day as a fleet manager, there is a lot of data that you have to process.  A lot of work goes into arranging and planning how to use this data to help your business grow and develop. Fleet management software may help you with your planning by providing you with detailed reports that explain only what you need. 

When you use Fleetistics management reporting, you can choose what information you want to monitor and what you don’t. Whether you want a real-time report of your driver’s performance and vehicle’s health or you have a specific goal to accomplish, Fleetistics telematics reports can help you to reach your business goals. Get in touch with one of our experts today. 

 

Contact us today! 855.300.0527
Vehicle & Asset Telematics

Electronic Forms

Mobile Viewing

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GEotab GO9 GPS Vehicle Tracking
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GEotab GO9 GPS Vehicle Tracking
Electronic Forms

Fleet Management Platform
Mobile Viewing

Mobile Phone GPS Tracking App
Routing

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