The Best Trailer Tracking Solutions for Your Fleet Company

The next step is deciphering the plethora of available information to determine the validity of a particular solution and whether it will help you to run your business more efficiently. From tedious chat forums, to a ton of technical documentation, making informed business decisions is an imperative that shouldn’t take up unnecessary time and energy.

It’s for this reason that we’ve rooted out 3 key factors to assist you when choosing the best solution for your business.

1. Define Your Needs Before You Commit

Are your trailers able to provide reliable power, or do you need a solution that’s purely battery-operated? There are options that can cater for either scenario, but make sure you understand your trailer-fleet requirements first so that you don’t waste your time looking at half of the products available that actually won’t meet your needs. Good suppliers tend to have multiple options and you don’t want to get caught using different devices from different suppliers. Consider the lifespan of your batteries and how often you may need to replace them. This too has a bearing on the overall cost of ownership. Good suppliers should be equipped to provide battery-powered solutions with amazing longevity.

2. Why Do People Buy a Trailer Track System?

Typically, customers want to improve the utilization of their trailers to get the most out of their investment. Trailers standing idle are no good to the bottom line, ideally they need to be out in the field delivering valuable cargo on time. A good trailer-tracking solution not only illustrates all movement, but it also records the time that a trailer is not in use.

Good reporting tools are essential in understanding the data - agile graphs and dashboards are a must. Another really important consideration is to ensure a supplier can provide a solution that shows you when the trailer doors are opened. Pair this insight with a defined geo-zone policy and you’ve got an automated unloading authorisation report at your fingertips. Last but not least, the identified solution should also be able to track stolen trailers at any given time.

3. How Do I Get More Return on My Investment?

Price is important, but value is the ultimate measure. Most often, clients have a whole array of mobile assets alongside their trailers, whether it’s trucks, vans or company cars, or even other kinds of high-value assets. You’d be better off (over the long term) considering suppliers that can meet all of your fleet management needs now and in the foreseeable future. A supplier that can provide an array of solutions for all of your mobile assets is by far the best investment you’re going to make. A trailer track system in the form of a bundled package is bound to provide you with long-term cost savings and service for your fleet management company. Be mindful to stay clear of suppliers that cannot show you how they will look after you once you’ve signed up with them. As for case studies and any client testimonials that they can share.

Consider the leader in trailer tracking solutions - MiX Asset Manager is in a class of its own. 

Yes, you must use electronic logging devices (ELD) to comply with the ELD Mandate. And, yes, you will have to invest quite a bit of time and money in transitioning to an ELD system that fulfils all the regulations outlined in the FMCSA's Final Rule. But, as we've said in an earlier post, there are plenty of benefits that come from moving from paper and pen to web and wireless technology.

The FMCSA has set out the following basic requirements that all ELDs need to fill. These are the features you need to look for:

1. Engine synchronization

Engine synchronization for purposes of ELD compliance means that the monitoring of the vehicle's engine operation to automatically capture the engine's power status, vehicle's motion status, miles driven value, and engine hours value when the commercial motor vehicle's (CMV) engine is powered. CMVs older than model year 2000, as indicated by the vehicle identification number (VIN), are exempted.

2. Recording location data

When it comes to recording location information, the FMCSA requires ELD data records, including location data, when the driver changes duty status, when a driver indicates personal use or yard moves, when the CMV engine powers up and shuts down, and at 60-minute intervals when the vehicle is in motion.  In addition, the FMCSA requires all ELDs to record locations in a way that provides an accuracy of approximately a 1-mile radius during on-duty driving periods. However, when a CMV is operated for authorized personal use, the position reporting accuracy is reduced to an approximate 10-mile radius, to further protect the driver's privacy. As it relates to location information captured for each change of duty status, an ELD must convert automatically captured vehicle position in latitude/longitude co-ordinates into geo-location information, indicating approximate distance and direction to an identifiable location corresponding to the name of a nearby city, town, or village, with a State abbreviation. Geo-location information must be derived from a database that contains all cities, towns, and villages with a population of 5,000 or greater.  Lastly, ELDs provide the ability for a driver to enter location information related to entry of missing records and provides the ability to accommodate temporary positioning service interruptions or outage without setting positioning malfunctions.

3. Device synchronization

Devices must be synchronized to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), with no deviations above 10 minutes.

4. Tamper-resistant

Electronic logging devices must be tamper-proof, to prevent any alteration or removal of any data collected. Specifically, no driver or motor carrier may disable, deactivate, disengage, jam, or otherwise block or degrade a signal transmission or reception, or reengineer, reprogram, or otherwise tamper with an automatic on-board recording device or ELD so that the device does not accurately record and retain required data. Tampering with an ELD is also an acute violation under the FMCSA's safety rating processes. The ELD must support data integrity check functions.

5. Ability to present a graph grid

ELDs must be able to present a graph grid of driver's daily duty status changes either on a display or on a printout during a roadside inspection.

6. Unidentified driver warnings

ELDs must warn drivers of unidentified driver profiles upon login.Unidentified driver refers to the operation of a CMV featuring an ELD without an authenticated driver logging in the system.

7. Transferring of data

As a minimum, the ELD must transfer data via both wireless web services and wireless email, or via both USB 2.0 and Bluetooth. Both ELD types must be able to display standard data to safety officials via display or printout.

8. Monitoring compliance

ELDs must have the capability to monitor their own compliance (engine connectivity, timing, positioning, etc.) for detectable malfunctions and data inconsistencies. ELDs must record these occurrences. In addition, motor carriers must take corrective action within eight days of discovering the malfunction of an ELD, or notification of the malfunction by the driver, whichever comes first. If a motor carrier needs additional time to repair, replace, or service one or more ELD, they must request an extension of time from the FMCSA.

9. Driving time must be automatically calculated

The FMCSA continues to believe that a speed threshold is the best way to determine accurate motion (i.e.: driving time). The FMCSA declined to create an alternate threshold that relies upon distance. Once the vehicle speed exceeds the set speed threshold of no more than 5 miles per hour, it must be considered in motion.

How To Get Started with Fleet Risk Assessment

Before knowing what measures (or policies) to put in place, however, an evaluation or risk assessment for vehicles should be conducted. Here are three steps you can follow:

Step 1: Identify Hazards

A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm such as work materials, equipment, work methods, poor work design or exposure to chemicals, noise or vibration.

Step 2: Assess the Risks of Injury or Harm

A risk is the chance, whether it be high or low, that somebody may be harmed.

• Identify the risks associated with each vehicle and activity. What could potentially happen in a situation?
• Identify the people who may be harmed. This could include employees, customers, contractors and members of the public.

Also consider:

• Construction on the road, extreme weather and time of day, for example.

• Whether vehicles are being used correctly. For example, is the vehicle set up for the specific load it is carrying?
• How likely it is for a hazard to cause harm and how serious that harm will be. This will help prioritize risks.

• Previous accidents, incidents or near misses.

When assessing risk, remember to consult with people like drivers and other employees as they may recognize potential problems or solutions you wouldn’t.

Step 3: Control the Risk

Make sure you know what controls are currently in place, then decide whether they are good enough or require improvement to prevent accidents or injuries.

Within this step, you need to use the information that your fleet risk assessment has provided to develop an in-depth telematics policy. This policy will go on to help you manage risks better and have a future reference point for how vehicles and drivers need to be managed and protected.

How To Setup your Telematics Policy

We have used our decades of experience in creating telematics policies and our status as safety experts to develop a comprehensive white paper that explores the essential elements you need for such a policy as well as how to successfully implement a risk assessment for vehicles. As a fleet manager, when you need to improve the fleet safety, get in touch with MiX by Powerfleet today.

As any fleet manager will tell you, fleet telematics for fleet management is increasingly becoming an indispensable tool for automated cost-efficient operations. From accurately tracking your fleet vehicles to driver behaviour and maintenance alerts, fleet telematics systems offer a plethora of features that make the job not just easier but more efficient.

Fleet Telematics offers GPS tracking features that give you insight into how well your fleet is optimised so that you can make better decisions about what to change or improve. Here are 20 key features to look for in your fleet telematics system.

Visibility Via GPS

Fleet telematics with GPS tracking gives you visibility into your vehicle’s location and movements in real-time. This tracking system lets you monitor journeys and vehicles from start to finish. The system can generate exceptions and send you real-time notification of your fleet vehicle’s position, whether it is stationary or moving, and which driver is behind the wheel. You can view information on speeding, driving direction, ignition status, driving violations, past trips, and more. You also get information on where they stop and for how long. This can increase productivity, improve customer service, and increase overall fleet efficiency.

A deep-dive into GPS Visibility

The Benefits of Geo-fencing

In the realm of GPS visibility, one standout feature that significantly enhances fleet management is geo-fencing. With MiX's GPS Tracking solutions, fleet managers can define custom geofences based on specific geographic boundaries. This sophisticated feature empowers businesses to receive alerts and notifications the moment vehicles or assets enter or exit designated areas. 

Beyond location tracking, geo-fencing adds a layer of security, compliance, and efficiency to fleet operations. Whether it's monitoring restricted zones or safeguarding assets in specific locations, this capability proves instrumental. The real-time awareness provided by geo-fencing to the safety of assets and drivers allows for proactive decision-making, ultimately leading to a more secure and streamlined fleet management process.

Analysing Historical Data

Delving deeper into the GPS visibility toolkit, historical data emerges as a cornerstone for optimising fleet operations. MiX by Powerfleet goes beyond tracking by offering a comprehensive suite of reports and analytics that provide valuable insights into various aspects of your fleet's performance. From driver behaviour and fuel consumption to trip history, MiX's solution empowers fleet managers with a wealth of historical data. 

Analysing past routes and driver behaviours becomes a strategic asset in refining operational efficiency. This data-driven approach enables businesses to identify patterns, optimise routes, and make informed decisions to enhance overall fleet performance. By leveraging historical data through MiX by Powerfleet, fleet managers not only gain a clearer understanding of their operations but also pave the way for continuous improvement and increased efficiency in their fleet management strategies.

Enhancing Real-Time Communication

Powerful software allows operators to not only track but to manage, monitor, and measure the performance of their vehicles and drivers and be notified, in real-time, about events, deviations, infringements, or impending dangers. These streams can be user-defined and contain information about events as well as messages to and from the connected asset and/or driver. For priority trips, you can undock a stream and keep it while navigating the rest of the application.

Seamless Driver-Fleet Manager Communication

In the landscape of fleet telematics, fostering seamless communication between drivers and fleet managers is paramount for ensuring efficient and responsive operations. The MyMiX Driver App makes this possible by facilitating live communication with mobile workers. This powerful app enables fleet operators to broadcast messages to either single or all mobile workers at any time. 

The ability to establish instant and direct communication channels proves invaluable for addressing real-time challenges and disseminating crucial information. Whether optimising routes, providing critical updates, or addressing specific driver concerns, this feature ensures that communication flows seamlessly, contributing to heightened operational efficiency. By integrating such communication tools into fleet telematics, businesses can create a more agile and responsive ecosystem, where timely information exchange is a key driver of success in the dynamic world of fleet management.

Prioritising Emergency Communication

In the realm of emergency response fleet management, real-time communication becomes a lifeline in emergencies. The ability to communicate instantly can be a critical factor in addressing unforeseen challenges, accidents, or urgent scenarios. Fleet telematics, equipped with effective driver-operator communication features, provides a vital link during critical moments. Whether it's coordinating emergency response efforts, or ensuring the safety of mobile workers, the immediacy of communication becomes a strategic asset. 

The integration of real-time emergency communication into fleet telematics not only enhances the safety of drivers and assets but also reinforces the preparedness of fleet managers to respond promptly and effectively to unforeseen circumstances. In emergencies, every second counts, and the power of instantaneous communication becomes a cornerstone in safeguarding both personnel and assets.

Making the Most of Driver Data

How do you get the most out of your data? Robust, customizable reporting. Choosing a fleet telematics system with the robust reports you need and the ability to customise reports is key to seeing your data and using it to make decisions. Fleet Telematics collects a ton of data. Using a system that provides robust, actionable reports lets you see the relevant information you need to make the best decisions for your fleet.

Look for a system that lets you review and analyse data in dynamic and customizable formats. They should include movement, location, trips, and utilisation as well as fuel consumption, cost analytics, driver scoring, and event violations.

Rewards Systems

In the quest to maximise the value of driver data, implementing reward systems is a game-changer. 

By seamlessly integrating reward systems into the fabric of fleet telematics, businesses can not only incentivize safe driving behaviours but also cultivate a positive and motivated driver community, contributing to overall safety, employee satisfaction, and a more efficient fleet management strategy.

Asset Management Beyond Vehicles

Asset management software can help you easily oversee all of your assets. On the surface, it might appear as though this type of software only tracks and locates assets, with the main benefit being security. However, this is merely the tip of the iceberg. Asset management software has many benefits that may not be immediately apparent but provide equal value to any fleet manager. Fleet telematics asset management can help you with inventory management, maintenance, and service scheduling, compliance with fleet licensing and certification requirements, and more.

Tracking Non-Vehicle Assets

Effective fleet management goes beyond vehicles, and one crucial feature to look out for is the ability to track non-vehicle assets. MiX Asset Manager stands out by offering superior protection for a diverse range of assets, whether mobile or fixed, with or without a dedicated power source, and spanning various industries. Unlike manual systems, MiX Asset Manager introduces an automatic, electronic registry of assets, providing real-time insights into their statuses and whereabouts. The tracking module offers a comprehensive view of a vehicle or asset's position, whether stationary or in motion, along with details about the driver at the helm. This includes information on speed, driving direction, driving violations, past trips, and more. 

The ability to seamlessly integrate non-vehicle asset tracking into fleet telematics ensures that businesses have a holistic overview of their entire asset ecosystem, enabling smarter decision-making, enhanced security, and optimised operations.

Lifecycle Management

Asset Management goes beyond real-time tracking to play a pivotal role in determining the lifecycle of vehicles. By leveraging the insights provided by asset tracking systems, businesses gain a comprehensive understanding of their assets' health, performance, and usage patterns. This data becomes instrumental in making informed decisions about when to replace vehicles, ensuring optimal efficiency and cost-effectiveness. 

MiX Asset Manager, in particular, empowers businesses with a wealth of information, from tracking an asset's real-time position to delving into its history, and performance metrics. The ability to proactively manage the lifecycle of vehicles based on this data not only maximises the return on investment but also contributes to a more sustainable and efficient fleet management strategy. Asset Management, when integrated into fleet telematics, becomes a powerful tool for optimising the lifespan and performance of the entire fleet ecosystem.

Benefits of Cloud-Based Infrastructure

Cloud-based infrastructure lets you get started in minutes. Your data is typically backed up more frequently and protected at higher security levels. You can focus on managing your fleet and not worry about your software. You can access your information from any device and any location. The only thing you need is an internet connection.

Data Security

Ensuring the security of telematics data is paramount in the ever-evolving landscape of fleet management, and cloud-based systems, exemplified by MiX Integrate, offer robust solutions for data protection. MiX Integrate serves as a data integration solution for MiX Fleet Manager, consolidating telematics data into a single, centralised location. This cloud-based platform acts as an API bridge, seamlessly connecting MiX-hosted data with third-party or in-house applications. The result is a secure and efficient means to utilise telematics data outside of MiX Fleet Manager. 

By leveraging cloud technology, businesses benefit from enhanced data security protocols, ensuring that sensitive information remains safeguarded. The centralised nature of cloud-based fleet telematics not only streamlines data management but also reinforces the integrity and confidentiality of valuable fleet-related information, contributing to a more resilient and secure fleet management ecosystem.

Scalability 

Embracing cloud-based telematics solutions brings forth a transformative aspect of fleet management: scalability. The ability to scale up operations seamlessly is a hallmark of cloud-based systems, offering unparalleled flexibility to accommodate growing business needs. With cloud-based solutions, scalability is not merely a concept but a practical reality. Businesses can expand their operations without the burden of extensive infrastructure upgrades or logistical complexities. Whether managing a growing fleet or adapting to evolving industry demands, cloud-based telematics solutions provide the agility required for swift expansion. MiX Integrate, functioning as an API platform, ensures that scaling up operations is not only feasible but also streamlined. This scalability not only future-proofs fleet management endeavours but also positions businesses to navigate the dynamic landscape of their industries with ease and efficiency.

Proactive Maintenance with Alerting Functionality

Although making sure your drivers get where they are expected to be on time is a big part of fleet management solutions, you also have to make sure your vehicles are properly maintained. This means keeping track of several different service schedules. Some maintenance tasks are scheduled based on mileage or engine hours, while others are based on time. Keeping track of all this can get complicated, and missing regular maintenance can cause your vehicles to use excess fuel or even break down unexpectedly. Make sure your fleet telematics system offers alerts that can help you schedule maintenance in advance, keeping your trucks on the road and your crews on the job.

Predictive Maintenance

At the core of efficient fleet management lies proactive maintenance, and MiX Fleet Manager provides a robust alerting functionality that turns prediction into prevention for potential vehicle breakdowns. Our telematics solution offers invaluable insight into the engine health of your vehicles, enabling you to minimise unforeseen maintenance issues. Through customizable alerts for essential tasks like oil changes and tire rotations, you gain the strategic advantage of scheduling maintenance technicians ahead of time, reducing downtime, and improving overall operational planning. 

Beyond immediate advantages, these predictive alerts offer the opportunity to identify performance trends in vehicle types, inform future purchasing decisions, maintain records for warranty claims, and curtail vehicle wear and tear. With fleet management software, the flexibility to select parameters for preventative and predictive maintenance ensures a tailored approach, enhancing the longevity and performance of your fleet.

Cost Savings

Beyond the realm of mechanical well-being, proactive vehicle maintenance, facilitated by alerting functionality, translates into substantial financial benefits. The upfront investment in a telematics solution like MiX pays off through reduced repair costs and minimise downtime. By addressing potential issues before they escalate, businesses can avoid costly emergency repairs and keep their fleet operating smoothly. The ability to schedule maintenance ahead of time ensures that resources are allocated efficiently, preventing unexpected expenses and enabling better financial planning. Moreover, the insights gained from proactive maintenance contribute to informed decision-making about fleet management strategies, potentially reducing long-term costs through optimised vehicle performance and longevity. In essence, the financial advantages of proactive vehicle maintenance extend far beyond immediate savings, positioning businesses for sustainable and cost-effective fleet management.

Better Integration with Other Business Systems

No one likes to hunt around for all the information they need to do their job efficiently. Working in multiple systems can be frustrating and time-consuming. Integrating fleet telematics data with other business applications gives you a complete view of your fleet operations and helps you make better business decisions. Your fleet telematics systems should be able to communicate with your other business applications through APIs, data connect, Webhooks, and data dumps.

OEM Integration 

Achieving seamless integration between fleet telematics and other enterprise systems is a game-changer in optimising business operations. MiX OEM Connect stands out by offering fleets instant, direct integration to powerful telematics data without the typical cost or downtime associated with device or hardware installations. This cloud-to-cloud system goes beyond industry boundaries, integrating with manufacturers across light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles, as well as assets, trailers, and construction vehicles. The real-time insights provided by embedded telematics enhance operational output by securely integrating OEM asset data through the OEM API. With factory-installed telematics hardware, businesses gain instant access to vital fleet data, eliminating the need to search for the perfect fleet match or budget for additional costs. Additionally, this integration preserves OEM warranty, extends warranty periods, and enhances the trade-in value of vehicles equipped with telematics monitoring, fostering a comprehensive and cost-effective approach to fleet management.

Data Flow and Analysis 

In the era of advanced fleet telematics, the integration of systems goes beyond mere connectivity—it offers a holistic view of business operations. The seamless flow of data facilitated by integrated systems, exemplified by MiX OEM Connect, enables businesses to transcend operational silos. This integration ensures that telematics data is not isolated but becomes an integral part of a broader business intelligence landscape. The interconnectedness of systems provides a comprehensive understanding of fleet performance, allowing for data-driven decision-making. With real-time insights from embedded telematics, businesses can analyse data flow and trends, optimise routes, and enhance overall efficiency. The benefits extend to preserved OEM warranty, streamlined access to vital fleet data, and improved trade-in values for vehicles with monitored maintenance records. Integrated systems not only elevate fleet management but also contribute to a synchronised and informed approach to business operations, fostering agility and competitiveness in a dynamic market.

Improving Driver Behaviour with Scorecards

The best fleet telematics systems offer tools to measure and monitor driver safety. This lets you analyse events such as harsh braking, speeding, excess acceleration, excessive idling, and more. Drivers often need to be made aware of the effects their behaviour on the road has on the fleet’s safety and vehicle health. You can share this information with drivers to help them improve their driving and help reduce accidents throughout your fleet. Correcting these behaviours can also reduce fuel costs and wear and tear on your vehicles, reducing maintenance costs and downtime due to unexpected repairs.

Training and Development

In fleet telematics, improving driver behaviour is a pivotal goal, and scorecards emerge as a dynamic tool for training and development. MiX Insight Dashboards, fortified with MiX KPI Manager, not only capture but also leverage powerful embedded fleet data to provide self-service analytics. This feature allows fleet managers to customise visual scorecards, tracking specific issues impacting their fleet. The beauty of this lies in its application for targeted driver training. The data-rich scorecards offer insights into various aspects of driver behaviour, from speeding and harsh braking to fuel efficiency and adherence to routes. Fleet managers can identify patterns and trends, allowing for the creation of tailored training programs to address specific areas of improvement. By harnessing the self-service analytics provided by MiX Insight Dashboards, businesses can elevate driver training and development strategies, resulting in a safer, more efficient fleet operation.

The Role of Customer Service in Fleet Telematics

Last, but very far from least, don’t forget to look for a fleet telematics solution provider who offers superior customer service. Look for a fleet telematics provider who guides you through all the features on their system, and aims to help you achieve your goals as a telematics partner. They should offer training and troubleshooting as well as 24/7 customer support.

If your fleet telematics service doesn’t offer the features you need, your business will miss out on the benefits that make tracking your fleet valuable. Choose a provider that is focused on making your life easier. Changes can happen daily, whether it is changing driver-vehicle assignments, changing routes, or adding new jobs to the schedules, and fleet telematics should make what used to take hours to do able to be done in just a few minutes.

Ongoing Support

In the world of fleet telematics, the significance of ongoing support cannot be overstated. A robust and reliable support system is the backbone of a successful telematics solution. Fleet managers and users alike depend on continuous assistance to navigate the intricacies of these sophisticated systems, troubleshoot issues, and optimise usage. A provider that offers dependable ongoing support ensures that any challenges or questions are addressed promptly, minimising downtime and maximising the efficiency of fleet operations. Whether it's technical issues, updates, or general inquiries, having a reliable support system in place ensures that users can harness the full potential of their telematics solutions, contributing to a seamless and stress-free experience.

Training and Development

The role of customer service in fleet telematics extends beyond troubleshooting to encompass the critical aspects of training and onboarding. An exceptional customer service experience ensures that users, from fleet managers to drivers, undergo a smooth and efficient onboarding process. Superior customer service providers understand the complexities of their telematics solutions and guide users through the initial setup, ensuring seamless integration into their operational workflow. Moreover, they offer comprehensive training programs to empower users with the knowledge and skills needed to leverage the full capabilities of the telematics system. This commitment to training and onboarding not only enhances user confidence but also translates into optimised usage, improved efficiency, and, ultimately, more successful integration of fleet telematics into the daily operations of businesses.

The Importance of Fleet Telematics in Modern Fleet Management

Operational Efficiency 

Operational efficiency is a linchpin in successful fleet management, and fleet telematics is a crucial tool in achieving this objective. These sophisticated systems provide real-time insights into various aspects of fleet operations, enabling managers to monitor vehicle locations, track fuel consumption, and analyse driver behaviour. By harnessing GPS technology, fleet telematics optimises routes, reduces idle time, and enhances overall logistics. The data collected facilitates informed decision-making, empowering fleet managers to allocate resources effectively, schedule maintenance proactively, and respond promptly to unforeseen challenges. Integration of fleet telematics not only streamlines daily operations but also contributes to a more agile and responsive fleet management strategy, positioning businesses at the forefront of efficiency in the competitive realm of logistics.

Safety and Compliance

Ensuring driver safety and compliance with industry regulations are non-negotiable imperatives in fleet management. Fleet telematics, equipped with a myriad of safety features, emerges as a guardian of road safety and a facilitator of regulatory adherence. These systems provide real-time monitoring of driver behaviour, offering insights into speeding, harsh braking, and other risky manoeuvres. By promoting a culture of responsible driving, fleet telematics significantly reduces accidents and enhances overall road safety. Simultaneously, telematics plays a crucial role in regulatory compliance by automatically logging driving hours, monitoring vehicle inspections, and ensuring adherence to specific industry standards. Through the integration of these safety and compliance features, fleet managers not only protect their drivers and assets but also safeguard the reputation and legal standing of their businesses in an industry where adherence to rules and regulations is paramount.

Learn more about MiX by Powerfleet’s Fleet Management Solutions. 

Telematics technology has the potential to make significant strides in optimising various aspects of the forestry sector. From timber transport to sustainable conservation practices, the application of telematics can foster efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and ensure the long-term health of our forests.

The global forestry industry stands at the intersection of economic growth, resource management, and environmental conservation. It plays a pivotal role in providing raw materials for various industries, supporting livelihoods, and contributing to the overall well-being of communities worldwide. As an economic powerhouse, the forestry sector is responsible for supplying the world's demand for timber, paper, and other wood-based products.

The Benefits of Telematics in the Forestry Industry

Between meeting global demand, preserving natural ecosystems, illegal logging, deforestation, and unsustainable practices, the forestry and timber industry face many challenges. One of the primary challenges being the efficient transportation of timber from the forest to processing facilities. Telematics can maximise fleet efficiency to help manage these challenges. 

With features like real-time tracking and monitoring, timber fleet managers can stay in the loop, knowing the exact location of every asset and vehicle. Furthermore, GPS tracking can help reduce fuel consumption and minimise the environmental footprint associated with transportation.

In addition to optimising transport logistics, telematics plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of forestry operations. Remote monitoring of equipment and machinery can help prevent incidents by providing real-time data on equipment's whereabouts. Alerts can be generated for maintenance needs, reducing the risk of machinery breakdowns in remote locations.

Moreover, telematics allows for the implementation of geofencing technology, which creates virtual boundaries around specific areas. This helps in preventing unauthorised access to sensitive ecological zones, reducing the likelihood of illegal logging and poaching activities. As a result, telematics not only enhances operational safety but also contributes to the broader goals of sustainable forest management.

The Shift Towards Sustainable Practices

Sustainable forestry involves managing forests in a way that balances environmental, social, and economic considerations. Technology plays a central role in achieving this balance by providing the tools necessary to monitor, analyse, and optimise operations.

From precision forestry that maximises the efficiency of resource utilisation to the adoption of eco-friendly logging techniques, the industry is evolving towards a more sustainable future. Embracing technology is not just a matter of efficiency; it's a commitment to responsible stewardship of our natural resources.

Forest Conservation

Conservation involves not just the protection of trees but also the intricate ecosystems they sustain. With the global community recognising the urgent need to address climate change and biodiversity loss, conservation efforts have become paramount in maintaining the delicate balance between human needs and the health of our planet.

Telematics, with its advanced data-gathering capabilities, is a powerful tool for conservation. The wealth of information gathered through telemetry allows for informed decision-making. By leveraging this data, timber fleets and forestry professionals can better manage operations to reduce their environmental impact.

Illegal Logging and Promoting Sustainable Practices

One of the most significant threats to global forests is illegal logging, a practice that not only jeopardises biodiversity but also undermines the economic viability of the forestry industry. Telematics is proving to be a game-changer in the fight against illegal logging. GPS-enabled devices on logging equipment, coupled with geofencing technology, create virtual boundaries within which logging activities are permitted. Any deviation from these predefined zones triggers alerts, allowing for rapid response and intervention to prevent unauthorised logging.

Furthermore, telematics data can be used to track the movement of timber throughout the supply chain. This transparency helps ensure that timber is sourced from legal and sustainable sources, discouraging the illegal timber trade and promoting ethical practices within the industry.

The Role of Data in Decision-Making 

Telematics not only provides real-time data but also facilitates the collection of historical data, creating a comprehensive database for analysis. This data-driven approach enables forestry professionals to identify patterns, trends, and potential threats to forest health.

Predictive modeling, powered by telematics data and artificial intelligence, allows for the anticipation of challenges such as disease outbreaks or insect infestations. By identifying potential risks in advance, forest managers can implement proactive measures, minimising the impact on the ecosystem and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the forest.

Machinery & Equipment Management

The forestry industry, by its very nature, operates in some of the most remote and challenging environments on the planet. Managing heavy machinery amidst the vast expanse of forests poses unique challenges. From difficult terrains to the sheer isolation of these locations, ensuring the efficiency and longevity of machinery is a complex task that demands innovative solutions.

Telematics technology can transform the way forestry professionals manage their machinery. In remote forest locations, where physical oversight is often impractical, telematics provides real-time tracking and monitoring of heavy equipment. GPS-enabled devices on machinery transmit data about location, usage patterns, and operational health, empowering forestry managers with insights that were once unimaginable.

This level of visibility is instrumental in optimising equipment usage. Forestry professionals can track the movement of machinery, ensuring that it follows planned routes and operates within defined parameters. This not only prevents unauthorised use but also contributes to minimising environmental impact in sensitive areas.

Ensuring Optimal Performance and Longevity

Sensors integrated into machinery can monitor various parameters, such as engine temperature, fuel consumption, and equipment vibrations. This real-time data allows for proactive maintenance, addressing issues before they escalate and cause costly breakdowns.

By analysing telematics data, forestry professionals can develop maintenance schedules tailored to the specific needs of each piece of equipment. This predictive approach to maintenance not only reduces downtime but also extends the lifespan of machinery, maximising the return on investment for forestry operations.

Predictive Maintenance and Alerts

Predictive analytics, powered by telematics data, enable the identification of patterns and trends that may indicate potential issues. For example, a sudden increase in fuel consumption or abnormal vibrations could be early signs of a looming problem.

Forestry managers receive real-time alerts when telematics data indicates anomalies or potential issues. These alerts serve as early warnings, allowing for timely intervention and preventive maintenance. By addressing problems in their infancy, forestry professionals can avoid the domino effect of machinery breakdowns, ensuring a seamless flow of operations in remote forest locations.

Safety Protocols in Forestry

Forestry work, with its reliance on heavy machinery, rugged terrains, and remote locations, comes with inherent dangers that demand vigilant safety protocols. From chainsaw operations to timber transportation, the potential risks are numerous and diverse. Ensuring the safety of forestry workers is a moral imperative in an industry where the line between progress and peril is often razor-thin.

Telematics provides a comprehensive solution, connecting forestry workers with centralised systems that can monitor their movements, communicate with them instantly, and ensure rapid response in case of emergencies.

Real-Time Communication

Communication is the cornerstone of safety in forestry, especially in locations where the nearest help might be hours away. Telematics facilitates real-time communication through GPS-enabled devices carried by forestry workers. Whether it's a change in operational plans, an emergency situation, or a routine check-in, the ability to communicate instantly enhances coordination and reduces response times.

Location Tracking for Worker Safety

In the vast expanses of remote forests, knowing the precise location of each worker is crucial. Telematics allows for continuous location tracking through GPS technology, providing real-time updates on the whereabouts of forestry personnel. This not only aids in coordinating operations but serves as a crucial safety measure. In case a worker encounters trouble or needs assistance, their exact location can be pinpointed swiftly, expediting the response of rescue teams.

Emergency Alerts and Response

Telematics provides a safety net through the implementation of emergency alert systems. In the event of an accident, injury, or any other emergency, workers can trigger alerts through their devices, instantly notifying supervisors and central control centers.

These alerts enable rapid response, ensuring that help reaches the affected worker as quickly as possible. Whether it's a medical emergency, a machinery malfunction, or any unforeseen circumstance, telematics transforms emergency response from a reactive process to a proactive and potentially life-saving one.

A Pivotal Step Towards Sustainable Forestry 

As the forestry and timber industry evolves, the integration of telematics emerges as a key driver of positive change. From improving timber transport efficiency to enhancing safety and promoting sustainable conservation practices, telematics is a valuable ally in the pursuit of a more sustainable and responsible industry. As technology continues to advance, the marriage of telematics and forestry promises a future where economic growth and environmental stewardship go hand in hand, ensuring the health and vitality of our forests for generations to come.

Visit MiX by Powerfleet to learn more about our safety and sustainability solutions.

The Role of Telematics in Emergency Response

Telematics refers to the integration of telecommunications and informatics, fundamentally transforming the method of collecting and transmitting data from vehicles and remote objects. Through the seamless integration of GPS tracking, wireless communication, and sophisticated computer systems, telematics provides the means to access crucial fleet information. This encompasses precise location and speed details, fuel consumption metrics, and vehicle diagnostics. Armed with this comprehensive telematics data, you gain the capacity to optimise operations, enhance safety measures, and significantly improve operational efficiency.

At MiX by Powerfleet, we offer solutions designed to enable real-time monitoring of vehicle locations and driver activities, allowing fleet managers to dispatch job information and route emergency workers promptly. This technology becomes especially crucial in life-threatening scenarios such as vehicle collisions or breakdowns, where timely responses can be a matter of life and death. Our solutions not only contribute to reducing response times but also provide detailed reports for analysing on-site durations and overall performance. 

Beyond immediate emergency response, telematics aids in managing fleet running costs, ensuring budget adherence, facilitating two-way communication, and prioritising driver safety. In essence, telematics is an indispensable tool for optimising the effectiveness of emergency services by combining real-time data and communication technologies.

GPS and Real-Time Location Tracking

Precision Matters

GPS and real-time location tracking is pivotal in emergency scenarios. During emergencies, the need for precise and timely location information becomes evident for quick dispatching assistance. Telematics systems leverage GPS technology, like MiX’s Vehicle and Driver Tracking solutions, to derive accurate location data, enabling fleet managers to coordinate emergency responses with unparalleled precision. This not only facilitates the swift deployment of resources but also establishes seamless communication channels with emergency services such as ambulances, fire brigades, and the police. Telematics systems serve as a direct connection between fleet operators and emergency responders, fostering the real-time information exchange that is crucial for optimising response times and enhancing overall emergency coordination. 

Seamless Communication Systems

Traditional communication channels often face limitations, particularly in areas with poor cellular reception. Telematics emerges as a revolutionary solution to this pain point, transcending constraints and ensuring uninterrupted communication. The MyMiX Mobile App plays a pivotal role in this paradigm shift. 

Beyond the reach of conventional networks, telematics becomes a beacon of reliability. It leverages satellite and other advanced communication technologies to establish robust and resilient connections, offering a lifeline for vehicles navigating remote or challenging terrains. 

MyMiX, a standout Driver Mobile App excels in facilitating seamless communication between drivers and operators, ensuring a constant flow of information even in areas with poor cellular signals. As MyMiX enables live communication with mobile workers, operators can use the app to broadcast messages to either single or all mobile workers at any time, this is particularly useful in emergency situations, where every second counts. 

Moreover, MiX Fleet Manager delivers crucial data, including movement, location and trip and utilisation reports, as well as driver scoring, fuel management, event violations and cost analysis reports. In emergencies, every piece of information is vital, and telematics excels in delivering insights that equip emergency responders with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.

Predictive Analysis for Proactive Response

In the fast-paced landscape of emergency services, the ability to predict and preempt potential crises is essential. Telematics solutions, pave the way for a new era of proactive response through predictive analysis.

Beyond tracking vehicles, these systems delve into predictive maintenance, forewarning fleet managers about potential issues that could lead to breakdowns, which would be particularly detrimental for emergency vehicles travelling in remote areas. By setting up alerts based on factors such as time or mileage, telematics enables fleet managers to schedule preventative maintenance conveniently, avoiding disruptions to operations and mitigating risk in emergency situations.

In addition to giving you insight into how your vehicles are operating, a fleet management system delivers insights into how your drivers drive, helping you identify and correct harsh driving behaviours. This predictive insight not only prevents potential vehicle failures but also enables emergency services to address issues proactively, ensuring their fleet is always ready for immediate response.

Resource allocation, another critical facet of emergency response, benefits immensely from predictive analysis. Telematics allows for the pre-allocation of resources based on anticipated needs. By identifying potential hotspots or areas prone to specific emergencies, emergency services can strategically position resources in advance, significantly reducing response times when the unexpected occurs.

The importance of telematics for emergency fleets is undeniable. Beyond its role in optimising operational efficiency, telematics stands at the forefront in ensuring swift, precise, and proactive responses during critical situations. From real-time location tracking to predictive maintenance, telematics empowers emergency services with the tools needed to enhance overall effectiveness. The ability to communicate seamlessly, anticipate potential issues, and allocate resources strategically underscores telematics as an indispensable ally in emergency response, where every second counts and informed decisions make a crucial difference.

Learn More About Solutions For Emergency Services.

The Importance of a Dash Cam Policy

In fleet operations, safety and accountability are of utmost importance. One effective tool that can enhance both aspects is the use of dash cams. 

Dash cams provide a unique perspective, capturing footage of the road and the driver's actions — like MiX Vision AI. MiX Vision AI’s in-cab and driver-facing cameras use AI technology to detect risky driving behaviours such as smoking, fatigue, distraction, phone use, and a missing safety belt. Similarly, the road-facing camera can alert the user of unsafe following distance, imminent forward collision, and unsignaled lane departure, making this camera system an all-in-one solution. Moreover, the accompanying Driving Coach provides drivers with real-time audio and visual alerts to correct risky driving behaviours that the in-cab and driver-facing cameras detect. 

This footage can be invaluable in determining fault in accidents, resolving disputes, and improving driver behaviour. However, companies must have a clearly defined dashcam policy in place to ensure proper utilisation thereof and address any legal implications that may arise. Without a well-defined dash cam policy, companies may face potential legal consequences and challenges in protecting their drivers and fleet operations.

Key Components of a Dash Cam Policy

Since the lack of a dash cam policy impedes fully adopting important safety technology, it is critical to create or update driver manuals. Here is a suggested outline that may be used as a dash cam policy template.

Keep in mind that these are just suggestions, and every organisation is different. Consult legal professionals and leadership when developing or updating your policies.

Set The Scope Of Your Dash Cam Policy

One of the biggest concerns drivers have about dash cams is how the data gathered will be used. Settle these concerns upfront by describing how your organisation will use dash cams. Fleets that prioritise maintaining a safety culture rarely use dash cam data for disciplinary actions. Instead, they use them as proactive training tools.

Detail your business’s goals for implementing dash cams in your policy documents.

Outline Key Principles Of Your Dash Cam Policy

Transparency is key to employee acceptance. Provide a clear outline of things such as:

• Which vehicles will have dash cams installed?
• How will the footage be stored and if all drivers will be informed?
• Policies for restricting driver access to footage.
• How long will the footage be stored?
• If the dash cam provides constant live streams and how they are activated.
• Steps your business will take if footage reveals inappropriate conduct.

Cover Who Can Access The Footage

No one wants their coworkers to access their information without authorization. Make sure your drivers feel safe by detailing clear rules and guidelines on who can access their dash cam footage. It’s also a good idea to consider people, either drivers or customers, whose images are recorded and their privilege to see the footage.

Cover How Your Fleet Will Use The Dash Cam Footage

Most fleets use dash cams to protect their property, protect and train their drivers, and provide evidence if there is an accident. While many fleets don’t generally use dash cam footage for disciplinary action, there may be instances where this is the case.

Be clear about what these instances are, how long you’ll keep the footage, and how they can access and respond to the dash cam footage. It’s also possible that dash cams can exonerate drivers, so it’s important to let your drivers access the footage.

This policy should cover all dash cam footage, whether event-triggered or driver-triggered. As drivers become familiar with how the dash cam works, they can use the auto-recorded footage as evidence of their side of the story in accidents and customer disputes.

Clearly Detail Third-Party Review

If one of your drivers gets into an accident, there’s a very good chance the dash cam footage can be used as legal evidence. Explain how legal discovery works in your dash cam company policy. In addition, let third parties know that there may be some circumstances where dash cam footage will also be available to insurance companies, legal representatives, and the police.

Complaints, Suggestions, And Discussion

As careful as you are to cover every aspect and eventuality of using dash cams, you’re likely to come upon a situation you didn’t expect. Your dash cam policy should be a living document. This means taking into consideration feedback from your employees.

Designate someone as a point person for suggestions and complaints and provide their contact information in the manual.

Record Employees' Acknowledgement Of The Policy

It’s critical to have a record that demonstrates employees have reviewed and acknowledged your company dash cam policy. Record their name, date, and signature in writing, and keep the information in your records. This helps lower the risk of misunderstandings if there is an accident or disciplinary action is required.

Consider Creating A Rewards System

Many fleets use dash cams, especially the newer, more sophisticated AI ones, to train their drivers. And some use the data gathered by these dash cams to create a rewards system. Safer driving can be rewarded with time off, gift cards, or other bonuses. Including this into your policy can encourage drivers to accept dash cams more easily.

Future-Proof Your Dash Cam Policy

So many advances have occurred in the past twenty years. No fleet manager could predict that AI-equipped dash cams would become commonplace in fleet vehicles. And so, it is difficult to predict or even imagine what technology will be in use in 2040. But what we do know is that there will be advances and changes.

For this reason, future-proof your driver policy by making sure it is easy to change. You’ll want to be able to remove any outdated technology and add emerging technology as it is developed. This way, you can quickly adopt technology and equipment that will make your fleet more efficient and safer.

Key Principles of a Dash Cam Policy

In today's technologically advanced world, dash cams have become an increasingly popular tool for businesses and individuals alike. These small, inconspicuous devices can provide valuable evidence in the event of accidents or disputes. However, to effectively implement dash cams within a business, it is crucial to establish a comprehensive dash cam policy. 

Transparency

Transparency is a fundamental principle of any dash cam policy. It involves ensuring that employees understand the purpose and usage of dash cams in the workplace. By clearly communicating the rationale behind their implementation, businesses can foster trust and alleviate concerns among employees.

To promote transparency, businesses should clearly outline the objectives of using dash cams, such as enhancing safety, reducing liability, or improving driver behaviour. It is important to emphasise that dash cams are not meant to monitor individual employee performance but rather to protect the interests of the business and its employees collectively.

Additionally, businesses should educate employees on the types of incidents that may prompt the review of dash cam footage. This could include accidents, near-miss events, or instances where the vehicle is suspected of being used for unauthorised purposes. By providing this information upfront, employees can have a better understanding of when and why their actions may be captured on dash cam footage.

Data Storage

The second key principle to consider when creating a dash cam policy is data storage. It is crucial to determine how and where the footage will be stored, as well as the duration for which it will be retained.

To ensure the security and integrity of the footage, businesses should invest in reliable and tamper-proof storage solutions. Cloud-based storage systems are often preferred because they offer scalability, accessibility, and protection against data loss or tampering. However, if cloud storage is not viable, on-premises storage solutions can be used, provided they meet security standards.

Regarding the duration of data retention, businesses should consider legal requirements, industry standards, and the specific needs of their operations. Retaining footage for a reasonable period, typically between 30 to 90 days, is common practice. However, businesses operating in highly regulated industries may need to retain footage for longer periods to comply with legal obligations.

Access Restrictions 

The final key principle of a dash cam policy is defining who can access the footage and under what circumstances. Access restrictions are essential to protect the privacy rights of employees and ensure that access to footage is granted only when necessary.

Access to dash cam footage should be limited to authorised personnel, such as management, legal teams, or designated safety officers. Establishing clear guidelines on who can access the footage, the process for requesting access, and the purpose for which it will be used is crucial.

Furthermore, businesses should outline the circumstances under which access to dash cam footage can be granted. Typically, this includes investigating accidents, resolving disputes, responding to legal requests, or conducting training and coaching sessions. By establishing a clear framework for accessing footage, businesses can prevent misuse and protect employee privacy.

Legal Considerations

In the intricate web of U.S. traffic regulations, dash cam laws introduce an additional layer of complexity, particularly in states with "two-party consent" laws governing audio recording. Crafting a comprehensive dash cam policy requires a nuanced understanding of these diverse regulations. 

Two-party consent states include California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Washington. These states mandate that all parties involved must provide explicit consent for audio recording. 

Crafting a comprehensive dash cam policy entails navigating these specific regulations, and ensuring that your policy is inclusive of the legal boundaries set for audio capture on a state by state basis. 

Dash Cam Laws By State

As dash cams become increasingly ubiquitous in US fleets, fleet owners and managers need to understand the laws and regulations that cover them. While some states have specific laws regarding dash cams, others may have more general laws related to privacy and surveillance. Some states require consent from all parties, like the two-party states mentioned above, while others may prohibit the use of dash cams altogether.

Dash cams are powerful tools that protect fleet owners and drivers. However, if used illegally, they can unintentionally cause issues. To create an effective dash cam policy, you should research and understand the specific laws in your state and any other states where your fleet vehicles may operate. This will help you establish clear guidelines and ensure your policy aligns with the legal requirements of each jurisdiction. 

Dash cam laws are divided into three categories. Surveillance regulations that affect drivers and visibility obstruction can get fleet owners into trouble. And then there are the California dash cam laws. Once we’ve covered these laws, we’ll touch on who can use dash cam footage for accident insurance claims.

Dash Cam Surveillance Regulations By State

Another important legal consideration is surveillance regulations. While dash cams primarily capture video footage, most dash cams have a feature that may cause legal issues for fleets: recording audio inside a fleet vehicle’s cab. In some states, recording audio without consent can cause legal trouble for drivers. 

Before implementing dash cams that include audio recording capabilities, it is crucial to understand the regulations and laws surrounding audio surveillance in your jurisdiction. This may include obtaining consent from all parties involved or clearly notifying passengers and drivers that audio is being recorded.

The majority of states have laws that allow people to audio record conversations if one person in the conversation consents. This means anyone can record their conversation whether or not they let the other person know.

In twelve states, it is illegal to record a conversation if all the people involved in the conversation don’t consent.

• California
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Illinois
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• Pennsylvania
• Washington

The consequences for recording a dash cam conversation without consent in these states range from fines to jail time, depending on the situation. These illegal recordings cannot be used in court.

Since fleet drivers often travel from state to state, you should ensure that your drivers know the surveillance regulations in the states on their route and how they apply to dash cams. Make sure they know that they are required to get consent before recording dash cam conversations in the cab in the states on the list above. Another option is to turn off the dash cam’s microphone.

Also, fleet drivers should know that although it is legal to record people in public, capturing dash cam video of private residences may be considered an illegal invasion of privacy, depending on the circumstances.

Dash Cam View Obstruction Laws By State

Dash cams should be mounted in a way that does not obstruct the driver's view. Most states have laws prohibiting any objects from obstructing the driver's vision. This includes dash cams that are improperly mounted and obstruct the windshield or interfere with the driver's line of sight.

Not all US states allow dash cams to be mounted on the windshield of a vehicle. It is legal to mount a dash cam on a vehicle’s windshield in the following states:

• Alaska
• Colorado
• Florida
• Illinois
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• New Hampshire
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Tennessee
• Vermont

Additional states allow windshield-mounted dash cams, with some exceptions. This includes:

• Arizona
• California
• Hawaii
• Indiana
• Maryland
• Nevada
• Utah
• Washington, D.C.
• Wisconsin

These laws are enacted to ensure that drivers can clearly see the road. If the driver’s view of the road is obstructed, the risk of accidents increases.

However, these laws don’t ban the use of dash cams or make them illegal. To comply with view obstruction laws, remember to ensure that your dash cams are mounted in a location that provides an unobstructed view of the road and does not impede the driver's visibility. This may involve mounting the dash cam behind the rearview mirror or on the dashboard, rather than directly on the windshield.

Take the time to check with the different state jurisdictions to see what dash cam laws apply to your fleet vehicles and drivers before you mount one. Keep in mind that these laws are different from state to state. Legal dash cam placement in one state or jurisdiction may be different in another.

California Dash Cam Laws Examined

In California, the evolution of dash cam laws tells a story of adapting to the technological surge that has turned these devices into necessities for drivers and fleet managers alike. 

Initially rare, dash cams have become commonplace, prompting changes in the legal landscape to accommodate their widespread use. Presently, California imposes specific requirements and limitations on dash cam usage and to safely and transparently navigate the state's roads one must be in compliance with these regulations. From the intricacies of recording audio to the placement of the device, drivers must be well-versed in California's dash cam laws to ensure both legal adherence and a seamless recording experience.

Prior to 2011, it was illegal in California to mount a dash cam on a private vehicle. However, California passed laws that clarified where dash cams could be mounted. These laws also covered the requirements of letting people know when they were being recorded.

It is now legal to install a dash cam in fleet vehicles in California, but there are a few limitations, such as:

• The dash cam has to be mounted in a place that doesn’t block the vehicle’s airbags from deploying if there is an accident.
• The dash cam can’t be bigger than seven square inches if it is placed in the lower right-hand corner of the fleet vehicle’s windshield.
• The dash cam can’t be bigger than five square inches if it is placed in the upper centre of the windshield.

Beyond physical considerations, the ability of dash cams to record audio necessitates informing passengers about potential recordings, especially during times when the vehicle is in use without the owner present. Fleet drivers in California should notify anyone in their cab when they are being recorded.

Who Can Use Dash Cam Footage?

As a fleet manager, you should understand that if one of your fleet drivers has an accident and is taken to either civil or criminal court, the driver’s dash cam video and audio can be used as evidence by either party involved in the accident. In any jurisdiction in the US, including state and federal courts, audio and video recordings captured by the dash cams would most likely be discoverable information in litigation. It would have to be turned over to the complaining party. The prevalence of these devices among drivers adds a layer of accountability on the roads.

In the realm of legal proceedings, California courts recognize dash cam footage as admissible evidence. While not universally embraced by all insurance companies, dash cam recordings can play a crucial role in cases where fault is ambiguous or when determining the factors contributing to an accident proves challenging. However, for footage to be admissible, it must remain untampered and unedited. Fleets that do not comply with these regulations run the risk of being subject to legal action.

Dash cams emerge as defenders against fraudulent activities on the road. In hit-and-run scenarios or cases of insurance fraud, where proving one's innocence is often an uphill battle, dash cam footage becomes a powerful ally. By capturing critical details, such as licence plate information, these devices serve as unbiased witnesses, ensuring that the truth prevails in situations where it's your word against the other person's.

Are Dash Cams Legal In All States?

While the simple, straightforward answer to whether or not dash cams are legal is yes, there are different laws in different states, as well as at the local and regional level, making the issues complex. Since 39 states have regulations that say yes, and 11 have no regulations at all, the answer is yes. However, fleet managers must carefully cover their legal bases when using dash cams in their fleet vehicles.

Utilising Dash Cam Footage

Evidence in Accidents

Dash cam footage has become an invaluable resource in providing evidence in case of accidents. The video evidence captured by dash cams can offer crucial support in determining fault and liability, which can be vital in insurance claims and legal proceedings. This footage can provide an unbiased account of events, which can help to resolve disputes and accurately determine what occurred during an accident.

Training and Feedback

Dash cam footage can also be utilised for driver training and feedback. By reviewing the footage, drivers can receive constructive feedback on their driving habits and identify areas for improvement. This can contribute to overall safer driving practices and reduce the likelihood of accidents occurring in the future.

Rewards System

Furthermore, organisations can implement a rewards system based on dash cam data to encourage safer driving practices. By analysing the footage and rewarding drivers who consistently demonstrate safe driving behaviours, such as maintaining proper following distances and adhering to speed limits, organisations can incentivize and promote a culture of safety on the roads.

Engaging With Employees Around Dash Cam Usage

Feedback Mechanism

Creating an effective feedback mechanism is crucial for successfully implementing a dash cam policy. It's essential to give employees a platform to share their thoughts, concerns, and suggestions regarding the policy. This can be achieved through regular surveys, suggestion boxes, or open forums where employees can voice their opinions.

Acknowledgment

Once the dash cam policy has been communicated to the employees, it's important to ensure that they understand and acknowledge the policy. This can be done through training sessions, quizzes, or acknowledgment forms that employees need to sign to indicate their understanding and agreement with the policy. This ensures that employees are aware of the policy and their responsibilities under it. 

The Benefits of Dash Cams

Dash cams have become an essential tool for fleet management, providing a wide range of benefits for both drivers and fleet owners. Two significant advantages of dash cams are protection and liability reduction.

Protection

Dash cams offer crucial protection for both drivers and fleet owners. They provide a clear record of events in case of accidents or disputes, helping to determine fault and prevent fraudulent claims. This not only safeguards the drivers from false accusations but also protects the fleet owner's interests by providing evidence in case of legal proceedings.

Liability Reduction

Dash cam footage can be instrumental in reducing liability in case of disputes. By capturing real-time footage of road incidents, dash cams provide irrefutable evidence that can be used to exonerate drivers from false claims and reduce the fleet's liability in accidents. This footage can also be used to improve driver behaviour and adherence to safety protocols, ultimately reducing the risk of accidents and related liabilities.

In the realm of transportation, the risks associated with driver fatigue stand out as a critical concern. According to the National Safety Council, an alarming 13% of all fatal truck crashes and 28% of single commercial vehicle crashes involve fatigue. 

The solution lies in leveraging advanced technology to combat this pervasive issue. Let's explore how driver fatigue management software, such as MiX Hours of Service (HOS), emerges as a pivotal tool in enhancing safety on our roads.

The Impact of Fatigue in Transportation

Fatigue can affect anyone, but it is particularly prevalent among those who drive for a living. Extended hours on the road and persistent driving, even when displaying fatigue symptoms, contribute to this heightened risk. Fleet managers often play a role by not providing adequate scheduling flexibility, while consignees' unreasonable demands exacerbate the issue.

While common remedies like caffeine, loud music, and adjusting the air conditioner provide short-term relief, the only true solution for fatigue is adequate sleep. Drivers can proactively manage fatigue by incorporating regular, planned breaks and restricting driving to periods when awareness is naturally high. Recognising the symptoms of fatigue is crucial, including heavy eyes, excessive yawning, slower reaction time, daydreaming, impaired driving performance, and stiffness.

The Role of Driver Fatigue Software

In the battle against fatigue, driver fatigue software solutions like MiX HOS prove indispensable. MiX HOS is a comprehensive electronic toolkit designed by MiX by Powerfleet, featuring robust driver fatigue management software. This solution enables the effective monitoring of drivers' on-duty time against driving hours regulations and facilitates the management of digital tachograph data files.

Key Features of MiX HOS

• Real-time Monitoring: Provides real-time, driver-centric views of accurate driving hours information.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensures compliance with driving hours regulations and helps prevent fatigue-related incidents.
• Decision Support: Empowers fleet managers to make informed decisions about driver schedules and road time allocation.
• Proactive Fatigue Reduction: Allows drivers and supervisors to collaboratively manage and reduce fatigue.

Preventing Fatigue through Proactive Measures

Preventing fatigue involves pre-emptive strategies, and MiX HOS serves as a proactive solution. Fleet managers can electronically track their drivers' on-road hours, enabling them to regulate driving schedules and minimise fatigue associated with extended hours without proper rest.

Benefits of MiX HOS

• Enhanced Safety: Proactive fatigue management leads to a safer driving environment.
• Improved Decision-Making: Accurate driving hours information enables better scheduling decisions.
• Efficient Resource Allocation: Optimal Utilisation of Drivers' Time and Resources.
• Regulatory Compliance: Meets driving hours regulations, mitigating legal and safety risks.

Taking Collective Action for Safety

Safety is a collective responsibility that extends to drivers, other road users, and fleet owners. MiX HOS, as a driver fatigue software solution, facilitates a collaborative approach to address and reduce the risks associated with fatigue. Embracing advanced fleet management technologies is not just a choice; it is a commitment to ensuring safety on our roads.

Learn more about the transformative benefits of fleet management technologies.

In the realm of fleet management, the choice between standalone hardware and an integrated in-cab video system plays a pivotal role. While many offerings in the U.S. are third-party solutions, MiX by Powerfleet stands out by providing a fully integrated in-cab video solution where both hardware and software seamlessly come together in one comprehensive system.

Here are the compelling advantages of opting for an integrated in-vehicle monitoring system (IVMS) like MiX Vision over standalone hardware options:

1. It Will Save You Time And Money

A fully integrated solution eliminates the need to invest in separate systems or manage contracts with multiple providers. With MiX Vision, both hardware and software come from a single vendor, streamlining operations, reducing costs associated with staff training, and minimising the complexities of managing multiple systems.

2. You're In Control

With 24/7 access to visual evidence, fleet managers gain unprecedented control over how and when this data is accessed. Immediate reaction time during investigations becomes a reality, allowing for swift responses to events. Unlike relying on a third party, having direct access ensures comprehensive management of all video data.

3. You Can Make It Your Own

MiX Vision is not just about offering visual evidence; it's about customisation. Fleet owners and managers can configure specific events that trigger video recording, tailoring the system to their unique needs. This level of customisation empowers users to adapt the system to their operational requirements.

4. You Can Reward Good Driver Behaviour

Beyond analysing accidents and their causes, MiX Vision provides a means to track and reward positive behaviours on the road. The combination of inward- and outward-facing cameras covers all angles, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of driver performance and vehicle usage. Fleet managers can leverage this feature to promote a culture of safety and reward responsible driving habits.

In conclusion, the advantages of an integrated in-cab video system extend beyond the general benefits of visual evidence. MiX Vision not only offers a streamlined and cost-effective solution but also puts control, customisation, and the ability to encourage positive driver behaviour directly in the hands of fleet owners and managers.

Learn more about Video Telematics.

Thankfully, FTC software makes it hassle-free to obtain a fuel tax credit for truck drivers and fleet managers.

In the fast-paced world of fleet management, staying on top of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is crucial for success. To streamline your approach, utilise a KPI Management tool to break down your fleet metrics into manageable chunks to leverage the power of KPIs. These metrics provide valuable insights into your fleet's performance and guide actions for continuous improvement.

Understanding KPIs

KPIs are metrics used by fleet managers to measure the success of their operations. While various KPIs exist, some fundamental ones include fuel efficiency, maintenance costs, and fleet uptime. Regardless of fleet size or vertical, there are universal indicators that all fleet professionals should monitor.

Important KPIs to Consider

With MiX by Powerfleet overseeing your fleet and offering instantaneous feedback, tracking and optimising KPIs have never been more accessible. Here are critical KPIs that fleet managers should be vigilant about.

1. Fuel Usage

Fuel consumption stands out as a paramount metric impacting your bottom line. To enhance efficiency, observe the following KPI measurements:

• -Fuel economy per vehicle
• -Maintenance-related fuel usage
• -Fleet asset utilisation

Efficiently managing schedules and optimising fuel economy through preventive maintenance can significantly contribute to cost savings.

2. Maintenance and Repair Costs

Keeping a close eye on maintenance and repair costs is essential for maintaining a healthy fleet. MiX by Powerfleet allows for timely issue identification and trend tracking. Key KPIs include:

• -Number of breakdowns per month
•  Number of accidents per month
• Total maintenance events per month
• Total cost of repair and maintenance per month

Tracking these metrics over time provides valuable insights into fleet performance, enabling proactive management.

3. Vehicle Utilisation

Vehicle utilisation directly impacts your bottom line. MiX by Powerfleet provides specific KPIs related to vehicle utilisation, including:

• -Vehicle downtimes
• Vehicle uptimes
• Idle time
• Fuel efficiency and use
• Number of stops per day

Optimising vehicle usage through telematics insights ensures maximum profitability.

4. Fleet Safety

Safety is paramount for fleet efficiency and cost savings. MiX by Powerfleet provides data on driver behaviour, allowing fleet managers to monitor critical safety-related KPIs:

• Speeding incidents
• Harsh braking and acceleration
• Corner handling
• Reckless driving
• Unsafe hours of operation

Monitoring and reducing these behaviours contribute to a safer fleet environment, reducing the likelihood of accidents.

5. Compliance

Ensuring fleet compliance with regulations is complex but necessary. MiX by Powerfleet aids in tracking compliance-related KPIs, including:

• Miles driven per vehicle
• Driver hours per day
• Available hours
• Hours of Service (HOS) violation reporting
• Unassigned mileage per vehicle

These metrics align with the main objective of the ELD mandate, ensuring adherence to driving and working hour regulations.

The Significance of Fleet Management KPIs

Fleet KPIs are pivotal in measuring operational success. Without these metrics, fleet managers are left in the dark about what works and what doesn't. By consistently monitoring and recording KPIs, fleet managers gain a clear view of their fleet's improvement over time, laying the foundation for long-term attainable goals.

Harness the Power of Telematics and KPI Reporting

MiX by Powerfleet offers a comprehensive fleet management software solution, providing the necessary data to track KPIs and enhance fleet performance. 

To explore how MiX by Powerfleet can elevate your fleet's efficiency while ensuring safety and compliance, contact us today.

Gartner’s prediction in 2012 that 40% of global organisations will be using gamification as a primary mechanism to transform business operations is fast being realised. Furthermore, M2 Research projected that the worldwide gamification market will grow from $242 million in 2012 to $2.8 billion in 2016.

Despite the popularity and widespread adoption of gamification in business, there are still organisations that are not using it because they either simply don’t understand it, view it as a passing trend, or don’t know how to implement it in order to achieve the desired outcomes. On the flip side, organisations that are adopting gamification are seeing significant results, from improved engagement to work transparency and the connection of employee actions to business outcomes.

Why ‘gamify’?

Human psychology plays a pivotal role in the use of gamification. Individuals respond well to rewards and incentives because they elicit positive emotions, which makes working towards a goal a more positive experience with the added benefit of engaged (more satisfied) employees.

Other benefits include:

• Giving employees control of their part in the journey towards a goal
• Letting employees know where they are and where they’re going (a sense of purpose)
• Reinforcing positive driving behaviour change through rewards and incentives
• Giving them a sense of achievement and pride
• Encouraging competition (both with themselves and others)
• Driving them to participate in teamwork and collaboration (which satisfies the human
• need for socialisation)

The negative effects of bad driving behaviours

Before we look at how driver gamification and telematics can be combined, let’s look at why it’s necessary to use driving behaviour data in the first place to improve driving behaviour:

• Risky driver behaviour affects safety. A lack of safety not only has a human cost but also results in driver and vehicle downtime and ultimately affects the bottom line.
• Fuel economy also suffers as a result of improper driving behaviour. Aggressive driving, such as speeding, harsh braking and acceleration, and excessive idling, lowers gas mileage by roughly 10% to 40% (depending on circumstances)^2,3.
• Aggressive driving, such as harsh acceleration or braking, puts unnecessary strain on vehicles and negatively affects their performance. This translates to more frequent maintenance trips and subsequently underutilised vehicles.

Marrying telematics with driver gamification

According to Professor B.J. Fogg of Stanford University, who developed the "behaviour change model,"  there are three elements—ability, motivation, and trigger—that must converge to elicit a desired behaviour. An individual must have the ability to carry out a task and be given a trigger to complete it. Alongside this, there must also be motivation.

If you take this model into account, a telematics app is an effective device for driver gamification. Drivers already have the ability to complete the task of driving safer and better. Telematics solutions can provide driving behaviour triggers in the form of in-cab alarms or notifications. Driver gamification apps and engagement platforms, like MyMiX, can be used to showcase scores obtained through telematics solutions, which can then be used to provide motivation and develop incentives or rewards.

Driver gamification is best done in peer groups. A fleet usually consists of a team of drivers, so it qualifies in this instance. In a group situation, drivers can compare their driving behaviour data scores with others (stirring up friendly competition), which provides the needed motivation for drivers to keep doing better and ultimately for driver behaviour change to succeed.

Sources

1. (2012, October 24). Gartner Reveals Top Predictions for IT Organisations and Users for 2013 and Beyond [Press Release]. Retrieved from https://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2211115

2. Thomas, J., S. Huff, B. West, and P. Chambon. 2017. Fuel Consumption Sensitivity of Conventional and Hybrid Electric Light-Duty Gasoline Vehicles to Driving Style, SAE Int. J. Fuels Lubr. 10(3):2017, doi:10.4271/2017-01-9379.

3. Shoemaker, S. (2017, September 28). Sensible driving saves more gas than drivers think. Retrieved from: https://www.ornl.gov/news/sensible-driving-saves-more-gas-drivers-think

In the dynamic world of business, the rise of mobile-focused applications is reshaping industries, and fleet management is no exception. Driver-facing apps are not merely tools but catalysts for increased productivity, creativity, job satisfaction, and loyalty among employees. As the landscape evolves, fleet managers are recognising the pivotal role of these apps, particularly exemplified by solutions like MyMiX by MiX by Powerfleet.

MyMiX: Empowering Fleet Managers and Drivers

What is MyMiX?

MyMiX stands as a driver engagement app that grants fleet managers real-time visibility into driver behaviour. This robust application goes beyond conventional features, offering scoring and ranking, event alerts, live communication, task management, reporting, and more.

The Key to Enhanced Processes

Fleet managers adopting MyMiX witness substantial returns on their investment. Engaged drivers not only enhance their own performance but also contribute to the broader goals of fleet safety and efficiency. MyMiX facilitates this by providing drivers the tools to monitor and improve their performance.

Fleet Driver Scoring and Training

MyMiX utilises telematics data to assign scores to drivers, allowing them to track their performance and compare against site and organisation averages. This data-driven approach empowers drivers to take control of their actions, while fleet managers gain insights for targeted training programmes.

Gain insight into:

- Speeding

- Harsh Acceleration

- Harsh Braking

- Excessive Idling

- Fuel Usage 

Benefits of Driver-Facing Fleet Management Apps:

• Reduce Fines: Eliminate speeding-related fines.
• Reduce Accidents: Safer driving practices lead to fewer accidents.
• Save Fuel: Optimise fuel consumption through better driving habits.
• Lower Maintenance Costs: Minimise wear and tear with improved driving behaviour.
• Reduce Insurance Premiums: Safe drivers are more trustworthy, resulting in lower premiums.
• Enhance Driver Happiness: Engaged drivers tend to be happier, reducing road rage incidents.

Task Management for Seamless Operations

MyMiX introduces task management features with navigation, two-way messaging, and template-driven e-forms. This collaborative approach allows both drivers and fleet managers to track tasks from initiation to completion, logging vital information for future reference and post-trip inspections.

Benefits of Task Management:

• Priority-Based Scheduling: Ensure drivers focus on high-priority tasks based on importance and location.
• Continuous Communication: Facilitate real-time communication for efficient plan changes.
• Collaboration: Promote teamwork, leading to increased task persistence, interest, and performance.

Trip Classification for Compliance and Efficiency

Importance of Trip Classification:

• Compliance with the ELD Mandate: Combat driver fatigue by electronically tracking working hours.
• Efficiency Optimisation: Match trip schedules with completed tasks to identify and improve fleet utilisation.

Benefits of Trip Classification

• Enhanced Compliance: Address HOS regulations and combat driver fatigue effectively.
• Efficiency Improvement: Optimise fleet utilisation by analysing trip schedules and completed tasks.

MyMiX is not just an app; it's a transformative force in fleet management, offering a holistic approach that encompasses safety, efficiency, compliance, and driver engagement. As the future unfolds, embracing driver-facing apps will undoubtedly become a cornerstone of successful fleet management strategies.

Of these crashes, 4,237 were fatal and 344,000 resulted in injuries¹. The impact of fatalities and injuries related to crashes can be overwhelming. Not only does it decrease the safety of your fleet but it can also have an impact on efficiency and costs. Truck safety technology exists that helps improve such behavior and gives fleet managers more control over their fleets.

It’s likely that you have employees that manually input data into each of these systems but this way of doing can be extremely time-consuming and not very efficient.

In the realm of driver training, fleet gamification has become a popular strategy. For those unfamiliar with the term, it involves turning non-game activities, such as adopting safe driving techniques, into competitive endeavours to incentivize behavioural changes. Typically, this approach involves creating a competitive environment among drivers, either individually or as part of a team.

1. Determine Your Goals

We suggest using the SMART method: goals that are: 

• Specific 
• Measurable 
• Achievable 
• Results-focused, and 
• Time-bound. 

An example of a SMART goal could be to decrease average idling time across the fleet to less than 10 minutes per vehicle per day, within 90 days. 

Most fleet goals revolve around safe driving, fuel efficiency, compliance, and specific factors that drivers have control over such as speeding, harsh accelerations and idling. While you can have more than one goal, if you’re just starting out we recommend implementing one at a time, and setting a time period of at least 90 days – enough to change bad behaviour patterns.

2. Collect Baseline Data

In order to measure improvements, first you need to collect baseline data. If your goal were to reduce idling, you’d collect data on idling in the fleet. We recommend gathering at least 30 days of control data, without notifying drivers so the data presents a realistic picture of what’s currently going on.

3. Refine Your Goals

Analyse the control data and adjust goals based on achievability within the set timeline. Consider weighing certain factors in scoring; for instance, don't penalise drivers who need to idle in extreme weather conditions for safety reasons.

4. Determine Your Incentives

Will there be individual winners or teams? One category or multiple categories (e.g., Most Improved)? The larger the group, the more winners and categories you might need to implement meaningful change – there has to be a reasonable chance of winning something. We’ve seen some fleets use raffle tickets towards one large prize, such as a trip. Others use company swag, cash or smaller prizes. When in doubt, remember cash is king. Consult with some of your drivers to make sure what you have in mind will be effective.

5. Share Progress Reports

Implement tools to share progress with drivers and launch the campaign. Fleet management systems may offer pre-configured reports that display each person or team's progress against the goal.

Driver awareness is crucial for the success of gamification programmes, so keep drivers informed about their standings and provide ongoing tips and training.

6. Sharing Cost Savings

Let drivers know that their efforts in reducing idling have reduced emissions by a certain percentage or improved fuel economy by a certain percentage. You could also share the cost savings, though this is most effective if the company is essentially giving back some of that money in the form of a major prize or pay raise.

Gamification can have a big impact on fleets. Some of the results we’ve seen in the US and elsewhere:

• Improved service delivery, driver behaviour, and driver morale.
• Lower fuel consumption – we’ve seen 6-12% reductions.
• Lower accident rates – we’ve seen >50% reduction in accidents.
• Increased productivity and efficiency – some fleets are able to achieve a 10-20% reduction in fleet size as a result.
• Reduced maintenance costs and increased return on investment on your fleet management solution.

Ready to get started? Follow this advice to embark on an effective fleet gamification journey. When you're prepared to boost fleet efficiency and safety, reach out to MiX by Powerfleet for assistance.

Oil and gas fleets encompass a wide range of vehicles, including tanker trucks, drilling rigs, well-servicing units, pipeline inspection vehicles, and support vehicles. These fleets are specifically designed to meet the unique demands of the oil and gas industry, such as carrying heavy loads, operating in challenging terrains, and complying with safety and environmental regulations. 

Oil and gas fleets play a crucial role in the efficient extraction, processing, and delivery of oil and gas resources, making them essential components of the industry's infrastructure. Efficient management of these fleets is vital for ensuring operational effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and overall productivity in the oil and gas sector.

In the oil and gas industry, regulatory compliance is a critical aspect that fleet managers cannot afford to overlook. With stringent environmental regulations, safety standards, and transportation requirements, ensuring fleet compliance is not only a legal obligation but also a vital factor in maintaining operational efficiency and reputation. However, oil and gas fleets face numerous challenges in meeting these compliance obligations. From navigating geographical complexities to keeping pace with evolving regulations, fleet managers need effective strategies to address these hurdles.

Fortunately, fleet management solutions have emerged as valuable tools to help oil and gas fleets tackle compliance challenges head-on. In this article, we will explore the key compliance challenges faced by oil and gas fleets and delve into how fleet management solutions can assist in overcoming these obstacles. By understanding the unique fleet compliance landscape and leveraging advanced technology, fleet managers can stay ahead of the curve, mitigate risks, and ensure smooth operations within the oil and gas industry.

Understanding Compliance in the Oil and Gas Industry

Compliance solutions help minimise accidents, reduce environmental impact, and mitigate risks associated with the extraction, transportation, and storage of hazardous materials. Adherence to regulatory requirements is essential for maintaining a positive reputation and fostering trust with stakeholders, including customers, investors, and regulatory bodies. 

Non-compliance can lead to severe consequences such as legal penalties, fines, lawsuits, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the profitability and sustainability of oil and gas operations. Moreover, compliance with regulations helps foster a culture of responsible and ethical business practices, promoting long-term sustainability and contributing to the overall social and environmental well-being of the communities in which these fleets operate. By prioritising regulatory compliance, oil and gas fleets can demonstrate their commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence.

Challenges in the Industry

Oil and gas fleets face various challenges when it comes to regulatory compliance. Here are some common challenges they encounter:

Geographical Complexities

Oil and gas fleets often operate in diverse geographical areas, each with its own set of regulations and compliance requirements. Navigating through these complexities can be challenging, especially for fleets engaged in cross-border operations or international projects.

Evolving Regulations

The regulatory landscape for the oil and gas industry is dynamic, with regulations frequently updated and revised. Staying up to date with the latest standards and requirements poses a challenge for fleet managers who need to ensure their operations align with these evolving regulations.

Safety and Environmental Considerations

Oil and gas fleets must comply with strict safety and environmental standards to prevent accidents, protect workers, and minimise the impact on the environment. However, meeting these requirements can be complex and resource-intensive, particularly when dealing with hazardous materials and operating in environmentally sensitive areas.

Data Management and Reporting

Collecting, managing, and reporting fleet compliance data is a significant challenge for oil and gas fleets. They need robust systems and processes to track and document essential information such as vehicle maintenance records, driver qualifications, safety inspections, and emissions data.

Operational Efficiency

Striving for compliance while maintaining operational efficiency can be a delicate balance. Adhering to regulations often involves additional administrative tasks, inspections, and documentation, which can increase costs and potentially disrupt fleet operations if not properly managed.

Technology Adoption

Implementing and integrating advanced fleet management solutions and technologies can be a challenge for some oil and gas fleets. The adoption of new technologies, such as telematics, GPS tracking, and compliance management systems, may require investment, training, and a change in management efforts.

Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensure that oil and gas fleets operate within the bounds of regulatory compliance, minimising risks and maximizing operational effectiveness.

How Fleet Management Solutions Can Help

Fleet management solutions offer valuable tools and capabilities to help oil and gas fleets overcome compliance challenges. Here are some ways in which these solutions can help:

Compliance Tracking and Monitoring

Fleet management solutions provide features to track and monitor compliance-related activities. This includes scheduling and tracking fleet maintenance and inspections, managing driver qualifications and training, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations. By automating these processes, fleet managers can proactively manage compliance requirements and reduce the risk of non-compliance.

Real-time Regulatory Updates

Fleet management solutions can provide real-time updates on regulatory changes and requirements. This helps fleet managers stay informed about evolving regulations, ensuring that their operations align with the latest compliance standards. Automated alerts and notifications enable prompt action and prevent any potential compliance gaps.

Streamlined Data Management and Reporting

Fleet management solutions simplify data management and reporting processes. They offer centralised data storage, making it easier to capture, organise, and retrieve compliance-related information. Streamlined reporting tools help generate accurate and timely dashboard reports required for regulatory audits and inspections. This saves time, reduces administrative burden, and ensures compliance data is readily accessible when needed.

Enhanced Safety and Risk Management

Fleet management solutions often include safety-focused features such as driver safety monitoring, real-time tracking, and accident/incident reporting. By promoting safe driving practices and proactively identifying risks, these solutions help mitigate safety-related compliance challenges. This includes monitoring driver hours-of-service, conducting pre-trip inspections, and enforcing adherence to safety protocols.

Performance Optimisation

Fleet management solutions offer visibility and analytics to optimise fleet performance while maintaining compliance. These solutions provide data on fuel efficiency, route optimisation, idle time reduction, and vehicle utilisation. By optimising fleet operations, oil and gas companies can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and minimise their environmental footprint—all while staying compliant with regulations.

Implementing fleet management solutions tailored to the oil and gas industry can significantly alleviate challenges with compliance solutions, enhance operational efficiency, and promote a culture of safety and environmental responsibility. It enables proactive compliance management, reduces risks of non-compliance, and ensures the smooth operation of oil and gas fleets in a regulated environment.

Get in Touch with MiX by Powerfleet

For robust and reliable telematics solutions, get in touch with MiX by Powerfleet. We offer a range of solutions tailored to meet the needs of fleets operating in the oil and gas industry. From asset tracking to AI-powered technology, our telematics technology is designed to boost your fleet’s safety and efficiency while ensuring you remain compliant with rules and regulations. 

As one of the most promising solutions to sustainability in the transport sector, businesses are increasingly turning to EVs to lower their carbon footprint and operational expenses. With rising popularity across the globe, the focus is shifting to fleet management and how EVs can play a role in revolutionising sustainability in heavy trucking vehicles.  

EVs provide a number of advantages, including cheaper fuel and maintenance costs, increased efficiency, and a favorable brand image. From small fleets to major commercial enterprises, these benefits can boost the efficiency and reliability of fleet operations across various industries.

The future of fleet management depends on sustainability and what commercial fleets can do to become more environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient.

Are We Ready for EVs?

Already, a number of countries are implementing measures to adopt EVs more widely and phase out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. By phasing out the need for diesel or petrol, vehicles will no longer rely on fossil fuels to operate in the future. This creates better sustainability for not only the transport industry but the planet as a whole. Despite this promising outlook, however, there are several factors that could hold EVs back from becoming the ultimate sustainability solution.

Charging Stations

One of the key concerns with EVs is the accessibility and availability of charging stations. If there are too few charging stations, energy suppliers cannot meet the demand for power. On the other hand, high demand for power can strain the energy grid and cause further efficiency issues. Charging speed is also a point of concern, as most consumers want fast charging to minimise downtime. Moreover, charging stations require maintenance to ensure prolonged safety and reliability.

Heavy-Duty Vehicles

EV cars, scooters, vans, and buses are available in many regions around the world, but heavy-duty vans and trucks are yet to see a viable EV solution that can meet the necessary requirements to operate efficiently. Though heavy-duty EVs are expected to rise with the push for sustainability, this means that some fleets will not be able to make the transition for a while yet. Fortunately, there are alternative solutions for those looking to bolster their sustainability efforts.

Alternative Solutions for Fleet Sustainability

Though EVs are at the top of the list for sustainability in the transport sector, several other sustainable options are developing as alternatives.

E-fuels

E-fuels are designed to be compatible with existing ICE vehicles, which means they can be used in conventional petrol or diesel engines without requiring significant changes to the vehicle's engine or fueling infrastructure. As a result, e-fuels may be a viable option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector because they have the potential to reduce carbon emissions when compared to conventional fossil fuels. 

However, e-fuels are still in the early stages of development and are currently more expensive to produce than traditional fossil fuels. Ongoing efforts aim to optimise the production processes, reduce costs, and improve the sustainability of e-fuels.

Zero-Emission Vehicles

Zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) are those that emit no greenhouse gases or other harmful pollutants while in operation. These vehicles are powered by non-fossil fuel technologies and are intended to reduce or eliminate emissions that contribute to air pollution and climate change.

One example is Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs), which use hydrogen as a fuel to generate electricity in a fuel cell via a chemical reaction. The electricity produced is used to power an electric motor, emitting no harmful emissions and producing only water vapor as a byproduct.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

PHEVs combine an internal combustion engine (ICE) with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery. These vehicles can be charged by plugging them into an external power source, allowing them to go a limited distance on electricity before converting to an internal combustion engine for longer trips. When compared to ordinary hybrid vehicles, PHEVs often have greater battery capacities, allowing for longer all-electric driving ranges.

The Role of Telematics

As EV popularity rises and governments around the world push for sustainable development, telematics ensures that fleet management remains safe, reliable, and efficient. Advanced telematics solutions are designed to be adaptable and customisable, making the transition to EVs smoother and more streamlined.

In addition to existing benefits such as driver and journey monitoring, vehicle tracking, and data analysis, telematics can optimise EVs by monitoring battery levels, identifying charging stations, and developing the most energy-efficient routes for minimal downtime while charging. 

These insights can help optimise EV performance, usage, and charging, resulting in increased efficiency, lower costs, and better environmental sustainability.

Visit MiX by Powerfleet to learn more about our advanced vehicle telemetry.

Making The Shift To Electric Vehicles The New Normal

The Evolution of Electric Vehicles

In a post-pandemic age, we observed the effects of a dramatic decrease in mobility on sustainability. As consumers all over the world were mandated to stay home, it appeared that the environment was taking a massive sigh of relief. 

Amidst the destruction, the pandemic breathed life into more conscious consumerism and a greener outlook for many. In addition, the volatility of fuel prices, the plummeting of EV ownership costs, and the growing penalties enacted on those who own conventional or ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles, has also contributed to EVs picking up steam amongst the mainstream.

The First Electric Vehicles

Despite the surge in EV adoption, these vehicles have been around for longer than one would think. In fact, electric vehicles date back to the 1800s, with the first working electric car being developed in the 1830s by Robert Anderson. Anderson’s vehicle was powered by a disposable battery that utilised crude oil. The early version of EVs were likened to carriages but they were burdened by non-rechargeable batteries, rendering them impractical. 

However, it wasn't until the 1890s that electric cars became more practical due to a series of technological breakthroughs regarding batteries. Leading the charge was a chemist from Des Moines, Iowa named William Morrison. Morrison’s electric carriage was a traditional 19th Century horse-drawn carriage that was converted to house a battery. This carriage could transport 12 people at a maximum speed of 32 km/h. 

New York Taxi drivers were some of the first commercial users of electric cars, and taxi drivers in Berlin and London quickly followed suit. Similarly, large hotel groups also made use of fleets of electric vehicles to transport their guests. It is estimated that one third of cars were electric in 1900. 

The Rise of the Motorised Vehicle

As we rang in the 20th century, many people made the shift from the traditional horse and carriages to motorised vehicles. This resulted in a rise in steam, gasoline, and electric automobiles, although at this time, the market was dominated by steam-powered vehicles, with electric cars coming in a close second. 

In the 1870s, steam vehicles lost their, well, steam — this was because these vehicles took too long to start up and they needed to be regularly refilled with water to function, rendering them impractical. 

At the time, gasoline or fuel-powered vehicles required drivers to change gears and required a crank to get started. Gasoline-powered automobiles were also noisy and emitted harmful pollutants. As more people gained access to electricity, electric cars became a more popular option — they were also quiet and easier to maneuver.  This made electric cars popular amongst the upper class. 

As the electric cars’ popularity grew, big names entered their hats into the ring. Porsche’s founder, Ferdinand Porche, developed the first hybrid car in the 1900s and around this time Thomas Edison and Henry Ford teamed up to attempt building an affordable EV, however, this project fell by the wayside.  

Transitioning to the Internal Combustion Engine

As gasoline became more accessible, internal combustion engines (ICE) became more affordable and thus more mainstream. Where electricity was only available in cities, gas was cheap and readily available. This resulted in there being a stagnation in electric cars for the majority of the 1900s and they were almost obsolete by the mid-1930s. 

The technology surrounding ICE vehicles also matured, no longer requiring the driver to tediously turn the crank to start the vehicle as automatic starters were introduced. 

The Electric Vehicle Comeback

In the 70s, we saw a resurgence of interest in electric cars as oil prices soared and gasoline shortages transpired. People sought a solution to oil dependence, and so engineers and automakers explored alternative fuel options. 

General Motors’ EV-1 was introduced in 1996, pioneering modern electric cars. This vehicle was powered by lead-acid batteries, which went up to 160 per charge, while the nickel metal hydride battery models traveled at a maximum of 225km. Unfortunately, these vehicles were too expensive to produce which led to ceasing production. 

Hot on their heels was the Toyota Prius, released in 1997. When speaking of EVs, this would be one of the first most people would remember as it was the first mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle. Due to its environmentally-friendly nature and the rising gas prices at the time, the Prius was a major success since its worldwide release in 2000. 

Come 2003, we saw a major turning point in modern EVs when Martin Eberhard and Mark Tarpenning formed Tesla Motors. In 2008 Tesla's lithium-ion powered Roadster was launched, which could travel an unprecedented 320km on a single charge. 

The EVolution

Tesla’s lithium-powered vehicles birthed a new era of EVs as we know them today, and most of the electric cars being manufactured today are powered by the same technology. 

As new battery technology was founded, EVs became more affordable as the cost to manufacture them lowered, this led to many automotive manufacturers entering the electric game. 

Currently, the use of electric vehicles has skyrocketed to around 10 million EV drivers in 2022, making the industry worth over $250 billion. This is a far shout from the 3 million recorded EV drivers in 2017.

With the growing emphasis on global warming, carbon emissions, and greener operations, we are seeing more consumers make the switch to EVs — whether they come in the form of bikes, cars, or trucks, the evolution of EVs is not slowing down. 

How Fleets are Driving Electrification

Whether it's trucks, buses, taxis, or rideshare vehicles, fleets operate on a mass scale and consequently produce more emissions. In fact, the trucking industry is a small segment of vehicles on the road, they produce 40% of all road transport emissions. This, coupled with the associated maintenance costs, makes fleets an ideal candidate for EVs. 

As proper asset utilisation is imperative to a successful fleet, EVs can help fleet operators cut costs and reduce their carbon footprint, this is because they emit zero emissions and are cheaper to maintain. Climate Group’s EV100 program strives to make electric transport the new normal by 2030. Moreover, Climate Group reported that over 400,000 corporate EVs are on the road across the globe, this is a 93% increase from 2022’s figures. Companies like Amazon, DHL, IKEA, and Waste Management are electrifying their fleets. 

This influx of corporations shifting to EVs can be due to:

• Increased Availability: As battery technology has evolved, more companies are manufacturing electric vehicles. Climate Group reported that there are 300 different battery electric vehicle models available today.
• Conscious Consumerism: As mentioned, there has been a rise in conscious consumerism where sustainability has become a greater priority for many. For this reason, your brand will be more positively received by consumers if it's environmentally friendly. 
• Volatile Fuel Prices: As gas prices reach an all-time high, fleet operators can save a great deal of money by switching to EVs.
• Governmental Initiatives: Governments are seeing the benefits, for our climate and economy, of going electric. This has led to them implementing timelines for EV transitions and enacting policies to support this.

A greater push from the government and authorities is a great driving force in EV adoption and cementing it as the new normal in the future. Globally governments are implementing initiatives that restrict where ICE vehicles can operate or putting a stop to new ICE vehicle sales as a whole. Additionally, however, governments are also incentivising the adoption of EVs through rebates.

The Benefits of EVs in your Fleet

We’ve established that EVs are a great fit for fleets because they’re more sustainable and will cut off the reliance on gasoline, a costly expense.  However, there Evs are an excellent solution for your fleet for multiple other reasons, such as: 

Enhanced Performance

EVs can reach maximum torque and produce greater acceleration from a full stop, this is particularly useful when carrying a heavy load like passengers or freight. Additionally, EVs are quieter than ICE vehicles. 

Reduced Maintenance

Electric fleet vehicles don’t utilise oil, transmission fluid, or spark plugs, which contributes to the higher cost of ownership with ICE vehicles. As EVs are free of this they don’t require maintenance as frequently. 

Improved Charging Infrastructure

Taking the time to fuel up your vehicle adds up, and can lead to a loss in productivity — especially when your drivers are traveling long distances and need to visit the gas station more regularly. When operating an EV, drivers can charge their vehicles overnight or during their downtime, maximising efficiency.

Learn more about fleet sustainability.

EVs: A Rising Trend

As the world shifts to become more environmentally conscious, many industries are adopting operational methods that are more sustainable for the future of our planet. The same is true for the motor vehicle industry, and by extension, commercial fleets - which are set to join the EV revolution.

A recent report by the Climate Group, in fact, revealed that there has been a 93% rise in EV adoption globally in the past year. As such, there are nearly half a million electric vehicles on roads around the world today. In their EV100 insights report, they also noted that of all new car sales in 2022, 10% were EV sales.

Through EV100, the group aims to make EVs “the new normal” by 2030. By joining forces with several organisations and companies worldwide, the group has already made a notable impact on CO₂ emissions in the motor vehicle industry. 

“EV100 businesses have deployed over 168,000 EVs over the last 12 months, and now operate over 400,000 EVs globally.” Climate Group EV100 - Progress and Insights Report 2023.

To put this into perspective, the group’s efforts have thus far avoided CO₂ emissions equivalent to the annual energy consumption of more than 50 000 US homes.

With this clear push to become more efficient and sustainable, the focus is shifting to the environmental impact of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) and in particular, heavy trucking vehicles. 

“While only accounting for 4% of vehicles on the road globally, they are responsible for 40% of all road transport emissions and a third of total transport fuel use. Including these most polluting vehicles in the shift to zero-emission solutions will be crucial if we are to achieve the Paris climate goals” - Sandra Roling, Director of Transport, Climate Group.

What Makes EVs More Sustainable?

Instead of an internal combustion engine that burns petrol or diesel fuel, EVs operate utilising an electric motor and a battery pack. This is better for the environment because EVs produce noticeably less greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline-powered vehicles as they have no tailpipe emissions. Though the total emissions of an EV vary depending on the type of electricity used to charge it, EVs still emit less pollution than gasoline-powered cars.

Additionally, EVs are more energy efficient than petrol vehicles. Internal combustion engines (ICE) are constrained by their design and the laws of thermodynamics, requiring a lot of energy to operate the vehicle. EV motors, however, can convert more than 80% of the battery's energy into motion. As a result, EVs need less energy to cover the same distance as a car that runs on petrol. This also saves time and reduces costs. 

With EVs, there is also less reliance on fossil fuels as they can run on sustainable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydro. This can aid in minimising the potentially damaging effects of oil exploration, transportation, and refinement on the environment. 

What’s more, EV engines are quieter, so noise pollution is reduced, and vehicles have longer lifespans compared to petrol-powered cars. This is because EVs require less maintenance since they have fewer moving parts and batteries can be recycled or reused, lowering the amount of waste produced.

As a whole, EVs are more environmentally friendly than conventional petrol-powered cars because of their lower greenhouse gas emissions, improved energy efficiency, decreased dependency on fossil fuels, decreased noise pollution, and longer lifespan.

EVs in Fleet Management

EVs in fleet management have a lot to offer in terms of sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and lower maintenance requirements compared to traditional ICE vehicles. 

With an electric fleet, operators could benefit from significant cost savings, more robust data, and reduced harmful emissions. This, in turn, may help operations run more efficiently while also improving safety thanks to advanced telematics built right into the vehicles. 

Even driver satisfaction could be improved by EVs, thanks to the quieter and smoother ride offered. With a more comfortable drive, factors such as driver fatigue and road accidents can be reduced.

Though it's still an emerging market, EVs undoubtedly have a significant role to play in developing safer, more sustainable fleet operations. In fact, as EV technology continues to improve, it's imperative that we see widespread adoption of EVs in fleet management to ensure a better future for all. 

To learn more about EV100 and read their latest report, visit their website.

The Importance of Fleet Compliance

Fleet compliance refers to policies that govern how commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) are allowed to operate. Fleet operators, vehicles, drivers, and other personnel must meet certain standards and follow certain rules in order to be in compliance with fleet management policies. These standards, rules, and regulations differ from region to region and can become complex to manage without the right tools to keep you up-to-date and informed. 

Fleet compliance is essential to ensure that your operations run smoothly within the bounds of road safety rules and regulations. Without compliance, CMV operators are susceptible to expensive fines as well as serious accidents that could lead to damages affecting your business and endangering the lives of other road users. Fleet compliance is, therefore, necessary to establish safety protocols that not only mitigate losses for your business but also keep roads safe for everyone.

Additionally, with impenetrable fleet compliance, you benefit from increased efficiency, sustainability, and a positive business reputation.

How Fleet Compliance Impacts Your Operations

Fleet compliance is the glue that holds your operations together to maximise safety and security on the road. CMV drivers are at the heart of this, as they are responsible for operating your fleet vehicles, transporting your assets, and maintaining the integrity of your business. Consequently, most fleet compliance policies target risk factors relating to driver behaviour such as speeding, harsh braking, idling, fatigue, mobile usage, and more. 

Though fleet compliance primarily ensures fleet safety, other areas of your operation are also impacted by policies for optimal efficiency, sustainability, and legal compliance:

• By complying with regulations, you ensure that your vehicles are maintained and operated safely to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities on the road. 
• Compliance ensures you operate within the bounds of the law and avoid fines.
• Compliance helps you maintain a positive reputation to attract and retain clients.
• You can increase your efficiency and sustainability by complying with environmental regulations. 

Moreover, compliance also helps you save money. By remaining compliant with fleet safety rules and regulations, you avoid hefty fines and penalties that could negatively impact your operations. 

What Is Fleet Compliance Software?

Fleet compliance software refers to advanced digital or automated systems that have been designed to assist fleet operators with compliance management within their fleet. Typically, fleet compliance software is part and parcel of larger fleet management systems that help to streamline fleet operations as a whole. 

Fleet compliance software tracks factors such as vehicle maintenance and driver logs to ensure your fleet meets safety standards. Additionally, reporting tools are also built in to help fleet operations stay up to date with overall fleet performance. 

Key Features

Key features of fleet compliance software include:

Driver Logs

Driver logs keep track of how much time your drivers have spent on the road. This is an excellent fatigue management tool that helps you to comply with policies such as Hours of Service (HOS), which outlines how many consecutive hours a driver can spend on the road. Driver logs help fleet operators manage driver schedules to ensure that they have appropriate resting periods and do not exceed driving hours limits. 

Driver Identification

Driver identification is imperative so that there is a record of which drivers have operated your fleet vehicles. With driver identification, you can identify risky driving behaviour, and take steps to give the driver involved additional training. In the case of an accident, or damages, driver identification enables you to pinpoint the responsible driver for potential legal disputes as well.

Real-time Alerts

Real-time alerts can help you solve problems as they arise to ensure your drivers are complying with road safety regulations — this can help you avoid accidents and fines. With real-time alerts, drivers can also self-correct during the journey, ultimately improving their driver behaviour. 

Data Analysis

With data analysis and reporting features, you have access to key insights about your fleet, including driver performance, driving hours, fuel consumption, and more. This helps you ensure that your fleet remains compliant with policies that manage fleet efficiency, sustainability, and safety. Data analysis also allows you to compare your fleet performance over time, so you can identify areas that need to be improved. 

Tampering Prevention

Tampering prevention is a crucial feature that ensures your fleet compliance software and hardware cannot be fooled or mishandled. With this feature, you can rely on the data you receive so you can manage fatigue accurately and avoid scenarios such as time theft or fuel theft.

The Benefits 

With robust features in tow, fleet compliance software offers many benefits for drivers, managers and other operational personnel:

Improved Safety

Fleet compliance software helps improve safety by ensuring that vehicles are maintained according to company policy as well as governing bodies. By remaining compliant, your risk of accidents is significantly lower, reducing the chances of injuries or fatalities. 

Cost Savings

Fleet compliance software can help you save time and money by identifying where your expenditure is high. With this data, you can employ new policies that reduce your operational costs. Additionally, fleet compliance software can help you identify non-compliance in real-time, so you can solve problems quickly and minimise the risk of hefty fines. 

Increased Efficiency

By automating compliance-related tasks such as driver logs, reporting, and vehicle maintenance scheduling, fleet compliance software can help improve the efficiency of your operations. In turn, this reduces the amount of time spent on administrative tasks, so fleet operators are able to streamline operations and identify areas for improvement. 

Environmental Sustainability

Another benefit of fleet compliance software is environmental sustainability. By utilising data analysis and reporting tools, you can ensure that your operations comply with emissions standards. This information also helps you visualise your fleet’s fuel consumption and environmental impact so you can work to reduce these figures and become even more efficient.

Fleet Compliance and Fleet Management Systems

Fleet management systems, such as MiX Fleet Manager, bring automated solutions to tracking your fleet, planning your journeys, and managing your drivers. Through a single platform, you are able to monitor your entire fleet with real-time updates and reporting features that help you make informed decisions.

In essence, fleet management systems are designed to streamline fleet operations and simplify management strategies. As part of this, advanced fleet management systems not only help you track and manage your fleet but also help you enforce fleet compliance across a range of transportation and asset management policies within the commercial motor vehicle industry. 

Fleet management systems designed with fleet compliance in mind help to simplify how compliance is managed. With these tools, fleet operators can easily manage fleet safety, vehicle maintenance, data management, asset tracking, and more. 

For more about how MiX by Powerfleet’ fleet management tools can help bolster your fleet safety and compliance, visit our website. 

Why Fleet Safety Matters

Rising costs in almost every aspect of fleet management suggest that there has never been a more pertinent time for operators to invest in improved fleet safety. From ever-increasing fuel prices to rising accident rates and driver shortages, maintaining safety on the road is one of the simplest (albeit challenging) ways to tackle numerous operational setbacks. 

With fleet safety systems in place, you can build and maintain a secure fleet that meets compliance standards and operates efficiently. In fact, in its absence, your fleet, drivers, and assets are exposed to unnecessary, if not crippling complications that cost time, money, and possibly lives. Advanced fleet safety software allows you to identify risky driving, driver fatigue, road hazards, compliance issues, and other data you need in real-time, so corrections can be made right away to avoid accidents and operational losses. 

Beyond protecting your fleet on the road, robust fleet safety software also helps you manage your fleet more effectively with historical data based on previous journeys, providing key insights that can be used to pinpoint problem areas and optimise your operations going forward. 

MiX by Powerfleet recognises that safety is a primary concern for fleet operators, which is why safety is at the heart of our advanced fleet management solutions.

What Is Fleet Safety Software?

Fleet safety software refers to digital systems that assist in implementing and maintaining safety protocols compliant with road safety regulations and operational policies. In fleet management, safety is pivotal to success, efficiency, and sustainability.

Fleet safety systems offer solutions to monitor and report on driving behaviour, train drivers, maintain fleet vehicles and optimise routes to reduce travel time, fuel consumption, and overall driver fatigue. These features are at the core of successful fleet safety, ensuring that both drivers and fleet managers are engaged with useful tools to reduce accidents and losses. 

When it comes to choosing fleet safety systems for your operations, however, it can be quite a convoluted space to navigate. There are many solutions on the market offering a variety of useful features, but not every solution can offer the same range of innovative features that help you maximise your ROI.

Our Tips For Optimal Fleet Safety

At MiX, we want you to get the most out of your fleet safety software, which is why our solutions feature versatile, integrated tools that not only ensure your fleet’s safety but also help you manage your operations more efficiently. 

Developed based on years of experience in the industry, we’ve broken down our key solutions for reliable fleet safety:

1. Monitor Driver Behaviour With Advanced AI Solutions

Human error accounts for a majority of road accidents, so driver behaviour monitoring is one of the most direct ways that fleet operators can identify and manage poor driving behaviour. Using driver behaviour monitoring tools such as AI Dashcams and in-vehicle tracking, fleet operators are able to not only track drivers and vehicles, but also identify issues in real-time to tackle them head-on and minimise complications. 

With key insights and dashcam footage stored securely, fleet operators can gather and review data on every journey, giving them a better perspective on speeding, harsh braking, idling, failure to wear a seatbelt, driver fatigue, and other driver-related concerns. Dashcams also provide video evidence in the case of an accident, helping to identify what went wrong and who was responsible. Additionally, driver monitoring ensures that there are records to reference in the case of insurance claims, further protecting the fleet and its operators.

By having access to this kind of data, managers have the tools to evaluate drivers, improve fatigue management and invest in better driver training.

2. Coach Drivers In-Real Time To Improve Performance

Beyond monitoring drivers for poor driving behaviour or signs of fatigue, being able to assist and correct drivers in real-time is an invaluable tool for fleet efficiency. This is where in-cab coaching aids come in, such as MiX by Powerfleet'ss onboard display solution, MiX Rovi II. 

By delivering real-time alerts and notifications to help drivers self-correct as they drive, in-cab coaching helps train drivers to develop safer driving habits and protects them from making decisions that could lead to a crash. This ensures that drivers are empowered with strong safety tools ahead of every journey, promoting self-improvement for drivers, and protecting the fleet from losses or damages.

3. Engage With Drivers To Boost Morale

Driver engagement is an important aspect of fleet safety in that job satisfaction and performance greatly affect the success of your fleet. Tools that help keep drivers engaged on the job are vital to ensuring compliance with regulations and policies. Which, in turn, leads to safer driving and fewer accidents.

By giving drivers the opportunity to track their own performance, they have tools to monitor and improve themselves. MiX by Powerfleet’ MyMiX app is one such tool that offers fleet operators a platform for driver engagement. The app allows drivers to review data about their driving, such as speeding, harsh braking, and idling so that they have a tangible report of their performance. In addition, the tool also provides a means of communication between operational personnel and drivers for real-time communication about routes, journeys, and more. Staying engaged with drivers and providing them with the tools they need to improve is one of the most effective ways to boost fleet safety.

4. Review Data To Develop Improved Fleet Safety Protocols

Though drivers play a central role in fleet safety, the technology behind behaviour monitoring, coaching, and engagement also works to help protect your fleet by keeping a detailed record of risk-related concerns and previous journey events. 

With this data, you can expand safety policies to better reflect risks, adapt your route planning to avoid high-risk zones, and protect yourself against possible insurance claims relating to road accidents. Additionally, this data can be a useful means to identify where:

• stricter vehicle maintenance and compliance checks are needed
• driver or other personnel training is necessary
• operational costs, such as fuel consumption can be reduced

Your Safety Issues Solved 

When it comes to fleet safety, having the right tools at your disposal gives you peace of mind while maximising your ROI. What’s more, you can effectively reduce operational costs and ensure the safety of your vehicles, drivers, and assets - making fleet safety vital to the sustainability of your operations.

Visit our website to find out more About MiX by Powerfleet’ fleet safety solutions and what they can do for you. 

Solutions for All Fleet Types and Sizes

Get Connected, Stay Protected

Commercial fleets of any type and size have much to gain by implementing a telematics solution to help track and trace their drivers, assets, and vehicles. Robust, intelligent reporting allows operators to delve deep into fleet processes to identify inefficiencies of all kinds. Once identified, fleet managers can set KPI targets and implement solutions to help achieve them.

As each customer is different, and their fleet management needs are unique, MiX by Powerfleet’ connected SaaS technology works to actively improve fleet efficiency at every level. 

Types of Fleets

Fleet Enablers 

Fleet enablers category are mainly used for transportation by customers instead of fleet drivers — examples being the rental or leasing industry. With this in mind, the fleet enabler's core concern is providing an efficient and reliable service for their customers and ensuring that their assets are utilised optimally. 

Managers of fleet enablers’ main goal is to function at maximum efficiency, as their vehicles need to operate with as little downtime as possible. This means assets must be regularly maintained and well taken care of. Avoiding regular services can lead to costly repairs in the event of breakdowns, crashes, or general vehicle depreciation — so rather save yourself the trouble and take protective measures. 

Ensuring that your fleet is maintained also carries over into making sure that drivers take the necessary safety precautions, follow the rules of the road and meet compliance requirements. 

A fleet management solution helps operators keep a close eye on vehicle and driver performance. A telematics solution like MiX Fleet ManagerTM alerts fleet managers when their vehicles are due for a service. Additionally, this tool helps foster a culture of safety with drivers as it helps you spot and manage hazardous driving behaviours, like speeding. 

Utilising this technology helps fleet enablers improve customer service by guaranteeing their assets are healthy and efficient, decreasing downtime.  

Core Fleet 

Core fleets are used by an entity on a routine basis, typically operating in the transport and distribution sectors. Examples of vehicles that fall into this category are bus fleets or smaller-scale delivery vehicles. This makes driver behavior, safety, and streamlining operations vital for this fleet type. 

As these vehicles are operated by professional drivers, core fleet operators should knuckle down on ensuring drivers have appropriate training, practice road safety, and are careful yet efficient with the dispatching process. 

Utilising a telematics solution offers real-time monitoring, helping to pinpoint risky driver behaviors that can pose a threat to your fleet’s safety. Moreover, solutions like MiX Rovi IITM offers in-cab coaching which ensures safety, compliance, and efficiency for your drivers. 

Another key point of interest for this fleet is streamlining the dispatching process and making it as efficient as possible. This would involve: 

• safeguarding all assets and making sure that they’re properly utilised
• being compliant — be it with company policies, service-level agreements (SLAs), different legislation and abide by the rules of the road
• being timely and ensuring deliveries are punctual or sticking to your travel schedule. 

Ancillary Fleet 

Ancillary fleets are used as support or supplemental vehicles for a business and are focused on dispatching. An example of an ancillary fleet could be trucks that transport product for one brand, or that carry goods for numerous businesses from time to time. However, ancillary fleets are not limited to one specific type of vehicle and can be dynamic — consisting of bikes, vans, trucks or all of the above. 

As the dispatching is central to this fleet type, occasional drivers operate the vehicles, working on a rotational or proximate basis. Occasional drivers may behave differently from professional drivers and may need to be monitored more closely. 

Vehicle health is another primary concern for this type of fleet as your vehicles need to be in tip-top shape in order to remain efficient. Tracking your driving behaviour is also useful in this regard as harsh acceleration and breaking or taking corners abruptly can have a negative effect on your vehicle’s wellbeing. In fact, preventing this can lead to a 20% reduction in maintenance costs. 

What’s more, operators can’t risk high operational costs or vehicles being out of action, as this leads to productivity taking a hit. You can ensure timeous vehicle maintenance with the use of a telematics solution, like MiX Fleet Manager. This technology can assist by alerting fleet managers when they’re due for a service, help them to closely monitor fleet activity and schedule downtime to avoid vehicle strain. 

Operational Mover 

An operational mover is a company that uses its fleet in its daily operations. You could find these types of fleets in manufacturing, construction, agriculture or oil field industries. 

The main use of these vehicles is to assist with the automation of menial tasks, like carrying equipment and transporting technicians around on a building or mining site. Operational movers are considered to be an 'upstream' type of fleet as they’re more involved in manufacturing the goods than transporting or delivering them.

Due to the environments these fleets operate in, safety and compliance are key concerns. At MiX, we offer road and in-cab facing cameras that are integrated with AI technology, like MiX Vision AI, helping guarantee the safety of your fleet from all angles. 

From a compliance point of view, MiX’s Hours of Service (HOS) solution ensures fleets are fully compliant with the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate. This system manages the number of hours spent driving, helping to avoid fatigue-related incidents — something that could be detrimental in high-pressure environments, like construction. HOS sends real-time alerts if a driver violates their specific parameters, allowing for immediate intervention. 

Conglomerates Fleets 

Conglomerates or mixed fleets usually perform multiple functions as they’re employed by large organisations that operate at a commercial level. As these companies are the largest type of fleet, they also make use of a variety of vehicle types that perform multiple different tasks on a daily basis. 

Your fleet’s effect on the environment would be a primary concern for this fleet type. As there are more vehicles operating, fleet managers would have to be cognizant of their fuel consumption and monitor their vehicles and drivers closely to prevent inefficiency and ensure proper maintenance.

Conglomerate fleets are bigger, meaning that they require customised solutions to cater to their plethora of needs. For this reason, a bespoke telematics solution would be the best fit for a fleet of this size. As there are more stakeholders, fleet managers and assets involved at this level, an all-encompassing solution, like MiX Fleet Manager Premium, would be the perfect starting point. From there, your business can pick and choose add-on services that suit your needs.  

Find out which of our fleet management solutions is best suited to your fleet type, here.

Managing fleet performance can help you ensure that your fleet runs efficiently, timeously and within your budget. Utilising this tool will make the fleet manager's job a breeze as it streamlines the decision-making process, enabling the organization to operate optimally.  

Overall, telematics ensures a more connected fleet. Whether you need assistance with asset management, dispatch and routing or vehicle acquisition and disposal, fleet performance management will help to cover all your bases.

CORE ASPECTS OF FLEET PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

FLEET PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT: THE SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEMS

The fleet management industry is one filled with its fair share of trials and tribulations. At MiX, we are dedicated to collecting and communicating information that gives fleet operators actionable insight into their fleet’s performance.

Fleet performance can be monitored with the use of tools like GPS tracking and in-cab and road-facing cameras. Used in tandem with telematics software, like MiX Fleet Manager, fleet managers can have access to:

• Live tracking
• Driver Safety analysis
• Real-time driver feedback
• Route planning &management
• Fuel usage monitoring, and
• AI-powered video

Implementing a fully integrated MiX by Powerfleet solution provides fleet managers with comprehensive, precise data that will return tangible results.

ANALYSING FLEET PERFORMANCE

Fleet operators can analyse fleet performance by monitoring specific key performance indicators (KPIs), which can be done via MiX KPI Manager. Fleet managers can use this tool to set actionable organizational goals, track progress and manage any problem areas that may arise.

When taking a deeper look into fleet performance and considering what makes one operate optimally, these are three core pillars to take note of. Within these sections, there are KPIs to further refine the analysis of your fleet’s performance.

SAFETY

The safety and security of a fleet is a key indicator to note when trying the gauge how well it’s performing. Negligence in this regard is not only dangerous for your drivers but it can offset your fleet’s productivity. Eventually, this can have a domino effect on your bottom line due to costly repairs or having to acquire new vehicles to replace what’s been damaged.

Considering this, fleet performance managers should keep an eagle eye on indicators of dangerous driving. Driver behaviours to take note of are:

• Speeding
• Harsh braking
• Accidents and crashes
• Poor corner handling

By monitoring these behaviours fleet managers can help stop them in their tracks, correct any recklessness and help prevent crashes going forward. By prioritising the safety of your employees, vehicles, and assets you’re creating an environment where your fleet can flourish. After all, a safe fleet is an efficient fleet.

EFFICIENCY

Regardless of which industry you work in or your business goals, being efficient is crucial. This is because efficiency equals productivity, saving you time and helping you cut unnecessary costs.

Fleet performance management can help operators build and maintain an efficient fleet by giving them clear-cut analytics on their fleet’s performance. This visibility helps them identify where they’re falling short and recognise areas they need to improve on.

KPI metrics fleet managers should track regarding fuel efficiency are:

• Empty miles
• Fuel consumption
• Idling
• Fleet asset utilization

An efficient fleet is conscious of fuel consumption, receives regular maintenance, and uses optimal fleet delivery routes and schedules.

COMPLIANCE

Fleet vehicles and their drivers spend days on end on the road, having to perform optimally irrespective of the many obstacles that stand in their way —like terrible road conditions, bad weather or traffic. Over and above everything else, they must be compliant with the rules of the road.

Hours of Service (HOS) is a central objective of the ELD and aims to regulate the number of weekly driving and working hours drivers should stick to and how much rest they should take between driving stints. All compliance KPIs link back to this.

Compliance KPIs fleet operators need to monitor are:

• Hours of Service violation reporting
• Driver’s available hours
• Any unassigned mileage per vehicle

Being compliant entails abiding by driving laws, regularly maintaining your vehicles or assets, and sticking rigidly to safety standards.

CHALLENGES FACED BY FLEET MANAGERS

FUEL MANAGEMENT

Fleet fuel prices are at an all-time high which makes fuelling your fleet an (expensive) nightmare. Moreover, these prices are constantly fluctuating, making it impossible to foresee how much it’s going to cost to fill up your fleet from month to month.

MANAGING DRIVERS

Managing and maintaining a relationship with your drivers is an integral part of fleet management, although it can also be one of the biggest challenges.

As you’ve put money into training your drivers and acquiring vehicles, you have a vested interest in them adding value to your operation, and not damaging assets with hazardous driving or negligence. As drivers are constantly on the road, managers can’t contact them by messaging or calling them. This can throw a real spanner in the works in terms of communication.

In the same breath, fleet operators are responsible for fostering an environment where safety is a priority. This can be done by implementing a thorough driver safety program and ensuring that all employees are educated on the rules of the road and all traffic and compliance regulations.

TIME-CONSUMING ADMIN

Fleet management can be a time-consuming and expensive feat. Whether you’re invoicing, keeping clients in the loop, dispatching or scheduling maintenance checks — this especially tedious if you’re managing everything manually. Moreover, this can have a ripple effect on other aspects of your business, reducing overall productivity.

VEHICLE ACQUISITION AND MAINTENANCE

Getting your vehicle serviced routinely can be a prominent pain point for fleet operators. This is because vehicle acquisition and maintenance are costly and play a central role in the efficiency of your fleet.

For example, a breakdown or car crash coming out of the blue can be a major disruption to productivity and lead to delays. Repairs of the damage these incidents cause will also be an additional cost, and things can add up if your vehicle has not been regularly serviced.

HOW FLEET PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT CAN BENEFIT YOUR BUSINESS

With the above in mind, utilising a fleet performance management solution can rectify and even prevent major challenges that fleet managers deal with regularly.  

Telematics solutions can automate tasks, like logging driver hours and issuing maintenance reminders. The automation of these typically paper-based tasks helps to avoid miscommunication and human error, helping to amplify customer experience and safeguard your brand’s reputation.

Additionally, it equips your fleet to help meet compliance requirements by transmitting data to the relevant enforcement officers and alerting drivers when compliance requirements aren’t met. The fleet management system also records and captures trip data, making it simple for operations to review and analyse.

Fleet performance management can help fleet managers keep an eagle eye on excessive fuel use and risky driver behaviours, like harsh breaking or unnecessary idling. This solution also assists in route tracking in real-time, helping to ensure optimal routes are being utilised. This wastes fuel, which in turn wastes money and leads to your efficiency plummeting. This can also have negative ramifications on driver and vehicle safety.

By closely monitoring driver behaviour, operators can create a culture of responsibility and accountability amongst their drivers. This also gives drivers the chance to be rewarded or incentivised for quality performance. Alternatively, it could also spot where additional training needs to come into play, helping to build an optimised fleet and boosting employee satisfaction.

Fleet management can benefit your fleet’s safety by monitoring and recording driver behaviour and compiling this information into customisable reports. Fleet operators have constant access to this data, allowing them to identify who is engaging in dangerous behaviour on the roads.

As previously mentioned, MiX offers an in-cab video solution that records footage of trips. This gives fleet managers access to the cause and aftermath of any road incidents.

Fleet management can also benefit an operation’s security. This circles back to the constant stream of information managers receive regarding asset details, like which are over-consuming electricity and fuel, or whether any vehicles are unaccounted for. This data is easily accessible via an online platform, simplifying the risk management process. This system allows for extra safety precautions with electric tagging, beacons and geofencing.

The above benefits are indicative of the holistic coverage and support a fleet performance management solution can offer. All in all, with MiX by Powerfleet you know you’re getting a quality service that will return tangible results.  

Learn more about how fleet management can benefit your business here.

A fleet management system is intricate and has many moving parts for it to perform optimally. Whether you’re curious about the multitude of features this service offers or want to know what to look for in your fleet management solution, this technology will help manage a more efficient fleet — and the more you know the better. 

Understanding your Fleet Management System

Fleet Management Systems 101

The main goal of fleet management is to keep your fleet functioning optimally at all times. This brings issues of security, compliance, safety, efficiency and sustainability to the forefront. 

Fleet managers are at the epicenter of all fleet activity. Their role involves ensuring jobs are completed and deliveries are dispatched timeously, however they also need to guarantee road safety for their drivers and that their fleet meets compliance regulations. 

Essentially, a fleet management system aids fleet managers by streamlining operations, reducing costs, minimizing risk and planning effectively. All this is done by empowering operators with the data and insights they need to run an efficient fleet. 

Features of Fleet Management Software 

To effectively utilise a fleet management tool, it would be beneficial to understand the features at play that enable it to function effectively. In fact, there are multiple technologies in the mix, like GPS fleet tracking, AI, geofencing and KPI management tools to name a few. 

Let’s unpack the main features of a fleet management system: 

GPS Tracking 

If you’re looking to get full visibility of your fleet’s movement at all times, GPS fleet tracking is key. This is a hardware component of telematics systems that monitors your assets’ activity in real-time. 

MiX’s Plug ‘n Play device, OBDII can be self-installed and enables users to track their fleet’s activities, offering daily notifications and alerts on the vehicle’s performance. This solution presents data pertaining to your vehicles in an easily accessible online platform, which is available on your laptop or mobile phone. 

Vehicle Tracking can benefit fleet managers by:

• Detecting any over or underutilisation of vehicles
• Helping to reduce the risk of accidents by monitoring unsafe driving behaviours
• Assisting in recovering stolen vehicles 
• Providing better customer service due to route planning
• Spotting misuse of assets
• Lowering insurance costs 

This tool also keeps track of your fleets’ data historically, assisting with course correction and route planning in the future. 

Driver Tracking

Driver tracking is another central feature of fleet management software as the behaviour of your drivers has a domino effect on your fleet’s efficiency and safety. If a driver is partaking in risky behaviours, like speeding, harsh braking, distracted driving or mobile use behind the wheel, this could put them and other road users at risk. 

As important as driver safety is, it can be challenging to keep up with the admin that comes along with it as well as getting through analysing performance for an entire fleet. Using a fleet management system gives fleet managers access to real-time insights in driver behaviour, allowing for immediate self-correction and overall better performance. 

We also offer MyMiX, a driver engagement app. This solution provides drivers with insightful alerts to help improve their driving style with audible in-cab feedback.   

Fleet Security

When managing a fleet, threats to security are everywhere. This makes a fleet management system essential in safeguarding your vehicles, drivers and assets. 

Using dashcams, like MiX Vision AI, help you monitor what’s happening in a vehicle at any given moment. Moreover, dashcams assist with security in the event of theft, as they catch these moments on camera, which could aid vehicle recovery. Additionally, they assist with insurance claims if an asset has been damaged or stolen.  

For example, external cameras can safeguard drivers from theft by serving as an extra set of eyes if they’re loading or unloading goods. If anything goes awry, the fleet management system can alert operators for assistance. 

Compliance

Ensuring your fleet is compliant can feel like a lot of admin, but with the use of a fleet management system it’s simple. At MiX our Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) are a feature of our Hours of Service (HOS) solution, which helps fleet managers lessen the administrative burden but guarantee compliance. 

Human error is a reality in any business and we try to minimize the likelihood of any incomplete or incorrect HOS logbooks. Our ELDs capture location data constantly while a vehicle is on the road as it syncs to its engine. It is also tamer-proof and any errors in the system are detected and automatically recorded. 

MiX’s Hours of Service is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and data can easily be transferred to regulators when necessary via a USB. 

Fuel Management

In times where the price of fuel constantly fluctuates, managing it effectively is crucial. This is why fuel conservation is a concern that’s always top-of-mind for fleet managers. Excessive fuel consumption can eat away at a company’s budget so utilizing a telematics system, like MiX Fleet Manager can help you keep a close eye on your fleet’s fuel usage. 

This system can ensure drivers are allocated jobs that are near them to avoid traveling too far. This is where GPS fleet tracking features would come into play again, helping to optimize routes more efficiently to save fuel. Moreover, using driver tracking tools can help operators monitor fuel wasting behaviors, like excessive idling.

Fleet Maintenance and Diagnostics

Avoiding regular maintenance can be costly, detrimental to your productivity and it can have a ripple effect on other aspects of your business. For example, if your engine is in poor condition, it may burn more fuel or if your tires are worse for wear and your vehicle breaks down, your fleet can be out of action for some time while being repaired. 

This is why preventative fleet maintenance is a must for all fleets. A fleet management system can run diagnostics on the state of your fleet and it alerts you when you’re due for a service or if your vehicle is having performance issues. Rather catch problems in their early stages than let them snowball and disrupt your daily operations. 

Finding the right fleet management system

As you're looking to gain insight into how efficiently your fleet is operating from all areas, you need access to clear and actionable data regarding the performance of your assets. This is where a fleet management system comes into play. 

When trying to find the right fleet management system for your brand consider:

Driver Management

Effective driver management is crucial when looking for a fleet management provider. Solutions like driver tracking, safety, performance and driver behaviour data are core concerns here. 

Vehicle Management

To receive comprehensive vehicle management your fleet management system should offer solutions like GPS tracking, HOS compliance, route planning and vehicle maintenance to name a few.   

Inventory Management

Inventory Management is also an important area to consider when choosing a fleet management system as it needs to give you insight into how many assets are in your possession, their condition and vehicle acquisition.

What sets MiX apart

MiX by Powerfleet offers you comprehensive and customizable coverage over all areas of your fleet, guaranteeing all of your bases are covered at all times. We take the guesswork and admin out of the way and provide you with clear data that allows for actionable insights to be made regarding business operations. 

Fleet Management System FAQs

Which type of businesses could benefit from a fleet management system?

The main industries that could benefit from a fleet management system are: 

• Public Transport
• Oil and Gas
• Security
• Mining
• Emergency Services
• Governments
• Construction
• Transport and Distribution
• Utilities
• Rental and Leasing
• Fast Moving Consumer Goods
• Landscaping
• Pest Control
• Telecommunications

How can I save money with a fleet management system?

Fleet management systems assist with managing operational costs, fuel saving and vehicle maintenance. For this reason, you save money, as these are areas where costs can quickly add up.  

Why is fleet management important?

Fleet management systems are essential for fleets looking to keep up with the competition in their industry. Leveraging the data derived from this technology gives your business an edge over competitors. What’s more, this tool helps fleet managers run a tight ship by keeping costs low while maximising efficiency. 

Learn more about fleet management systems here.

Putting together a driver policy and company handbook: The basics

Understanding Compliance

Compliance is a pillar of a successful fleet as not adhering to these guidelines has a knock-on effect on the safety and efficiency of your operations. 

Maintaining compliance is crucial in the transportation industry because it helps keep your drivers, vehicles and assets safe by ensuring your vehicles are roadworthy and reducing the likelihood of any incidents on the road. As driver fatigue is responsible for 1 in 5 crashes, avoiding this doesn't just safeguard your fleet but protects other road users. 

As much as compliance is a priority for fleet managers, it can be challenging to keep up with changes in regulations and the complex admin work that comes with it. From monitoring a driver’s hours and fatigue, refining the driver identification process, ensuring electronic logging is accurate, and preventing device tampering, there are a lot of moving parts to focus on. This is where telematics solutions like MiX Hours of Service, Vehicle Tracking, and Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) come in handy.  

Being compliant can benefit your operations in multiple ways, such as: 

• Improved asset utilisation
• Reduced timesheet fraud
• Accurate customer billing
• Lower maintenance costs

What makes up a compliant fleet?

Comprehensive fleet compliance has many moving parts that you need to take note of.  Key variables to take note of include:

Fleet Managers 

Fleet managers are integral to the operations of your fleet and play a key role in ensuring its compliance. Management is responsible for implementing the company’s rules and regulations and ensuring that all vehicles and drivers adhere to these policies. They also take charge of monitoring and evaluating performance to prevent any violations of company policies. 

Drivers

Fleet Drivers, regardless of how frequently they work, need to be fully trained to operate the vehicle they’re working with. They also need to hold a valid driver’s license and be aware of safety policies and compliance regulations.   

Vehicles

If your vehicles aren't in tip-top shape, your fleet won’t operate efficiently. Ensuring that vehicles are fit for use is crucial — this means having them serviced on time, ensuring they meet safety guidelines and that they’re inspected on a regular basis.  

Daily Operations

Being compliant in your business’ operations helps you mitigate risk and safeguard your fleet. To ensure compliance in this regard means that your employees should work realistic hours, have fair working conditions and take regular breaks. 

From a management perspective, operators need to ensure routes are planned in advance and that they consider any unanticipated variables that may impact operations. 

Policy Writing Tips: Where to Start

Do thorough research

When implementing new policies for your fleet, researching your industry and considering all aspects of your business is essential. Look for information anywhere you can find it to enrich your documentation. 

As changes in policy affect everyone who works for you, you should enquire with your employees to see how current policies impact them. 

In the same breath, take note of your peers’ policies. Find out what they learned when implementing these guidelines and how it impacted their operations. Being informed from all angles will guide you when assembling your own documentation, helping you put together more comprehensive and inclusive policies. 

Ask around for input 

As you gather insight from your employees in the research process, ensure that you’re getting input from all departments as you compile your documentation. 

As you build a clearer outline of what your policy and handbook will cover, ensure that you’re keeping executive management in the loop. Getting company-wide input will help you leave no stone unturned, assuring that all challenges and opinions specific to your business are included. 

Refine your documentation

Your driver policy and company handbook should be all-inclusive but not repetitive. As you flesh out your framework, ensure you’re not repeating yourself and that all information you include adds value. 

As you edit it will become clear which areas you may need to elaborate on, or those you should cut out completely. Also pay attention to the readability of your policies, avoid being convoluted and stick to simple language. Remember, all employees need to read and understand these documents, so the information needs to be as clear as possible. 

Carefully review your policies

To add another notch to the refinement process, it is crucial that your policies are carefully reviewed before it’s distributed. 

This documentation should pass through the following parties before being finalised: 

• Supervisors
• Managers
• Legal representatives
• Union officials

The more eyes you have on this documentation, the better. This will help catch any last snags before the document is submitted to senior-level management to be approved.  

Futureproof your policies

Whether you do it annually or whenever there’s a change in regulations, ensure your policies are up to date. You can do this by staying in tune with industry news and taking further employee feedback once the policies are implemented. Stipulate who employees can contact if they have any queries or suggestions regarding documentation and use this to bolster your documentation. 

Aspects of a Driver Policy and Company Handbook

Introduction 

The introduction of your driver policy and company handbook should begin with explaining its purpose, who it applies to, and delve into the terms and conditions. Start with unpacking your company’s mission statement so the reader has context on why your business provides fleets. 

From there you can go into defining industry terms and explaining the roles and responsibilities of different departments. It is essential to define the duties of key business players like fleet managers, executive management, vehicle users/drivers, head of departments, and managers. Your policy should also define industry-related terms. It would also be useful to outline your code of conduct, the different types of employment contracts offered, the recruitment process, attendance mandates, and governmental policies in this section of your manual.

Beginning with contextualisation will give the reader a solid understanding of your core business practices and goals. 

Fleet Administration

This section of your manual should explain all fleet-related admin activities. Outlining this will give the reader further information on your operations and how they will fit into its structure. 

This includes information regarding:

• The overall responsibilities of the fleet department
• How your business selects, allocates, and acquires vehicles
• Training on safe driving practices
• Mandates for communication between drivers and fleet managers
• Your business’ recordkeeping and database systems
• Grounds for loss of eligibility/employment

This section should also detail any telematics solutions being used by your company, such as fleet tracking software. This needs to be outlined in the driver policy so all employees are aware that they’re used and to avoid breaches in privacy. 

Driver Eligibility

Driver Eligibility expands on the driver’s permit requirements for any employees operating company-owned vehicles. 

Your policy must stipulate that the driver provide a motor vehicle record (MVR), which is a document detailing an individual’s driving history. Information regarding traffic violations, crashes or vehicular crimes will be indicated here. It is mandatory that all prospective drivers submit this information to ensure they meet employment requirements. Additionally, disability guidelines and the minimum age for employment should be included here.  

Driver Safety

Ensuring driver safety is integral to your fleet’s wellbeing. If any harm comes to your drivers, it will have a domino effect on other aspects of your operations. 

In this section of your policy you must define which behaviours could put your drivers at risk and the steps they need to implement to protect themselves while driving. Rules to mention here include: 

• Disallowing driving while intoxicated and stipulating the repercussions of doing so, like the termination of the employment contract if found guilty 
• Cell phone use while driving should be avoided
• No driver should operate a company vehicle while fatigued, ill or medicated
• All drivers and passengers must wear a seatbelt when in a company vehicle
• All laws and rules of the road must be followed
• Drivers must ensure that the engine is turned off, the doors are locked and the keys are taken out of the vehicle if it is left unattended
• Headlights must be used at night or in moments of low visibility

Vehicle Use

This section of your manual will likely be the most substantial as there is a great deal to cover regarding vehicle use for your fleet. Here your policy should unpack driver behaviour guidelines and restrictions. 

From a personal use perspective, your driver policy should cover the basics — only authorised personnel may operate company vehicles, passengers are limited to those that need to ride in the vehicle to complete a job and any restrictions, such as smoking, should be clearly stated. If your fleet utilises personal vehicles or rental vehicles, usage guidelines pertaining to this should be stipulated as well. 

This just scratches the surface regarding what you need to detail in the vehicle use section of your manual. Including an explanation of fuel purchasing and administration, processes to follow for accident reporting and outlines for vehicle care and security is key. 

Vehicle Maintenance

If your fleet is not functioning optimally, it won’t be efficient. First and foremost, your vehicle needs to be roadworthy and secondly poor maintenance will just lead to vehicle downtime and costly repairs.  For this reason it is key to have comprehensive documentation regarding vehicle maintenance. This includes outlining guidelines regarding vehicle operation, vehicle lifecycle, fuel management, risk management procedures and data collection.

A great place to start is outlining the vehicle inspections and safety checks that drivers should conduct before every trip. This should include checking vital aspects of the vehicle like brakes, tires, lights and wipers. Clearly stipulate how often these checks should be done. From there you must specify how often oil changes, tire rotations and other servicing must be done.

Drivers and fleet managers must be aware of all the nitty gritty details regarding vehicle operation, including:

• Vehicle’s maintenance program 
• Software used for vehicle operations
• Systems in place to reduce fuel consumption
• Which suppliers are used, and more

For record-keeping purposes, all maintenance done on the vehicle must be recorded in mileage reports. 

Accident Procedures

Accidents happen, and in the unlikely event that they do, your drivers need to know the processes to follow after-the-fact to prevent any further damage or injury and to report the incident correctly. 

Drivers must not engage in arguments or discuss the accident with external parties, this must be solely discussed with the police and fleet/security officers.

Procedures to outline in this section of your manual include:

• Reporting the accident to the police, regardless of its severity
• Calling for medical aid if required
• Taking down the names and details of anyone involved in the collision, as well as any witnesses
• Giving the other party their name, details and insurance information
• Informing fleet managers and security officers of the collision 
• Providing a comprehensive written report of the accident to fleet operators

On the business’ side, you need to ensure you have a form ready for drivers to complete in the event of an accident that records details on the other party’s vehicle and insurance, as well as the date and time the collision occurred and the conditions when it happened. Following this, an investigation must be done to review the incident to determine the cause, this information can help prevent this from happening again in the future.

Good fleet management is all but essential to the Mining industry. Mine managers need to keep track of valuable assets and personnel in remote – sometimes, dangerous – areas. They need to ensure that those assets are being optimally utilised, and schedule regular maintenance of equipment and vehicles to keep things running smoothly, with as little downtime as possible.

With so much scope and scale to leverage new technologies, innovation is fast paced within the industry. Mining managers are focused on keeping assets and personnel safe, ensuring constant access to their full fleet by regularly scheduling maintenance, achieving their green goals by lowering their carbon footprint, lowering their operational costs, and improving their bottom line. With these KPIs front of mind, MiX by Powerfleet has identified key technology trends within the industry that are set to advance mining capabilities within the next decade.

FUTUREPROOFING THE MINING INDUSTRY

10 emerging technology trends

1. DRONES

Mining is a dangerous profession. Often, mines are located in very remote areas, sites can be vulnerable to theft, mistakes can be very costly, and serious accidents can happen in a heartbeat. Mining companies spend millions of dollars every year, undertaking safety precautions and checks to safeguard their valuable assets, mined materials, and personnel. Compliance is also critical to the safe operation of heavy-duty mining equipment and these necessary measures can be labour-intensive.

It is useful for mining managers to have a full and detailed view of daily operations. This is so they can monitor their workforce and ensure that everyone is operating within stipulated parameters, track their more valuable assets, better manage their fleet, and monitor their KPI targets both historically and in real-time. Having an “eye in the sky” is incredibly useful for the purpose of enhancing safety, security, and productivity. A drone can safely access and assess more dangerous areas of the mine and quarry, giving managers comprehensive details of operations in progress and of any needed interventions. Mined materials can also be better secured by having a bird’s eye view of stockpiles. This advanced surveillance footage can be accessed by any number of employees, on-site or remotely. Effective use of drones on mining sites can have the following benefits:

• Safety management
• Structural cohesion maintenance
• Surveying and mapping
• Monitoring and inspection
• Stockpile management

2. 3D-PRINTING

Mining companies require managers to stay on top of safety concerns, efficiency challenges, and asset health. This last duty is especially important because it affects everything else. When an asset, vehicle or piece of equipment breaks down and requires downtime to repair, money is lost every hour it is out of commission. The ability to print any and all necessary parts on-site could save a huge amount of time, be a very convenient fix, and ultimately, improve a mining company’s bottom line.

3. AUTOMATION

Autonomous technologies have certain benefits that cannot be overlooked. Mining companies that implement automation technologies will quickly realise a significant increase in productivity and a decrease in expenditure. Some companies have seen productivity rise as much as 15-20% as they adopted new technologies. The industry will also benefit from considerable increases in safety. By using automated equipment that can be maneuvered into unsafe areas and difficult locations, mining companies can send fewer miners underground while extracting a higher output, with low risk to their employees. For example, since implementing autonomous technologies in several of its African mines, Randgold Resources has seen a 29% quarter on quarter injury rate improvement.

With such significant gains to be made, it’s no wonder that mining companies across the world are rapidly adopting the latest automation technology to modernise their operations. For example, in four of Rio Tinto’s iron ore mines in Australia, the company uses 73 driverless trucks to haul iron ore 24-hours a day. Mine employees oversee the vehicles’ operation from 750 miles away at Rio Tinto’s centralised control centre in Perth. 8,500 miles to the west, Swedish mine operator Boliden, has partnered with cell phone company Ericsson, to build an autonomous gold mine. The 5G network Ericsson installed at the site allows the mine’s ventilation system to save 18 megawatts of energy per year, an efficiency gain of 54%. In the United States, Barrick Gold Corporation has partnered with Cisco Systems to integrate Wi-Fi sensors in its mines near Elko, Nevada, to track the output of every miner. Barrisk is using this and other automated technologies to achieve its goal of lowering its production cost to US$700 per ounce of gold. In Africa, both Randgold Resources and AngloGold Ashanti use robotic loaders 800m below the surface in the companies’ joint venture Kibali Mine, to drive output and improve worker safety.

This rapidly shifting landscape is expected to provide substantial value to the mining sector and its stakeholders. One report suggests that the combination of increased productivity and safety with decreased expenses may cause the mining automation market to grow by almost 50% in the next six years, reaching US$3.29 billion by 2023.

4. GPS FLEET TRACKING

GPS Tracking and telematics solutions allow mining companies to connect their business with a single, integrated platform that monitors equipment, assets, and fleet vehicles. From extraction to distribution, GPS Tracking can manage every aspect of a company’s assets including lighting towers or generators, right through to heavy vehicles like trucks, buses, and state-of-the-art machinery in mines. Improving asset utilisation and fleet management, increases efficiency and productivity while reducing operating expenses. Live monitoring, real-time alerts, improved equipment performance, better scheduling, reduced fuel costs, advanced reporting, and improved safety measures can help keep mine managers better apprised of all site processes and personnel and improve a company’s bottom line.

5. RENEWABLE ENERGY

Mining companies are always looking to reduce their electricity bill and improve their carbon footprint for the purpose of longevity within the industry. Futureproofing a mining operation means slashing as many operational costs as possible, and demonstrating a commitment to corporate responsibility to stakeholders, shareholders, and customers. Renewable energy can help keep them turning over consistent profits for many years to come.

6. THE “BIG 3”

The three technology areas that mining companies are investing in the most are data analytics, digital connectivity, and integrated automation. This is not a surprise when you consider the huge push over the last few years towards getting remote mine sites digitally connected to the network as the starting point to allow for other applications and programs to be built and run. Robust digital architecture is extremely important when it comes to automation and data analytics. Especially the latter, as mine sites generate and capture a significant amount of data.

7. CLOUD

Mine managers need an easy-to-use SaaS platform to safely collect, analyse, and manage all their data in one place. If all assets, vehicles, and equipment can be integrated, managers can drill down into rich data sets to access actionable insights that can streamline site processes, saving time and money. Investment in areas like cloud infrastructure, AI, and IoT will hugely benefit mining companies focused on data security and all the benefits of automation.

8. MATCHING TALENT TO TECHNOLOGY

Finding the right people, with the right skills, and retaining them as the assets they are to your company, are some of the biggest challenges for industry leaders. Increasingly, mining employees are required to work with cutting-edge technologies which require a more advanced, modern skillset. For example, miners working with automated drilling rigs that are operated remotely using detailed telemetry and multi-camera vision, must be able to read and analyse the data and images generated to make quick and critical real-time decisions.

9. DIGITALISATION

The recent global pandemic framed the need to digitalise as many mining operations as possible. It is near impossible to protect a workforce working in close and cramped quarters from a highly infectious virus. When COVID was at its height, mining companies had to adapt to new health and safety regulations. Social distancing required that fewer workers worked a shift together and certain areas of sites were adapted for better sanitation and ventilation. This cost the industry millions of dollars in COVID precautions, safety measures, and lost productivity. The need for rapid investment in digitalisation became clear and we expect to see it extend to many more areas of mining in the coming couple of years.

10. USING TECHNOLOGY TO BOOST SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE

Safety and compliance have been a key focus in mining for decades, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only raised more health and safety issues. Fortunately, technological advancements are helping to drive safety and compliance in mines worldwide. The transition to more automated and technology-enabled mine sites has helped reduce or remove some of the traditional risks of mining, protecting the health and wellbeing of employees, and increasing productivity and efficiency to boot.

By removing human input and establishing a single source of truth for data, organisations can reduce the impact of issues such as double handling and inaccuracies. The next most common application of technology to safety and compliance is lift safety, collision avoidance, real-time fleet and asset scheduling, employee training and accident tracking and reporting.

Digitally enabled solutions such as sensors, drones and technology-based procedures have helped make it easier and less dangerous for mine workers to operate plant equipment. For instance, vehicles used in haulage often have built-in alarms and auxiliary safety functions helping to reduce the likelihood of accidents, and therefore, injuries and deaths.

Eventually, technology could diminish the need for humans to be on-site at all, decreasing the possibility of human error. Industry experts expect that the mines of the future will be at least partially digital, with fewer, if any, humans at the coalface.

The reason mining companies are so dependent on telematics is because many of our platforms give them critical insights into on-site operations, allow them to deep dive into big data, and help to prevent terrible accidents and loss of life. Fleet management and telematics solutions are key drivers for the innovative technological trends we see emerging, as described above.

Telematics benefits to the mining industry include:

• Optimised on-site communication
• Full visibility of vehicles and assets
• GPS Tracking of vehicles and assets
• Task and journey management
• Driver behaviour and performance monitoring
• Improved driver and employee safety
• Improved site, vehicle, and asset safety
• Achieve sustainable targets
• Ongoing customer service to maximise mining operations

For more information on our valued partnership with the Mader Group, please download our case study, here.

Find out which of our GPS Tracking and fleet management solutions can help futureproof your mining fleet, here.

Get more bang for your buck

Running a fleet is time consuming and very expensive. Fleet operators are always looking for ways to stretch and save to stay competitive in their marketplace. Fleet managers are tasked with overseeing daily operations and using their telematics systems to make data-driven decisions in real-time to improve the safety, efficiency, security, compliance, and sustainability of their fleets. The easiest way to ensure that running costs are kept as low as possible is to optimise your telematics system. Oftentimes, this means that fleet operators need to spend in the short term to save in the long run. So, how can your business get more bang for your buck?

1. Select the solution that suits your needs

Fleets of all sizes and across all industries can benefit hugely from integrating a telematics system into daily operations. Automating data gathering and analysis increases efficiency and gives fleet managers a bird’s eye view of how their fleet is functioning. It also puts the ability to make data-informed decisions in real-time into the palm of their hands allowing them to keep drivers on track, vehicles well maintained, and all assets and employees safe from preventable accidents. But how do you know which fleet management solution is right for you? Identifying where your fleet is failing, what your current needs are, and what your future targets will be, is essential to selecting or customising a fleet management solution that will tick all your boxes.

2. Create a safety culture

With the annual accident rate for commercial fleet vehicles sitting at 20%, creating a safety culture is paramount to running a successful fleet. While preventing loss of life is every business’s priority, so is protecting their bottom line, decreasing driver turnover, increasing their engagement with telematics technology, and encouraging good morale. So, how does one create a safety culture within a business? Here are a few pointers:

• Set clear expectations. Publish a set of written policies that outline your fleet’s traffic safety expectations. These safety policies should be clear, comprehensive, and enforceable. Drivers should be required to sign a contract acknowledging their awareness and understanding of your fleet’s expectations regarding vehicle maintenance, reporting violations, and safety performance.
• Commit to safety. Leadership should attend all meetings where safety is discussed to show that your business puts a premium on the safety of its employees. Fleet managers should encourage drivers to bring up any safety concerns they might have so that they can be addressed immediately and transparently.
• Encourage feedback. When building a safety culture, it’s important to reinforce safety messaging through regular meetings and workshops and via emails. Ensuring that safety is front of mind and consistently discussed, creates an environment where drivers feel safe opening up about their safety challenges and concerns. This allows you to address issues proactively and make important changes.
• Use data to align on metrics. To create long-term driver behavioural changes, data measurement should be incorporated into your driver safety program. Metrics help an organisation define thresholds of acceptable transgressions. They keep drivers accountable while also providing them with data to pinpoint areas that need to be improved.
• Share successes. Creating and maintaining a safety culture requires positive reinforcement. Even the best fleet safety programs won’t work without driver buy-in. Like all of us, drivers are competitive. Gamifying driver training programs can incentivise your drivers to perform better so that they can top the leader board and perhaps receive a reward. Remember that each accident prevented has saved you thousands of dollars. Whether you offer bonuses, gift cards, special privileges or other prizes, rewards go a long way to motivating employees to drive safer. They also provide driver retention, increase driver buy-in and create a positive safety culture.

3. Driver training

Leadership should always set the tone for safety across a fleet by creating policies, communicating values, and allocating plenty of resources for safety. Drivers should receive thorough training to enable them to self-correct when driver distraction or fatigue sets in, protect themselves and others from accident or injury, abide by company policy and all compliance regulations, drive safely and efficiently to save on fuel and vehicle maintenance costs, and respond to in-cab prompts to make critical changes to their driving in real-time. Driver training can be provided by supervisors, via apps, be gamified and linked to incentives, and be reinforced on a regular basis. When a fleet builds a strong culture of safety and drivers receive adequate and ongoing training, the following outcomes can be avoided:

• Driver distraction or fatigue
• Driving events such as harsh cornering, hard braking, harsh acceleration and over speeding
• Serious injury or loss of life
• Damage to a vehicle and its cargo
• Towing, storage, and repair costs for a damaged vehicle
• Downtime for damaged equipment
• Sick leave for an injured driver
• Cost of medical care for the driver and others
• Workers’ compensation premiums
• Hiring replacement drivers
• Administrative fees and time
• Lawyer’s fees and court settlement costs
• Increased insurance costs
• Damaged business reputation
• Loss of established clients

Training drivers is an essential part of improving driver safety. Coaching drivers on an ongoing basis can help them to continue to maintain good habits as second nature and take any needed feedback onboard.

4. Invest in dash cams

When it comes to fleet safety, efficiency, security, compliance and sustainability, dash cams add huge value to fleet telematics systems. Dash cams are small cameras mounted inside the vehicle cab that either record continuously or start recording when triggered by a driving event like hard braking or rapid acceleration. Dash cams that continuously record easily pick up driver distraction (eating or drinking while driving, smoking, mobile phone use and chatting to passengers) and driver fatigue (eye closing or yawning). Dash cams with AI technology and edge computing provide drivers with safety input in real-time by prompting them to make critical changes to avoid creating dangerous situations on the road. Distracted and aggressive driving affects driver performance, wastes time and fuel, and increases wear and tear on vehicles and assets. Such outcomes are major fleet challenges so having a means to monitor them are of great benefit to fleet managers.

Advanced dash cams that are WiFi-enabled send footage to be stored in the cloud in real-time. These systems capture and analyse vast data streams from front-facing, rear-facing, dual-facing, road-facing, and in-cab cameras. These units can:

• Monitor driver behaviour
• Detect driving events
• Issue in-cab alerts
• Reduce distracted and aggressive driving
• Flag a driver for targeted training
• Increase safety compliance
• Exonerate drivers should an accident happen
• Lower insurance premiums

5. Choose an open system

A closed telematics system can limit how you manage your data. For example, a closed system does not allow you to extract information into a third-party database, so your analysis will be restricted to the confines of the system. Some providers may grant access on request, but this can still make it time consuming to review important information. Contrastingly, an open system lends itself much better to analysis as data can be exported to third-party tools, with minimal impact on operations. This allows fleet managers to make informed, data-driven decisions that can dramatically affect business efficiency. Cloud-based fleet management databases have unlimited benefits. The cloud offers a more efficient way to track, record, analyse, and review your fleet records and information. This enables fleet-led businesses to improve their management at base level, tracking and storing scheduled maintenance, fuel expenses, driver timesheets and performance reviews in one accessible location. Managing data in the cloud has become the preferred solution for most businesses because anyone can be permitted to access or edit data from anywhere at any time. It is a great solution for larger organisations with multiple locations, and offers business continuity and efficiency.

MiX Fleet Manager™ provides our valued customers with robust tracking and reporting capabilities via an onboard computer. MiX Vision AI is an AI-powered dash cam system that provides real-time, in-cab alerts for drivers and fleet managers to detect and prevent risky driving behaviours that lead to collisions. For more information on these cutting-edge telematics solutions and more, please CONTACT US.

WHAT IS HARSH DRIVING?

Harsh driving can be broadly described as any sudden change in the direction or velocity of a vehicle or truck moving at a steady rate and is often noted as sudden changes in g-forces that can be monitored by an accelerometer. Sudden braking, rapid increases in speed, and cornering at too high a speed, can all count as harsh driving and indicate unsafe and aggressive driving habits. Depending on how it is being used, an accelerometer has different levels of sensitivity, suited to its application, whether in a smartphone or inside a motor vehicle. The electrical current it generates is used to trigger a report that can be interpreted by telematics software, as well as instant real-time alerts. Harsh driving increases the risk of accident or injury to fleet drivers, fleet vehicles, and others sharing the road.

WHAT IS HARSH BRAKING?

Harsh braking occurs when a driver uses more force than necessary to stop a vehicle. This action can indicate distracted or aggressive driving which leads to increased tyre wear, a variety of maintenance issues, and sometimes, costly insurance claims. Fleet vehicles fitted with telematics hardware can detect a reduction in speed greater than 6.5 MPH per second and trigger a harsh braking alert. Harsh braking is a common result of drivers not maintaining a safe following distance, increasing their risk of rear-end collisions. It can also happen when a driver is distracted and not driving mindfully or defensively when another vehicle, person or object appears on the road ahead unexpectedly.

Effects of harsh braking

• Causes brakes to overheat
• Glazes brake pads, making them less effective
• Reduces the lifespan of the braking system
• Triggers the anti-lock braking system unnecessarily
• Puts undue stress on the braking system, increasing the wear and tear on vital components
• Increases vehicle maintenance costs
• Can necessitate vehicle downtime
• Contributes to fuel spend and wastage
• Affects your bottom line

WHAT IS HARSH ACCELERATION?

Harsh acceleration occurs when a driver uses more power than necessary to pull off from a dead stop. This action can indicate distracted or aggressive driving which leads to increased tyre wear, a variety of maintenance issues, and sometimes, costly insurance claims. Fleet vehicles fitted with telematics hardware can detect an increase in speed greater than 8.5 MPH per second and trigger a harsh acceleration alert. Harsh acceleration is a common result of drivers not paying attention to the pace of traffic and needing to speed away from a stop line. It can also be because a driver is so distracted that he doesn’t notice that he’s on a collision path with another vehicle, person, or object, necessitating aggressive action to prevent a serious accident or injury.

Effects of harsh acceleration

• Harsh acceleration often makes harsh braking a necessity
• Harsh accelerations burn more fuel which is bad for the environment
• Risk of injury to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians
• Risk of damage to other vehicles, public property, or valuable loads
• Increases vehicle maintenance costs
• Can necessitate vehicle downtime
• Contributes to fuel spend and wastage
• Affects your bottom line

THE TRUE COST OF DISTRACTED DRIVING

According to www.drivesafeonline.org, the average starting cost for operators when a fleet driver has an accident is $74,000. This amount can jump to $500,000 if the crash causes a fatality. Vehicle accidents cost employers $60 billion each year in legal and medical expenses, property damage, and lost employee productivity. The cost of the damage to your business’s reputation cannot be quantified here but will be significant.

Any business that runs a fleet must prioritise driver training and ongoing safety evaluations. Fleet managers are tasked with auditing driver performance and keeping themselves appraised of costly and risky behaviours. With so many factors contributing to atypical driving events, including human error, equipment failure, and inclement weather, fleet managers are hugely aided in their task by the implementation of fleet telematics technology. App-based and OEM telematics solutions do the heavy lifting for you by keeping tabs on all aspects of fleet operations and sending an instant, real-time alert to drivers engaged in distracting behaviours or aggressive driving. Fleet managers can now easily keep track of drivers engaged in harsh braking and/or acceleration, and provide them with targeted training, greatly improving a business’s bottom line.

MiX by Powerfleet understands the importance of reducing accidents within your fleet. Learn how our custom fleet management solutions can improve the safety of your fleet while providing a variety of other efficiency, compliance, and sustainability benefits. Contact us for a personalised quote, today! 

Alternative fuels powered 10.5% of all new buses sold, while hybrid electric vehicles accounted for 10.1% of the market. Together, all alternatively-powered vehicles made up 31.2% of the EU bus market in 2021 – ACEA

According to ACEA, alternatively-powered buses make up almost a third of the market (refer to the diagram below)

Source: ACEA

With the boom in heavier vehicles utilising alternative fuels, especially in countries where public transport systems are matured, it’s come to light that Bus and Coach operators are leading the field in alternative fuels. In the EU Bus and Coach market, 31% is comprised of alternative buses with e-buses reaching 10% (sustainable-bus.com).

“Various MiX by Powerfleet’ customers in the Bus and Coach market are surpassing EV miles driven over ICE miles and at a lower cost.”

This is a significant driver towards solidifying fleet sustainability as a key proponent of fossil fuel reductions, now in in the future.

Similarly, in 2021 the EU demand for diesel buses fell by 2.9% with its market share shrinking from 73.2% in 2020 to 68,8% in 2021 (sustainable-bus.com)

Unique Challenges

It does however present unique challenges that MiX by Powerfleet can report on and deliver data for.

These insights go a long way in helping fleet operators determine how to plan for a sustainable future. Our Bus and Coach customers get actionable data that are specific to their KPIs and include vehicle, fuel, and driver performance monitoring.

Whether the vehicle is diesel, electric, hydrogen, CNG, or other future fuels, MiX can benchmark, existing historic data, against the new fuels to show the tangible benefits and the areas where training or vehicle replacements are required or would be beneficial.

Answering pressing questions like:

• What is the fuel cost comparison?
• Is driver behaviour influencing fuel spending?
• Does a particular make and/or model, or fuel cost more than another?
• Is driver training on new fuel vehicles sufficient?
• Does mixing driving of different fuel types cause issues in driving style?
• Is there a noticeable ROI when changing fuel types?

These are just some of the factors that have been identified by MiX in building the reports and tools currently available to our Bus and Coach customers.

But again, it’s the contribution of Bus and Coach operators in reducing emissions that’s significant. The trend is tangible in the number of alternate fuel miles driven against the fewer diesel miles which demonstrates the industry is doing its part in combating climate change.

Below are a couple of example graphics as an idea of where we are going with this:

For more information on the importance of fleet sustainability and the role that MiX by Powerfleet is playing to help customers combat the CO2 scourge, please click here.

Additionally, our eBook on how fleet management can support EV fleets is read here.

Newly accredited

MiX by Powerfleet has been awarded accreditation from Alcumus SafeContractor, for achieving excellence in health and safety in the workplace. Alcumus SafeContractor is a leading accreditation scheme which recognises extremely rigorous standards in health and safety management amongst contractors. It is used by thousands of organisations in the UK including SMEs and FTSE 100 companies. MiX Europe was tasked with achieving SafeContractor accreditation by two of our customers: Wincanton plc and G4S.

"Alcumus SafeContractor is a service provider who issues an annual survey that requires suppliers to meet their standards, fulfilling their legal obligation and ethical responsibilities in the areas of: Health and Safety, Environment, Corporate Social Responsibility, Finance, Equality, and Quality. We have found that more and more customers will only list you as a supplier if you have the associated accreditation.” – Chris Allen, Best Practice and Compliance Manager, MiX EU

Safety, as standard

As a leading global provider of fleet telematics technology, MiX recognises the importance of adopting good risk management in the workplace by abiding by strict safety and compliance regulations, which is why we value this accreditation so much.

By achieving Alcumus SafeContractor status, MiX by Powerfleet has:

• Undergone a vetting process which examines health and safety procedures
• Had our track record for safe practice reviewed
• Been added to a database of companies with high safety standards which is accessible to registered users via a website
• Provided detailed reports for clients to consider before subscribing to our products and services
• Been awarded a Top Safety Accreditation by Alcumus SafeContractor

Our focus remains the safety of our customer’s fleets. We are committed to providing fleets of all sizes with data-driven insights, intelligent reporting, and risk mitigation technology. Our fully customisable solutions provide our customers with opportunities to meet their safety, security, efficiency, compliance, and sustainability targets. MiX by Powerfleet has been keeping fleets connected and protected since 1996.

Safety is a primary concern for fleet managers with the annual commercial fleet accident rate sitting at 20% and growing. Implementing fleet telematics technology can help you:

• Identify unsafe driving behaviours that lead to accidents
• Report on which drivers, assets and operations within your fleet are high risk
• Engage drivers to help them take control of their driving performance
• Train drivers on how to reduce daily risk on the road
• Develop customised driver safety policies to keep tabs on: Driver Behaviour Monitoring, Real-Time Driver Coaching, Driver Engagement and Scoring, and Visual Evidence
• Utilise real-time audible and visual alerts to correct risky driving behaviour
• Maintain vehicles appropriately to always keep them serviced and safe
• Reduce the number of miles needed to travel and dispatch closest vehicles to job sites

The future is now

Our accreditation as a safe contractor is indicative of our daily commitment to excellence, and of our accountability to our partners and customers. So, what does the future hold for safety in fleet telematics?

“The future of commercial vehicle telematics lies in successful OEM integrations,” says Charles Tasker, Chief Operating Officer at MiX by Powerfleet. “MiX is rapidly accelerating working with leading vehicle OEMs to ensure clients can easily access rich data needed to optimise fleet and driver safety.” Whilst OEM telematics won’t replace all telematics hardware capabilities, there is an increasing demand for telematics software that’s augmented by additional capabilities and robust data analytics.

Informed by our award-winning successes and with one eye on the future, MiX continues to develop innovative new technologies which put driver and fleet safety front and center. For more information on any of our current products and solutions, please contact us.

Road accidents can lead to serious injury or loss of life, which is why every single driver and vehicle is subject to driving laws, safety standards and regular service checks. These safety regulations apply to all private, public, and utilitarian vehicles, but perhaps most especially, to fleet vehicles.

Fleet vehicles need to operate optimally, no matter the road, traffic or weather conditions, the location, or the time of day. Drivers spend entire business days on the road having to mitigate risks to deliver goods or services safely and timeously. This requires fleet operators and managers to stay fully apprised of unsafe driving behaviours in real-time, to help prevent accidents and collisions. Safety is always number one priority, but so is keeping operations efficient, and keeping operational costs as a low as possible.

All commercial drivers need to obey the road regulations of the regions in which they operate as well as those rules specifically set out by the company that employs them. Compliance regulations empower drivers to do their jobs properly whilst operating within an acceptable set of safety standards. Each fleet operator can be very specific about how their drivers load their vehicles, operate their vehicles, optimise their routes and the hours they spend on the road. With so much to abide by and ever-changing road conditions to consider, fleets hugely benefit from harnessing fleet telematics technology to ensure they’re following protocols, and to better inform their daily movements.

Fleet telematics gives fleet managers a bird’s eye view on how safely, efficiently, securely, and sustainably a fleet is operating. Telematics solutions collect vast data sets on all aspects of a fleet’s operations, including vehicle and asset conditions. This enables fleet managers to ensure that all vehicles and assets are roadworthy and will not cost the company in unscheduled downtime. By having the information available to evidence that essential safety and compliance checks have been carried out to specific standards, drivers can provide an auditable trail that proves that their vehicle is well maintained and adheres to fleet compliance regulations. There are essentially five areas of focus that ensure a fleet is fully compliant:

Safety management

Fleet safety is essential to reducing accidents, keeping drivers and other road users (such as pedestrians) safe, avoiding fines, managing insurance costs, and steering clear of potential legal fees. Software is key to risk and safety management because it’s a central repository of essential details about fleet drivers, vehicles, repairs, insurance, and road conditions. Collating regular reports on all aspects of fleet operations creates awareness of compliance regulations and provides ample opportunity to continuously review company-led risk management and safety programs.

Vehicle maintenance

Fleet vehicles are utilised for business purposes. This means that they must be properly equipped, inspected, and regularly maintained. Vehicle care reduces fuel consumption and the need for parts replacement, helping to reduce operating costs. Data-driven fleet maintenance and asset management software can ensure that all compliance standards have been met when servicing fleet vehicles.

Driver performance

Fleet drivers must be trained, certified, in good health and fully apprised of all road and fleet compliance requirements. They need to have a valid license and have met driver training and safety standards for the type of vehicle they are operating. Drivers who are properly trained, well-rested, fully engaged, driving defensively, and abiding by both the rules of the road and company safety standards, aid in reducing the risk of accidents and operating costs for their company.

Software integrations with third-party solutions can be particularly effective when monitoring vehicle activity and managing driver compliance in terms of behaviour. Fleet telematics provides ample opportunities to proactively address unsafe and distracted driving practices such as over speeding, harsh braking, harsh acceleration, and mobile phone use. Telematics technology allows fleet managers to intervene in real-time if a driver is not compliant with driver programs and operational procedures. Fleet management software further permits the secure electronic filing of documents such as driver’s licenses, medical records, training certificates, safety policies and insurance records, enabling fleet managers to keep a driver’s information up to date, organised and easily accessible should roadside audits and other compliance checks need to be performed.

Company policy

Fully customised fleet telematics solutions can help develop operational analyses that form the basis of compliance management processes. Dynamic fleets can utilise rich data sets to build comprehensive fleet practices and policies that can be applied and monitored on an ongoing basis. Fleet compliance is a continuous process, encompassing the entire operation. Establishing company policy and making it readily available, encourages a high level of compliance across all vehicles, assets, and personnel. Company policies are subject to change as new regulatory requirements and business needs arise. Fleet operators can utilise telematics technology to keep personnel informed of any such changes, avoiding the possibility of a diminished culture of compliance.

Internal auditing

The practice of internal auditing ensures that all vehicles, assets, and personnel are meeting company-led safety and efficiency standards, as well as all road safety compliance regulations. A professional auditing firm can be tasked with training key staff members to carry out departmental audits to ensure that internal and external requirements are being met. This means that documentation is being filled in, checked, and filed on a regular basis. Having specialist fleet management software in place to store and record such information, eliminates the risk of last-minute panics when an unexpected external or roadside audit takes place.

Adhering to compliance requirements can be complicated. With the help of software as a service (SaaS), fleet managers can ensure that dynamic fleets are operating within set regulations such as:

• Driver qualification: This file should include their employment application, driving records, driver’s license, certificate of violations, annual reviews, pertinent medical information, drug and alcohol testing results, driver-vehicle defect reports, driver logs and supporting documentation, and maintenance and repair records. All these records should be kept on file and fully updated on an ongoing basis. Failure to maintain proper records can result in penalties and fines.
• Unsafe driving: Over speeding, harsh acceleration, harsh braking, dangerous cornering, seatbelt violations, reckless driving, driver distraction, driver fatigue, eye closing, smoking and mobile phone use.
• Hours of Service (HOS): Maintain all HOS RODS logs for the required retention period of 6 months. Check for missing ELD logs to ensure retention history is complete. Properly document gaps in logs. Review logs as they’re received to ensure proper use. Monitor logs for rule violations and accurate event annotations.
• Crash indication: A private database of crash and on-road incident information that outlines a driver’s involvement in said accidents.
• Preventative vehicle maintenance: Should include oil and oil filter changes, engine tuning, including belts and other fluids, brake inspections, tyre rotation and alignment, lubrication, radiator maintenance, electrical components - such as lights, window glass, gauges, batteries, transmission, and any corroded or deteriorating metal.
• Vehicle maintenance: A log of maintenance issues such as worn-out brakes, broken taillights, or a failure to make required repairs.
• Controlled substances: Use or possession of a controlled substance, such as alcohol, is strictly prohibited.
• Hazardous materials: Drivers who haul hazardous materials are held to stricter standards and must ensure that their cargo is not improperly loaded or leaking. The proper placard identifying the hazardous material is also required.
• Operating documentation: Documentation of a driver’s ability to operate the commercial motor vehicle, including a valid driver’s license and all medical clearances.
• Pre-trip inspections: A mandatory, thorough inspection of a vehicle and its components before each trip. This includes a review of the previous driver-vehicle inspection reports for a particular vehicle to track its condition and performance.
• Post-trip inspection: A mandatory, thorough inspection of a vehicle and its components after each trip. Any issues need to be recorded and reported to a fleet manager so that repairs can be scheduled.
• Driver-vehicle inspection reports: Should include the date, vehicle identification number, driver identification number, steering mechanism, wheels, tyres, rims, brakes, air systems, lights, reflectors, mirrors, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, windshield wipers, coupling equipment, spare tires, power units, and trailer (if applicable).
• Defect report: After each inspection, a list of defects or deficiencies that could impact the safety of the vehicle must be recorded and reported to a fleet manager.
• Corrective action: Once issues and defects are repaired, the driver must sign-off, certifying that corrective action was taken in a timely manner.
• Background checks: These checks should not stop at point-of-hire. Ongoing screenings, such as routine drug and alcohol tests, driving records, and criminal history, should be monitored.

Fleet telematics helps companies to keep their fleets compliant by removing the guesswork associated with outdated paper practices, that caused confusion and were subject to human error. Using innovative technology to keep fleets compliant helps to maximise your return on investment and increase your bottom line. Visit our page on compliance to see how MiX by Powerfleet can keep your dynamic and enterprise fleets safe and compliant.

Workplace safety is key across all industries but particularly within fleet management, as it protects employers, employees, vehicles and assets, and job sites. Employers that stay safety compliant can look forward to efficient operations with reduced downtime because of potential accidents and collisions. Employees who feel that their safety is a priority are more engaged, industrious workers. Vehicles and assets that are kept in good condition, afford the company better reliability and peak productivity. And well-managed job sites enable supervisors to coordinate large teams operating dynamic fleets or using valuable and expensive machinery.

Safety for employers

Fleet operators have a duty to their employees to keep them safe in the workplace. Since their employees are either on the road or at jobsites, where serious or even fatal accidents can easily occur, employers need to utilise all available technological resources to maintain operational visibility and streamline processes. GPS fleet tracking systems such as MiX Fleet Manager™, offer fleet operators unlimited access to information about their drivers and vehicles, with a host of features, tools and reports to help increase the safety of their fleet and maximise return on investment. The solution comprises of a sophisticated onboard computer, which collects and transmits valuable vehicle and driver data. This data is hosted in one of several top-tier data centers, and information is accessible online or via a mobile app (for Android or iOS) such as MyMiX™.

Investment in fleet telematics enables employers to ensure that employees are sufficiently trained, compliance regulations are met, and vehicles and machinery are in safe working order. By making safety a priority, employers are ensuring that they maintain the health and wealth of their fleets.

Safety for employees

Fleet telematics is an ever-expanding, always-innovating technological space. It’s becoming easier than ever before to keep tabs on all operating aspects of a fleet, no matter its size or location. One area where employers have less control, is over drivers as they navigate roads. Drivers introduce new risks to good operations simply because humans are fallible, and mistakes can be made for any number of reasons. Sometimes the culprit is simply a need for better training. Sometimes it’s driver fatigue. Sometimes outside factors such as harsh working conditions, remote job locations or adverse weather conditions can affect a driver’s performance. The best way for drivers to stay safe is to maintain constant communication with fleet managers, to stay compliant with road and company regulations, be fully engaged in bettering their driving and task performance, and to be always informed of their vehicle’s current condition. Driver-facing, in-cab AI dashcams like MiX Vision AI detect risky driving behaviour and alert the driver and fleet manager in real-time when a driver is fatigued, smoking or using their mobile phone while driving, and engaging in distracted behaviors (like excessively yawning or closing their eyes for prolonged periods). This helps to prevent accidents and keep drivers safe on the road.

AI dashcams can help improve driver safety and operational efficiency by keeping fleets connected and protected.

Safety for vehicles and assets

Running a multinational fleet is extremely complex. By enabling fleet managers to use the latest innovative fleet telematics, operators can empower their supervisors to make critical interventions when fleet safety is compromised in any number of ways. Asset and vehicle safety is key to consistent performance, employee confidence, fuel saving, maintenance cost reduction, productivity improvement and return on investment. The overall safety and security of a fleet is dependent on equipment being kept in good working order and vehicles remaining roadworthy. Fleets the world over must ensure that they adhere to a strict maintenance schedule. This will ensure that all vehicle parts and components always remain safe to operate. Regular maintenance checks on fuel, oil and coolant levels, tyre and wiper blade condition, lights and electrics, engine air filters, spark plugs, brake pads, air conditioning unit all save companies time and money by reducing downtime and limiting the need for costly repairs.

Safety analytics technology such as MiX Hours of Service ELDs and MiX Asset Manager™ can help operators, fleet managers and drivers to stay on top of general wear and tear, making fleets safer and more secure.

A fleet can only be as efficient as its worst performing vehicle or asset, so maintenance is a top priority for all.

Safety on jobsites

There are potentially unsafe jobsites in many industries, but particularly within the agricultural, construction, emergency services, field services, mining, oil and gas, and utilities industries. Fleet managers and supervisors operating within these fields should be using everything in their telemetry arsenal to ensure that employees, vehicles, and assets are always safely maintained. Good fleet management ultimately boils down to mitigating as many risk factors as possible. Jobsite monitoring and evaluation is a core responsibility of an effective fleet manager.

MiX by Powerfleet develops and implements connected fleet and mobile asset management solutions for customers across the globe. We focus our energy on creating customisable hardware and software that is specific to our customers’ requirements. MiX Fleet Manager Essential fits vehicles with an unobtrusive onboard computer which captures and transmits vehicle and driver data. Combined with app-centric technology such as MyMiX™, a fleet manager has all the information they could possibly need about a vehicle’s location, engine diagnostics and risk factors at play. These solutions allow managers to geofence their fleet’s movements for greater safety, to send and receive real-time notifications to avoid on-site accidents and collisions, and to analyze historical data to better inform where the risks on jobsites are to prepare teams being dispatched to these locations.

Ensuring that jobsites are always safe and secure for both fleets and employees is essential to optimising operations, maximising productivity, and increasing the bottom line. You cannot afford to not invest in this technology.

The Evolution of Fleet Telematics

Fleet telematics has come a long way since its inception, revolutionising the way businesses manage their fleets. 

From humble beginnings, with basic tracking systems that allowed businesses to monitor the location and movements of their vehicles, to significant advancements in data processing and connectivity. The integration of GPS technology and the proliferation of mobile networks allowed for more comprehensive data collection and reporting. Telematics systems evolved to include features like driver behaviour monitoring, engine diagnostics, and fuel efficiency tracking.

In recent years, we've entered the era of smart telematics. With the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), fleet telematics has become smarter and more predictive. Advanced sensors, real-time data analytics, and AI-driven insights have enabled fleet managers to make informed decisions, optimise routes, and reduce operational costs. These systems not only provide real-time tracking but also help with predictive maintenance and fuel-saving strategies.

The latest advancements in fleet telematics include the integration of machine learning algorithms for predictive maintenance, enhanced driver safety with AI-driven risk assessments, and improved cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data. Telematics has expanded beyond simply tracking vehicles to providing holistic solutions that address various fleet challenges.

Integration with Other Technologies

Fleet telematics doesn't operate in isolation; it's closely interconnected with a host of cutting-edge technologies that enhance its capabilities and provide a broader spectrum of benefits. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a game-changer in the field of fleet telematics. AI algorithms can process the massive amount of data generated by telematics systems and transform it into actionable insights. AI enables predictive maintenance by analysing vehicle data to detect potential issues before they become critical, reducing downtime and repair costs. Additionally, AI-driven driver behaviour monitoring enhances safety and fuel efficiency by providing real-time feedback and risk assessments.

Machine learning, a subset of AI, is instrumental in predictive analytics for fleet management. Machine learning algorithms continuously learn from historical data, enabling more accurate predictions regarding maintenance needs, fuel consumption patterns, and even driver behaviour. These insights help fleet managers make data-driven decisions that not only optimise operations but also save resources and enhance safety.

Proactive vs. Reactive Safety Measures

One of the most critical aspects of fleet management is safety. The ability to ensure the well-being of drivers and protect valuable assets is paramount. GPS fleet tracking provides real-time visibility into the location and condition of vehicles. This data is instrumental in proactively monitoring driver behaviour and vehicle health. Fleet managers can track speed, harsh acceleration, or braking, and even monitor environmental conditions, such as road temperature and weather. With this information, they can identify potential safety risks and take immediate action to mitigate them.

Geofencing and Route Optimisation

GPS tracking enables the creation of geofences, which are virtual boundaries that define areas of operation. Fleet managers can set up geofences to ensure that drivers adhere to specific routes and schedules, helping prevent deviations that might lead to safety hazards. Additionally, route optimisation features help in planning the safest and most efficient routes for drivers, minimising exposure to potential risks.

Emergency Response and Communication

GPS fleet tracking systems include features for immediate emergency response and communication. In the event of an accident or an emergency, fleet managers can swiftly locate and assist drivers. Drivers can also communicate with dispatchers in real-time, allowing for a rapid response to any issues that may arise on the road.

By transitioning from reactive safety measures to a proactive approach, fleet managers can minimise accidents, reduce downtime, and enhance the overall safety culture within their organisations. 

Driver behaviour Analysis and Monitoring Tools

Ensuring safe and responsible driving is a top priority for fleet managers. GPS fleet tracking systems play a central role in monitoring driver behaviour. These systems record critical data such as speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering. Fleet managers can analyse this data to identify drivers engaging in risky behaviours and take proactive measures to address them. Real-time alerts can be set up to notify managers of specific incidents, allowing for immediate intervention.

Telematics Solutions

Telematics technology combines GPS data with additional vehicle information, such as engine diagnostics and fuel consumption. Telematics systems provide a comprehensive view of driver behaviour, enabling fleet managers to address issues related to vehicle maintenance, fuel efficiency, and safety. Drivers can also receive feedback on their performance through telematics solutions, promoting safer practices.

In-Cab Cameras and Driver Feedback Devices

In-cab cameras and driver feedback devices offer real-time monitoring of driver behaviour. These tools capture video footage and data on driver actions, allowing for comprehensive analysis. They can also provide immediate feedback to drivers, helping them self-correct their behaviour while on the road.

Training Programs and Coaching

Beyond technology, training programs and coaching are invaluable tools for improving driver behaviour. Fleet managers can offer tailored training sessions based on the data collected through GPS tracking and telematics systems. These sessions help drivers understand the impact of their actions on safety and efficiency.

By implementing these monitoring tools, fleet managers can reduce risky driver behaviour, enhance safety, and mitigate potential accidents and incidents on the road.

Impact on Insurance

Improved driver behaviour has a significant influence on insurance premiums and claims within the fleet management industry. By promoting safe driving practices and utilising the monitoring tools discussed in the previous section, fleet managers can reduce the number of accidents and associated claims, leading to lower insurance premiums. Insurers often reward fleets with a proven track record of safe driving with reduced rates, making it a financially prudent choice.

Additionally, when accidents do occur, the data collected from monitoring tools can serve as valuable evidence during the claims process. It allows fleet managers to demonstrate that their drivers were adhering to safe practices and may expedite the resolution of claims, reducing downtime and operational disruptions.

Operational Efficiency and Route Optimisation

Operational efficiency is a critical facet of fleet management. The ability to optimise routes not only saves time but also reduces fuel consumption and operational costs. By analysing this wealth of data, fleet managers can identify optimal routes that minimise travel time and fuel consumption.

Historical Route Data

GPS systems collect and store historical route data, enabling fleet managers to identify patterns and trends. This information allows for proactive route planning, considering factors such as the time of day and seasonal variations. By leveraging historical data, fleets can optimise routes for specific conditions and ultimately save both time and resources.

Customisable Settings

Modern GPS systems offer customisable settings, allowing fleet managers to tailor route optimisation to their specific needs. For example, managers can prioritise routes based on fuel efficiency, shortest distance, or fastest travel time. This flexibility ensures that routes align with the unique requirements of each fleet.

With advanced algorithms and real-time data analysis, modern GPS systems empower fleet managers to continually enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and provide an improved experience for both drivers and customers.

Legal and Compliance Aspects 

In the realm of fleet management, legal and compliance aspects play a pivotal role. Adhering to regulations and standards ensures the safety of drivers, the well-being of the community, and the integrity of the fleet. 

Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Compliance

ELDs have become a central component of fleet management, enabling accurate and automated record-keeping of driver hours and vehicle operations. Compliance with ELD regulations is not merely a matter of fulfilling legal requirements but also a way to enhance transparency and accuracy in tracking driver hours. The MiX ELD solution helps prevent fatigue-related accidents by ensuring that drivers adhere to HOS regulations, thus improving safety and reducing the risk of violations and associated penalties.

Hours of Service (HOS) Compliance

Hours of Service regulations are designed to prevent driver fatigue and ensure that drivers get adequate rest. Compliance with HOS rules is essential for the safety of drivers and all road users. HOS regulations set limits on the number of hours a driver can operate a commercial vehicle and mandate rest breaks. Fleet managers must actively monitor and enforce HOS compliance to avoid violations that can result in fines, legal liabilities, and, most importantly, accidents.

By embracing ELD technology and diligently monitoring and enforcing HOS compliance, fleet managers ensure the well-being of their drivers, the safety of the public, and regulatory compliance. This section will delve deeper into the specifics of these critical legal and compliance aspects.

While ELD and HOS compliance are essential in the world of fleet management, it's important to recognise that compliance standards can vary significantly across different countries and regions. 

Advanced Features of GPS Fleet Tracking

The capability to access real-time data is a game-changer in the world of fleet management. 

Real-time data access provides fleet managers with up-to-the-minute information on vehicle locations, driver behaviour, and route conditions. This immediate insight enables managers to make informed decisions in response to changing circumstances, whether it's responding to emergencies, or addressing driver behaviour issues promptly.

Enhanced Safety

Real-time data access plays a vital role in safety management. Fleet managers can monitor driver behaviour in real-time and receive instant alerts for risky actions. They can then intervene immediately, either by communicating with the driver or taking other corrective actions to prevent accidents and ensure driver safety.

Efficiency and Customer Satisfaction

The ability to monitor and adjust routes in real time enhances operational efficiency. Fleet managers can adapt to unexpected changes, ensuring timely deliveries and minimising downtime. This translates into improved customer satisfaction and a more competitive edge in the market.

Real-time data access is a cornerstone of modern fleet management, offering dynamic insights that facilitate quicker, smarter decisions and, ultimately, improved performance.

What Does Fleet Efficiency Mean for Your Business?

Any business that runs fleets of vehicles can benefit from GPS equipment tracking solutions. If you need to know where your vehicles are, what their condition is, how a driver is behaving on the road, keep track of trips and deliveries, and move goods from one place to another, a fleet tracking system makes your job easier and more efficient.

Fleet telematics has enabled multinational companies to track fleets in even the most remote areas, in all road and weather conditions, all over the world. Some of the industries that have benefited most from using a GPS tracking system include:

• Public Utilities
• Public Transportation
• Consumer Goods
• Rental and Leasing
• Landscaping companies
• Pest Control Companies
• Police and Emergency Services
• Security companies
• Transport and Distribution
• Government vehicles
• Construction
• Oil and gas companies
• Mining

No matter the size of your fleet, type of vehicles, route optimisation, scheduling of trips, or complexity of compliance regulations, GPS fleet tracking enables operators to improve the overall safety, security, efficiency, and productivity of their fleet.

Types Of Tracking Technologies

If you've been researching the best method to track your fleet, you've probably found information about two different ways to track fleet vehicles: smartphone tracking apps, and GPS tracking devices. Though similar, they perform different functions. Understanding these differences is key to making the right decision about which one will optimise operations for your business. Often a hybrid setup will suit your fleet best.

Smartphone apps are frequently used by drivers for navigation to new destinations. While this can be useful to individual drivers, it does not let fleet managers track their fleet's location or speed. More hardware is needed to collect these vehicle metrics. Simple cell phone navigation apps do not let you create alerts, define geofences, or run reports on driver behaviour; they track the driver’s location, not the asset’s.

Each fleet is unique and has specific needs. Rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach, MiX by Powerfleet offers integration services and add-ons to help customise our customers’ telematics systems.

Interested in the benefits of GPS fleet tracking software and how it can help keep your fleet connected and protected? Contact us for a personalised quote today.

FAQs

What is a vehicle tracking device?

A vehicle tracking device is compact and can be installed under a dashboard for convenience and space-saving. It tracks your fleet vehicles and converts that data into real-time notifications that allow you to manage your fleet as effectively and efficiently as possible. Used in conjunction with telematics software, you can use your unique data to track driving trends and improve fleet operations across the board. Having this information at your fingertips enables you to manage multiple vehicles, varying routes, fuel consumption, vehicle downtime, your drivers, and assets, from anywhere in the world. Streamlining processes makes fleets safer, and more efficient and increases your bottom line.

How does the device work?

How does a vehicle tracking device work? A GPS tracking device connects with the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network. GNSS is a group of orbiting satellites that relays positioning, navigation, and timing data to IoT devices. They do this by transmitting high-frequency signals from space to receivers all over the globe.

When talking about the performance of different GPS systems, there are three criteria used:

• Accuracy: Measuring how factual the actual position, speed, or time are compared to that measured by the GNSS.
• Integrity: This describes the system’s ability to give a threshold of confidence in the data it provides and to raise the alarm when abnormal information is recorded.
• Continuity: This is the GPS’s capacity to provide continuous information without disruptions.

This highly accurate positioning software can be picked up by anything with a receiver such as cell phones, cars, law enforcement systems, and airplanes. Most people use this technology at least once a week via their smartphone, to help navigate from A to B. GPS fleet trackers further provide information on present location, vehicle speed, proximity to hazards, and forward direction to name a few.

What are the components of GPS tracking devices?

• GPS satellite
• A vehicle with GPS tracking device installed
• Wireless network
• GPS Servers

How does the tracking process work?

Once the GPS tracking device is installed it uses the Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to always track the vehicles. The device monitors driver performance and vehicle condition amongst other metrics. The information gathered is initially stored locally and then transmitted over a wireless network back to a server.

The server allows fleet managers to access the information through any mobile device. This information can then be displayed on a map so drivers and operators can view breadcrumb trails of the vehicle's travels, vehicle speed, and more. Data gathering is fully automated, so fleet managers can log in and set up alerts and reports based on the data sets they prioritise.

Why is there a shortage of HGV drivers in the UK?

In recent months, the main reasons behind the HGV driver shortage have been a hotly debated topic in the UK.

Two (2) prominent factors identified are the UK’s departure from the EU at the start of 2021 and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many EU drivers returned to their home countries before and during the pandemic and, due to the new immigration laws implemented as a result of Brexit, some of these drivers were not able to return to the UK. Some decided not to return due to difficult working conditions, low wages, long working hours, tax changes and truck driving being so strictly controlled.

Official data indicate that of the estimated 14,000 HGV drivers that left the UK in 2020, only about 600 had returned by July 2021. Data from the Department for Transport indicates that 16,022 practical HGV driving tests were passed in Britain in 2020/21 compared to 41,434 in 2019/20. An approximate 25,000 year-on-year reduction (Department for Transport, 2021a).

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) Annual Population Survey data shows an estimated 300,000 people working in the UK recorded HGV driving as their primary occupation in 2019/20. That is in the run-up to UK’s exit from the EU on January 30, 2020. In addition, 16% of these HGV drivers were from the EU or non-UK countries.

This data highlights that 27,000 non-UK (EU and other nationalities) HGV drivers were plying their trade in 2020/21 compared to 47,000 in the previous year. A reduction of 20,000 HGV drivers.

Therefore, the reduction of HGV driving and the dwindling numbers of non-UK HGV drivers implies an estimated 45,000 HGV driver capacity reductions in the UK between 2019/20 and 2020/21.

Furthermore, truck driving in the UK is no longer a lucrative option for new EU drivers due to increased red tape, such as the increased paperwork needed to travel back and forth. Also, the number of prospective HGV drivers who could not take the truck driving test to receive their license skyrocketed at the pandemic’s peak.

The estimated total cost to obtain an HGV driver’s license is between £250 to £300. It excludes the HGV training costs estimated to be between £1,000 to £2,000, depending on the hours.

Many of these factors have also negatively affected the wages of HGV drivers as it has become more expensive for EU nationals to live and work in the UK. HGV drivers lose out on wages when delayed at borders as they are paid by the distance they cover and not the hours they have worked.

The HGV driver shortage has also been caused by the surge of online shopping at the height of the pandemic, increasing the demand for drivers to make deliveries. It has resulted in supply chains in the UK and around the world being stretched to breaking point.

What is the impact of the HGV driver shortage in the UK?

The ripple effect of the HGV driver shortage is being felt in every facet of the UK economy, as the shortage is driving up supply chain costs. Scarcity of raw materials and delivery delays have disrupted production and manufacturing, leading to slower growth and hefty increases in overall costs.

Prices for same-day deliveries have increased by 30%, and additional storage space for goods awaiting collection is required due to delays in the availability of haulers.

A report from the Bank of England covering April to June also highlighted that “transportation delays had resulted in shortages of some items such as furniture, car parts and electrical goods.” The report also indicated an acute shortage of materials for the construction industry, namely cement and timber.

Additionally, businesses and haulers warned they can no longer guarantee all pickups and deliveries. As a result of this, some retailers are luring HGV drivers with substantial pay bonuses.

What is being done about the HGV driver shortage?

The haulage and logistics sector has urged the UK government to ease visa requirements for EU HGV drivers. Logistics UK, one of the largest trade organisations in the UK, is pleading with the government to create 10,000 seasonal visas for HGV truck drivers, similar to that of the group’s Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme programme for farmworkers.

The UK government has issued a directive to issue thousands of visas to foreign workers in response to the escalating predicament. The applications for these visas opened at the start of October 2021.

5,000 temporary visas for HGV drivers

The UK government has made 5,000 temporary work visas available to EU HGV drivers to come work between October and December 2021. HGV drivers of all nationalities are invited to apply, and many are expected to come from the EU bloc.

However, the exact criteria for the scheme have not been released, but it is anticipated the visas will form part of the T5 Temporary Worker category.

Other measures in place

The UK government has temporarily relaxed the rules around drivers’ hours to mitigate the HGV driver shortage crisis. It means drivers can increase their daily working hour limit from nine to 11 hours, twice a week.

In addition, initiatives to recruit new drivers has been proposed, and the haulage and logistics sector has been instructed to improve wages and working conditions.

However, the government has resisted the pressure to relax visa rules for EU drivers. Initially, the temporary extension to driver working hours ran for four weeks until August 8, 2021, but was extended to October 3.

The temporary work hour extension was heavily criticised for compromising safety standards, and the transport sector highlighted that it had done little to alleviate the problems it’s facing.

To curb the HGV driver shortage, the Road Haulages Association (RHA) increased its funding for apprenticeships on July 1, 2021, to £7,000. Additionally, many transport companies are offering drivers significant pay increases, bonuses and better working conditions to mitigate the HGV driver shortage.

How can telematics technology help?

Telematics technology is an efficient solution for the transport industry in managing the HGV driver shortage. This innovative technology offers real-time tracking and visibility of entire fleets and mobile assets, reducing the manual work needed to be done by drivers. It is also essential when it comes to electronically monitoring driving hours for compliance.

In addition, it allows drivers to switch between private and business so that waiting times do not affect their hours.

As a result, it considerably enhances operational efficiency and reduces the required training time for temporary drivers. It is achieved through the sharing of insightful and in-depth data between supply chain actors and their systems.

Additional benefits and uses of telematics technology include critical vehicle and preventative maintenance insights, engine monitoring, equipment and uptime maximisation, in-cab driver feedback for real-time risky behaviour correction and driver coaching tools.

Most importantly, by intimately knowing driver and vehicle activity and providing actionable feedback, telematics technology helps in improving safety, increasing savings and reducing risk.

What caused the global component shortage?

The advent of the Covid-19 pandemic initially prompted the global chip shortage. It was then further compounded by a surge in demand for electronics as businesses and consumers’ need for laptops and servers, substantially rose to cater to remote working and home-schooling mandates.

According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, sales of chips (also known as semiconductors) were 26% higher in May 2021 than during the same period in 2020. The industry shipped more units during May 2021 than during any previous month in the market’s history, showing just how rapidly production has had to ramp up to meet the rising demand.

The Covid-19 pandemic also exposed a weak link in the global supply chain. Only Taiwan’s TSMC and South Korea’s Samsung, are responsible for most global chip manufacturing. TSMC and Samsung are dominant players in producing leading-edge chips used in mobile devices or for military applications.

Another factor contributing to the global component shortage is Taiwan suffering the worst drought the country has seen in 50 years. It has left TSMC and other manufacturers struggling to attain adequate quantities of water, a crucial element in chip manufacturing.

Events such as factory fires, power outages, and the now-infamous 2021 Suez Canal blockade have also contributed to the global chip crunch. The blockade at the world’s busiest and crucial shipping waterway occurred when a container ship got wedged sideways in the canal.

The automotive industry is a large consumer of semiconductors, but its consumption is a tiny drop in the ocean compared to the consumer electronics industry. For example, approximately 100 million vehicles are manufactured each year, while one billion smartphones are produced annually. However, smartphones are just a tiny segment of the much larger consumer electronics industry.

Stiff competition to acquire limited electronics and chips is likely to continue until production has increased to match the demand.

What is being done to combat the component shortage?

As more industries undergo digital transformation, the high demand for semiconductors will surely continue to grow. As a result, manufacturers and governments are working on building more capacity within supply chains.

TSMC, over the next three years, will invest an estimated US $100 million towards attaining additional capacity. In comparison, Samsung, SK Hynix and the South Korean government, have pledged a massive US $451 billion investment to help with an increase in capacity and to provide incentives for chip manufacturers.

However, despite these massive investments, there has been a recognition for the need to diversify the component supply chain to circumvent the reliance on Taiwan and South Korea.

As part of his “Build Back Better” plan, US President Joe Biden has pledged support for the American semiconductor sector. This support included a massive bipartisan tech funding bill introduced in June and saw US $52 billion earmarked for American chip production.

Intel plans to extend its capacity and will spend US $20 billion on two new factories in Arizona.

The European Union (EU) also plans to step up its efforts to grow its component building capacity across the bloc. However, the United Kingdom government has yet to announce its plans to assist its semiconductor sector.

How is the global component shortage affecting the telematics industry?

The component shortage affecting the automotive sector has also halted the development of telematics technologies. It has made it increasingly challenging for fleet customers using telematics solutions to acquire telematics hardware, tablets, new vehicles, and more.

Data from some of the world’s largest component makers, according to Bloomberg, indicate an increase in lead times from 10 weeks to 17 weeks.

Despite these crippling shortages, the good news is new connected vehicle technologies and platforms are rapidly becoming available. That is, fleets have various options to access and manage fleet data in light of the current short supply of aftermarket telematics devices.

Thus, it is important to leverage your current onboard computers to minimise any disruptions to your fleet. Changing your approach to managing fleet data and using what you already have will assist you in surviving the component shortage.

Below are five reasons why it's time to change your approach to managing your fleet data:

1. Use a single, simple source for all data

When connected vehicles roll off the assembly line, they can be turned on instantly, meaning you have immediate visibility without the need for installation downtime.

New connected vehicle platforms can collate data across Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and telematics devices in vehicles that are not enabled for connection, offering a unified view. Therefore, when exploring connected vehicle platforms, it is important to ensure they have simple-to-use features such as:

• A map and list view of all vehicles registered on the system.
• Trip history reports with customisable date ranges for each - or, all - vehicles.
• Comprehensive information on the health of individual vehicles.
• Standard reports including driver behaviour, distance, workday reports, and open health event reports.
• Data visualisation on drivers’ behaviour and vehicle utilisation.

 2. Make informed vehicle and route decisions

Connected technology, such as telematics, makes it simple to track and show the locations of connected vehicles. In addition, it provides deeper, real-time insights into fleet-related data offered, making it simple to track driver location, trip history, vehicle status and movements.

When looking for a connected vehicle platform, ensure that it offers a map-based interface that displays a vehicle’s current status. That is, which vehicles in your fleet are on the road and which ones are parked.

3. Protect your fleet against risky behaviour that causes accidents or excessive vehicle wear and tear

A top concern for any business managing a fleet of vehicles is that of safety. And a critical aspect in keeping drivers and assets safe is visibility into the behaviours of drivers.

Reports and dashboard visualisations on driver safety scores, speeding incidents, and harsh braking and acceleration, are often pre-configured on connected vehicle platforms. It offers you a clearer picture of your drivers’ behaviour on the road so you can provide relevant training to drivers who need it and, in doing so, decrease fleet safety risk.

Additionally, connected vehicle technology can also distinguish between different speed zones, distinguishing the severity of speeding incidents better.

4. Be assured your vehicles remain within their service area

A powerful tool that provides you with more visibility into your fleet’s movements is geofencing.

When implementing geofencing, you can define a specific vehicle’s zone, and then receive alerts when that vehicle exits the predefined zone. This feature allows you to see where your assets are at all times and prevent drivers from using vehicles for personal errands. This saves you from spending money on fuel that’s not for work purposes and minimises asset abuse.

What does the global component shortage mean for fleet managers?

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent global chip shortage has negatively impacted the fleet sector’s operations. So, what does this chip crunch mean for fleet managers?

• Increased costs

One of the effects of the component shortage for fleet managers is the increase in vehicle costs. As a result, fleet managers will have to pay approximately 18% to 20% more than they are accustomed to.

• Low, or no, inventory

Fleet managers ought to expect dealerships not to have excess inventory, as it is anticipated they will run out of merchandise towards the end of the year.

• Changes to incentives and product availability

When manufacturers sell all the merchandise they have produced, they will probably not offer fleet incentives. Additionally, there could be significant adjustments to both rebate programmes and fleet availability in 2022.

• More expensive

The effects of the global supply chain crisis stretches far beyond the shortage of chips. There is a high demand for upfitting materials such as steel and plywood, which are in short supply, thus pushing prices up.

• An increased need for vehicle maintenance

It is vital for fleet managers to stay up-to-date on preventative maintenance and repairs as they must keep their fleet operating for longer periods.

• Reduce fuel costs by minimising drive time.
• Speed up delivery times.
• Increase customer satisfaction.
• Improve driver happiness as they get more done in less time, without added stress.
• Avoid traffic and roads that are under construction that slow drivers down.

The above is just the tip of the benefit iceberg. With fleet management software like MiX Fleet Manager™, you receive ‘Daily Trip Reports’. These reports give insight into key information per driver and per asset/vehicle that can help you make informed decisions about your fleet. Everyday you can log in and see an overview of:

• Total driving time and total standing time
• Distance travelled
• Idling time (percentage and actual hours)
• Average and maximum speed
• Engine hours
• Start and end times of trips
• Fuel consumption
• Estimated CO2 emissions per trip
• Private versus work vehicle usage for compliance

A huge benefit of adopting Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) is how easy they make it for fleet managers to collect and analyze data that can help improve fleet operations. At first, the amount of data can seem overwhelming, but once you get used to it, you can see how to use that data to improve every area of your fleet's performance. Today, we will be talking about KPIs for fleet management.

What Are KPIs?

ELDs generally provide data from GPS tracking devices connected to the fleet vehicles' engines. These devices track metrics such as idling time, speed and speeding, fuel usage, location, driver behavior, and more. The data is transferred to the fleet management software, and fleet managers can access it through smartphones, tablets, or laptops. In some cases, this data is transmitted in real-time, helping you make quick decisions.

When it comes to successfully managing a fleet, efficient operation is at the heart of your job. However, many fleet managers find themselves buried in never-ending, time-consuming tasks that are inefficient, and worse, rarely improve their bottom line. While these tasks are necessary, when not handled efficiently, they can be costly long term.

In this blog, discover:

• The Evolution of Fleet Management
• The Role of Technology in Fleet Management
• Challenges Fleet Managers Face
• The Future of Fleet Management

The Evolution of Fleet Management

The realm of fleet management has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years. From the early days when paper records and manual tracking were the norm, to today's high-tech solutions and data-driven decision-making, fleet management has seen a significant evolution. As we delve into the challenges faced by fleet managers in the modern era, it's essential to appreciate the historical progression of this industry. By examining how challenges have evolved and the innovative solutions that have emerged over time, we can gain valuable insights into the current landscape of fleet management and the strategies that have been employed to overcome its unique obstacles.

The Advent of Technology

The mid-20th century brought the advent of technology with the introduction of two-way radios and analog telematics. These advancements streamlined communication between drivers and dispatchers and paved the way for more effective route planning. However, challenges persisted, such as limited data storage capacity and the need for manual data entry.

Digital Revolution

The late 20th century and early 21st century saw the digital revolution in fleet management. The widespread use of computers and the internet allowed for the development of sophisticated fleet management software. GPS technology became an integral part of the industry, enabling real-time tracking and route optimisation. While these innovations greatly improved efficiency, fleet managers faced new challenges like data security and the need to adapt to rapidly evolving technology.

The Era of Data-Driven Decisions

Today, fleet management is firmly rooted in the era of data-driven decision-making. Fleet managers can access a wealth of information, from vehicle diagnostics to driver behaviour, thanks to advanced telematics systems and the Internet of Things (IoT). This wealth of data helps optimise routes, enhance fuel efficiency, and improve driver safety. However, it also introduces challenges related to data privacy, cybersecurity, and the need for specialised training to interpret and utilise this wealth of information effectively.

The Role of Technology in Fleet Management

In the modern world of fleet management, technology plays a pivotal role in addressing the challenges faced by fleet managers. From AI-driven analytics to seamless integration with the Internet of Things (IoT), the industry has witnessed an impressive array of technological advancements that have revolutionised how fleets are managed.

AI-Driven Analytics

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a game-changer for fleet managers. AI-powered analytics can process vast amounts of data, providing fleet managers with insights into driver behaviour, vehicle performance, and predictive maintenance. By analysing this data, fleet managers can make informed decisions to optimise routes, reduce fuel consumption, and enhance overall efficiency.

IoT Integration

The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) has brought a new level of connectivity to the world of fleet management. Vehicles are now equipped with sensors and devices that transmit real-time data, allowing fleet managers to monitor everything from engine performance to driver safety. This level of connectivity enables not only real-time tracking but also remote diagnostics and proactive maintenance, reducing downtime and repair costs.

Telematics and GPS

Telematics systems and GPS technology have become standard tools for fleet management. These technologies provide real-time tracking, route optimisation, and geofencing capabilities, which are instrumental in enhancing productivity, safety, and fuel efficiency. Moreover, GPS technology aids in dynamic route adjustments, helping fleet managers avoid traffic delays and improve delivery times.

Advanced Fleet Management Software

Today's fleet managers have access to sophisticated fleet management software that centralises data and streamlines operations. These platforms offer a wide range of features, from maintenance scheduling and fuel tracking to driver performance monitoring. Additionally, these software solutions often come with mobile applications that allow for seamless communication between drivers and dispatchers, further enhancing efficiency.

Challenges Fleet Managers Face

Although these tasks are essential, handling them manually is the least efficient, most expensive way to do them. That's where fleet management software and telematics come in. The ability to automate certain tasks and track metrics for others makes managing the entire fleet more efficient.

Here are the top productivity challenges fleet managers face and how fleet management telematics solutions can help them solve these operational challenges.

Time Spent On Administrative Tasks

Very few people love to do administrative tasks, and as a fleet manager, you probably don't either. Tasks such as quoting, invoicing, dispatching, keeping customers informed, scheduling fleet maintenance, and other tasks can eat up a lot of your time. This can contribute to other fleet management issues, including reduced productivity and less time to focus on revenue-generating tasks.

Paper-based systems also add an additional layer of administrative tasks to your day and keep you from handling other fleet problems. How much time did you waste the last time you had to rifle through papers to find a specific quote? How often have you missed service or repairs on your fleet vehicles because you didn't have time to schedule it? How much time do you spend finding the information you need to keep your customers updated on ETAs and any other issues?

Replacing paper-based systems with an electronic system is an excellent first step to helping you complete administrative tasks in less time. In addition, it can reduce miscommunication issues and other human errors. But that's not all. Fleet telematics can also automate scheduling drivers, send maintenance reminders, and more.

Managing Fluctuating Fuel Costs

The price of fuel is notoriously volatile. Even when prices are low, fuel is still a significant expense for your fleet. Fluctuating fuel prices make it difficult to accurately predict how much your fleet's fuel will cost in any given time period.

However, tracking fuel use, driver behaviour, and idling time, can help you reduce how much fuel your fleet uses over time. Telematics fleet management software can help optimise your fleet's routes so that drivers take the shortest routes with the least amount of idle time. Reducing bad driver behaviour such as excess idling, speeding, and harsh braking can not only reduce fuel consumption but also reduce wear and tear on your vehicles. The software can track all of this so that you can pull a report and identify areas for improvement.

Vehicle Maintenance Costs

Regular and on-time vehicle maintenance is one of the biggest challenges faced by service managers. It also helps keep your fleet productive. Vehicles that are subject to unexpected breakdowns will cause delays and lost productivity. Vehicles that are not maintained regularly will incur excess wear and tear that create bigger, more expensive repairs in the long run.

Even something that seems as minor as not checking tire pressure can result in extra costs since the loss of tire pressure can increase your fuel use over time. But keeping track of the maintenance schedule for your entire fleet can take up a lot of time – time you may not have when dealing with all the other priorities on your list.

Fleet management software that receives data directly from the engines of your fleet vehicles, can save you time and money. You can automate preventive maintenance schedules so that you know when your vehicles are due in the shop. You can also set up alerts that let you know, based on metrics from their engines, when your fleet's vehicles need unexpected maintenance. You can set these reminders based on time, mileage, or hours of use. Monitoring and scheduling your maintenance in this way will save you money and keep your vehicles on the road.

Accurate Communication With Drivers

When your drivers are on the road, you can't call, text, or email them, so reaching them can be a challenge that affects your fleet's productivity. You may spend hours trying to get in touch with them without success. Miscommunication is common, and it often leads to schedules not being followed, resulting in lost productivity for drivers and fleet managers alike.

Fleet management telematics software can simplify and streamline how you manage your people on the road. Clear messages and orders can be sent to drivers, and vehicles can send automated location updates back to the office, so you'll know their status and estimated time of arrival (ETA).

These regular updates help keep you in touch with your drivers. They also help you respond quickly to unexpected events, avoid major catastrophes, and provide a solution in real-time. You also get insights into how your fleet is performing and ways to improve if needed.

Managing Drivers

Driver productivity is another key challenge for fleet managers. Driver behaviour and safety is an important concern. The cost of losing drivers is high and good drivers are an important asset to any fleet. Once you've incurred the cost of hiring and training a driver, you have a lot invested in them. This expense can be offset by their driving behaviour and safety on the road.

Creating a driver safety program and ensuring it's adhered to, will help keep excessive speeding, harsh braking, and sudden accelerating in check. These behaviours are hard on fleet vehicles, causing excess wear and tear, while also being hazardous to other drivers.

Ensuring your drivers are educated on good driving habits and stay abreast of road rules and traffic regulations, will help create a safety culture for your fleet. Excess vehicle idling is a common action that can result in excess fuel use and affect the engine's operation. Drivers need to be trained to avoid this and help keep costs down.

Monitoring and assessing your drivers' behaviour with GPS tracking and telematics software lets you review their performance and make decisions about how to retrain or help them follow safety standards. You can use the information from your software to gamify training and reward drivers for good behaviour, which will help improve driver productivity.

Driver Training and Development

A distinct challenge in fleet management is the continuous training of drivers. In a field where safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction are top priorities, well-trained and informed drivers are the linchpin. The evolving landscape of technology and regulations demands that drivers stay up-to-date with the latest industry standards, safety protocols, and the operation of advanced vehicle systems. 

Regular training not only enhances safety by reducing the risk of accidents but also contributes to improved efficiency by optimising driving techniques and fuel consumption. Fleet managers who invest in ongoing training and development programs for their drivers recognise that it is an investment not only in their team's skill set but also in the long-term success and reputation of the entire fleet.

Managing a Geographically Separated Team

A large commercial fleet often has vehicles spread out across a wide geographical area, across state lines, and sometimes international borders. In these instances, it is difficult to track all operations, locate drivers, and communicate with them remotely. Telematics software and GPS tracking offer solutions to these issues.

When your fleet vehicles are operating nationwide and beyond, you need to be able to find them quickly and easily. Fleet management telematics lets you know exactly where your fleet is at any given moment. You can view the entire fleet or narrow it down to one vehicle. Not only can you find them fast, but you also get real-time information about their locations.

Asset Utilisation

The bigger your fleet, the more assets you have, and the more they need to be managed and utilised. Assets may even disappear, causing your business to incur the additional cost of their replacement.

Installing fleet management software can help you locate all your assets. You may find that some were sitting idle on a job site or in the yard without anyone realising it. You could still have been paying insurance and registration fees on that asset all the while. GPS tracking ensures that all your vehicles are being utilised efficiently and that you know which ones aren't. You can use this information to make strategic purchasing decisions on when to acquire additional vehicles or other assets, what type you should get, and if you should liquidate existing assets you no longer need.

This information helps you reveal potential cost savings throughout the company to improve your bottom line.

Drowning In Data

The larger the fleet, the more data you have. But, even smaller fleets collect a lot of data that has to be managed and presented in such a way that you can use it to make strategic decisions. Regardless of the size of your fleet, it's a lot of information to review every day.

Luckily, fleet management software also provides the tools you need to cope with all this information. It filters out information you don't need and lets you focus on the information that matters. For instance, with instant alerts, you get valuable insights into events happening in real time over the course of the day. You don't need to spend time reviewing reports, you can handle issues as they occur.

Alerts can be customised and set up to track specific events or business rules, and if those rules are violated, you can get an email in real-time. You can access your information through a dashboard that lets you know how your fleet is performing and identify areas of concern.

But that doesn't mean you don't get useful reports. With robust reporting functionality, your fleet telematics solution gives you the option to pull reports that you can use to see trends and patterns at a driver and vehicle level. You can also get reports on fleet performance, fuel usage, and more. These solutions make the data collected easy to find and use.

Integrating Fleet Data With Existing Software Systems

Another challenge, especially for larger fleets and enterprises, is running many disparate software systems. To be useful, these systems need to function efficiently and harmoniously with each other. Software that doesn't easily integrate will result in lower productivity and data that has to be entered into each system or manually transferred between applications.

Data integration can bring all information from all sources together into one single platform. This makes it easy to access the data you need. Learning to use one platform is easier than learning to use many different ones. It also makes it easier to do more with your data, increasing productivity and efficiency throughout your fleet.

Unauthorised Use Of Fleet Assets

Unauthorised or misuse of your fleet's assets, including the use of vehicles outside of designated areas or outside of work hours, dangerous driving, and more, can cost your business money and increase potential liability risks.

Fleet management telematics software can help you monitor all company assets, 24/7. You can track data such as vehicle location, speed, and usage as well as aggressive driving behaviour such as swerving, severe braking, and hard acceleration. You can get alerts on your smartphone or tablet, so you know in real-time when these events have occurred.

This information can be collected and presented in reports or on a dashboard that shows aggressive and wasteful behaviours across the fleet. You can track your fleet's overall performance against key performance indicators (KPIs) that you define. You can then break the data down by teams or divisions, to spot undesirable trends and make strategic decisions about how these issues can be addressed.

Providing Accurate Etas

Your customers depend on you to be on time and need you to communicate with them if something causes a delay. When you provide inaccurate arrival times, it can negatively impact your business's reputation. When customers start to think you are unreliable and can't be trusted, they will take their business elsewhere. While it may not be possible to give the exact time, customers expect to know within a pre-defined margin of error when to expect their delivery or service. And, if there is a delay, they expect to be notified with an updated ETA as soon as possible.

GPS fleet tracking and telematics can monitor traffic and help predict accurate ETAs for your customers. You can alert them to unexpected delays and schedule changes so that they know when to expect you and learn about any delays, or even if you might arrive early.

Legal and Compliance Challenges

Navigating the legal landscape in fleet management is a formidable challenge. The industry operates within a web of regulations and compliance requirements that demand meticulous attention. From safety regulations and environmental standards to labour laws and vehicle maintenance requirements, fleet managers face a constantly evolving and intricate framework. Compliance is not just a matter of avoiding legal issues; it's also about ensuring the safety of drivers and the community, as well as preserving the reputation of the fleet. Staying informed, implementing best practices, and utilising technology for record-keeping and compliance monitoring are crucial strategies for fleet managers to not only meet legal obligations but also to excel in this highly regulated environment.

Crisis Management

The ability to effectively manage unforeseen challenges is indispensable. Natural disasters, global pandemics, and other unexpected crises can swiftly disrupt fleet operations, making crisis management a vital aspect of the industry. Strategies for mitigating the impact of these events include emergency response plans, disaster recovery protocols, and the ability to adapt operations in real-time. Fleet managers need to ensure the safety and well-being of their drivers while also maintaining the continuity of vital services. The capacity to rapidly shift routes, allocate resources efficiently, and ensure clear communication is essential in navigating these challenging times. Crisis management in fleet operations is not merely a reaction to unforeseen events but a proactive approach to ensure resilience, adaptability, and the ability to thrive even in the face of adversity.

The Future of Fleet Management

As we look ahead to the next decade, fleet management is poised for an exciting and transformative future. Emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities will shape the industry, and the key to success lies in adaptability and innovation. 

Data-driven decision-making will continue to play a pivotal role, with artificial intelligence and machine learning advancing further to optimise routes, reduce emissions, and enhance driver safety. Electric and autonomous vehicles will gain prominence, addressing environmental concerns and potentially altering the driver landscape. Sustainability and green initiatives will become even more critical as regulations evolve to address climate change. Simultaneously, new challenges in cybersecurity and data protection will emerge, necessitating advanced solutions to safeguard sensitive fleet information. 

As we move forward, fleet managers who embrace these changes, stay agile, and invest in technologies and strategies that align with these emerging trends will be well-positioned to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of fleet management.

All in all, fleet managers need to pay attention to many business management problems and solutions to keep their fleets productive and efficient. Fleet management systems provide the information and tools you need to face these challenges head-on.

Now that we are fully in the Information Age, we hear a lot about information overload. But when it comes to fleet management, there is no such thing as too much information. But how can fleet managers collect, store, and analyze all the information available and turn it into actionable insight? That’s where fleet management telematics comes in.

Telematics for fleet management gives you an easier way to compile information and use it to set key performance indicators (KPIs) and measure fleet performance against them. When you hear the words fleet management telematics, your first thought is probably how much does telematics cost, and is it worth it.

For utility companies, customer satisfaction has always been difficult. The reality is that sooner or later, outages will happen, usually at no fault of your company. The amount of unexpected outages caused by natural disasters, weather events, fallen trees, and road conditions are far greater than scheduled outages for repairs and maintenance.

Although utility companies have worked to improve their customer service in recent years, they still have some of the lowest customer service rates, even lower than airline companies and auto insurance companies. Common complaints include technicians showing up late for jobs, or not showing up at all, difficulty paying bills, and poor customer service overall.

There is a dramatic shift happening in the utilities industries that are causing many challenges for fleets and fleet managers. Utility fleets have unique efficiency and safety challenges that can be addressed by telematics. This shift means that utility fleet managers will have to meet utility industry challenges head-on, unless they want to face the future unprepared. Understanding the challenges facing the utility industry is key to its efficient evolution.

As temperatures increase during summer months, the demand placed on motor vehicles (and their engines in particular) increases significantly with the risk of engine failure elevating. Engines rely on mechanical tolerances to produce power, oil to keep the contact surfaces separated, and coolant flowing through the engine to the radiator for cooling. Should any one of these critical elements fail, then engine failure is imminent.

Operating costs are generally in the top five spending areas of an HVAC fleet. And with insurance, fuel, tax, maintenance, and repair costs in the mix, it's easy to see why. That's why many HVAC companies are turning to fleet management and GPS tracking solutions. With the information collected and displayed by an HVAC fleet management app, fleet managers can make sure vehicles and technicians behave in a fuel-efficient way that also don't cause excess wear and tear.

An app is just one piece of an HVAC fleet management system. It's the way you access the data collected by fleet management hardware.

One of the most significant and measurable ways telematics can impact your fleet's bottom line is by reducing fuel costs for your fleet. Fuel is by far the biggest ongoing cost for fleets. Ensuring efficient fuel usage for your fleet can be a huge savings for your business.

Although you have no control over the price of fuel and the market can be volatile, there are some things you can control that will help reduce your spend on fuel. A MiX by Powerfleet solution can provide an average fuel savings of 10%. Here are 5 ways telematics can help you reduce fleet fuel costs.

If the thought of greenery and working outdoors seems like heaven to you, you’ve may have considered starting a landscaping business. Lawns don’t seem to be any less common, and there will always be people who want you to care for theirs. According to the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) 2018 numbers, the landscape industry employs over 1 million people, representing 513,305 businesses, and has annual revenues of approximately $93 billion. Those are not small potatoes for a sector that is expected to continue to grow.

One of the best tools a fleet manager has to help them manage, monitor, and improve their fleet operations is fleet management software.

Whether you’re responsible for a couple of company cars or a huge fleet of semi-trucks, there is no more efficient and easier way to manage a fleet than using one of the best fleet management software solutions on the market.

In this article, we’re looking at why you - as a fleet manager - should be using fleet management software. More specifically, how it can help you improve your fleet operations, the benefits to look for in software, and more.

No matter how big or small your fleet, truck fleet management can be complicated and stressful. From hiring and training, to fleet vehicle maintenance and fuel costs, fleet managers have a lot on their plates. Advances in technology, such as telematics GPS trackers, have made truck fleet management easier. These innovative technologies can help improve every aspect of fleet operations and make management more efficient.

In this blog, discover:

• Issues That Truck Fleet Managers Face
• The Role of Data Analytics in Fleet Management
• Cost Management and Budgeting
• How To Improve Fleet Truck Management
• The Impact of Global Trends on Fleet Management
• Fleet Management Made Simple

GPS technology has become almost ubiquitous in modern life. Most of us use it everyday without a second thought. But do you really understand it? And do you know how to get the most out of GPS tracking to improve your fleet's operational efficiency?

Fleet managers use GPS on a daily basis to keep track of their fleets and other assets. They can get information that helps them solve issues such as compliance, efficiency, and safety. But how does this happen? What is GPS tracking and how does it work?