Installed-base of car telematics set to reach 150 million.
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Sep 06, 2019 • future of field service • Berg Insight • fleet • telematics • report
Installed-base of car telematics set to reach 150 million.
According to a new research report from the IoT analyst firm Berg Insight, the number of active aftermarket car telematics units will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.6 percent from 58.7 million at the end of 2018 to 150.0 million at the end of 2023.
Berg Insight’s definition of an aftermarket car telematics solution in this report comprises both cellular/GNSS and RF-based solutions. A growing number of aftermarket telematics services have in the past few years become available for consumers that want to add services and connectivity to cars. Berg Insight forecasts that shipments of aftermarket car telematics devices for consumer applications will grow from 20.3 million units in 2018 to reach 51.0 million in 2023.
”Aftermarket car telematics solutions are useful in a number of application areas including stolen vehicle tracking and recovery (SVT/SVR), vehicle diagnostics, Wi-Fi hotspot, convenience applications and usage-based insurance”, said Martin Svegander, IoT Analyst at Berg Insight. Vehicle diagnostics allows service providers such as dealers and workshops to improve service offerings to car owners. Dealers and finance companies can moreover leverage telematics for internal fleet management and manage the customer lifetime value. Examples of convenience applications enabled by aftermarket telematics devices include remote control of certain vehicle functions such as door lock/unlock and finding the last parking position.
Aftermarket car telematics services are offered by a wide range of players. Examples of leading telematics companies selling services via third parties or directly to consumers include Octo Telematics, Spireon, Ituran, Mojio, Scope Technology, Automatic Labs (SiriusXM), CalAmp (LoJack), Bright Box, Viasat Group and Vodafone Automotive. “Distributing services and products through third parties is the most common way to market for aftermarket car telematics solution vendors”, continued Mr. Svegander. Important sales channels include insurance companies, dealers, mobile network operators and online retailers. Some solution vendors also market their products on their own websites and through telemarketing.
The connected car market is highly important for mobile network operators that bet on the Internet-of-Things market. Many mobile network operators have started to explore the aftermarket car telematics opportunity and they are well-positioned to provide such services. “Mobile network operators can accelerate sales by targeting their existing customer base as well as leverage an ecosystem of partners to pursue data monetization opportunities for their installed base of car telematics solutions”, added Mr. Svegander.
According to a new research report from the IoT analyst firm Berg Insight, the number of active aftermarket car telematics units will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.6 percent from 58.7 million at the end of 2018 to 150.0 million at the end of 2023.
Berg Insight’s definition of an aftermarket car telematics solution in this report comprises both cellular/GNSS and RF-based solutions. A growing number of aftermarket telematics services have in the past few years become available for consumers that want to add services and connectivity to cars. Berg Insight forecasts that shipments of aftermarket car telematics devices for consumer applications will grow from 20.3 million units in 2018 to reach 51.0 million in 2023.
”Aftermarket car telematics solutions are useful in a number of application areas including stolen vehicle tracking and recovery (SVT/SVR), vehicle diagnostics, Wi-Fi hotspot, convenience applications and usage-based insurance”, said Martin Svegander, IoT Analyst at Berg Insight. Vehicle diagnostics allows service providers such as dealers and workshops to improve service offerings to car owners. Dealers and finance companies can moreover leverage telematics for internal fleet management and manage the customer lifetime value. Examples of convenience applications enabled by aftermarket telematics devices include remote control of certain vehicle functions such as door lock/unlock and finding the last parking position.
Aftermarket car telematics services are offered by a wide range of players. Examples of leading telematics companies selling services via third parties or directly to consumers include Octo Telematics, Spireon, Ituran, Mojio, Scope Technology, Automatic Labs (SiriusXM), CalAmp (LoJack), Bright Box, Viasat Group and Vodafone Automotive. “Distributing services and products through third parties is the most common way to market for aftermarket car telematics solution vendors”, continued Mr. Svegander. Important sales channels include insurance companies, dealers, mobile network operators and online retailers. Some solution vendors also market their products on their own websites and through telemarketing.
The connected car market is highly important for mobile network operators that bet on the Internet-of-Things market. Many mobile network operators have started to explore the aftermarket car telematics opportunity and they are well-positioned to provide such services. “Mobile network operators can accelerate sales by targeting their existing customer base as well as leverage an ecosystem of partners to pursue data monetization opportunities for their installed base of car telematics solutions”, added Mr. Svegander.
Sep 04, 2019 • News • fleet technology • Fleet Technology Providers • fleet • Fleet Operations
Parsons Peebles have appointed Fleet Operations to manage its 195-strong van and car fleet.
Parsons Peebles have appointed Fleet Operations to manage its 195-strong van and car fleet.
The electromechanical specialist Parsons Peebles is looking to introduce greater consistency, efficiency and governance across all areas of its fleet, following a series of recent company acquisitions and has selected Fleet Operations to manage its van and car fleet.
Fleet Operations will oversee its leased van and car contracts, the introduction of new company car and green fleet policies, a ‘pay as you go’ maintenance contract, a new fuel card scheme and a standardised telematics system.
“The high levels of expertise and service delivered by Fleet Operations’ consultants made them an obvious partner of choice for both our business and our drivers as we strive to improve cost, process and environmental efficiencies,” said Ashleigh Greenan, Parsons Peebles’ Chief Financial Officer.
“We are confident that by streamlining and optimising our fleet operations this deal will serve to make us even more competitive while further boosting our customer service standards.”
Jayne Pett, Sales and Marketing Director, Fleet Operations, added: “We are delighted Parsons Peebles has entrusted us to take full responsibility for the day-to-day management of its fleet and to deliver real added value by implementing our tailored and far-reaching strategic recommendations.”
Sep 03, 2019 • Features • Fleet Technology • dynamic scheduling • fast lean smart • FieldAware • fleet • The Big Discussion
In the Big Discussion we bring together a panel of industry experts and focus on one key topic within the field service sector. In the first of a new four part series, we turn our attention to dynamic scheduling where our panel includes...
In the Big Discussion we bring together a panel of industry experts and focus on one key topic within the field service sector.
In the first of a new four part series, we turn our attention to dynamic scheduling where our panel includes FieldAware's Mark Tatarsky and Fast Lean Smart's Chris Welsh...
Given the increasing challenges of last-mile service delivery, how crucial is optimised scheduling for field service excellence?
Marc Tatarsky, SVP Marketing, FieldAware
As markets become hyper-competitive, service delivery has become a key differentiator in winning and retaining customers.
Delivering consistent, high-quality service in the last mile is essential. New sources of competition are entering from different verticals, and service organisations are required to support a broader range of products, service offerings, and customers across both metropolitan and rural regions.
These increasing competitive pressures have service organizations turning to optimized scheduling to improve the delivery of their service commitments. Optimized scheduling now encapsulates the workflows, decision-making processes, and the criteria service providers use to execute on the customer journey and create genuine differentiation consistently.
Key to this approach is new generation optimisation engines. These modern optimisation tools provide the ability to configure “micro scheduling.” These new tools enable providers to uniquely configure optimisation capabilities to support different team sizes, multiple product lines, as well as regional and seasonality needs.
This approach of building business policies that reflect optimisation needs at an atomic level provides the basis for rapid time to value. Micro scheduling not only facilitates efficient execution of the initial implementation, but it also helps with the introduction of new service lines, products, and regions. It enables service providers to react to and create a competitive advantage based on changes in the market and seasonal demands.
Chris Welsh, Director, FLS – FAST LEAN SMART
Last mile service delivery has always relied on good scheduling for field service excellence. With increasing pressure to achieve more with less and time-window/SLA expectations shortening, it is harder than ever to achieve this well without a schedule optimiser.
The best scheduling technology will not only plan accurately but also have ability to dynamically react in real-time to the progress of travel and work changes on the day. Engineer job allocation will re-optimise automatically to ensure priorities, including emergency jobs, are best met within available resources, highlighting SLA’s or appointments that will be missed so a Planner can override by exception.
This dynamic operation does not suit all service businesses and the technology is flexible. For example, many appointment based companies want the schedule finalised and ‘fixed’ for engineers the night before.
In this case the system will display real-time progress and give accurate prediction of when appointment windows will not be met or the engineer late home. By exception, the company may then decide to reassign using system recommendations.
The further importance for optimised scheduling is the ability to provide auto notification of arrival times and Uber-style tracking the engineer’s arrival by the customer on their phone. FLS were ahead when we launched this with FLS Portal last year and the function is increasingly an expectation for field service.
The second part of the big discussion will be published next week, when the panel are asked if optimised scheduling should be an accepted part of a wider FSM platform.
In the first of a new four part series, we turn our attention to dynamic scheduling where our panel includes FieldAware's Mark Tatarsky and Fast Lean Smart's Chris Welsh...
Given the increasing challenges of last-mile service delivery, how crucial is optimised scheduling for field service excellence?
Marc Tatarsky, SVP Marketing, FieldAware
As markets become hyper-competitive, service delivery has become a key differentiator in winning and retaining customers.
Delivering consistent, high-quality service in the last mile is essential. New sources of competition are entering from different verticals, and service organisations are required to support a broader range of products, service offerings, and customers across both metropolitan and rural regions.
These increasing competitive pressures have service organizations turning to optimized scheduling to improve the delivery of their service commitments. Optimized scheduling now encapsulates the workflows, decision-making processes, and the criteria service providers use to execute on the customer journey and create genuine differentiation consistently.
Key to this approach is new generation optimisation engines. These modern optimisation tools provide the ability to configure “micro scheduling.” These new tools enable providers to uniquely configure optimisation capabilities to support different team sizes, multiple product lines, as well as regional and seasonality needs.
This approach of building business policies that reflect optimisation needs at an atomic level provides the basis for rapid time to value. Micro scheduling not only facilitates efficient execution of the initial implementation, but it also helps with the introduction of new service lines, products, and regions. It enables service providers to react to and create a competitive advantage based on changes in the market and seasonal demands.
Chris Welsh, Director, FLS – FAST LEAN SMART
Last mile service delivery has always relied on good scheduling for field service excellence. With increasing pressure to achieve more with less and time-window/SLA expectations shortening, it is harder than ever to achieve this well without a schedule optimiser.
The best scheduling technology will not only plan accurately but also have ability to dynamically react in real-time to the progress of travel and work changes on the day. Engineer job allocation will re-optimise automatically to ensure priorities, including emergency jobs, are best met within available resources, highlighting SLA’s or appointments that will be missed so a Planner can override by exception.
This dynamic operation does not suit all service businesses and the technology is flexible. For example, many appointment based companies want the schedule finalised and ‘fixed’ for engineers the night before.
In this case the system will display real-time progress and give accurate prediction of when appointment windows will not be met or the engineer late home. By exception, the company may then decide to reassign using system recommendations.
The further importance for optimised scheduling is the ability to provide auto notification of arrival times and Uber-style tracking the engineer’s arrival by the customer on their phone. FLS were ahead when we launched this with FLS Portal last year and the function is increasingly an expectation for field service.
The second part of the big discussion will be published next week, when the panel are asked if optimised scheduling should be an accepted part of a wider FSM platform.
Aug 21, 2019 • News • fleetmatics • MIcrolise • fleet • telematics
Telematics and transport technology solutions provider Microlise, has launched Focus, a telematics solution, specifically designed for smaller fleets.
Telematics and transport technology solutions provider Microlise, has launched Focus, a telematics solution, specifically designed for smaller fleets.
With efficiency, safety and security looming large on any fleet operator’s agenda, Focus provides smaller operators with the same level of data and fleet performance intelligence available to larger operators.
Focus provides users with the tools needed to improve operational efficiency, maximise vehicle utilisation, reduce costs and environmental emissions, support drivers and improve safety and compliance outcomes. Optional add-ons include a multi-camera solution, incident analysis and a remote digital tachograph download.
“There are a number of telematics solutions on the market, but Focus is tailor-made for smaller fleets and provides users with usable data to support fleet utilisation, without flooding them with data they simply don’t need,” said Stephen Watson, Microlise Director of Product.
“Our aim is to make it possible for every fleet owner to deploy next generation telematics across any make and model of vehicle, including pre-Euro VI. With a warranty that extends for the life of the contract and our own manufactured units, plus the option to move seamlessly onto a larger fleet solution if required, Focus provides all the essential elements,” concluded Watson.
With an established reputation for innovation and collaboration, Microlise already provides telematics, real-time journey management and proof of delivery solutions to 14 of the UK’s 15 largest retailers as well as to JCB and MAN Truck & Bus UK.
Focus provides users with the tools needed to improve operational efficiency, maximise vehicle utilisation, reduce costs and environmental emissions, support drivers and improve safety and compliance outcomes. Optional add-ons include a multi-camera solution, incident analysis and a remote digital tachograph download.
“There are a number of telematics solutions on the market, but Focus is tailor-made for smaller fleets and provides users with usable data to support fleet utilisation, without flooding them with data they simply don’t need,” said Stephen Watson, Microlise Director of Product.
“Our aim is to make it possible for every fleet owner to deploy next generation telematics across any make and model of vehicle, including pre-Euro VI. With a warranty that extends for the life of the contract and our own manufactured units, plus the option to move seamlessly onto a larger fleet solution if required, Focus provides all the essential elements,” concluded Watson.
With an established reputation for innovation and collaboration, Microlise already provides telematics, real-time journey management and proof of delivery solutions to 14 of the UK’s 15 largest retailers as well as to JCB and MAN Truck & Bus UK.
Aug 19, 2019 • Features • Verizon • Verizon Connect • fleet • Fleet Operations • Fleet performance
Derek Bryan, VP EMEA at Verizon Connect says pro-cycling's approach to data analytics can be mirrored in fleet handling.
Derek Bryan, VP EMEA at Verizon Connect says pro-cycling's approach to data analytics can be mirrored in fleet handling.
Across countless industries, the rise of performance analytics has had a fundamental impact on how organisations assess the contribution of their most valuable assets. Thanks to advances in data collection and analysis, managers now possess an incredible amount of information that they can use to evaluate and inform how their employees and their inventory help support the business’s growth. Likewise, employees now have access to more powerful self-management tools than ever before.
You’d imagine that a Silicon Valley giant or a hot tech start-up would provide the best example of an organisation doing this well. But you’d be wrong. It’s actually professional cycling that throws up one of the best examples, thanks to teams’ innovative and relentless use of data. As seen in last month’s Tour de France, every single aspect of their organisation is tailored towards giving their employees out in the field – their riders – every opportunity to perform at the highest possible level.
If performance analytics can be applied with this degree of success within a sporting context – where there is always great scope for uncertainty – then why can’t it be deployed to the benefit of those who manage fleets of vehicles? There are numerous techniques and methodologies that fleet managers can adopt from top road cycling teams to help replicate their success.
These techniques are all founded on one underlying technology that can drive business benefits for fleets of all sizes. Fleet management solutions have become increasingly popular in recent years as a tool to help monitor the health and performance of both vehicles and drivers. Simply deploying a fleet management solution, however, isn’t sufficient. Driving improvements at an enterprise and manager level requires businesses to act on the intelligence and insights collected and generated by these platforms to change their ways of working. In doing so, they deliver productivity and cost benefits for the entire business.
Here are four learnings fleet managers can take from professional cycling to drive performance across their business:
1. Drive greater performance from your employees
Professional cycling leads the way in performance and data analysis. By profiling and measuring every aspect of a cyclist’s performance – from their physiology to their diet, to their riding style – professional cycling organisations identify exactly what they can do to improve a rider’s performance. Whether that be changing their equipment, encouraging them to adapt their riding style/position, or adding or removing an item from their list of approved foods.You’d imagine that a Silicon Valley giant or a hot tech start-up would provide the best example of an organisation doing this well. But you’d be wrong. It’s actually professional cycling that throws up one of the best examples, thanks to teams’ innovative and relentless use of data. As seen in last month’s Tour de France, every single aspect of their organisation is tailored towards giving their employees out in the field – their riders – every opportunity to perform at the highest possible level.
If performance analytics can be applied with this degree of success within a sporting context – where there is always great scope for uncertainty – then why can’t it be deployed to the benefit of those who manage fleets of vehicles? There are numerous techniques and methodologies that fleet managers can adopt from top road cycling teams to help replicate their success.
These techniques are all founded on one underlying technology that can drive business benefits for fleets of all sizes. Fleet management solutions have become increasingly popular in recent years as a tool to help monitor the health and performance of both vehicles and drivers. Simply deploying a fleet management solution, however, isn’t sufficient. Driving improvements at an enterprise and manager level requires businesses to act on the intelligence and insights collected and generated by these platforms to change their ways of working. In doing so, they deliver productivity and cost benefits for the entire business.
Here are four learnings fleet managers can take from professional cycling to drive performance across their business:
1. Drive greater performance from your employees
Using fleet management technologies, fleets can monitor how their employees are performing on the road, and pinpoint specific parts of their performance or schedule that can be improved to drive efficiency for the business. For example, a fleet manager could advise a driver to reduce their speeding or refrain from harsh braking, based on analysis of their driving style, to reduce fuel usage. They could also encourage their driver to turn off their engine when in traffic or stationary on a job to reduce the vehicle’s emissions and fuel costs. Seat belt usage or acceleration are other performance areas that can be monitored as part of a constant feedback loop with drivers. Maintaining this loop is critical to driving higher, more efficient performance across their fleet of vehicles.
2. Give your team the tools to win
Every cyclist is only as good as the cycle they are riding, and as a result, cyclists will often use different bikes based on the specific demands of a race or stage. This approach should be the same for your drivers in the field.
Fleets can benefit from this approach by using fleet management systems to provide drivers the right vehicle for the job, based on its requirements. This means using fleet management platforms to allocate drivers the right vehicle for the job (whether an HGV, LCV or even an SUV) based on the amount of space required for a delivery, or the tools required to complete a job. It could also mean making sure the vehicle has the required number of occupants needed for a specific task, or verifying that it is compliant with local emissions regulations in the area where the job is located.
Certain vehicles can also be allocated to jobs based on the technological tools within the vehicle’s cab, such as on-board dashcams or handsfree connectivity tools, to allow drivers on the road to benefit from technology without disrupting their workflows.
3. Take one for the team
Within the cycling world, the ‘peloton’ is well known for working as a group to allow cyclists to cycle as efficiently and use as little energy as possible. Fleets can do the same by using fleet management platforms to review their routing and scheduling. These solutions allow them to both allocate and schedule jobs based on the most suitable candidate and vehicle, and calculate the most efficient route. Doing this allows drivers to work in harmony to deliver an efficient and effective service to customers.
4. Commit to conditioning
Today’s athletes pay more attention to their own conditioning than ever before. Professional cyclists have almost every aspect of their physiology monitored by their team while they are on their bike, including their heart rate, current load levels and workload threshold.
This monitoring is essential to managing the performance of cyclists, and ensuring they are not overburdened, which can lead to injury. Fleet managers can replicate this process by making use of the vehicle monitoring/diagnostics tools within fleet management systems to keep tabs on the condition of vehicles in their fleet so that they are fit for the job at hand. If not, managers can proactively schedule maintenance of a vehicle and shift its workload onto other vehicles in the network to reduce disruption and help fulfil customers’ demands on time.
Today, the most successful businesses are those that monitor performance and maximise efficiency both inside and outside of its traditional four walls. Many sports have already adopted this mindset, and it’s time fleet managers do the same. When a vehicle leaves the depot, it should no longer be considered an external asset – rather, it should be considered as an extension of the business, and as critical a workplace as the desk of the CEO.
Today, the most successful businesses are those that monitor performance and maximise efficiency both inside and outside of its traditional four walls. Many sports have already adopted this mindset, and it’s time fleet managers do the same. When a vehicle leaves the depot, it should no longer be considered an external asset – rather, it should be considered as an extension of the business, and as critical a workplace as the desk of the CEO.
Aug 08, 2019 • Software & Apps • News • Berg Insight • fleet • telematics • report
Study shows the global installed base of systems reached 3.3 million units in 2018 and is expected to rise.
Study shows the global installed base of systems reached 3.3 million units in 2018 and is expected to rise.
Jul 26, 2019 • News • fast lean smart • fleet • Jeremy Squire • Route Planning • scheduling software • Software and Apps
Freight Transport Association (FTA) is transforming its Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) by deploying FAST LEAN SMART (FLS) real-time automated software to introduce a new, more efficient work scheduling process in conjunction with Microsoft...
Freight Transport Association (FTA) is transforming its Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) by deploying FAST LEAN SMART (FLS) real-time automated software to introduce a new, more efficient work scheduling process in conjunction with Microsoft Dynamics 365.
FTA is the only organisation in the UK to represent the entire logistics industry, with more than 17,000 member organisations across all modes of transport. It represents the interests of its members on all matters that affect the sector, from Brexit to rail freight costs to UK fuel duty. It also provides training and business services to members, and vehicle inspections and compliance are a key part of this offering.
Until now, coordinating these inspections has been entirely manual. “There was no centralised system so engineers had to schedule their own work,” says Matt Doherty, Head of Technology at FTA. “This was a protracted process and their time was not being used efficiently. A long chain of phone calls and emails between administrators, engineers and customers, also meant communication lines were not as clear as they could be. We needed a system that could book inspections centrally and automatically, shorten travel times and empower our engineers to be more productive.”
FTA looked at four providers of scheduling and route optimisation software before deciding on FAST LEAN SMART. FLS VISITOUR automatically schedules FTA’s vehicle inspection appointments in real-time in the most optimal and efficient way possible, matching the right engineer with the right job according to multiple variables. These include job duration and prioritisation, engineer location, availability and skill set, and speed profiles for accurate journey time with predicted traffic. FTA will also be implementing FLS MOBILE, which will facilitate communication between FTA’s engineers and back office staff and provide automated warnings if an appointment might be missed.
Matt continued: “FLS VISITOUR will reduce overhead for our engineers, allowing them to get more jobs done in the same amount of time, but not compromise the service we provide to our members. FLS enables us to be more flexible and offer end-customers a reliable, efficient and timely service along with a wider array of service options. Everybody wins!”
Another important benefit for FTA is that FLS software is fully configurable and capable of adapting to fast-changing end-customer needs without assistance from FLS. This enables FTA to offer a continually evolving and improving level of service to members with relative ease and independence. Matt says, “Part of our roadmap for the future will be to enable customers to book their own inspections via a self-service portal, which FLS makes possible. This will give them more control and more visibility.”
However, while important, FTA ultimately chose FLS for a different reason. Matt explains, “FLS offered exactly what we needed in terms of scheduling optimisation. But the real reason we chose them was that we knew, with FLS, we wouldn’t just be getting software. We’d be getting a partnership. We interviewed their clients and could see that FLS continues to work closely with them post-deployment to ensure that the software has a positive impact on their business. Their approach is very collaborative and we liked that.”
FTA will incorporate FLS VISITOUR within its forthcoming Microsoft Dynamics 365 deployment and Matt is feeling very positive about the transformative change to their vehicle inspections operation. He says, “Right from when we met FLS at the Copperberg Field Service Summit, we’ve always found the team to be very friendly, amenable and helpful. Their workshops have been professional, detailed and very clear as to everybody’s roles and expectations. This implementation is a big change for FTA and its members but with FLS’s customer-centric approach we know we are in good hands.”
Click here to find out more about Fast Lean Smart.
Click here to find out more about Fast Lean Smart.
Jul 25, 2019 • News • fleet • Software and Apps • utilities • Big CHange • Managing the Mobile Workforce
Gas Smart Heating Ltd has rolled out a high tech mobile workforce system as part of a paperless management system.
Gas Smart Heating Ltd has rolled out a high tech mobile workforce system as part of a paperless management system.
A specialist in domestic heating and plumbing, Gas Smart Heating has equipped its field engineers with tablets running jobWatch, a 5 in 1 app supplied by BigChange. Incorporating vehicle tracking with real time job reporting via the tablets, the system provides Gas Smart Heating with a complete end to end business solution.
Headquartered in Brighton, Gas Smart Heating provides reactive gas and plumbing maintenance including boiler and appliance installation. Formed just 5 years ago the company wanted to introduce the latest technology to underpin further expansion. The BigChange system has replaced existing software and paper-based systems, eliminating paperwork throughout the business.
“As we began to grow and recruit more engineers, we realised we needed a much more professional system in order to match larger service providers such as British Gas,” says Steven Cahalane, Director, Gas Smart Heating. “We really needed a single system that would do everything and it was clear from the outset that BigChange offered something that fitted the bill exactly.”
Gas Smart Heating use JobWatch to log incoming calls, schedule work with jobs sent electronically to the assigned engineers’ tablet. With real-time data from the job, the office is always kept in the picture and can quickly resolve any issues - with invoices generally raised on the day of job completion.
“In implementing the BigChange system we wanted to get in early with the latest technology and as state-of-the-art software it gives us a crucial competitive edge in the market. With JobWatch we are probably 25 percent more efficient; without it we need more office staff and I would be overwhelmed with administration tasks and paperwork. In fact, without it we simply wouldn’t be able to compete,” comments Cahalane.
BigChange matches the functionality of systems costing hundreds of thousands of pounds used by national utility firms. This allows new independent players like Gas Smart Heating to enter the market and match the levels of service provided by the traditional suppliers.”
Operationally, JobWatch has been implemented to provide information on appliances and job history information so engineers have visibility of previous faults and work done. The system also manages stocks and parts purchasing so engineers no longer face delays on jobs waiting on parts.
As part of JobWatch vans are fitted with satellite tracking. Previously engineers were being called to check on their whereabouts but the system has eliminated that by providing email or text ETA alerts to keep the customer informed on the day. Customers are also able to track engineers progress via a link they receive by Gas Smart heating.
Jul 24, 2019 • Fleet Technology • News • fleet • telematics
Kinesis is to make its popular vehicle tracking service more widely available to potential partners in the UK and overseas following the announcement of a re-seller programme.
Kinesis is to make its popular vehicle tracking service more widely available to potential partners in the UK and overseas following the announcement of a re-seller programme.
The Crewe-based provider of telematics offers a unique online platform that, since its launch in 2015, has already attracted over 20,000 customers in the UK and is being used to track 130,000 vehicles worldwide.
To underpin further growth, Kinesis is now seeking suppliers in the fleet sector who want to add value to their business with a tracking service that is particularly easy to use and integrate with other solutions. Built as a modern cloud solution from the outset, Kinesis is designed to incorporate fuel card data, giving fleet operations managers a single platform for their insight and performance activity.
“Kinesis has been a big hit since launch not only because it is very affordable, accessible and easy to use but because it also offers a one stop shop for fuel and telematics. This appeals to busy managers who are always looking to get more done in less time,” comments Jez Strong, Strategic Alliance Director at Kinesis.
Because of this integration capabilities, Kinesis - their team pictured above - believe fuel card companies will be especially interested, and the company has already signed reseller agreements with Drive Card, Wex, DKV, Certas and Fuelmate. Elsewhere, the Kinesis team are confident that suppliers of fleet software, financial services, and insurance will particularly benefit in offering a telematics service due to it adding increasing value.
“With our recent acquisitions of telematics businesses the group has boosted its technical capability and resources in this area and that has given us a strong platform for growth. The company has already established a presence in the US, Europe and the Far East and by making Kinesis more widely available through partners, we will be well placed to meet the demands of what continues to be a growing market,” says Greville Coe, Group Managing Director - Telematics at Radius Payment Solutions, the company behind Kinesis.
Kinesis offers real time monitoring with the provision of arrival time and vehicle location data to customers, with added features such as a mobile app, vehicle-use data and driver performance analysis.
“Kinesis provides a forthright solution for fleet managers operating in a range of sectors from across the globe and as the company looks to expand internationally, it is clear that this programme will be central to any future growth,” added Strong.
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