Read from our blogs
Fleet management systems have been around a while and have become so complex that it has evolved into Field Resource Management. This article explores 5 reasons why all fleets need at least a basic Field Resource Management system.
How to Save on Fuel Costs, Despite Rising Gas Prices
High fuel prices are putting the squeeze on drivers, especially small businesses. Instead of worrying about gas prices, we should focus on consuming less gas. Gas prices are rising and there’s not much you can do about it. But you can take control by investing in more fuel efficient vehicles and developing driving habits that burn significantly less amount of gas.
Due to the economic recession, many small businesses are already suffering from razor-thin profit margins. With gas prices this high, it makes sense for small businesses to invest in a fleet GPS tracking system. Tracking and managing fleet vehicles can significantly reduce fuel expenses. The Aberdeen Group, an independent research firm, concluded that a GPS fleet tracking system can reduce fuel costs by 13.2% on average.
Record High Gas Prices February 2011
Over the past week, the cost to fill up your gas tank has sky-rocketed. Gas prices increased 17 cents a gallon last week, which is a huge increase. Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at the Oil Price Information Service, said gas prices’ 6-cent jump reported Friday was the largest one-day increase since at least 2008. The national average price for a gallon of regular gas rose, for the 4th day in a row, to 4.6 cents to $3.33 on Friday, according to AAA. That brings the national average to the highest level since October 2008.
Turmoil in the Middle East is largely contributing to the rapidly increasing gas prices. Oil prices shot as high as $103 a barrel on Thursday as chaos in Libya disrupted crude supplies from the OPEC nation, and traders worried instability could spread to other oil-rich countries in the Middle East. The spike in oil last week could translate to an increase in gas prices of 37 cents per gallon in the coming weeks, according Moody’s Analytics economist, Chris Lafakis. He estimates that for every $1 increase in the price of oil, retail gas prices typically rise 2.5 cents a gallon. “This will definitely be the most expensive February gas prices ever,” he said, adding that gas prices are typically lower during the winter months. Many analysts are predicting drivers will see $4-a-gallon gas by summer.
A mysterious object used in a high-tech GPS-based treasure hunt caused parts of the Downtown Disney Park in Anaheim, CA to be temporarily closed down this week. Police were notified of a black box located on a bridge near the Disney shops and restaurants. No one knew what the object was, so police and the bomb squad were called in to figure out if the black box posed a threat.
A couple hours later, they realized the mysterious black box was part of a high-tech GPS-based scavenger hunt. The object was actually one of the hunt’s geo-caching sites, an essential component of these types of scavenger hunts. The treasure hunt uses GPS tracking devices to find objects left in specific locations. It’s like playing hide-n-seek with a GPS tracking system.
Telematics usage based auto insurance, aka Pay-As-You-Drive auto insurance programs, are becoming very popular. Why? Because it saves drivers money! Pay-as-you-go insurance can provide drivers big discounts, up to 54% according to GMAC. Usage based insurance, also known as pay as you drive (or PAYD) is a type of automobile insurance whereby the costs of auto insurance are dependent upon type of vehicle used, and measures against a driver’s time, distance and place. Pay as you drive (PAYD) means that the insurance premium is calculated dynamically, typically according to the amount you drive.
What is Pay As You Drive Auto Insurance?
There are a few different types of coverage for usage based auto insurance:
1. Coverage is based on the odometer reading of the vehicle.
2. Coverage is based on the number of minutes the vehicle is being used as recorded by a vehicle-independent module transmitting data via cellphone or RF technology.
3. Coverage is based on other data collected from the vehicle, including speed and time-of-day information in addition to distance or time traveled.
According to driving safety experts, the average vehicle crash costs an employer more than $16,000. When the incident involves an employee injury, that figure spikes to $74,000, then up to $500,000 if there is a fatality. However, most auto accidents are preventable. Here are some easy to implement driving tips that all fleet management can use.
1. Fleet management communication with drivers and training. A good safety driving initiative requires the involvement of owners and top managers as well as drivers and other employees. Driver safety training and communication should be provided on an ongoing basis. Even experienced drivers benefit from repeated training and reminders. A driver reward and incentive program can help make safe driving part of your business culture. Employees should understand that safe driving behaviors affect the bottom line.
Hughes Telematics Inc. has raised $5 million, according to a Securities & Exchange Commission filing. Hughes Telematics is transitioning from development to operational mode. The company, which offers emergency services and remote vehicle diagnostics for wireless fleet vehicle management, is transferring its technology to the health sector and other automotive markets.
In 2011, Hughes Telematics is expected to launch a mobile personal emergency response service aimed at seniors and their caregivers. The product consists of a wearable device with one-touch access to an emergency assistance call center. Inside the device, a cellular modem will enable wireless voice and data communications, and an embedded GPS combined with other sensors will allow location-based GPS tracking and monitoring of the person wearing the device.
he Anaheim Union High School District is the first school district in California to test GPS tracking system technology as part of a six-week pilot program to reduce the amount of student truancy, according to school officials. Student GPS tracking system programs have been successful in cities such as San Antonio and Baltimore. Where the GPS technology has been implemented, average attendance among the chronically truant jumped from 77 percent up to 95 percent during the six-week program.
Students with a high level of unexcused absences will be assigned a GPS tracking device that they must carry on them at all times during school days. The GPS tracking system is small, about the size of a deck of cards. The GPS tracking devices will not be strapped to a student’s ankle, because according to experts, this can create a negative stigma. The GPS tracking program is all about teaching the student’s about responsibility, not punishment.
Looking for easy ways to turn your ordinary fleet into a green fleet? Or simple ways to save money on gas? Check out the following iPhone apps. They can help fleet management save time, money and reduce your fleet’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Gas Cubby helps drivers track vehicle gas mileage and maintenance. Drivers can track vehicle MPG, gas prices, driving expenses and can provide customizable service reminders. The app stores all the important vehicle data and can support a fleet of many vehicles. Gas Cubby costs $6.99.
Trip Cubby is from the same developer of Gas Cubby, but designed for drivers who need to track mileage for tax deduction or reimbursement purposes. The app allows you to log expenses for multiple vehicles and drivers. If a user gets a phone call while in the middle of entering in data, don’t worry. The data will be stored and retrieved the next time the app is launched. TripCubby costs $6.99.
A GPS tracking system was used by police to locate items stolen from a trailer used for a Lil Wayne music video. Time and time again, criminals forget that items such as laptops and cel phones are equipped with a GPS tracking system. Police can easily use the GPS tracking system to locate these stolen items and make the proper arrests.
According to police, on Friday February 18, the man pretended to be a back-up dancer and was able to gain access to the trailer. The trailer had just been moved to Citrus College in California from South Africa, where it had been used on the set of Lil Wayne’s latest video production. Lil Wayne is an international hip-hop superstar and he was filming a video with Porcelain Black.
