Choosing the Right Telematics Provider

How Do I Choose the Right Telematics Company
By Michael T. Sprouse, President G&A Research, Inc.

I was reading a copy of Fleet Owner magazine the other day, trying to make sense of the world of telematics, and lo and behold; I received a call from an old fleet client of mine that I have done consulting for several times over the past few years.

“What can you tell me about telematics?” Jim asked of me.

Trying to buy some time so that I did not sound unprepared for his inquiry, I responded with my patented, “Jim, could you please clarify the nature of that question. There are many answers to that.”
Having deflected the conversation and bought some time to collect my thoughts, my friend, who owns a beverage company, with a fleet of 250 trucks, went on to say that, while he believed that telematics time has come and realized that he needed to make the move to reduce his operational expenses and get a handle on the overall management of his assets, his concern was over…”How do I BUY telematics and what should I look for in a company?”

Trying to sound like the ever wise and knowledgeable oracle of fleet management solutions, I replied, “Ahhh Jim, you have stumbled upon one of the great mysteries in the modern-day telematics that holds as many theories as a government conspiracy. Let me get back to you in a few weeks and give you a thorough report, so that you can have enough information to make the right choice for your company.”

My journey for the proverbial “Arc of the Covenant” led me to interview several fleet based companies of various industries, from trucking to sales organizations and fleet sizes of 30 to 1200 vehicles, as well as ten telematics companies, all of which were “pioneers” and self-described “industry leaders”.

Allow me to digress.

First, it is important to look back and reflect on the fleet based telematics market and how it has evolved to this point and is beginning to approach critical mass.

For the purpose of this article, I will take a “Telematics for Dummies” approach.

Much like technological innovations that hit the market every few years and spawn a host of companies looking to cash in on the “Gold Rush” of that industry, telematics really burst onto the scene about three and a half years ago.

And much like the previous races to acquire market space, a whole plethora of “pioneers” aligned themselves with an OEM and set out to grab as much market share as possible.

Companies began assembling sales teams, armed them with marketing lists that divided the country up into territories, and began calling on companies that met certain fleet size criteria.

If your company had a fleet size of 100 vehicles or more, you have been called once for each of those vehicles, if not more.

Telematics was a new and shiny toy that carried the promise of reducing fuel budgets through decreased idling times and safer driving habits and was very attractive to companies looking to reduce operational expenses.

The asset management aspect of keeping tabs on all of your vehicles was very appealing as well.
Once a web demo would show all of a companies vehicles and give a CEO or fleet manager the vision of how they could keep an eye on all of their employees, a company would then sign a three-year agreement with a telematics provider, have a solution installed and then begin trying to make sense of the myriad of data that began flooding the fleet managers desk top.

While many companies could see the advantages of telematics and the financial impact that a properly run system could provide, a majority of companies, over the past three years chose to take a “wait and see” approach, either believing it sounded too good to be true, or not willing to part with financial resources due to the precarious state of the economy.

Now three years later, the telematics industry is approaching critical mass and the mountain of evidence is nothing short of overwhelming.

In fact, as one CFO recently told me, “The very reason we did not make the move, was the very reason we SHOULD have made the move. We believe that waiting two years has cost us nearly a $500,000. That’s money we could have used for marketing or other infrastructure.”

So with the mystery of telematics no longer unsolved, the only question being asked now is, “What should I look for in a provider?”

What I found to be most interesting in my research of companies that had purchased a solution, was not dissatisfaction in the technology or the results but rather in their provider.

A common theme that I kept encountering was that once the contract was signed and the support and the “romance” ended, they were stuck with a solution that, while not as complete as they needed, still came with three years of monthly monitoring fees.

As one of my clients remarked, “I was told that I was purchasing the most complete solution, which I later found out that I wasn’t and then a month later, I couldn’t find my sales representative with a search warrant. Now I am stuck with minimal tech support and have to figure out on my own how to maximize the capabilities. I don’t have time for that. I have a company to run!”

His language was more colorful than that; however for the sake of this article……

So what I have compiled, after a couple of months of research which included conversations with 18 end users as well as 10 randomly chosen telematics providers is a helpful guide on how to choose a telematics provider that will be right for your company.

I would like to point out that, I purposely do not mention company names, as this paper is designed to simply be a guide based on my research and not an endorsement of any one company or solution.
If you are a company owner or fleet manager, first of all, let me start by saying, congratulations on making the conscious decision to move your fleet into the world of telematics technology.
CEO’s and Fleet Managers for all companies reviewed have universally seen and experienced, without exception, the impact of a successfully implemented telematics program to an organization, from simply a fiscal aspect to a safety and productivity bottom line.

However, it can be very confusing in the telematics world, with hundreds of providers and as many solutions. I hope to be able to help you in your decision-making process with this list of the most commonly asked questions that Managers said that they wished they would have asked or researched further before making their decision.

The following is a list of questions to ask you potential service providers and an explanation of why it is important to know.

Q: Are you partnering with a telematics company or a company that simply sells telematics devices?

A: There are many companies that simply sell devices and monitoring but no real service and long-term support. Do you want to work with a re-seller or a company that is constantly innovating and working closely with you in partnership to insure that you maximize your ROI?

Q: Is your provider a local company that can work closely with you and your team, even after you’ve signed the contract? Or will your consultant, who is only an account rep, not be able to help you beyond the signing of the contract?

A: This may seem redundant of the previous question, but it is important to make sure that once you sign the contract, you are in essence “married” to your choice for the next 3 years. You are going to need help and support as you learn more about the capabilities of your solution and how to use it within your company.

Q: Are future upgrades automatically included or are you married to current technology for the length of contract…unless you pay for an upgrade?

A: Ever bought the latest and greatest cell phone, only to have version 2.1 come out 30 days later? Ten you know the frustration, Technology is always changing and there is an old saying, “Today’s innovations are will be out of date as of yesterday.” Telematics is no different. It’s best to beginning to take advantage of today’s technology with a company that provides free firmware and software upgrades. Why wait 6-9 months for future advances when it is costing you money today?

Q: Are they a “Plug and Play” solution vs. a “Wired In” Solution?

A: It was interesting how companies that don’t offer a “plug and play”, will do everything they can to convince you that it could be the death of your company if you choose to go that route. The truth is that there are very good plug and play solutions that are fully robust and give you everything you need. The long-term benefits are that there is no installation costs (typically $100 per unit) and un-wiring and transfer costs (typically $150). “Plug and Play” solutions make transfer from one vehicle to another a 30 second procedure.

Q: Do the have “speed by street” capabilities?

A: Most telematics solutions offer a generic speed monitoring solution. That solution usually only allows a fleet manager to establish an interstate speed limit. The truth is that in today’s safety conscious environment we live in, speeding on a residential or business district street is even more dangerous that being 10 mph over the speed limit on the interstate.

Q: Do they have “Anti-Texting” capabilities?

A: This really needs no explanation. When your company has an accident that results in an injury or even worse, a fatality, the victims lawyers will subpoena your drivers phone records and attempt to match a texting incident or phone conversation to the time of the accidents occurrence. At that point it is simply “Game Over” from a financial perspective.

While every company I interviewed said that they had a “very strict” no texting policy, none of the companies I spoke with had the ability to enforce that policy, leading to the adage that “A policy that is unenforceable is not really a policy”. And with today’s new texting laws, your company could be subject to an $11,000 fine if your driver is observed to be in violation.

Q: Do they have seat belt notification?

A: I found it very rare when speaking to telematics providers that this feature existed but it in fact does. Obviously this is a safety related feature and will please many insurance companies that recognize the value of telematics in a fleet.

Q: Do they provide “real-time” ECM diagnostics?

A: Real time is just what it says…happening now! I spoke with a few fleet managers that shared stories with me of solutions that saved thousands of dollars in costly repairs by alerting them that there was trouble beginning to emerge in their fleet and they were able to treat the symptoms before they became illnesses that could shut down a vehicle for days, if not weeks. Lost productivity aside, maintaining the health of the fleet is just as important as maintaining our personal health before an incurable illness occurs.

Q: Can they generate IFTA mileage logs and reports?

A: How important is this? I was surprised to find out that it was one of the key benefits of a fully robust telematics solution. One fleet manager informed me that by automating this process, he took one weeks worth of effort, every quarter and reduced it to a few days for the entire year.

Q: Do they have H.O.S. (Hours of Service) reporting capabilities?

A: This is important, especially for trucking companies that are concerned with D.O.T. reporting. It’s also valuable from a productivity perspective. As one Fleet Manager told me, “I like to be able to look and see how many more hours my drivers have left so that I can make the best use of our available fleet.”

Q: Is the product made in North America?

A: This comes down to a dependability issue as well as language and semantics of your implemented solution.

Q: Is design and manufacturing under the same roof?

A: An important characteristic of your telematics provider for the purpose of innovation and expedition of those technological advances.

Q: Do they have a Software Development Kit (S.D.K.)?

A: Why is this important? No one fleet is exactly the same and every fleet manager has different needs and desires. An S.D.K allows your IT department to write code and interface with other applications that in play in your fleets form Garmin solutions to snow plows and devices that measure salt tonnage per street.

And finally…..

Q: Does your company have references…that you are familiar with?

A: In my research, I found that every telematics company I spoke with had a ready-made list of references. However, upon examining those lists, I realized that I had only heard of 1 out of each 10 that I was given. I realize that there are companies such as UPS, Orkin, Frito Lay and more that have devoted thousands of hours and months of test piloting to determine the proper solutions for their companies. Before I make an investment, or “go to the altar” with a provider, I want to make sure that I am not their guinea pig.

I hope that this has been helpful to you and sheds some light on your telematics search.
While there are variables to every situation and probably no one solution that is perfect for every company, it became my experience through research and interviews that these are questions and requirements that repeated themselves most often.

Michael T. Sprouse
President, G&A Research Institute
Cincinnati, Ohio

Insurance telematics could "flip the underwriting model on its head"!

Your insurance provider may soon be asking for access to your telematics data. What’s in it for you?
By: James Menzies of “Truck News” 2012-08-20 



Insurance brokers and providers may soon be asking fleets for access to their telematics data, in an effort to provide more accurate insurance pricing and to help fleets better utilize that data.
It’s a bold new approach that’s already happening in other parts of the world, including Europe and Australia. Here in Canada, Industrial Alliance made waves earlier this year, when it launched a program in Quebec that allowed young drivers to install data recorders in their car and then pay premiums based on their specific driving habits.

Truck News has learned that the concept – sometimes referred to as Pay How You Drive or Pay As You Drive – will soon be rolled out to the Canadian trucking industry. Insurers realize telematics provides the basis for a more accurate means of underwriting risk. Today, brokers and insurers collect the same old data (such as CVOR and CSA scores as well as a five-year claims history) to determine premiums. But insurers have come to realize that basing premiums on past claims isn’t the best way to do things. For starters, it doesn’t address those fleets that employ risky drivers but have avoided accidents through sheer luck.

Using telematics, insurance providers will be able to identify risky driving behavior that will most likely result in accident over time and can push a fleet to intervene with offending drivers and address unsafe behavior before that accident occurs. Insurers who tap into their customers’ telematics data will be looking for information on speed, hard braking, abrupt lane changes and rapid acceleration, among other risky behaviors.

“From an underwriting standpoint, it flips the underwriting model on its head,” Scott Cober, vice-president, national leader with Marsh Canada’s trucking practice told Truck News in an interview. “It becomes more of a predictive underwriting model.”

At the very least, using telematics to determine insurance pricing will allow insurers to charge premiums that better reflect a fleet’s likelihood of being involved in a crash. But ideally, insurance providers will use that valuable information to alert a fleet to worrisome trends and encourage interventions before such accidents even occur.

“Fleet insurance underwriters currently review driver abstracts for tickets and look at accidents to assess a high-risk driver in the fleet,” Cober explained. “A fleet’s risky drivers may not be the ones with tickets or accidents, but those who are trending towards bad behaviors on the road – making unsafe lane changes, cornering at high speeds, etc. These drivers are potentially your future accidents and claims. The driver behavior data (collected through telematics) will help safety managers prevent accidents before they happen.”

In most cases, insurers will be able to tap into data collected by existing and widely used telematics systems. Other programs may encourage fleets to invest in specific real-time monitoring and coaching systems such as those that alert drivers to risky behaviors in the cab as they occur, while also sending reports to the fleet manager. Some “Live View” systems feature an in-cab camera that captures video of what transpired in the moments immediately before and after a risky maneuver occurred. In-cab camera technology provides insurers with a useful tool when trying to reconstruct an accident or determine who was at fault.

“We’re using that not only as a behavioral tool, but as a claims tool,” Cober said. “For the first time, we’re gaining insight into what happened and we’re seeing drivers become exonerated from the claim. I think video is going to have a fundamental change on the whole claims process. A fleet can say ‘My driver wasn’t at fault, he was cut off by this driver,’ and on the reverse side, he may know the driver was at fault right away and from the insurance standpoint we can set the reserve up and get ready to pay the claim.”

Some fleets, naturally, will be reluctant to share their telematics data with their insurer. But insurance companies insist fleets have plenty to gain by doing so. This applies both to safe fleets (because they’ll pay premiums that better reflect the skills of their driving force) as well as unsafe fleets (because their insurer will work with them to identify unsafe practices and provide corrective training measures proactively).

“The safest fleets are already being very proactive and are more advanced than the other fleets,” Cober said. “But if you have claims, there’s an issue with your drivers on the road. Fleets that want to improve and become more efficient will turn to technology. To be competitive in this marketplace going forward, those fleets are going to have to do this.”

It’s likely that such programs will be voluntarily, at least initially. But don’t rule out the possibility of an insurance provider requiring the use of telematics for fleets with frequent claims.

“I can see possibly in the future, if a fleet cannot control its claims, that an insurer will say ‘We will insure you, but you need to put these measures in’,” Cober predicted. “I can see insurers using that as an underwriting tool.”

Zurich’s Magi says fleets she has spoken to about sharing their telematics data have so far been receptive, though she is quick to point out Zurich insures mostly large fleets with high US exposure, and the majority of those carriers already employ and understand the benefits of collecting and analyzing telematics data.

“I have never had a customer say ‘I’m not giving you the data you need’,” Magi said. “If anything, they’re asking ‘How can you help me analyze this information so I can utilize it better?’ What telematics does is it gives you a granular view of what’s happening with each particular driver and vehicle on a daily basis. You’re going to see a picture there. Insurers are going to see there is something there and it’s to the customer’s benefit to be able to speak with an educated risk services representative who’s going to be able to dig deeper and find out where the big issues are.”

Eventually, insurance providers may look to provide insight into the operational side of a fleet’s business, in ways that extend beyond managing driver behavior. As an example, Magi foresees an opportunity to assist with route planning. Insurers may look at a carrier’s lanes and then suggest a route that avoids litigious states or areas where there are weather-related risks at certain times of the year. Carriers would then be faced with the decision of taking the most direct route and possibly paying a higher premium, or a safer route that will provide insurance savings. All this while meeting the demands of the shipper, which in many cases will be looking for the most expedient delivery of its goods.

“Ideally in the future the technology will get to a point where you look at ‘What is the safest route to get to a point?’ and there’s a charge for that,” Magi said. “If you (as an insurance company) have a true partnership with a customer, you’re going to sit down together and talk about this from a pure business perspective. What is the cost-benefit analysis for your operation to take this particular route versus the potential loss if you take a different route? It factors into their deductible. There are going to be customers that are going to be absolutely operations-minded and some customers will look at route utilization with a holistic approach as to how it’s going to affect their insurance.”

Magi noted insurance, in many cases, is a carrier’s third largest expense and so she expects fleets will be willing to alter their routes to lower costs.

Proponents of insurance telematics insist the data that’s collected and shared will always belong to the carrier.

“This isn’t about Zurich going in and mining information from the customers,” Magi stressed. “The customers can share this information with us if they choose to. Ideally, the purpose of what we’re trying to do is to show them how to better utilize that particular data.”

There are privacy issues, as well, to consider. Cober noted Canada’s stringent privacy laws mean insurers won’t be drilling down to assess drivers on an individual basis, but will be looking at a company’s fleet-wide performance.

“Because of the privacy laws, we are saying to trucking companies “You supply the data to your insurer in a condensed manner without giving driver names, without giving vehicle numbers, just give a holistic view of how the fleet is doing,’ and we’ll take that monthly or quarterly and what we want to see is continuous improvement,” he explained. “Canada has some pretty tough privacy rules.”

While fleet managers may see the benefit in participating in a telematics-based Pay How You Drive-type system, drivers themselves may be more resistant. Cober insisted the systems endorsed by insurers will be sophisticated enough to account for false alerts caused by other motorists.

“We know things happen on the road and it’s going to be quite common to have errors because of third-parties cutting in front (of the truck),” Cober said. He suggested fleets employing driver behavior monitoring use it to reward the best drivers rather than installing the systems for strictly punitive or corrective reasons.

“If it’s seen as a penalty or Big Brother, I think the safety culture of the company won’t flourish,” he noted. “It needs to be promoted as positive reinforcement for the drivers and to reward drivers for good behavior.”

Regardless of how drivers and fleet owners feel about sharing telematics data with their insurer, it seems inevitable. Canada is late to the party, but globally the auto insurance industry is already moving in this direction.

An Oliver Wyman Financial Services report, titled Uneven Road Ahead: Telematics Poised to Reshape Auto Industry, concluded: “As technology costs fall, privacy concerns recede and regulations become more supportive, telematics is fast moving into the mainstream and will fundamentally disrupt the auto insurance business. The threat to late adopters is real: better drivers will enroll in telematics programs, leaving behind a shrinking pool of poorer risks to the traditional insurers.”

The same could be said for trucking companies.

Cober noted that by 2017, it’s expected that new vehicles manufactured in North America will come equipped with some form of telematics hardware already installed, “making the insurance telematics process easier for consumers who may be confused on what actual hardware is required in their vehicle.”

Another objection likely to be faced by insurers is the cost of implementing the necessary technology, particularly for smaller fleets that don’t already employ some form of telematics. But Cober said the cost of the technology is rapidly dropping and the potential savings extend beyond lower insurance costs, delivering a quick payback.

“Traditionally, only the big fleets could afford the technology. But because the technology costs have been dropping, we’re beginning to see the middle market fleets – the fleets with 10-50 power units – can now afford this technology and can see the return on investment,” he said.

Because telematics can improve driver behavior and address bad habits like rapid acceleration and hard braking as well as speeding, Cober said many fleets are realizing fuel savings of 5-10% when employing a telematics system that monitors driver behavior.

“We’re seeing fleets that in the first three to six months, are seeing their investment returned,” Cober said.

And for fleets that proactively monitor and address poor driving habits, the insurance savings will also be tangible, he noted. While premium reductions are generally a reward for lower claims costs achieved over a period of time, Cober said it’s possible insurers will provide some up-front savings for fleets that enroll in a telematics program.

And when fleets discover the additional savings that are achievable by analyzing their telematics data with some help from their insurance provider, Magi said the idea will become an easier sell.
“At the end of the day, really, they’re truckers,” she said. “They want to be able to move freight and run their business. They’re not actuaries that deal with statistics. If we can provide them with the tools and solutions that make it easier for them to very quickly analyze (data) and see a problem, we’ve done them a huge benefit but we’ve also done our bottom line a benefit as well.”

- The above feature article appears in the September issues of Truck News and Truck West

Re-posted by Vincent Rush of VP of Business Development for Lynx Telematics.

Lynx Telematics is a Cincinnati based OEM of Telematic technology and provider of the Geo Tab product along with patented “Anti Texting and Web Browsing” technology for fleet based companies.

Lynx Telematics is also the innovator and pioneer of the Lynx Safe Teen Driving Monitor that grants parents real-time data on their teenagers driving habits while blocking and disabling texting and driving.

For more information, contact Vincent Rush at (513) 965-6318 or by email at vrush@lynxtelematics.com

Lynx Telematics Signs Another Major Contract

Lynx Telematics, in Cincinnati, Ohio recently has signed a deal to partner and provide services to an industrial company that employs a fleet of more than 700 trucks and is the number 3 company in their industry.

It was learned through conversations after the decision had been made to work exclusively with Lynx Telematics, that this was the 4th test pilot that the company had been through over the past 3 years.
The reasons sited for making their decision were the complexity and robustness of the solutions we provided as well as the customer service and attention to detail that we demonstrated while servicing the test pilot program.

Vice President of Business Development, Vincent Rush, who handled the account from inception to delivery, explains the process and what led to the acquisition;

We began by picking a total of 16 large box trucks in two different locations.
Location A had 9 trucks on pilot while location B had 7.

Before we began stage one, we crafted a team “Roll Out” letter to the employees explaining the purpose installing this technology.

We called the program “The Safe Driving and Operational Efficiency Program”. One of the problems with many telematics projects, is failure to properly implement the program. That not only takes into consideration the explanation of why, but when, how and the name of the project.

The main objectives of the program were, safety compliance, reduction in fuel consumption, lowering insurance costs and allowing drivers to earn more through improved route efficiency.

The telematics landscape is littered with programs gone wrong, due to an improper roll out with unclear expectations.

When dealing with employees, it is very important to make sure team members see the project as a good thing for the company and not a “Covert Spying Project”.

This has always been one of our specialties and what differentiates us from many of our competitors.
There is a big difference in building a successful and sustainable telematics company and simply selling telematics devices.

Phase 1 of our program consisted of setting up our “plug and play” system in the trucks and then monitoring and collecting data for the Operations Manager for a period of 2 weeks.

During this time period we focused on idling time and discovered that each truck would idle an average of 8:30 per stop or an average of 7 hours per week, per truck.

It was during this phase that we were able to show, that by getting control of the idling time, we could reduce the company’s annual fuel expense of approximately $9 Million dollars by a conservative $720,840, using just one element of savings.

In phase two we split the locations and the fleet into two separate groups.

One with audible alerts for idling over 3 minutes and the other location, with only 6 trucks, without audible alerts.

The results were staggering!!!!

Location 1 accumulated a total of 280.5 hours with 9 trucks for an average of 1:52 per stop, while Location 2 with 3 fewer trucks, totaled 592 hours for an average of 6:12 per stop.

We were able to show our client an estimated annual savings in fuel expense, based on idling alone, of $902,415 or roughly 10% of their annual fuel budget.

We didn’t stop there.

The next phase of our test pilot was a meeting with their insurance company.
Not only did we get a verbal estimate of $75,000 dollars in annual savings, we received an endorsement from the company as well.

With an additional estimated savings of $129,600 in maintenance expenses we were able to show our client a projected annual savings of $1.1 million or $3.3 over the next 3 years.

Sure, these numbers are great and alone they should be enough to help any company pull the trigger on making the investment into telematics.

We also added the ability to monitor texting and driving through our partnership with ZoomSafer. In fact, 3 days before our final meeting, one of the company drivers was ticketed for texting while driving.

However, for a company that has been down the road with 3 other test pilots, all lasting 90-120 days, the real thing that sealed the deal, after only 52 days, was our level of customer service and attention to detail for the client.

“Lynx Telematics did not simply install a bunch of units and accumulate data for us”, 
commented the company Fleet Operations Manager. “They actually took personal responsibility and helped us manage and understand what the data was telling us.”

“Lynx also monitored our fleets ECM data and alerted us to possible mechanical issues as they were happening. That alone saved us thousands in productivity and lost product.”

“When I wanted reports or samples of data, my Account Manager, Vincent Rush, didn’t just email it to me, he hand delivered it and explained how the data was presented. They were the most thorough company we had tested.”

“What has really impressed us to this point is that now that we are partnered with Lynx, we are still getting help and attention, like we did in the testing phase. Very impressive level of service from a telematics company”

For more information or an analysis on how Lynx Telematics can help your company fleet reduce operating expenses, improve safety compliance and productivity while reducing risk liability, contact Vincent Rush at (513) 965-6318 or vrush@lynxtelematics.com

What Are Your Reason for Using Telematics?

What Are Your Reasons For Using Telematics?

A recent Automotive Fleet article entitled “Fleet’s Brave New World,” states that “technology, in the form of telematics solutions, is the way many fleets are looking to manage their operations more efficiently. In fact, telematics/GPS is the most widely used management technology.”  That being said, what do you think are the top reasons for using telematics among businesses?

While controlling fuel expenses may be at the forefront of your mind, according to a survey mentioned in the article, improving driver behavior is a bigger priority, with fuel savings following close behind. Additional reasons include: route productivity, accident reduction and sustainability initiatives. While these are all important reasons for using telematics, what’s really motivating businesses to adopt a telematics solution?

According to the article, the need for increased fleet efficiency is the primary reason for implementing a telematics solution and according to the author “telematics are playing a key role in improving fleet processes.” How?

With a GPS fleet tracking solution, businesses can automate their processes and monitor driver behavior, helping reduce overhead costs like labor, insurance and maintenance. Reporting features enable businesses to track hours worked and schedule routine maintenance for their vehicles. With improving driver behavior as the number one reason for using telematics, Speed Alerts and Speed Reports can help fleet managers determine their aggressive drivers so that they can take corrective action.

And for those who want to control their fleet’s fuel expenditure, with a GPSfleet management solution, businesses can monitor their fleets’ fuel usage and eliminate wasteful fuel practices like idling through Idle Reports. And because less idling means less harmful emissions, fleet managers will be able to scratch going green off their list.

So, what are your reasons for using telematics?

 Re-posted by Vincent Rush of Lynx Telematics in Cincinnati Ohio. Lynx Telematics is the developer of the Lynxsafe Teen Driving Monitor that allows parents of teen drivers to eliminate texting and driving by their teen drivers while at the same time, ensuring safe driving habits by monitoring speed, seat belt usage, driving habits and mechanical failures.

For more information, contact Vincent Rush at vrush@lynxtelematics.com or (513) 965-6318

Cox Enterprises Uses Telematics and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles to Cut Costs and Reduce Its Carbon Footprint

Cox Enterprises Uses Telematics and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles to Cut Costs and Reduce Its Carbon Footprint

ATLANTA – Cox Enterprises celebrated the fifth anniversary of Cox Conserves, the company’s national sustainability program, and provided details on its 12,000-vehicle fleet’s specific achievements in its latest corporate sustainability report.

The company said it launched the Cox Conserves program in 2007, and that it is designed to reduce Cox Enterprises’ energy consumption “by embracing renewable forms of energy, conserving natural resources and inspiring eco-friendly behavior.”

Cox Enterprises said it currently employs flex-fuel vehicles and is replacing fleet vehicles with a mix of more fuel-efficient models and hybrids. The company said a number of these vehicles are used by its Cox Communications division.

Currently, 90% of Cox’s executive fleet vehicles each get 27 mpg, 10% of the fleet consists of Partial Zero Emissions Vehicles (PZEV) and LEED-ranked vehicles, and the fleet now has nearly 300 hybrid vehicles. For the company’s network operations vehicles, 90% of them use a new hybrid operating system that allows them to emit zero emissions during aerial operation.

Cox also employs a GPS/telematics system, now installed in a total of 5,000 vehicles in the fleet, which the company said saves more than 1 million gallons of fuel each year. The system also helps Cox reduce its carbon footprint by more than 25 million lbs. of CO2. Other features of the GPS/telematics system include a vehicle diagnostics component, which the company said helps drivers reduce fuel use (by controlling engine idle time) and C02 emissions, and a “GeoManager” module. The GeoManager features mapping and real-time traffic, and allows field tech supervisors and dispatchers to improve operating efficiency and customer service and reduce operating costs. Both features allowed Cox to reduce vehicle idle time by 84%, from 90 minutes per day to 15, during the first year of the system’s use. The company also created a “no-idle” zone at the Atlanta headquarters’ loading dock.

For the executive vehicle program, Cox employees must choose a vehicle that achieves mpg of 27 or better. Cox partners with Georgia’s Clean Air Campaign and the Perimeter Transportation Coalition. Clean Air Campaign recognized Cox with a PACE Large Business Award in 2006 and a PACE Innovator Award for a Green Fleet in 2008, according to the company.

Additional transportation options for employees also help reduce the company’s carbon footprint and costs. The company utilizes a shuttle system that transports employees to a public transit station (including MARTA). Cox also provides a motor pool via a Borrow-A-Hybrid program. Vehicles branded with “Cox Conserves” are available to employees who take alternative forms of transportation. Employees can check out the cars if they need to attend an off-site meeting, for example. The company also provides a guaranteed ride home if an emergency occurs to employees who take public transportation.

Re-posted from Automotive Fleet Magazine, April 26th

For more information, contact Vincent Rush of Lynx Telematics at (866) 314-0461 

 For more information on how Lynx Telematics, an OEM located in Cincinnati, Ohio can help your fleet become more operationally efficient or custom design a solution to meet your fleet management needs, contact Vincent Rush at (866) 314-0461

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. 

Our product, LynxSafe, is the newest and most advanced in-vehicle communication system currently on the market. It combines GPS/satellite and GSM cellular technology to provide users and family members with immediate access to real-time information delivered directly via any internet enabled device including I Phone and Android smart phones.

All of our devices benefit from the innovation of U-Blox technology and a 3D Accelerometer, providing the industry’s most accurate pin point locating technology to within a 3 ft. radius.

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.

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

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.

Understanding ROI in Telematics

 

Understanding ROI in Telematics

By Light & Medium Truck Magazine

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.

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. 

Unifirst Fleet Implements Use GPS Tracking Telematics To Improve Corporate Productivity And Safety Practices

Massachusetts-based company envisions higher level of customer service as an added benefit, based on increased "face to face time" between its drivers and its customers

With strategic goals to reduce fuel and maintenance costs, while improving driver productivity and safety, UniFirst Corporation recently adopted the use of highly specialized GPS tracking software known as Telematics to manage their thousands of routes traveled in the United States and Canada each week by its 3,000 customer delivery vehicles.

Because of more efficient route mapping, the Vehicle Telematics software package is also projected to allow UniFirst delivery drivers to increase "face to face time" with their customers, thereby further improving their servicing levels and customer satisfaction.

UniFirst, an industry leader in work wear and textile services, rents, leases and sells uniforms, protective clothing, corporate work wear, and facility service products to more than 240,000 business customers throughout North America.

"Before implementing this system, we were unable to receive accurate and true information on operational data. Information like engine idling times, driving speeds, and other driver behavior, including compliance of safety protocols and the proper following of the most efficient pre-determined routes," explained Lauren Barros, Fleet Safety Engineer for UniFirst. "This software package is like having a knowledgeable navigator and safety engineer riding shotgun with each of our drivers so they operate with maximum efficiency and, ultimately, provide all our customers with delivery service that's second to none in the textile services industry." she added.

GPS Tracking / Telematics software is, in part, designed to enable its users to route efficiently, keep accurate mileage records, monitor idling times and voltage checks. It also tracks such variables as vehicle speed, and any harsh braking or rapid acceleration events. Telematics is the ideal solution to provide the company with such data - data that can then be applied to making improvements to operational procedures, as well as worker compensation issues.

"Based on the initial analysis of our pilot program with Telematics, we've already seen an improvement in the performance habits of our drivers," UniFirst's Barros added. "Over the course of the next several months, we anticipate applying the data we receive to implement further initiatives that can make measurable differences in the use of fuel and in driver behavior," she added.

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. 

Our product, LynxSafe, is the newest and most advanced in-vehicle communication system currently on the market. It combines GPS/satellite and GSM cellular technology to provide users and family members with immediate access to real-time information delivered directly via any internet enabled device including I Phone and Android smart phones.

All of our devices benefit from the innovation of U-Blox technology and a 3D Accelerometer, providing the industry’s most accurate pin point locating technology to within a 3 ft. radius.