Friday, March 30, 2012

Telematics can help with Distracted Driving





From ABI Research

Posted Tue, 27 Mar 2012 04:51:00 EDT by David Alexander

​A recent study by the AAA in the USA revealed that distracted driving was a bigger problem than ever, especially for teenage drivers. With electronic devices the number one problem, there were plenty of other causes, such as conversations with other occupants, personal grooming, and eating and drinking.

The one positive conclusion was that there was a significant improvement when an adult was present.

Now while it is not practical for adults to always accompany teenagers in their cars, telematics systems offer a range of alternatives that can have a similar beneficial effect. Some can restrict certain aspects of the vehicle such as music volume or maximum speed, and others can report on incidents such as sudden braking. In-car video systems are also available.

It is time that the safety aspects of telematics were given more attention in marketing materials. This and incentives to install ADAS would do a lot more to rectify the distracted driving epidemic than more laws banning specific activities when driving.

About ABI Research

ABI Research is a market intelligence company specializing in global connectivity and emerging technology. Our unique blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers in the technology industry every year. ABI Research, the only intelligence firm dedicated to emerging trends in connectivity and technology, has a deliberately designed focus on specific and complimentary practice areas that provides our clients with an unrivaled multidisciplinary integration and in-depth perspective on today's technology markets.

Our research is conducted according to a rigorous 14-step process that leverages organizational know-how, teamwork, centralized planning, decentralized intelligence gathering, and experienced research and general management that has evolved over 22 years and continues to adapt to the rapidly-changing technology industry's needs.

Our clients tell us they rely on our core expertise for several key types of difficult-to-obtain information, including:

market demand assessment
marketing strategy development
competitive intelligence
business planning, budgeting and forecasting
product development / prioritization
technology assessment
industry benchmarking
ABI Research was established in 1990 and is a privately held multinational corporate entity headquartered in the USA. For more information about ABI Research, please contact us.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Lynx Telematics and Geo Tab

The Value of driver monitoring, by Geo Tab.



At Lynx Telematics, along with our valued partnership with Geo Tab, we provide solutions to assist fleet managers with the operational challenges they face. Amongst these are fuel cost reductions, reduced maintenance cost and extending the life of the fleet as well as carbon footprint management, all of which are key issues being encountered.

Lynx Telematics is a Cincinnati based company that manufactures a device that has been proven effective in helping transportation companies manage their vehicles and/ or assets as well as helping with safety compliance issues and lowering insurance costs.

Lynx Telematics is a full-featured GPS fleet location, tracking, and vehicle performance management system offered to our fleet customers. A compact hardware and software unit that is installed in the vehicle and connects to its existing computer and diagnostics systems, Lynx communicates wirelessly via a dedicated and secure connection to a Web-based application that can be only accessed by fleet, safety and driver managers.

Key features of the Lynx Telematics device include the following:

--10-27% savings in fuel costs through specific driver modification.
--Up to a 30% discount on insurance rate because of telematics installation.
-- Enhanced Mapping Capability: A new map engine provides faster transitions between maps, improved detail, and a "bird's eye view" of tracked vehicles with the ability to obtain a street-level perspective in real time.
-- Safety and Savings: Monitor speed, fuel consumption, seat belt usage and idling time and eliminate texting and dtiving. Receive instant alerts for accidents and know that our 24/7 emergency service has already contacted your driver and dispatched help if required.
-- Extended Fleet Life. Protect your investment with real-time ECM diagnostics and read outs of what vehicles need specific maintenance, before larger problems arise.
-- Multi-Vehicle Following & Route Tracing: Lynx can follow multiple vehicles simultaneously and trace their routes traveled on the map.
-- Vehicle History Playback: A history playback capability shows a vehicle's 90 day history and includes a slider with play and pause options.
-- Analytic Reporting: A new analytics capability provides extensive fleet, safety, and travel data for vehicles as well as protect in liability cases.
--True "Plug & Play" solution, eliminating costly installs and uninstall expenses associated with hard wired devices.
--Lynx Telematics works with companies on how to properly introduce this technology into the company culture, which is nearly as important as the advantages of the technology it's self.

The companies that we work with typically report an annual savings of approximately $2500 per vehicle while recovering initial investment within the first 6 months.

The expanded analytics, improved mapping, and new interface of Lynx Telematics provide fleet managers with greater visibility and easier-to-use navigation.

Drivers love not having to complete paper logs, and CSA scores [Compliance, Safety, Accountability program of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration] have been shown to improve with the help of a Telematics device.

Lynx Telematics offers customers the ability to improve the performance of their fleets by continuously monitoring vehicles' location, mileage, speed, and direction, as well as other key performance and diagnostic data -- such as idle time, fuel consumption, average speed, miles logged, and hard braking events and a “speed compliance by street” feature that is unique to our industry.

Lynx Telematics also facilitates regulatory compliance through paperless trip reporting for interstate fuel tax calculations and Department of Transportation Hours of Service eLogs, reports, alerts, and audits for drivers.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Rising fuel prices put telematics in the driving seat



By: Andrew Yeoman, Trimble UK, Friday, March 16, 2012

Recent hikes in the price of diesel have once again highlighted the ongoing battle between fleet operators, service managers and fuel costs. In the UK, the price of diesel is now running at twice the rate of inflation since reaching a record high of 143.05p (US$2.25) per liter last month, adding further pressure to already cash-strapped businesses in transportation and field services.

Unfortunately, this is not a problem that will simply go away with time. Rather, the future for fuel prices continues to look bleak, with global factors, such as rising crude oil prices, refinery closures and pressure on supply resulting in further rises by Easter. Adding to this, UK fuel duty is set to rise again by 3.02 pence per liter in August, amounting to 4p per liter once VAT (value added tax) at 20% is added.

By deploying telematics technology, organizations of all sizes can reduce fuel use by up to 30%.
Despite the critical situation, companies in the UK, and indeed in any market, can take action today to better manage their fuel consumption, improve efficiency and save money. By deploying telematics technology, organizations of all sizes can reduce fuel use by up to 30%.

Using telematics can help companies to optimize schedules and route planning, helping to reduce unnecessary mileage and improve fuel efficiency and driver behavior. By enabling companies to monitor fuel consumption and CO2 output, the technology can ultimately help to reduce fuel use and improve a company's carbon footprint.

However, a key factor in controlling fuel costs through this technology lies with the employee in the driving seat. Technology can be beneficial to show how economical a driver or vehicle is, helping companies optimize fuel usage. While instant feedback is provided to drivers in their vehicles, the real value of the data lies in the centralized analysis through telematics software.

The price of fuel will always have a significant impact on the bottom line of operators of large fleets, but technological solutions can substantially reduce this, and sow the seeds for real progress in the automotive industry.

The analysis of an employee's driving style and behavior behind the wheel can be dissected and allow the company to take appropriate action. By providing feedback and highlighting areas for improvement in driving performance, employees can be trained to optimize their operations, leading not just to improvements in fuel efficiency and productivity, but also to driver safety.

As with so many things, knowledge is key - identifying where problems are and then implementing best practice to mitigate them is a huge step forward in helping organizations truly understand their fuel efficiency.

Despite the doom and gloom surrounding the direction fuel prices are heading, fleet and field services managers can take positive steps towards making a change today. The price of fuel will always have a significant impact on the bottom line of operators of large fleets, but technological solutions can substantially reduce this, and sow the seeds for real progress in the automotive industry.

Andrew Yeoman is Managing Director, Trimble UK (www.trimble.com)
The AutomotiveWorld.com Expert Opinion column is open to automotive industry decision makers and influencers. If you would like to contribute an Expert Opinion piece, please contact editorial@automotiveworld.com
Published on Friday, March 16, 2012

Monday, March 5, 2012

Parents of teen who died texting and driving: "Kids think they're invincible"

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy


Taylor Sauer was messaging every 90 seconds while going 80 mph on Idaho highway in Jan.

By Michael Inbar
TODAY.com contributor

Bright, outgoing college teen Taylor Sauer proved in the last minutes of her life she knew right from wrong — but still committed a fatal mistake.

Sauer was making a late-night, four-hour drive from the Utah State University campus in Logan to visit her folks in Caldwell, Idaho. She passed the time along I-84 messaging a pal on Facebook about the Denver Broncos football team. But she stopped short, writing in her final missive, "I can't discuss this now. Driving and facebooking is not safe! Haha."


Moments later, Sauer, going more than 80 mph, slammed into a tanker truck that was slowly creeping up a hill at 15 mph. She was killed instantly; investigators saw no signs that she applied the brakes before the fatal crash. And in checking her cell phone records, they learned Sauer was posting about every 90 seconds during her drive.

Story: Battling to make a loved one’s life meaningful after death

"I think she was probably (texting) to stay awake, she was probably tired," Taylor's dad, Clay Sauer, told Ann Curry on TODAY Monday. "But that's not a reason to do it, and the kids think they're invincible. To them, (texting) is not distracting, they're so proficient at texting, that they don't feel it's distracted driving."

TODAY
College teen Taylor Sauer died when she crashed her car into a tanker while posting on Facebook.

Clay and Shauna Sauer, still grieving over their 18-year-old daughter's Jan. 12 death, have become lobbyists in their home state to urge the state legislature to pass a ban on texting while driving. Idaho is one of 13 states in the U.S. that has no such law in place.


Taylor Sauer's future seemed a sky-is-the-limit proposition: She graduated high school last year with a sparkling 3.9 grade point average, was class salutatorian, played first base on her softball team and was active in community charities. After she was named a National Merit Scholar, she told a local TV station, "I want to go even further and take on the world."

But her mom told Curry that Taylor was also in many ways a typical teen who got caught up in the modern-day, multi-tasking world.

"There was a time when we were all able to get into a car and drive, and listen to the radio or talk to our family," Shauna Sauer said. "Now, we feel like we've got to get just everything done in the car, and I just think we need to be a little bit...simpler."

Just weeks after Taylor's death, the family testified before the Idaho State Legislature as it considers a texting-while-driving ban, a bill that has been shot down before in the state. Poignantly, Taylor's 11-year-old sister told the legislature that Taylor "would never be her bridesmaid," and mom Shauna told the assembly, "What if that one person was your daughter?"

The state has an inattentive driving law on the books, which some lawmakers say covers texting, but Shauna Sauer noted a driver must be visibly witnessed by police breaking a driving law to be pulled over. And Clay Sauer told Curry he believes a new Idaho law would serve much as the once-debated seatbelt law did decades ago.
Story: Feds to crack down on texting while driving

"I think every state should have the (texting ban) law," he said. "It might not make changes right now, but (for) the younger generations it will be an educational tool, just like the seat belt (law).

"We all fought against seat belts, (but) now, everybody wears seat belts. The kids will be trained and learn from a young age that they can't text and drive."

Working to help other young people avoid the tragic fate of their daughter helps motivate the Sauers now as they still process their grief.

"(Taylor) just loved everybody and was an amazing friend," Shauna Sauer told Curry. "She wanted to take on the world, and she would have."

It's sad when any teenagers life comes to such and an abrupt ending, for any reason. Having dealt with personal tragedy in my own family, I can tell you first hand of the overwhelming sorrow and never ending grief that a parent suffers when they have to bury one of their own children.

The tragedy in my own families life as well as the rising epidemic of teenage distracted driving deaths were the inspiration behind the development of our Teen Safe Driving Initiative, LynxSafe.

For more information on how LynxSafe can work with Parents, Schools and Auto Dealerships to make an effort to prevent future tragedies such as Taylor Sauer's untimely death, please contact Vincent Rush at LynxSafe Telematics in Cincinnati, Ohio by phone at 513-965-6318 or by email at vrush@lynxtelematics.com

Telematics: No Longer Just a Dot on a Map



Telematics solutions have come a long way since the beginning days of simple vehicle tracking. With a multitude of capabilities, such as remote vehicle diagnostics and routing/driver productivity tools, finding the right solution can be a daunting task.

Telematics is more than simply locating vehicles via a "dot on a map" or employing GPS routing capabilities. 

There are many companies that sell devices to track GPS location; however, this only provides limited information for fleet managers. A complete wireless fleet management system combine’s exact GPS location tracking with precise diagnostic monitoring to give fleets a complete and accurate picture of vehicle operations. 

Determining telematics needs, fleet benefits, and whether a return on investment (ROI) will be realized can be a tough job. 

Determining Telematics Needs 

Fleets should utilize telematics technologies specific to their business needs. With the abundance of options available to fleets today, the number one priority is determining which telematics solution best fits a fleet's needs. 

Clearly defining overall goals and deliverables an organization is seeking should precede any telematics products review. Sit down for a consultation with your fleet management company. Together, decide exactly what you want to get out of the telematics solution and how it will affect your core competencies. 

Recommended telematics technology can vary dramatically, depending on fleet type and goals.
For service response vehicles, real-time vehicle tracking is useful for dispatch purposes, as it is for fleets where security is paramount - for example, carrying or delivering valuable goods. The data available from vehicle tracking can be useful for any fleet type in helping manage and make better decisions, from replacement planning to fuel fraud monitoring to maintenance management. 

Before companies review technologies such as vehicle tracking, GPS navigation, or other new tools emerging in the market, Lynx Telematics partner, Geotab - a GPS satellite-based fleet and resource management systems company - suggests each company look at four operational areas for costs and to develop key performance indicators. 

According to Colin Sutherland, VP of sales at Geotab, the four indicators are:
Risk and driver safety.
Fleet operational costs.
Resource cost of productivity.
Regulatory compliance. 

Perhaps the most overlooked and important consideration is how the company uses this new data to change behavior. Companies with the most success have either hired additional resources or are leveraging resources of their fleet leasing provider, assuming the provider delivers telematics information integrated with their existing products and services. 

Most companies use technology that contains a GPS tracking component. When additional detail regarding vehicle use and performance is desired, diagnostics capabilities that interface between the telematics device and vehicle's onboard computer are required. 

Diagnostics capabilities include vehicle powertrain performance information, seatbelt utilization, airbag deployment, fuel level monitoring, etc. 

The application of diagnostics all depends on what you're trying to achieve and what type of vehicles you're operating. 

Businesses that use a fully-integrated vehicle tracking, navigation, and analytics solution are typically first to experience dramatic returns on their solution investment, according to GE Capital Fleet Services. An integrated, enterprise-wide approach to telematics use will enable a business to apply quality process disciplines to mobile operations - much like a manufacturing organization applies to an assembly line, said Doug Peters, telematics analytics leader, GE Capital Fleet Services. 

"There are many ways to use telematics technologies to improve a business. Think about financial and operating performance requirements and consider integrating telematics into as many aspects of your fleet management program as possible.  Effective use of the right solution helps fleet managers improve vehicle maintenance and compliance and helps operations managers transform driver productivity through optimized routing and scheduling," said Peters. 

"The most important aspect of an effective solution is the ability to convert large amounts of vehicle-generated telematics data into relevant, actionable business insight. GPS information - when combined with other operating or market data - provides meaningful insight regarding mobile operations that helps businesses identify where specific process improvements can quickly increase employee productivity, improve customer service, and enhance profitability," he added. 

Reaping the Benefits of Telematics 

According to Peters, a comprehensive approach to integrated mobile resource management is increasingly valuable in today's environment. "Leveraging technology solutions such as telematics provide companies the ability to monitor, manage, and optimize operations of their mobile resource pool." 

Potential benefits of telematics use in fleet include:
Lower accident rates.
Decreased occurrence of catastrophic maintenance/repairs.
Ability to track and correct driver behavior.
Safety awareness.
Ability to manage costs (i.e. reduce fuel consumption and overtime).
Reduced insurance premiums.
Increased fleet policy compliance.
Optimized workforce productivity (e.g., re-sequencing existing routes and re-assigning deliveries).
Improved environmental impact (i.e. reduced time spent idling or driving long distances). 

Another telematics benefit is the speed and focus it provides in measuring results.  For example, telematics can help determine if the safety training you just implemented has been effective in changing behavior, whether company policies are being followed, if new sales initiatives are being met, etc. What used to take quarters and years to measure, if it could be measured at all, now takes days and weeks - all with much greater accuracy. 

“However, the greatest telematics benefit currently with ever increasing fuel prices, is reduced operation costs, which includes lowering fuel consumption and vehicle maintenance costs” according to Vincent Rush,Business Development Manager with Cincinnati based Lynx Telematics. 

"Fuel costs are reduced by eliminating unauthorized vehicle use, reduced speeding and idle time, and improved routing. Repair and maintenance costs are reduced by the ability to identify problems early and schedule maintenance through automated odometer readings. Wireless fleet management also improves driver safety and reduces greenhouse gas emissions." 

What can't be seen can't be measured - and telematics technology enables fleets to "see" into vulnerable areas of the business that are otherwise impossible to measure. Equipped with this information, you can identify process improvement targets quickly and with more certainty, as well as measure your performance with accuracy."

Should Fleets Invest in Telematics? 

The days of "out of sight, out of mind" are behind us. According to GE Capital Fleet Services, telematics delivers valuable access to fleet data and analysis, including vehicle performance metrics, trends, and customizable mapping. As companies search for ways to save money, reduce environmental impact, and improve fleet productivity, fleet executives have an opportunity to deliver by utilizing innovative technology solutions. 

The ability to capture and view detailed, real-time data and exceptions supports efforts to change driver behavior and realize savings.

If an organization has clearly defined goals, can make the investment, and has resources to review data flows and manage exceptions, the return on investment can be significant. 

Telematics technology has been thoroughly tested and proven for many years. The price points now support compelling ROIs and adoption rates are increasing quickly. Fleets are using it in bigger numbers to drive out costs and gain competitive advantage. The use of telematics is quickly becoming 'table stakes' to stay competitive. 

A fleet's investment in telematics depends on the application. Some fleets may simply need a tool to allow drivers to get from point A to point B. 

For those folks, a GPS navigation system might help," said Mark Goettel, senior acquisition & integration analyst for Wright Express. 

Geotab's Sutherland noted, "If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there. Before companies invest in GPS navigation or GPS tracking systems, they should first consider the requirements of the company to reduce operating and claims costs and the fleet operating budget, and to manage overtime."   

Sutherland cautions fleets against investing in small, standalone components such as GPS navigation or real-time location for dispatch. 

"By investing in a technology solution that offers integrated data for driver safety and risk loss control, fleet expense management, human resource management, and carbon footprint reduction, companies can start with one of the four areas for return on investment and strategic growth and then implement the other areas over time," said Sutherland. 

Business today is extremely competitive. Profitability requires a keen eye on costs and efficient utilization of all assets. Telematics offerings help fleet managers bolster fuel economy, improve driver performance, manage maintenance intervals, and dispatch vehicles effectively. Those results clearly drive to reduced cost and better asset utilization. In addition, a more fuel-efficient fleet is a greener fleet. 

ROI of Telematics: Staying in the Black 

It is not always straightforward to quantify ROI. While goals and objectives of many businesses may be similar, telematics ROI depends on the company's level of efficiency and ability to execute policies.
Each client's ROI will be different depending on the type of solution that fits their fleet. At the very least, fleets should expect ROI to exceed the cost of telematics equipment and fees. 

An additional ROI benefit includes reduced payroll hours due to a driver's inability to inflate hours.
Many savings are not as easy to quantify, but just as important. The ability to prove service or a delivery time to a customer is helpful and saves in goodwill credits, but is not always easy to put a dollar amount on. The reduced risk of knowing where your vehicles are 100 percent of the time is also difficult to quantify, but clearly valuable. Many customers recover not only stolen vehicles, but their contents as well, and help drive criminal convictions based on finding the vehicle and knowing where it went after it was stolen. 

Generally speaking, companies focused on productivity improvements will see a greater return than those focused solely on vehicle operating costs or risk and safety improvements. That's not to say a company can't achieve fantastic ROIs by reducing fuel and lifecycle costs or reducing accident rates.
Per Sutherland's experience at Geotab, ROI must be grounded in fact as well as achievable and measurable. 

 "Traditionally, fleet managers seek ROI in fuel and maintenance expense reduction," said Sutherland. Using vehicle health-based predictive maintenance, "fleet managers can remove one preventive maintenance routine annually, which in itself will pay for the solution." 

Reduced idle time is one of the most obvious areas in which fleets can realize an ROI, according to Goettel of Wright Express. 

"Many fleets can't believe how much their vehicles are idling. We'll perform ROI calculations based on a calculator we use, and typically we see 'break-evens' of between two and six months," explained Goettel. "Telematics pays off much quicker than people would think." 

Businesses today can choose from a wide assortment of telematics technologies that deliver a range of benefits. “To ensure the best return on investment, a company should work with a provider that understands the company's business requirements and delivers actionable intelligence," suggested Peters of GE Capital Fleet Services. "A provider that delivers insight, rather than just data, can expedite the speed with which a business can implement operational changes to improve productivity, compliance, safety, and customer and driver satisfaction."

 Lynx Telematics, located in Milford Ohio, is an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacture) that specializes in developing proprietary fleet GPS Tracking devices for fleets of all sizes and functions.
For information on how Lynx Telematics can help your company save an average of $2500 per vehicle annually, contact Business Development Manager, VincentRush at (513) 965-6318

Lynx Telematics is an OEM that controls design, engineering, firmware, software development, IT support and manufacturing processes of our product, allowing us to produce the highest quality product in our industry, while offering our customers competitive pricing.
As your partner, we provide ongoing training and support to insure that the product is properly sold to the end user, maximizing the re-sellers profitability.
As one of the pioneers in telematics technologies, Lynx Telematics provides our clients with powerful end-to-end vehicle telematics tools. Our technology offers a real solution that delivers safety, saves money and provides an unprecedented level of peace of mind to our customers.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Understanding ROI in Telematics

 

Understanding ROI in Telematics

Telematics devices can improve fuel economy and driver behavior, but a recent survey released by Donlen Corp., a fleet financing and management company, revealed a divide between some of the perceived and actual benefits. 

The survey found that those considering telematics devices have a higher expectation of fuel savings than those already using them. 

The way the return on investment and perceived benefit is always preached to fleets is in mile-per-gallon improvement. I think the perceived benefit is probably a little more than what is gained.
Another reason for the disconnect could be that the importance of fuel economy on the return on investment moves further down the line as carriers notice other benefits and savings with use.
Donlen also found a large divide between small and large fleets on acquiring the devices. Among carriers with fewer than 100 vehicles, 80% of respondents said they are not considering telematics. However, among fleets with more than 300 vehicles, 80% of respondents are either considering or already using telematics.

It’s shockingly surprising that smaller fleets aren’t even considering the devices. One would think that you could really maximize your ROI on a smaller fleet, according to “Light & Medium Truck Magazine”. 

Among those not considering telematics devices, 69% said they don’t see a business need. Only 17% cited the cost as a deterrent. 

The top reasons for investing in telematics devices among those who are using them are improved driver behavior, route productivity and fuel savings. 

While return on investment is an important factor in choosing telematics, 40% of respondents already using the devices said they did not know their ROI. That is likely because carriers aren’t reviewing the data, either because they don’t have time or because they already perceive the ROI and don’t feel it is necessary to drill down through the numbers. 

Most telematics providers don’t have access to all of a carrier’s information, such as a fleet’s fuel and maintenance expenses, so entering and reviewing the data to further identify the ROI is up to the carrier. 

To help quantify the ROI, Donlen said, carriers need to understand their reasons for using telematics and to integrate and analyze available data relevant to those reasons.  According to experts, choosing a Telematics company that not only custom builds a solution to fit the specific needs of your fleet and company objectives, but then also works with you in partnership to learn how to interpret and understand exactly what the data is telling you, is worth it’s ROI weight in gold.

Working with a company like Lynx Telematics, located in Cincinnati Ohio, is like partnering with a team, rather than purchasing from one of the endless streams of Telematics companies on the great “gold rush”.

Having worked with some of the largest fleets in the world by developing custom built solutions, Lynx Telematics as an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) works equally as well with small fleets of 3-30 vehicles.

 Lynx Telematics, located in Milford Ohio, is an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacture) that specializes in developing proprietary fleet GPS Tracking devices for fleets of all sizes and functions.
For information on how Lynx Telematics can help your company save an average of $2500 per vehicle annually, contact Business Development Manager, VincentRush at (513) 965-6318


Lynx Telematics is an OEM that controls design, engineering, firmware, software development, IT support and manufacturing processes of our product, allowing us to produce the highest quality product in our industry, while offering our customers competitive pricing.
As your partner, we provide ongoing training and support to insure that the product is properly sold to the end user, maximizing the re-sellers profitability.

As one of the pioneers in telematics technologies, Lynx Telematics provides our clients with powerful end-to-end vehicle telematics tools. Our technology offers a real solution that delivers safety, saves money and provides an unprecedented level of peace of mind to our customers.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Why Telematics Can Seriously Benefit Your Fleet!



 Fleet industry analysts predict that by 2014, telematics sales growth will reach about 6.5 million units.
Public sectors or the private industry that operate fleet vehicles of different sizes believe that the real-time vehicle tracking system is a key factor in the development of this industry. It not only increases productivity but also helps achieve cost efficiencies.

When it comes to global fleet industry, technology now plays a big role. Whether it is a local business that uses only simple vehicle tracking devices, or a global and national haulage operator, it is important to use GPS-based fleet tracking system.

The investment in telematics is considered an important capital investment. Usually a basic vehicle tracker system is used by smaller fleet operators. Such basic systems use a simple 'satnav' application. The control room team and fleet managers realize very soon that they need to have a real-time fleet tracking system to ensure effective and comprehensive tracking of any fleet during its entire journey. The data can be streamed live and comprehensive records can be maintained by upgrading to a real-time vehicle tracking system.

For the optimum telematics performance and future planning of business projects, consultation and cost analysis are very important. A fleet company has to prepare an effective future plan that takes into account the future fleet demands and the need for additional functionality. Better productivity can be achieved when the practical benefits of any system is checked thoroughly. It is necessary to select a software solution that offers the required capability, can be scaled up or down when needed, and can be customized according to intended uses and fleet vehicle specifications. Reducing fuel costs is an important issue with any fleet operating company. In this endeavor, various systems including the GPS tracking device help achieve the target.

Even when fleet tracking system is in place, the benefits may quickly fade away after initial gains. This makes it important to utilize the data collected through such systems and act upon the information at the right time. Only then long-term benefits can be realized. With effective driver behavior management, the goal of higher productivity and efficient cost reduction can be achieved easily.

Driving behaviors can be monitored through in-vehicle diagnostics. Details like cornering, acceleration, braking as well as engine RPM’s, gear selection and idling can be recorded and analyzed. Routing software makes it possible to make comparisons and analyze the data properly. This helps set geo-fencing limits, plan the schedules and set the vehicle movement rules for any out of time journey areas. Data related to any unauthorized vehicle uses can be recorded.

It is important that at every stage, the telematics provider is consulted, especially when any integration system involving present network infrastructures are planned. Having accurate and complete information is the main success factor behind any telematics purchase. For fleet operators, it is one of the best ways to reduce operational costs. The responsibility of smooth fleet management process can be ensured only with effective strategic policy implementation.

 Lynx Telematics, located in Milford Oho, is an OEM (Original EquipmentManufacture) that specializes in developing proprietary fleet GPS Tracking devices for fleets of all sizes and functions.
For information on how Lynx Telematics can help your company save an average of $2500 per vehicle annually, contact Business Development Manager, VincentRush at (513) 965-6318



LynxTelematics is an OEM that controls design, engineering, firmware, software development, IT support and manufacturing processes of our product, allowing us to produce the highest quality product in our industry, while offering our customers competitive pricing.
As your partner, we provide ongoing training and support to insure that the product is properly sold to the end user, maximizing the re-sellers profitability.

As one of the pioneers in telematics technologies, Lynx Telematics provides our clients with powerful end-to-end vehicle telematics tools. Our technology offers a real solution that delivers safety, saves money and provides an unprecedented level of peace of mind to our customers.