The Role IoT Plays in Fleet Management

As a fleet manager, you may have been hearing conversations about The Internet of Things for years now, but as this technology continues to improve, an IoT-enabled fleet is becoming more of a reality with remarkable benefits.

If you are interested in learning more about how IoT can improve your fleet management strategy, keep reading, and Contact MiX by Powerfleet today to speak with our team about how our telematics platforms can help you improve your business.

What Is the Internet of Things?

The Internet of Things, also commonly referred to as IoT, is a broad term that describes the connectivity of physical objects and devices to the internet. This means that these objects are able to collect and share data about themselves and their surroundings to a central hub. These data points are then presented in a custom dashboard for a fleet manager to use for making decisions about their operation.

Who Will Benefit From IoT?

The benefits of a fully-connected network of "things" are substantial, and as this technology becomes more affordable, it continues to find its way into industries that are primed for innovative improvements. One such industry is fleet management. For years, fleet management has relied on GPS tracking (and manual reporting) to gain insights into the location and movements of vehicles. However, with the advent of IoT, we are now seeing a new wave of solutions that leverage this technology to provide even greater visibility and control for industries that include Oil and Gas, Mining, Construction, Transport and Logistics, Field Services, and more.

The Internet of Things, Fleet Management, and Telematics: A Perfect Match

IoT-enabled devices can be installed on vehicles to collect analytics data about their surroundings and share it with a central fleet management system. This data can include everything from the current location of the vehicle to its speed and fuel level.

This real-time visibility into the status of each vehicle in the fleet can be used to make more informed decisions about routing, maintenance, and even driver behavior — on the fly. In the past, fleet operators may only learn about drivers' behaviors through angry phone calls from others on the road, but with an IoT-enabled fleet vehicle, a manager will be able to correct these behaviors in real time. As AI continues to integrate into fleet management, these behaviors can be corrected with zero human intervention.

In addition to providing better visibility into the fleet, IoT can also be used to trigger certain actions automatically. For example, if a vehicle is low on fuel, the fleet management system can automatically dispatch a nearby refueling truck. Or, if a vehicle is involved in an accident, the system can automatically notify emergency services. Again, tasks and decisions that formerly required hands-on human control can now be offloaded, giving managers more time to focus on expanding their business and providing exceptional customer service.

The possibilities are endless, and as IoT devices become more affordable and widespread, we expect to see even more fleet management solutions that leverage this technology.

How IoT Is Modernizing Transportation and Logistics

IoT is quickly being adopted by industries like transportation and logistics. By providing a more accurate and real-time view of what's happening in a fleet, IoT-enabled devices are making it easier than ever for managers to make informed decisions about all data-based functions of their business. In addition, IoT is also being used to automate certain processes, like refueling and emergency services notifications. As this technology becomes more affordable and widespread, we expect to see even more IoT-enabled fleet management solutions in the years to come.

The Benefits of Fleet Management

There are countless benefits of fleet management, and when paired with a comprehensive IoT tracking system and a data processing platform, fleet managers can fine-tune their fleet to save money, improve customer service, and more. The following are just some of the many different benefits that fleet management provides, whether or not IoT-enabled devices are utilized:

• Increased visibility into the fleet: By knowing the location of each vehicle at all times, fleet managers can optimize routes to save time and reduce fuel costs.
• Reduced maintenance costs: By using data collected by IoT devices, fleet managers can plan ahead for scheduled maintenance appointments and avoid costly repairs down the road.
• Improved driver safety: Fleet management systems that include GPS tracking, accelerometers, and other IoT telematics can help identify dangerous driving behaviors and help fleet managers take steps to improve driver safety.
• Enhanced customer service: Real-time visibility into the whereabouts of each vehicle in the fleet can help managers provide up-to-date information to customers about arrival times, delays, and more.

The Future of Fleet Management

As IoT devices become more affordable and widespread, we expect to see even more fleet management solutions that leverage this technology. In the future, we believe that IoT will play an even bigger role in fleet management, with more and more managers using these devices to collect data and make informed decisions. We also believe that the automation of processes like refueling and emergency services notification will become the norm, further streamlining the fleet management process.

If you're looking for a way to improve your fleet management, consider investing in IoT-enabled devices and solutions like those offered by MiX by Powerfleet. This technology is quickly modernizing the industry, and early adopters of this robust suite of technology will give themselves a tremendous head start into the next generation of fleet management systems that MiX by Powerfleet is proud to be leading the way on.

What Role Does Iot Play In Fleet Management?

IoT plays a vital role in fleet management by providing a more accurate and real-time view of what's happening in a fleet. Managers use this information to make informed decisions about routing, maintenance, and driver behavior. As this technology becomes more affordable and widespread, we expect to see even more IoT-enabled fleet management solutions in the future.

IoT devices are making it easier than ever for managers to make informed decisions about nearly every aspect of fleet management, and with an intuitive and simple dashboard that allows for granular examination of countless data points, fleet managers can take control over their fleet's operation like never before.

AI and IoT

In the future, IoT, telematics, and AI will play a big role in how fleet management systems evolve. When artificial intelligence is able to make data-based decisions in real time, it will allow for a level of automation and efficiency that hasn't been possible until now.

For example, if a truck is low on fuel, the AI system could automatically re-route it to the nearest gas station without any input from the driver or fleet manager. This is just one potential way that AI could revolutionize fleet management, and we're excited to see how this technology develops in the coming years.

If you want to stay ahead of the curve in fleet management, it's important to invest in IoT-enabled devices and solutions. This technology is quickly modernizing the industry, and early adopters of this robust suite of technology will give themselves a tremendous head start into the next generation of fleet management systems.

MiX by Powerfleet has is at the forefront of this rapidly evolving industry, and we're proud to offer a suite of IoT-enabled devices and solutions that are changing the way fleets operate. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you take your fleet management to the next level.