Fleet management technology constantly evolves to provide diverse tools and solutions to help businesses manage their fleets. The technology lets you keep a keen eye on your fleet while streamlining your operations for efficiency and profitability. However, the jargon and industry terms can prove intimidating.
We've compiled this guide to help you cut through the clutter and make an informed decision.
Telematics
As the name suggests, telematics is a technology that combines telecommunication and informatics to facilitate communication and data transmission between devices. The process uses hardware devices such as GPS trackers and OBD II devices to collect data from your vehicle.
Telematics uses various communication systems such as cellular or satellite networks, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth technology to relay the data to a dedicated server for processing by the fleet management software.
The data the telematics collect depends on the hardware devices installed in your vehicle. The data may include:
- Travelling speed
- Traveled distance
- Vehicle location
- Fuel consumption
- Idling time
Fleet Management Software
Fleet management software is the "brains' of your fleet management solution. It processes, organizes, and translates the data collected by your installed devices into useful information. The software uses various analytical processes to synthesize the data into reports, graphs, statistics and alerts vital to fleet management.
It presents the information on an intuitive dashboard. Your fleet manager can access this information across various devices, such as desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
A fleet management solution also offers innovative features to help you manage your vehicle fleets efficiently, including:
- Vehicle tracking
- Fuel management
- Maintenance scheduling
- Driver management
Since the software stores all your crucial fleet management information, you may use it to streamline recurring tasks such as license renewals, preventive maintenance, and vehicle replacements.
GPS Tracking
Short for Global Position System, GPS tracking is a real-time fleet management solution that lets you track and monitor your vehicle's location. It calculates an asset's exact geographical coordinates using a satellite-based positioning system. GPS tracking interface with your fleet management software provides fleet managers with accurate information about vehicle location and movement.
Tracking assets in real-time offers numerous benefits, including:
- Enhanced fleet visibility
- Route optimization
- Theft recovery
- Improve customer service
Geo-Fencing
Geo-fencing lets you set up a virtual boundary in a specific geographic area. A fleet manager uses this feature to restrict vehicles to specific operation zones. You can create and customize the geofences for each vehicle in your fleet. Once a vehicle enters or exits the geofenced area, the system notifies your fleet manager while providing the necessary information to take appropriate action.
Driver Management
Driver management features help you monitor a driver's behavior for improved safety on the road. It provides insights into the driver's performance, including harsh braking, speeding, and excessive idling.
Electronic Logging Device (ELD)
It's a hardware device that connects to your vehicle's engine to electronically register a driver's hours of service. ELDs are a regulatory requirement for North American Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs). They help improve road safety by ensuring drivers don't exceed their recommended hours of service (HOS).
Dash Cams
Short for dashboard cameras, dash cams help record video footage of the driver and the road conditions. They continuously capture video footage while the vehicle is in motion. You may use the footage to analyze a driver's behavior, accident documentation, or driver coaching and training.
How Does a Fleet Management System Work?
A typical fleet management solution comprises hardware, software, and a data analytic system. All components work together to help you track and manage your fleet while optimizing your operations.
- The telematic devices in the vehicle collect and transmit data such as speed, GPS location, engine diagnostics, and fuel consumption.
- The fleet management software receives and stores the data from the telematic devices for further analysis and reporting.
- Fleet managers use the data to generate insightful reports that allow them to understand and optimize your entire operation for efficiency.
How We Can Help
At Wilmar, we provide one-stop fleet management solutions to small and medium-sized businesses—and we've been doing it for over 40 years. We're the largest independent leasing and fleet management company in the Southeast.
Our team specializes in creating custom fleet management solutions tailored to your specific business needs.
Looking for a turnkey fleet management solution for your business? Contact us today!
