Lorries shedding their load and vehicles jack-knifing on motorways causing horrific damage, loss of life and daylong disruption. These grim images used to be not infrequently seen on TV news and newspaper front pages. Trailer tracking technology has been key to vehicle load safety without compromising ontime delivery.
Thankfully, sudden loss of control of a trailer is now a rare event indeed, as advanced types of vehicle tracking systems can connect and integrate load safety and security monitoring into realtime management feedback reports.
Telematics, also known as ICT or Information and Communications Technology, is the science of sending, receiving and storing information via telecommunication devices, including GPS integrated with computers and mobile technology, and most associated with fleet tracking within large scale automotive operations.
Whilst GPS vehicle tracking systems pinpoint key location and fast response, trailer tracking will include load security through the use of motion sensors and door monitoring. Data is collected from the trailer every 20-seconds for precise measurement of hours used and distances travelled. Fleet operators of chilled or frozen distribution can also constantly monitor temperature by independent probes or directly connected recorders. Location-based reporting is also available daily, weekly or monthly, even when the trailer is not in operation.
Load capability has expanded and it is estimated that for every HGV there are now three trailers but until recently, telematics application was split between trailer tracking and vehicle based systems. Advances in commercial vehicle tracking now provide the same important management reporting for the trailer load that has long been available for the vehicle itself.
A Fleet Director can also have access to data which relays live visibility of trailer hours and ancillary equipment monitoring, for planning and managing servicing and compliance.
Use of a vehicle tracking device has been clearly shown to significantly help drive down fleet-expenditure. Installing trailer tracking to supply utilisation reporting is a further opportunity for fleet cost reduction, especially during the ongoing, economic climate when cost saving is of critical concern to equal vehicle safety and security.
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
GPS Vehicle Tracking Basics For First Time Buyers.
The success of GPS Vehicle Tracking for large fleet in the service, transportation and manufacturing industries, has increasingly attracted the attention of small to medium companies. Recognising the cost and time saving benefits, businesses of all sizes now look to rely upon vehicle tracking systems to maintain cost effective, service efficiency.
A Fleet GPS tracking system consists of a vehicle tracking device installed in the vehicle, a central server and owner access to recorded data software.
All GPS tracking devices use data from the U.S. Government's Global Positioning System satellites to determine a vehicle's location, speed and direction of travel.
The tracking device transmits data from GPS satellites overhead to a central computer server via either a communications satellite or via the local mobile phone network. The vehicle data is updated every 2 - 15 minutes, depending upon the owner's preferences and manufacturer's settings.
The central server makes the tracking data available to the system owner over the Internet, who logs onto the tracking company's secure web server and sees their vehicle data on a map and in text form. Some tracking companies make the data available for download, so the owner could archive it on their own computer.
There are many obvious benefits to having real time vehicle tracking installed, most obviously the reduction of fuel costs and wasted fuel due to excessive speed and engine wear, plus productivity is improved by driver activity reports.
Depending on customised requirements, the system can supply an automatic mileage reminder, can reduces downtime and enhance vehicle resale values by encouraging scheduled, preventative maintenance.
A tracking system could also provide reminders of when it's time to rotate tyres, change oil or perform other scheduled maintenance. Tracking systems work without any input from the driver and thus, no driver logs needed.
In addition to reducing insurance costs, many insurance companies offer discounts for vehicles protected with a tracking system.
GPS tracking systems radically improve customer service by the ability to give precise arrival or delivery times, based upon the actual location of vehicles at the moment the information is requested. Asset management is simplified and streamlined by displaying all information on one computer screen.
Many types of businesses now find the use of GPS tracking indispensable, including :
• Contractors who provide HVAC, plumbing or electrical services
• Limousine and taxi companies
• Food and Beverage Distributors
• Pest Management Services
• Snow Plough Services
• Car Carriers
Traditional users include:
• Bulk and Route Delivery
• Fuel / Oil and/or Chemical Hauliers
• Produce /Perishable Delivery
• Utility companies
• Motor pool fleets
A Fleet GPS tracking system consists of a vehicle tracking device installed in the vehicle, a central server and owner access to recorded data software.
All GPS tracking devices use data from the U.S. Government's Global Positioning System satellites to determine a vehicle's location, speed and direction of travel.
The tracking device transmits data from GPS satellites overhead to a central computer server via either a communications satellite or via the local mobile phone network. The vehicle data is updated every 2 - 15 minutes, depending upon the owner's preferences and manufacturer's settings.
The central server makes the tracking data available to the system owner over the Internet, who logs onto the tracking company's secure web server and sees their vehicle data on a map and in text form. Some tracking companies make the data available for download, so the owner could archive it on their own computer.
There are many obvious benefits to having real time vehicle tracking installed, most obviously the reduction of fuel costs and wasted fuel due to excessive speed and engine wear, plus productivity is improved by driver activity reports.
Depending on customised requirements, the system can supply an automatic mileage reminder, can reduces downtime and enhance vehicle resale values by encouraging scheduled, preventative maintenance.
A tracking system could also provide reminders of when it's time to rotate tyres, change oil or perform other scheduled maintenance. Tracking systems work without any input from the driver and thus, no driver logs needed.
In addition to reducing insurance costs, many insurance companies offer discounts for vehicles protected with a tracking system.
GPS tracking systems radically improve customer service by the ability to give precise arrival or delivery times, based upon the actual location of vehicles at the moment the information is requested. Asset management is simplified and streamlined by displaying all information on one computer screen.
Many types of businesses now find the use of GPS tracking indispensable, including :
• Contractors who provide HVAC, plumbing or electrical services
• Limousine and taxi companies
• Food and Beverage Distributors
• Pest Management Services
• Snow Plough Services
• Car Carriers
Traditional users include:
• Bulk and Route Delivery
• Fuel / Oil and/or Chemical Hauliers
• Produce /Perishable Delivery
• Utility companies
• Motor pool fleets
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Mobile Workforce Tracking Gets The Job Done On Time!
According to the National Academy of Sciences(US), the current worldwide market for Global Positioning Systems (GPS) receiver technology is estimated at more than £1 billion and is expected to grow to more than £15 billion during the next 10 years.
The increasing economic importance of implementing real-time vehicle tracking as part of a commercial company’s mobile resource management policy can now be viewed as essential for comprehensive operational control, remote driver security and fuel savings.
Businesses running fleet are under constant pressure to deliver goods and services on time, operating more efficiently and keeping costs down, most notably fuel overheads. Up to the minute location reporting is now crucial to maintaining competitive edge and implementing schedule changes as and when they occur with the minimum of disruption to other concurrent operations.
Installing a GPS vehicle tracking unit into fleet transport captures vital vehicle activity data automatically and independently of any driver input, including location and timing. The data is remotely transmitted to their web application system, via the GPRS network, where it may be accessed by a fleet director, managers and users to support urgent, on the spot decision-making and operational control.
Providing a vehicle tracking solution is proven to significantly contribute to the success of businesses through added value benefits of :
Strategic decision making.
Compliance with legislation.
Enhanced operational control.
Considerable cost reduction.
A mobile workforce tracking system is fully modular and scalable, and because it uses real time GPS, it is designed to produce a more effective and profitable management of a mobile service workforce. Access to real-time information not only improves operational control it provides essential remote worker security, which can all be reviewed with configurable reports.
From off the shelf vehicle tracking systems to more complex solutions, workflow systems can be seamlessly integrated with routing and scheduling software, payroll systems and other back-office operations. A highly scalable service can be developed at a time and pace that meets both business requirements and budget.
In the fast, service-on-demand approach of modern transportation and logistics, providing visibility to mobile workforce activity is essential and fleet tracking will identify, measure and target specific areas where improvements may be made to operational cost and productivity, especially in the current economic climate.
The increasing economic importance of implementing real-time vehicle tracking as part of a commercial company’s mobile resource management policy can now be viewed as essential for comprehensive operational control, remote driver security and fuel savings.
Businesses running fleet are under constant pressure to deliver goods and services on time, operating more efficiently and keeping costs down, most notably fuel overheads. Up to the minute location reporting is now crucial to maintaining competitive edge and implementing schedule changes as and when they occur with the minimum of disruption to other concurrent operations.
Installing a GPS vehicle tracking unit into fleet transport captures vital vehicle activity data automatically and independently of any driver input, including location and timing. The data is remotely transmitted to their web application system, via the GPRS network, where it may be accessed by a fleet director, managers and users to support urgent, on the spot decision-making and operational control.
Providing a vehicle tracking solution is proven to significantly contribute to the success of businesses through added value benefits of :
Strategic decision making.
Compliance with legislation.
Enhanced operational control.
Considerable cost reduction.
A mobile workforce tracking system is fully modular and scalable, and because it uses real time GPS, it is designed to produce a more effective and profitable management of a mobile service workforce. Access to real-time information not only improves operational control it provides essential remote worker security, which can all be reviewed with configurable reports.
From off the shelf vehicle tracking systems to more complex solutions, workflow systems can be seamlessly integrated with routing and scheduling software, payroll systems and other back-office operations. A highly scalable service can be developed at a time and pace that meets both business requirements and budget.
In the fast, service-on-demand approach of modern transportation and logistics, providing visibility to mobile workforce activity is essential and fleet tracking will identify, measure and target specific areas where improvements may be made to operational cost and productivity, especially in the current economic climate.
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Vehicle Tracking Drives Fleet Efficiency Cost Saving.
Surviving recession has meant severely reduced budgets and cutting of all but the most necessary overheads for many British businesses. With Bank lending policies hardened, and dire warnings for post Election tax increases and public service cutbacks, running fleet operations large or small will require maximum cost efficiency driving to survive the journey ahead.
Essential though it always is, reducing operational costs, unsurprisingly, is not the only reason given for why companies look to implement GPS vehicle tracking as the key plank to improving fleet management.
In a recent report, nearly three quarters of small fleet operations said they were motivated to install mobile workforce tracking in a desire to improve customer experience through better response times.
Seen as the number one, essential priority in a tough, competitive environment, by stepping up the quality of service they can provide to their customers, companies hoped to generate repeat business and establish a word of mouth reputation within their industry sector.
Around half of respondents surveyed placed reduction of fleet operating costs and increased service related productivity as top priorities.
Fleet tracking is considered a vital component to streamlining business efficiency by enabling companies to immediately know in real-time exactly where their mobile workforce is located at any given moment. This gives a fleet director total operational control with the vital ability to provide their customers with necessary or urgent updates, as and when required.
The survey also found that small fleets had seen after two years of incorporating vehicle fleet tracking within their back-office operations, a 25% increase in the number of individual daily job orders completed.
Businesses know that implementing mobile worker solutions works because it measures the process and highlights areas where additional efficiency improvements can be made.
The cost of keeping fleet vehicles moving is constantly linked to spiralling fuel prices. Installing a GPS system means increasing fuel efficiency by optimising for quickest routes, minute-by-minute traffic movement and conditions, and as a result, better driver tactics employed.
Drivers empowered to make better decisions which improve their time and productivity are decisive factors in their ability to arrive at a customer location on time. Fleet GPS tracking is critical for companies to achieve their stated aim of providing an improved experience for their customer through reliability and consistent punctuality.
Essential though it always is, reducing operational costs, unsurprisingly, is not the only reason given for why companies look to implement GPS vehicle tracking as the key plank to improving fleet management.
In a recent report, nearly three quarters of small fleet operations said they were motivated to install mobile workforce tracking in a desire to improve customer experience through better response times.
Seen as the number one, essential priority in a tough, competitive environment, by stepping up the quality of service they can provide to their customers, companies hoped to generate repeat business and establish a word of mouth reputation within their industry sector.
Around half of respondents surveyed placed reduction of fleet operating costs and increased service related productivity as top priorities.
Fleet tracking is considered a vital component to streamlining business efficiency by enabling companies to immediately know in real-time exactly where their mobile workforce is located at any given moment. This gives a fleet director total operational control with the vital ability to provide their customers with necessary or urgent updates, as and when required.
The survey also found that small fleets had seen after two years of incorporating vehicle fleet tracking within their back-office operations, a 25% increase in the number of individual daily job orders completed.
Businesses know that implementing mobile worker solutions works because it measures the process and highlights areas where additional efficiency improvements can be made.
The cost of keeping fleet vehicles moving is constantly linked to spiralling fuel prices. Installing a GPS system means increasing fuel efficiency by optimising for quickest routes, minute-by-minute traffic movement and conditions, and as a result, better driver tactics employed.
Drivers empowered to make better decisions which improve their time and productivity are decisive factors in their ability to arrive at a customer location on time. Fleet GPS tracking is critical for companies to achieve their stated aim of providing an improved experience for their customer through reliability and consistent punctuality.
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