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Approximately one in three companies (32 per cent) believe the business use of artificial intelligence will be commonplace within the next decade, new research from TomTom Telematics has revealed.

The study found that 22 per cent believe virtual reality will be in common usage, while around one in five anticipates the prevalence of in-vehicle working due to the development of autonomous vehicles.

However, almost a third (32 per cent) fear they may struggle to keep pace with the rate of technological change. Furthermore, one in two (49 per cent) believe those that fail to embrace digitalised processes and the Internet of Things are at greater risk of going out of business.

“Complacency can sound the death knell for businesses,” said Beverley Wise, director UK & Ireland at TomTom Telematics.

“Companies should be mindful of the pace of change and keep a close eye on the solutions and processes that will help ensure a competitive future – from smart mobility and connected tech to advanced manufacturing and design systems. Many of today’s new emerging technologies will disrupt and revolutionise commerce, and in the process become the standard for tomorrow.”

Almost half of companies (46 per cent) believe remote working has or will become, the norm within the next 10 years. Remote working is currently proving more prevalent among larger companies (58 per cent) than their SMEs counterparts (37 per cent).

“The onus is on businesses, both large and small, to adapt to this new era of hypermobility and connected working that is being ushered in by advancements in areas ranging from telematics and the connected car to iPaaS and blockchain solutions,” added Wise.

“Such connected technologies and unified communication systems are unshackling workers from traditional working patterns - an empowering development that is set to significantly impact productivity and business efficiency.”

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As we continue our new series we are delighted to bring you a selection of articles taken from the recently released and highly informative, limited edition of Mobile Resource Management for Dummies, which is presented by Verizon Connect. 

 

Is Mobile Resource Management a key Topic for you?! Dive straight into the full eBook by hitting the button below!   

 

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What Is Mobile Resource Management?

The traditional approach to handling business growth is to focus on meeting increased demand – more workers, more vehicles and more warehouses. This can also mean an increase in administrative and management staff and higher overheads.

This linear strategy is fine while the work is there, but in a market filled with increased competition and fluctuating customer demand, committing to fixed expenses can leave a company exposed if business stops booming.

Clearly, saying no to new business is not an option. Fortunately, there is another solution.

Mobile resource management (MRM), or enterprise fleet management technology, helps mobile workforces and the people who manage them to get smarter about how they use their assets.

 

"Mobile resource management (MRM), or enterprise fleet management technology, helps mobile workforces and the people who manage them to get smarter about how they use their assets..."

 

This allows them to improve productivity while saving money by avoiding the financial risk of prematurely acquiring additional employees, vehicles or equipment.

MRM refers to a broad suite of hardware and software technology solutions that are used to monitor, track and optimise mobile assets, from tools and heavy machinery to vehicle fleets, employees and more. MRM is focused on making the best use of a business’s existing assets – vehicles, equipment and employees – to maximise its capacity; connecting the vehicle, the people and the work.

Most businesses have untapped potential that could be converted into a revenue-generating activity, but they don’t know it exists, or how to leverage it. You want to find your underutilised or inefficient assets and/or staff, and this can only be highlighted by monitoring them.

That’s where MRM technology comes in. It monitors each of your assets and allows an owner or appropriate stakeholder to see what, where and when resources are being used.

Using the data supplied by location-based technologies fitted to the vehicle or equipment (including phones and tablets), an MRM solution can easily show a range of productivity metrics.

Information that can be reported includes:

• When vehicles arrive at and/or leave a worksite or customer location.
• If the vehicle is anywhere other than where it should be.
• When equipment is being used (engine on).
• Which vehicles or assets have been sitting idle.
• Vehicle travel time (to determine time spent between jobs).
• Whether drivers are taking the quickest and most efficient routes.

 

Modern MRM solutions increasingly leverage the ubiquitous connectivity, unlimited scale and low-cost advantages of the cloud (discussed in the previous article here).

Some examples of technologies, applications and uses that might be found in a complete MRM solution include:

• Telematics
• Route optimisation
• Mobile technologies
• Data connectivity
• Work order management

Let's explore the first of these, i.e. telematics in closer detail...

 

Telematics

Telematics integrates vehicular technologies, road transportation and safety information, sensors, instrumentation, wireless communications and more. Telematics is sometimes referred to as ‘GPS (Global Positioning System) vehicle tracking’. However, that doesn’t begin to cover the breadth of capabilities under the telematics umbrella.

 

"Aside from simply tracking vehicle location, a robust web-based telematics solution offers customisable reports, near real-time vehicle and driver alerts, vehicle health, dashboards, custom map overlays, geo-fences and other tools to help companies manage and optimise fleet operations..."

 

Aside from simply tracking vehicle location, a robust web-based telematics solution offers customisable reports, near real-time vehicle and driver alerts, vehicle health, dashboards, custom map overlays, geo-fences and other tools to help companies manage and optimise fleet operations.

A comprehensive telematics solution empowers businesses to monitor and understand a broad range of operational factors, including:

Fuel consumption.

Fuel is one of the largest fleet operating expenses. Finding new ways to reduce fuel use provides immediate benefit to any company’s bottom line. With a telematics solution, fleet managers gain detailed insight and visibility into several key areas that have a big impact on fuel use, such as:

• Speeding – According to Commercial Fleet, a van driving at 80 mph uses 20 per cent more fuel than one driven at 70. That adds up quickly when you multiply that by any size fleet over the course of the year.
•  Idling – Unproductive idling is another fuel drain. For example, Figure 2-1 shows that the average yearly idling cost for a fleet of just 15 Transit vans is more than £11,000.
• Vehicle maintenance – It may not be as obvious as speeding and idling when it comes to wasting fuel, but proper vehicle maintenance plays a big role in fuel efficiency. Proper maintenance, including proactively addressing diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and maintenance alerts, as well as maintaining proper fleet operational levels, help to reduce costly downtime.
• Tyre pressure – According to the UK’s Department for Transport, underinflated tyres lower fuel. For example, four tyres that are just 25 per cent underinflated increase fuel consumption by about 0.2 per cent. Additionally, properly inflated tyres are safer and last longer.
• Unauthorised use – Unauthorised vehicle use equals unauthorised fuel use. Corporate fuel cards can be tied to specific vehicles via telematics to identify if a fuel card has been used without an accompanying work vehicle. Also note the fuel capacity of your vehicles, in case an employee purchases 45 litres of fuel for a company vehicle that only has a 40-litre capacity tank!
• Route optimisation – Are drivers taking the most efficient routes throughout the day? Added miles burn fuel and put unnecessary wear and tear on the vehicle itself.
• Utilisation – Understanding how much of a vehicle’s time is engaged in productive work can provide valuable insight that may allow some companies to perform the same work in the same amount of time with fewer vehicles on the road – which means less fuel use.

 

FIGURE 2-1: Average idling costs for Transit van and HGV fleets (source: Fleetmatics).

Safety

Any company that has a fleet of mobile workers considers the safety of their drivers and the public to be a top priority. Fleet vehicle accidents are costly on multiple levels – injury claims, repairs, employee morale, loss of productivity, company reputation and government interference, just to name a few.

According to the UK’s Department of Transport, an accident claim can cost an employer over £23,000 in medical care, legal expenses, lost productivity and property damage. That cost can exceed £216,000 when someone is injured, or £1.8 million when a fatality occurs.

 

"Two big contributors to accidents are maintenance issues and driving behaviour. A telematics solution can provide near real-time alerts on both vehicle maintenance issues as well as driving behaviour..."

 

Two big contributors to accidents are maintenance issues and driving behaviour. A telematics solution can provide near real-time alerts on both vehicle maintenance issues as well as driving behaviour. These alerts help to ensure that a vehicle is safe and roadworthy. And they provide business owners and fleet managers with solid data on driver performance that helps them better coach that driver to be safer on the road.

According to a National Highway Safety Administration (NHSA) study in the US, speeding is a factor in nearly 23 per cent of all at-fault large truck crashes. The same agency also reports that a tyre 25 per cent below its recommended pressure is three times more likely to be involved in a crash.

Telematics is also a natural companion for driver compliance factors – such as Hours of Service (HOS) – and can automate tracking processes, and help ensure that drivers are fresh and operating on proper/approved rest.

Simply knowing the location of a vehicle can also improve employee safety. If a truck and its driver don’t return when expected, their location can be determined, and, if needed, assistance can be provided.

Productivity.

Almost everything a telematics solution accomplishes leads back to productivity. One of the first things a supervisor will understand is the percentage of an employee’s day that is productive – are there inefficient in their day that can be improved upon? Better routing? If the vehicle spends a lot of time parked or idling, why is that? Telematics identifies symptoms that can be used to diagnose and correct a problem.

Dispatchers can easily identify the nearest possible respondent to a call by vehicle type, driver capabilities, and tools and parts available on board, ensuring that the response is swift and efficient.

The automation and incorporation of paperwork into mobile devices now allows records to be filed immediately during and upon completion of a job, eliminating countless hours of labour, filing and organising.

Finally, the age of compliance is upon us – HOS, tachographs, and Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR) are a fact of life for commercial fleet managers. The same mobile devices that allow communication and form automation can also be used to streamline compliance reporting, ensure expedient interaction with DOT authorities, and eliminate paperwork almost entirely from the process – all driving productivity.

If a company has a large, decentralised mobile operation that is service- and/or delivery-based, a telematics solution can also take the entire fleet and plot out optimised routes that cut down on miles driven, wear and tear on a vehicle, fuel use and, most importantly, time. All working together to allow a fleet manager to accomplish more – for less.

Maintenance.

The two kinds of maintenance are: planned (scheduled/preventive) and unplanned (failure). The first can be managed. The second becomes a downtime event that sinks productivity, adds unexpected costs (repair and replacement) and stunts profitability because that asset and its driver are unable to work. It also has a downstream effect on everything from customer satisfaction to other vehicle/employee schedules. Luckily, the first can largely prevent the second.

 

"Telematics automates the tracking of vehicle maintenance schedules and eliminates many of the old labour-intensive tracking processes..."

 

Telematics automates the tracking of vehicle maintenance schedules and eliminates many of the old labour-intensive tracking processes. Alerts can be scheduled when it’s time to perform regular maintenance activities, as well as to warn a fleet manager if a vehicle is operating out of usual parameters, or if an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) solution triggers a diagnostic trouble code (DTC), indicating the potential for a failure and allowing maintenance staff to address it before it becomes a downtime event 

This also allows fleet managers to schedule planned maintenance activities at a time with the least impact on productive work.

These systems can generally track any and all factors that have a direct impact on uptime and performance. From oil temperatures and fluid levels to tyre pressure and the presence of AdBlue in diesel, a telematics solution can help to diagnose a maintenance issue before it becomes a more expensive problem.

 

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According to a new report from the leading IoT market research provider Berg Insight, the number of active fleet management systems deployed in commercial vehicle fleets in North America was 8.0 million in Q4-2017.

Growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.6 percent, this number is expected to reach 16.4 million by 2022. In Latin America, the number of active fleet management systems is expected to increase from 3.0 million in Q4-2017, growing at a CAGR of 13.1 percent to reach 5.5 million in 2022. The top-25 vendors in the Americas together have a combined installed base of more than 7 million active units in the region today. Notably, all of the top-15 players each had more than 100,000 active units in the Americas at the end of 2017.

More than 40 percent of the total number of units deployed in the region is represented by the five largest fleet management vendors alone.

Verizon has in 2018 launched Verizon Connect which represents the culmination of more than US$ 5 billion in investments including high-profile acquisitions such as Fleetmatics and Telogis.

“Verizon Connect is the clear leader in the fleet telematics space both from a global perspective and in the Americas specifically”, said Rickard Anderson, Principal Analyst, Berg Insight. Verizon’s closest competitor in the Americas is Geotab which has grown considerably in the past year, followed by Omnitracs and Trimble which have both surpassed 0.5 million active fleet management subscribers in the region. “Zonar Systems rounds off the top-5, just ahead of Michelin which has established a strong position in the Americas through multiple acquisitions”, continued Mr. Andersson.

He adds that the ongoing consolidation trend in the fleet management space is expected to continue in the coming years. Numerous vendors today have more than half a million active FM subscribers worldwide and the milestone of one million subscriptions has now been surpassed by three leading players, driven by growth strategies based on M&A activity and high-pace organic growth.

“Berg Insight anticipates a future scenario where the global fleet management market is dominated by a handful of solution providers with installed bases measured in the millions”, concluded Mr Andersson.

Download report brochure: Fleet Management in the Americas

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SAS Global Communications, a leading provider of managed network and application services, is using an advanced telematics solution from Ctrack, an Inseego company, to enhance fleet performance and reduce operating costs...

Having adopted the Ctrack Online vehicle tracking system last year across a fleet of vans used by a team of engineers in its physical infrastructure division, the company has achieved a host of benefits including a material increase in productivity.

Following a review of the telematics marketplace, SAS selected Ctrack Online based on the usability of the system and its comprehensive reporting capabilities. The company had recognised a need to gain greater visibility and control over its engineers, responsible for the installation of network solutions at private-and public-sector sites across the UK. This has enabled its office-based team to use real-time positioning and vehicle status data to support improved vehicle scheduling and deploy the most appropriate resource to incoming jobs.

Meanwhile, SAS is using the Mobi Driver App, so engineers can record business and private mileage as well as provide supporting notes about individual trips via their smartphones. By electronically capturing this HMRC requirement, the company has been able to streamline administrative processes and replace a paper-based system that previously required information to be collated manually. Ctrack Online’s working time report is also helping SAS to verify time-sheets and overtime claims, resulting in further time and cost savings.

Alvin Thompson, Physical Infrastructure Manager at SAS Managed IT Services commented: “SAS has experienced clear benefits from using Ctrack Online in terms of productivity improvements and cost reduction. We have been impressed with the level of support provided by Ctrack, which ensured the telematics system has been set up to meet our particular requirements and was installed without any disruption to the business. We are already exploring how else to take advantage of its capabilities in terms of driver behaviour monitoring and duty of care compliance.”

Steve Thomas, Managing Director of Ctrack said: “By working closely with our customers we are able to help them deliver significant business benefits and achieve a return on investment. This is a key reason why businesses of all sizes are turning to Ctrack to implement advanced telematics solutions for their fleet operations.”

 

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In a new series, fieldservicenews.com is pleased to bring you a selection of articles taken from the recently released limited edition of Mobile Resource Management for Dummies, which is presented by Verizon Connect.

 

Is Mobile Resource Management a key Topic for you?!

Dive straight into the full eBook by hitting the button below!  

 

Sponsored by:

 

Data usage note: By accessing this content you consent to the contact details submitted when you registered as a subscriber to fieldservicenews.com to be shared with the listed sponsor of this premium content who may contact you for legitimate business reasons to discuss the content of this content.  

 

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Modern Challenges in Managing a Mobile Workforce and Assets

Digital transformation has become imperative for many businesses today that find they must reinvent themselves, or face the possibility of extinction in an increasingly competitive and rapidly evolving market landscape.

Amazon, Netflix and Uber are three modern examples of companies that have used disruptive technologies to transform entire business models.

Beginning in the 1990s, Amazon challenged the status quo in the bookselling market (remember when Amazon only sold books?!). Today, Amazon has become a colossal market force befitting its name. Retail booksellers like Waterstones, Borders and Barnes & Noble have either disappeared altogether or are struggling to hold on. Beyond books, Amazon has transformed the entire retail industry. Amazon has also transformed distribution and logistics. Perhaps most excitingly, Amazon has taken a novel idea to sell excess compute capacity in its data centres and completely revolutionised computing as we know it today. With the launch of Amazon Web Services (AWS) in 2006, Amazon helped to usher in the cloud computing era.

Netflix is another example of a company that used digital transformation to completely reinvent the film rental business, and crush the Blockbuster chain of video rental stores. Today, Netflix is transforming the entire entertainment industry as it produces original films and television programming, largely bypassing the traditional Hollywood entertainment moguls altogether.

 

"The factor that unites all of these success stories is a user-centric experience that gives end-users what they want, now..."

 

Finally, Uber is challenging traditional taxi companies by leveraging an intuitive mobile app to connect drivers with passengers using global positioning system (GPS) location services and crowdsourcing to replace inefficient dispatchers. Uber uses cashless transactions to safely and efficiently collect and pay fares.

The factor that unites all of these success stories is a user-centric experience that gives end-users what they want, now.

For businesses and industries that manage large mobile workforces and assets – such as fleet vehicles, heavy equipment and specialised tools – plus field service organisations, and construction and repair services, innovative uses for technology are driving exciting new opportunities, as well as complex challenges.

Among these challenges, the evolution of the many disparate solutions to manage the mobile workforce has limited the potential of MRM deployments. Different applications and functions – such as route optimisation, navigation, telematics and mobility – operating in independent silos with little or no data connectivity or integration between them create a complex environment that doesn’t adequately support real-time operations (see Figure 1-1).

FIGURE 1-1: Siloed applications and technologies add complexity.

 

A rapidly changing landscape

Not surprisingly, technology is driving a rapidly changing industry landscape. For example, electric cars – once considered science fiction – are now very much a reality. The UK is the latest in a growing list of countries, along with France, to outline plans to halt the manufacture of petrol and diesel cars, announcing that it will ban their production by 2040. For any business that relies on fl preparation for this transition starts now. MRM solutions are key to this, having been shown to lead to significant cost savings through efficient route planning and reduced idling time and fuel waste.

 

"Just as technology is driving this change, it also offers the solution to the challenges it presents..."

 

But just as technology is driving this change, it also offers the solution to the challenges it presents. In the US, record numbers of businesses are turning to advanced MRM systems to collect vital information on their staff, vehicles and assets to ensure that they can keep pace with inevitable changes to business processes, regulation and reporting. C.J. Driscoll and Associates project that the total number of MRM units installed on fleet vehicles, commercial trailers, heavy construction equipment and personal mobile devices used in the field will grow to more than 14 million units in the US by 2019.

Naturally, data plays a key role in any business transformation – especially when upgrading vehicles to new technologies or transitioning to new systems and processes. The more data you collect, the easier it is to adapt. With this in mind, the choice facing business fleets is simple: get ahead of the game now, or spend precious resources catching up in the future.

 

The technologies of tomorrow are here today

In other areas, there’s simply no time to get ahead of the game – tomorrow’s technologies are already integral to the way we work and live. This is particularly true of the Internet of Things (IoT). Just like the cloud before it, the IoT is most definitely here to stay, with various industry analysts predicting anywhere from 20 to 30 billion IoT connected devices by 2020.

 

"The natural progression of this vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication is, of course, the autonomous vehicle..."

 

The impact of this trend on fleets is potentially enormous, as greater connectivity allows vehicles to interact with one another and collect data on vehicle environment, condition and performance. Most fleets already collect information on speed, fuel use and driver behaviour, but the technology exists to go much further. Businesses can automate previously labour-intensive or manual processes such as routing, payroll and reporting, through comprehensive MRM systems, connecting the vehicle, the people and the work seamlessly – potentially improving efficiency, productivity and, ultimately, the bottom line. The natural progression of this vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication is, of course, the autonomous vehicle. Uber launched its first fleet of autonomous taxis in 2016, and the likes of Google, Apple, Tesla, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz are investing millions in the space.

Vehicle connectivity and standard fitment of hardware will become increasingly widespread, enabling live updates of current vehicle health, GPS positioning and traffic and weather feeds. The speed of change is phenomenal, and businesses need agility and flexibility to survive and thrive in the market.

 

Change today or pay tomorrow

With any new technological development, the last to adapt pays the heaviest price. Progress waits for no one and the companies that thrive are those that embrace it. In the current climate, doing nothing is simply not an option – change is happening, and it is happening now.

As technology continues to infiltrate the way we work, we create more data than ever before. At best, this leaves companies in a position where they have more data than they know what to do with, and therefore fail to take advantage of the potential opportunity that it offers. At worst, businesses waste precious time and resources analysing that data, which can make it feel like more of a hindrance than a help. In such an environment, implementing a system that can analyse this data for you, help to automate key processes, and future-proof your business is no longer a luxury but a necessity.

 

"Your customers are used to technology as an enabler, and they will go to whoever can give them the best and most convenient service possible!"

 

Your customers are used to technology as an enabler, and they will go to whoever can give them the best and most convenient service possible!

MRM technology can do this and more: giving you a clear picture of your business every minute of the working day, and enabling you to make the best use of your people, your vehicles, and your resources – potentially saving you time and money, and providing a better customer experience and competitive advantage.

The companies that now lead the world all used technology to carve out a niche and disrupt the norm, changing the industries they now dominate forever. Who remembers the companies they crushed along the way?!

 

Leveraging Cloud and Mobile Technology

Cloud computing takes mobile resource management to new heights. The cloud enables businesses of any size to leverage massive computing and storage capacity without committing capital expenditure or requiring entire IT departments to operate and maintain it. Cloud services are typically provisioned on a subscription basis in which customers only pay for what they use – much like public utilities. Business can easily and automatically scale their cloud environment up or down as business needs dictate.

One of the most popular cloud computing service models is software as a service (SaaS), in which a cloud customer uses an application that’s hosted in the cloud, but the customer is not responsible for maintaining the software application (such as updates and security patches) or the underlying infrastructure (such as servers, databases and network equipment).

The cloud also enables near real-time access to data – critical to many mobile resource management applications. Rather than connecting back to a server in a corporate network that may have relatively limited network bandwidth, some MRM applications exchange data in the cloud, which supports more robust data centres located around the world and is equipped with massive computing and storage capacity, as well as network connectivity.

 

"Like the cloud, mobile innovation has changed our world today. Smartphones are everywhere – and they’re getting smarter..."

 

Like the cloud, mobile innovation has changed our world today. Smartphones are everywhere – and they’re getting smarter. Increasingly powerful and intuitive applications create new possibilities for solving complex mobile workforce and resource management challenges.

As 5G cellular technology begins to be deployed by 2020, ubiquitous connectivity – practically everywhere – will become a reality. In addition to ever greater network speeds, 5G technology will enable near real-time communication between devices, applications, and users in harsh and remote environments that are not possible today, such as at sea, in the air, or in remote mining areas. 5G innovations will enable certain types of Internet traffic to be prioritised so that mission-critical applications – such as for autonomous vehicles – are delivered reliably and quickly. 5G will also overcome many current structural challenges, such as interference in metropolitan areas and tall buildings.

As 5G networks become a reality, the power of cloud computing and its applications for telematics and mobile resource management will continue to drive digital transformation in every industry. Additional information on vehicle hardware (as standard from 2018 on new model launches) will improve vehicle connectivity and information gathering.

 

Want to know more? The full eBook is available as premium content to fieldservicenews.com subscribers. Access it now on the button below... 

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An open ecosystem of best-in-class technologies working seamlessly together will be at the heart of the automated transportation systems of the future.

That is the shared vision of Renovo (Renovo.auto), a mobility software technology company, and HERE Technologies (here.com), a global leader in mapping and location services. Today, the two companies announced that they have entered into a partnership to deploy open interfaces for highly and fully automated vehicles. They believe an open-standards approach will fuel greater interoperability and data exchange across the transportation ecosystem, boosting safety, efficiency and comfort for passengers.

In the first phase of their collaboration, Renovo and HERE are working on a new technology interface to maximize the utility of sensor data generated by fleets of automated vehicles in the ‘self-healing’ of highly precise maps. The companies intend to make the interface available for fleets of highly automated vehicles powered by Renovo’s AWare operating system, enabling them to provide data that can be used to update a service such as HD Live Map, the mapping service for automated vehicles from HERE. This service uses different types of sensor data to identify change in the real world and provide a highly-precise, continuously-updating map across the road network. An automated vehicle equipped with HERE HD Live Map knows exactly where it is and has a better understanding of what lies ahead and what it should do in different scenarios.

 

"As we build the data infrastructure required for autonomous cars, collaboration between key technology providers and across industries is mandatory..."

 

As we build the data infrastructure required for autonomous cars, collaboration between key technology providers and across industries is mandatory,” said Edzard Overbeek, CEO of HERE Technologies. “With AWare, Renovo has a powerful operating system for automated vehicles. Our partnership and integration into the AWare ecosystem will help expand access to data that’s vital to building automated mobility systems that people can trust.”

“HERE Technologies is a leading creator of mapping and location services with a bold Autonomous World Vision, and we are delighted to enter into this partnership with them,” said Chris Heiser CEO and Co-Founder of Renovo. “We enable our customers to develop and deploy fleets of highly automated vehicles, and these deployments are made possible by an open ecosystem of best-in-class technologies.”

HERE is a privately held company backed by several investors: Audi, BMW, Bosch, Continental, Daimler, Intel and Pioneer. With this partnership, Renovo is joining one of the largest technology ecosystems in the automotive space.

AWare is already powering highly automated vehicle fleets on public and private roads today including that of Voyage.auto. HERE is the newest addition to the rapidly growing AWare ecosystem which includes Samsung, Verizon, Velodyne LiDAR, Parsons, INRIX, Argus Cyber Security, Affectiva, Phantom Auto, Metamoto, Understand.ai, NIRA Dynamics and Bestmile.

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Though still a young company, SensLynx has quickly established itself as one of the foremost brands in the fleet and asset management industry.

Some of the credit goes to its co-founders, both of whom have long-standing track records as executives with other wireless entities and top tier fleet tracking companies. But SensLynx’s world-class GPS tracking hardware and software, as well as its full suite of mobile solutions for companies of all sizes, is another driving force behind its sterling reputation.

Since its inception, SensLynx has broadened its scope into many other IoT areas but sees a powerful opportunity for unlimited growth in the fleet tracking arena through a network of newly minted resale business owners.

IoT fleet management continues to be one of the fastest growing markets globally and is forecasted to be worth over $15 Billion by 2024.

Yet, it is also one of the most under-penetrated, opening a wide window for agile entrepreneurs in a broad range of verticals, such as Transportation, Plumbing, Heating/Air Conditioning, Landscaping, Electricians, Food Delivery, Utilities/Oil/Gas, Construction, Non-Emergency Medical Transport, Airports, Waste Management and Public Safety/Security.

The GMAP program is built around SensLynx’s bundled solution components, which include Fleet & Asset Tracking, Electronic Logging Device, Routing Application, Video/DashCam capture and Workforce Management for smartphones The new SensLynx GPS Management Accelerator Program (GMAP) can either enable start-ups or enhance existing business portfolios with the addition of tracking solutions. GMAP requires no upfront investment or inventory warehousing and is structured to deliver recurring revenue via new sales channels, while also being compatible with legacy business models to capitalize on similar customer profiles.

And because SensLynx white labels its solutions under certain criteria, entrepreneurs earn significant margin on hardware sales (up to 75%!) plus monthly subscription income from the customers they will own outright.

“We believe in the entrepreneurial spirit,” said Rob Garry, Co-Founder and CEO of SensLynx.  “Not only does this Accelerator Program help us grow our IoT Fleet sector on a grassroots level, it inspires others to strike out on their own or expand.”

The GMAP program is built around SensLynx’s bundled solution components, which include Fleet & Asset Tracking, Electronic Logging Device, Routing Application, Video/DashCam capture and Workforce Management for smartphones. At the heart is its comprehensive fleet/asset tracking software, packed with features like Data Handling, Parsing, Database, Mapping, Alerting, Reporting, Dispatch, Maintenance Logging, e-Logs, Local Posted Speed Limits, Addressing, Geofencing, Interstate Miles, Open API-based software and more.  The complete bundled solution with software, hardware and data connectivity is attractively packaged at one guaranteed monthly price.

SensLynx’s GMAP program provides every tool necessary for companies to succeed, including initial training, planning for roll-out, conducting telemarketing for launch, developing website content, providing custom branded marketing materials and online demo support, accessible through the streamlined GMAP Reseller Portal where businesses can also easily manage supply chain and customer accounts.

Tom Maguire, Co-Founder, COO and CMO of SensLynx said, “We’ve worked hard to create a superior, all-encompassing, yet simple program that will ensure our resellers see measurable results in record time with dedicated support from us.”

GPS Tracking makes customer fleets, assets and personnel safer and more productive while reducing operating costs and increasing profitability overall.  The SensLynx GPS Tracking Solution delivers everything and then some.  And the low expenditure, high return GMAP program allows sales professionals to become successful proprietors in an emerging industry rather than employees and augments existing businesses with a leading-edge technology. The future of IoT Fleet Management is very bright.

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A new TomTom (TOM2) Telematics study reveals UK businesses adopt disruptive technology to improve productivity and better manage employees but are discouraged by a lack of reliable information...

TomTom Telematics, a provider of fleet management and connected car services, found that more than two-thirds of businesses (68%) believe technology is important in recruiting, motivating and retaining employees. Meanwhile, increasing productivity (19%), increasing sales (11%), lowering business costs (11%) and improving customer service (11%) were the most commonly cited motivators for adopting new technology.

Half of businesses (49%), however, believe there is a lack of reliable advice for those looking to introduce new technology systems, with 24% citing a lack of information from providers as a major challenge to adoption. Other key challenges cited include a lack of expertise within the organisation (29%), an inability to find a provider that fits with the organization (31%) and cost (38%).

We’re now living in the connected world “We’re now living in the connected world...” said Beverley Wise, Director UK & Ireland at TomTom Telematics. “Businesses need to work with disruptive technology or risk being left behind by their competitors.

“We commissioned this research to paint a clear picture of the current technology adoption landscape for businesses, highlight the challenges they face when adopting and to advise on what trends they should be paying closest attention to.”

Despite the significant role technology plays in the workplace, just 41% of businesses say they are early adopters of technology innovations, with almost a third (32%) saying their use of technology at home is more advanced than at work.

“There’s a noticeable reluctance to adopting emerging solutions amongst many UK businesses,” said Wise. “This is particularly prevalent among SMEs, with these businesses 10% less likely to be early adopters of new technology than their larger competitors (37% vs 47%). But sitting on your hands while others make use of the latest innovations is a major risk.”

When choosing a provider, the research found that technological support and usability was the biggest consideration (32%).

“It’s vital for companies to do their research to ensure they are investing in systems that will be intuitive, supportive and well-suited to their business processes,” Wise added.

“At TomTom Telematics, we take this very seriously. From in-depth, hands-on information about our services, to strategically useful data like that revealed in this study, we believe in offering companies all the information they need to make the best decision.”

An illustrated report of the findings, including actionable insight and advice, is now available on the TomTom Telematics website here. 

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LightLease, a new market-leading mid-term vehicle lease solution, has been launched by leading outsourced fleet management provider Fleet Operations.

The service enables businesses to lease a broad range of vehicles, from 90 days to 12 months, bridging the gap between short-term rental and longer-term contract hire.

“We have responded to a growing market demand for a flexible leasing option that can help mobilise employees quickly, while also helping to minimise business costs,” said Jayne Pett, Sales and Marketing Director, Fleet Operations.

 

If it’s not carefully controlled, short-term hire can prove expensive and can result in an unanticipated administrative burden“If it’s not carefully controlled, short-term hire can prove expensive and can result in an unanticipated administrative burden with vehicles being regularly swapped by providers as they hit predetermined mileage or age limits. This burden can include everything from fuel card or telematics management to Benefit-in-Kind tax reporting.

 

“LightLease offers a strategic, and cost-effective, alternative.”

The launch of LightLease also offers drivers greater flexibility following the introduction of WLTP (World Light-duty Test Procedure), the new method of measuring car fuel economy and emissions.

“We are witnessing a great deal of apprehension and uncertainty around WLTP, with concerns that higher vehicle CO2 figures may lead to an increase in Benefit-in-Kind tax liabilities from 2020,” Pett added.

“While it remains unclear as to whether or not tax thresholds will be adjusted, LightLease offers a solution for drivers who are cautious about committing to a longer-term contract hire agreement.”

 

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