5 mins to read
How Smart Video Fuels Smart Business
Learn how video solutions with intelligent analysis capabilities can help benefit your drivers and enhance safety programs.
Read moreWhat is fleet monitoring?
Fleet monitoring systems enable managers to use data received from telematics devices such as GPS trackers to get real-time insight into driver behavior and asset management. They are proving to be a popular option for mobile workforces to improve vehicle utilization, monitor driver behavior, and improve security.
Before implementing a fleet monitoring or fleet management solution for your fleet, take a few minutes to understand how it can be used to manage workers and assets.
Fleet Monitoring Systems Overview
Fleet monitoring is a way to track the activity of a company’s mobile assets, normally using a GPS tracking unit fitted to the vehicle or equipment being tracked. The GPS unit regularly transmits the equipment or vehicle location using a built-in cellular or satellite connection. Most vehicle units will transmit in near real time - every two minutes but it can be more frequent, if required.
Data picked up by the device is transmitted to an internet server, where the information can then be processed and displayed to fleet managers via a secure website.
The GPS location data is accurate to within approximately one meter, but it can be affected by underground interference or problems with signal accuracy, such as urban canyoning. In these cases, a vehicle location can be approximated based on the direction, speed and road taken by the vehicle.
Information collected by vehicle GPS tracking devices can vary depending on the vehicle type, the fleet monitoring system being used, and fleet tracking software settings. Some data collected is very specific to the job. For example, a fleet monitoring system may use door sensors and reefer temperature monitors to maintain the integrity of a cold chain delivery service.
What data is collected by fleet monitoring systems?
Data collected from GPS fleet monitoring systems includes:
- Near real-time or real-time vehicle location monitoring; location is as precise as the GPS vehicle tracking system allows.
- Detailed, high-resolution maps showing the current status of all your fleet vehicles, workers and equipment.
- Driver behavior metrics - vehicle speed, harsh braking, hard acceleration, idle time, traffic data, and more.
- Vehicle health data - such as engine trouble codes, sensor alerts or triggers, and fuel consumption.
Next, we’ll cover the core benefits of using a fleet monitoring system for your business.
Improve customer satisfaction with fleet monitoring data
GPS fleet tracking is used by managers to get a clear picture of what everyone is doing, either in near real time or historically. This information can then be used to help mobile workers use their time more productively and be more responsive to customer requests, thus improving customer satisfaction.
Improve resource utilization with commercial fleet monitoring
Commercial fleet monitoring helps a business use its resources in the most profitable way possible. From fuel consumption to driver safety and behavior, fleet monitoring promotes an organized approach to work that improves efficiency.
- Fleet monitoring has proven to reduce fleet costs and miles driven while improving overall safety.1
- Expected benefits include a 25% drop in fuel costs, a 10% reduction in miles driven and a 15% increase in productivity.
Fleet monitoring solutions improve driver behavior and safety
Improving your safety record and the behavior of your drivers while they are on duty go hand in hand. Establishing a company culture centered on safety is the first step. Safety culture should include detailed policies for mobile workforce management that focus on reducing aggressive driving behaviors. Using driver scorecards and benchmarks you can show your drivers where they stand in terms of safety and even rank them amongst other drivers. Individual drivers will see the benefit in improving their driving records in relation to their PSP scores.
A company with a strong foundation of safe drivers with good PSP reports can positively impact CSA scores for a carrier. The FMCSA rates carriers with high CSA scores as being likely to be involved in an incident. Carriers with high scores can even receive warning letters or be forced to join intervention programs. When you invest in safety culture and a fleet tracking system, you are helping to protect your business from all angles.
Mobile Applications for Fleet Monitoring
Verizon Connect GPS fleet tracking mobile apps make commercial fleet monitoring easy on the go. Available on iOS and Android devices, our tracking solutions allows you to monitor your fleet regardless of if your fleet managers are in the office or out in the field. This BYOD solution gives you the right data, no matter where you are:
- 360-view of daily operations
- Near real-time vehicle tracking and asset tracking
- Transparency into worker behavior
- Works for large and small fleets
- User friendly design that makes adoption easy
- Address vehicle maintenance issues early on with vehicle diagnostics
- Secure and protect
Using Verizon Connect to comply with DOT, DVIR and the ELD mandate
Verizon Connect has GPS fleet tracking solutions that capture all necessary and required data for maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations. You can simplify drivers’ obligations and reduce paperwork using our compliance solutions for DOT, DVIR, and the ELD mandate. Learn more about our solutions for:
Adding a fleet monitoring system to your mobile workforce can help you identify areas for greater productivity, safety improvements, compliance solutions, and cost savings. You don’t know what you can’t see - and fleet monitoring gives you visibility into your entire operation. Get a free demo from Verizon Connect and in 15 minutes you’ll see how our fleet management software can best fit your needs.
1 Benefits After Effective Deployment of Fleet Management System” Frost & Sullivan 2015