Tag: fleet management

CalAmp’s fleet management devices aimed at connected vehicle market
CalAmp, a provider of wireless products, services and solutions, is offering two new high-end telematics devices designed for connected vehicle applications anywhere in the world.

The new devices address growing global market demand in Europe and Latin America for more connected vehicle technology options and enable a broad range of applications such as fleet management, usage-based insurance, crash notification, stolen vehicle recovery, vehicle finance and auto rental.

New products include:
- LMU-2640 – Designed for sophisticated fleet management applications, the LMU-2640 incorporates the flexibility of GSM/GPRS wireless communication along with highly sensitive GPS, a powerful processing engine and a triple-axis accelerometer that detects and communicates driver behavior. The LMU-2640 supports CalAmp’s Instant Crash Notification (ICN) services suite, delivered via email, SMS (text) or through an Application Programming Interface (API).
- LMU-200 – Ideal for track-and-trace applications, the LMU-200 provides reliable, economical connectivity through GPRS wireless communication. The LMU-200 features highly sensitive GPS, motion detection, remote starter disable and built-in antennas that lower overall deployment cost and simplify installation. Built on CalAmp’s scalable hardware and device management platform suite, each product employs the company’s PEG on-board alert engine and processing environment as well as PULS over-the-air device management and maintenance application. These pioneering systems allow customers to leverage one platform to manage their entire portfolio including remote firmware updates regardless of the vehicle type or use case.
“The introduction of these two new devices represents our ongoing, strategic investment in solutions that enable the connected vehicle ecosystem in key markets such as Europe and Latin America,” said Justin Schmid, senior vice president and general manager of the Telematics Systems business at CalAmp. “With CalAmp as a leading IoT enablement solutions provider with new technology and a growing product portfolio, customers in these regions now have more options to choose from whether they’re looking for a simple vehicle tracking option or a full solution to support complex mixed fleet applications.”

CalAmp’s newest products are on display at booth #8.1B71 (Hall 8.1/Upper Level) at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, Feb. 27–March 2.
March 1, 2017
GPS Insight launches electronic logging for fleet management
The GPS Insight Hours of Service solution has a feature set designed to streamline fleet management. Photo: GPS Insight

GPS Insight, a technology provider of GPS vehicle and asset tracking solutions for commercial and government fleets, launched a new electronic logging device (ELD) solution on Feb. 1.

The GPS Insight Hours of Service solution has a feature set designed to streamline fleet management and ensure Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) compliance.

Hours of Service bundles an Android tablet hardwired to a GPS tracking device. The ruggedized ELD tablet features an intuitive user interface to ensure ease of use for all drivers. The management portal is web-based, secure and accessible via PC, tablet and smartphone.

In addition to the functionality required by the FMCSA, GPS Insight offers key ELD features that, together, create a powerful fleet management solution:
- Messaging: Drivers and dispatch can now message each other between the tablet and the web-based interface. This capability will reduce the number of phone calls made and streamline communication with individual drivers or the entire fleet.
- Navigation: Navigation is built into the ELD tablet. Management can dispatch audible and visual directions for each job to drivers using designated truck-specific routes.
- GPS Tracking: The ELD solution combines e-logs with the GPS monitoring, alerting and reporting solution.
The GPS Insight Hours of Service Solution offers a simple alternative to paper logs and provides many benefits beyond compliance. Although it is an easy-to-use interface, GPS Insight understands this new mandate is a paradigm shift for the industry and is offering its customers hands-on training, augmented by on-demand training videos, to make the transition from paper logs to e-logs as seamless as possible.

“Implementing the GPS Insight ELD solution was really easy,” said Richard R., GPS Insight customer and owner of Rivers Transport Services. “We just hit the road running. The training videos for the drivers made it that much easier for them. It takes the headache of paper logs away.”

Demonstrations and more information can be found at www.gpsinsight.com/hours-of-service.
February 16, 2017
2016 fleet management technology report now available
A new report that explores technologies for U.S. commercial fleets is now available.

The 2016 Fleet Management Technology Report, sponsored by GPS Insight, includes results of a survey conducted by Bobit Business Media, publisher of Automotive Fleet Magazine, Fleet Financials Magazine, Business Fleet Magazine, and Work Truck Magazine.

GPS Insights asked a series of questions pertaining to fleet management and telematics to examine the current state and experiences of the marketplace.

Commercial fleets across the U.S. are finding that telematics is providing insight they never had before which helps to reduce costs, reduce risk, and increase revenue. Most industry reports state that the adoption rate is somewhere between 30-40 percent. The findings in this report are similar, and includes additional data broken down by region, fleet size, and industry.

“We put this report together for business owners and fleet managers to get a clear understanding of what their peers are saying about their experience with telematics,” said Ryan Driscoll, marketing director of GPS Insight. “We also want it to serve as a guide for those looking to implement a better telematics solution or for those looking for the first time.”

Topics covered in the report include:
- Adoption: Who is and isn’t using telematics
- Choosing a provider: What fleets say is important to consider
- Benefits: How it’s helping commercial businesses
- Return on investment: What fleets should expect from the investment
The report can be downloaded from the GPS Insight website.
December 14, 2016
CalAmp’s MDT-7P Android tablet designed for Mobile Workforce
CalAmp — a provider of wireless products, services and solutions — has launched the MDT-7P Android-based tablet designed to integrate with CalAmp’s family of aftermarket telematics devices.

It features wired, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, a rugged 7-inch touchscreen display, and is suited to deliver and support applications for industries such as long-haul trucking, fleet management, asset delivery and mobile workforce management.

“The MDT-7P is designed at its core to support the development and deployment of telematics applications for the mobile workforce,” said Justin Schmid, senior vice president and general manager of the Telematics Systems business at CalAmp. “Seamlessly integrated with CalAmp’s leading telematics devices, the MDT-7P provides a powerful platform to support, monitor and maintain applications such as those designed to support compliance mandates for hours of service, rests, vehicle inspections and other state and federal regulations.”

The MDT-7P leverages CalAmp’s management and maintenance system, PULS (Provisioning/Programming, Update and Logistical System) for autonomous over-the-air installation of applications and firmware directly to the tablet from trusted sources such as CalAmp’s Appstore while in service.

In addition, the CalAmp Mobile Framework (CMF) software provides the interface to CalAmp’s programmable event generator (PEG). PEG enables the MDT-7P to communicate with an installed telematics device to continuously monitor the operating environment and respond instantly to pre-defined and configurable threshold conditions such as time, date, motion, location, geo-zone crossings and other parameters.

The MDT-7P offers a comprehensive and versatile set of features and capabilities including:
- Easy-to-use Android Lollipop OS for application development
- Support for CalAmp’s Appstore providing a secure environment to manage and distribute applications content and services
- High quality built-in front and rear facing cameras to support streaming video applications
- Integrated GPS receiver for high precision mapping, navigation, dispatch and routing
- Secure 802.11 b/g/n protocols for persistent Wi-Fi connectivity
- Dual-mode Bluetooth 4.0 including BLE support
September 10, 2016
Pointer Telocation to support Rio Olympics with fleet management

Pointer Telocation Ltd. – a developer, manufacturer and operator of Mobile Resource Management (MRM) — signed a contract July 18 with CET RIO (the Rio de Janeiro Transit Authority) to provide technology and integration services during the 2016 Olympic Games, managing the vehicles and personnel responsible for transit control, emergency and contingencies.

More than 200 vehicles will be monitored in real time which will be managing, controlling and supporting the traffic management systems starting Aug. 5 and throughout the games.

The system will use Pointer’s Web Fleet Software Platform and will be integrated into the CET Control Center as well as the COR (the city’s Operation Center), providing a unified view of traffic information throughout Rio.

“We are very pleased to be playing an important role in the smooth running of the Olympic Games this summer,” said David Mahlab, chief executive officer of Pointer. “Our selection by Rio’s Transit Authority for this very high profile event and mission critical task, demonstrates a strong level of trust in our solution. We look forward to successfully delivering on this contract, and we believe this will provide us with very strong references for further work in the region.”

August 4, 2016
Verizon to acquire fleet management company Fleetmatics

Transaction to accelerate Verizon’s position as a provider of fleet and mobile workforce management solutions, companies say

Verizon Communications Inc. and Fleetmatics Group PLC have entered into a definitive agreement under which Verizon will acquire Fleetmatics, a global provider of fleet and mobile workforce management solutions, for $60 per share in cash — representing a value of approximately $2.4 billion.

In June, Verizon Telematics announced the acquisition of Telogis Inc., a global, cloud-based mobile enterprise management software company based in Aliso Viejo, California. That transaction closed on July 29.

With approximately 1,200 employees, Fleetmatics is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, with North American headquarters inWaltham, Massachusetts. The company’s web-based solutions provide fleet operators with visibility into vehicle location, fuel usage, speed and mileage, and other insights into their mobile workforce, helping them to reduce operating costs, as well as increase revenue.

Verizon Telematics, a subsidiary of Verizon Communications, operates in more than 40 markets worldwide and offers comprehensive wireless, software and hardware solutions to consumers, enterprises, automakers and dealers to power connected-vehicle products around the world.

“Fleetmatics is a market leader in North America — and increasingly internationally — and they’ve developed a wide-range of compelling SaaS (software as a service)-based products and solutions for small- and medium-sized businesses,” said Andrés Irlando, CEO of Verizon Telematics.

“The powerful combination of products and services, software platforms, robust customer bases, domain expertise and experience, and talented and passionate teams among Fleetmatics, the recently-acquired Telogis, and Verizon Telematics will position the combined companies to become a leading provider of fleet and mobile workforce management solutions globally,” Irlando added.

Fleetmatics Routist is an intelligent routing optimization tool for fleet management.

“Verizon and Fleetmatics share a vision that the SaaS-based fleet management solution market is extraordinarily large, lightly penetrated, global and fragmented which can best be attacked together with a world class product offering and the largest distribution channel in the industry,” said Jim Travers, Chairman and CEO of Fleetmatics.

“Fleetmatics brings over 37,000 customers, approximately 737,000 subscribers, a broad portfolio of industry leading products, and a team of 1,200 professionals focused on solving the critical challenges of businesses that deploy mobile workforces. We are excited to partner with Verizon in fulfilling the mission of becoming the largest mobile workforce management company in the world,” Travers added.

The acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions, including the approval of Fleetmatics’ shareholders and the sanction of the Irish scheme of arrangement by which Verizon will acquire Fleetmatics by the Irish High Court, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2016.

PJT Partners and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are acting as financial advisors to Verizon. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, A&L Goodbody and Macfarlanes LLP are acting as legal advisors to Verizon. Morgan Stanley is acting as financial advisor to Fleetmatics. Goodwin Procter LLP and Maples and Calder are acting as legal advisors to Fleetmatics.

August 1, 2016
Lochbridge unveils connected-car innovations at TU-Automotive show
Lochbridge, a provider of automotive connectivity services and solutions, is presenting and exhibiting at TU-Automotive Detroit 2016, held June 8-9 in Novi, Michigan.

Through the company’s keynote presentation, newly released maturity model and suite of connected solutions, Lochbridge will demonstrate how OEMs need connectivity to create a competitive edge.

Lochbridge’s keynote presentation, “Are Your Connected Cars Ahead of the Curve?,” will unveil a new model that maps connected-car investments to the core outcomes of connectivity — loyalty, differentiation, monetization and quality. Delivered by Raj Paul, vice president of IoT & Connected Services, the presentation will show how connected solutions — including predictive analytics, OTA updates and digital integration — can be leveraged to achieve these outcomes. Using this model, Paul will present an industry scorecard to highlight how well OEMs today are applying connected solutions to gain a competitive edge. Lochbridge’s keynote presentation is scheduled at 2 p.m. ET on June 9.

At TU-Automotive Detroit 2016, the Lochbridge team will also be showcasing a suite of new connected vehicle solutions at booth 204:
- Risk Analytics: Demonstrating how usage-based insurance (UBI) progresses in parallel with the future world of urban mobility where drivers will carry a “lifetime-driving-score.” In collaboration with Harris Corporation integrating the Helios environmental intelligence platform, traditional driving behavior data, such as hard braking and accelerating, is combined with real-time contextual data, such as road conditions and environmental conditions.
- App Certification Ecosystem (ACE 2.0): Providing a cloud based “virtual bench” that allows developers to bring new ideas to life faster while offering OEMs control of the application development, certification and support process.
- IoT Device Management Platform: Enabling car manufacturers to extend new vehicle enhancements and manage recalls through a single solution. The solution provides OEMs a robust device management and Over-The-Air capability (OTA) supporting upgrades en masse or at an individual level.
- Fleet Management: Integrating Oracle’s IoT Cloud Service platform, the new fleet concept demonstrates how device tracking, management and analytics can be deployed with rigor rapidly.
Hands-on demonstrations of all four connected solutions will be available at Lochbridge’s exhibit at booth 204.

“It’s no longer about developing new and cool features. Connected car solutions need to provide automakers a competitive edge in the market and help create a great customer experience,” said Romil Bahl, Chief Executive Officer, Lochbridge. “We are excited to debut our new model and a suite of solutions that will allow our automotive clients to unlock new opportunities, drive growth and create value.”
June 8, 2016
AT&T Fleet Complete goes to Google Maps

AT&T’s Fleet Complete, a North American provider of fleet telematics and mobile workforce technology, has upgraded its browser-based mapping to Google Maps.

Fleet Complete with Google Maps includes the ability to visualize real-time asset locations and deliver pertinent vehicle data such as speed, idle time and start/stop times.

The addition of Google Maps allows businesses to track vehicles, assets and mobile workforce with detailed hybrid satellite/street name views, improved traffic reports, terrain views and a powerful zoom feature, helping users make intelligent location-based decisions and maximize efficiencies.

May 1, 2016
AirLink GX450 from Sierra Wireless now supports advanced vehicle telemetry

Sierra Wireless has released an advanced fleet management feature to support the company’s AirLink GX450 mobile gateway, allowing it to collect OBD-II vehicle telemetry data.

The added functionality will enable large organizations and fleet management solution providers to rapidly develop applications to monitor vehicle health and performance, helping them reduce costs, streamline operations and increase efficiency.

Managing a vehicle-based workforce involves a large group of stakeholders, including operations, IT and fleet management. By combining mobile networking and rich vehicle telematics onto a single platform that gathers and reports vehicle diagnostic data directly to applications, this new feature will simplify and centralize vehicle management across an organization. Organizations will no longer need to purchase a separate in-vehicle telematics platform to gather and monitor vehicle health data.

“We added advanced, easy-to-use telemetry to the AirLink GX450 to enable customers to simplify the adoption of vehicle telemetry solutions, including the ability to leverage their existing investment in fleet communications equipment,” said Jason Krause, senior vice president, Enterprise Solutions, Sierra Wireless.

Clevest, a provider of mobile workforce management solutions for utilities, has worked closely with Sierra Wireless through the development of the AirLink GX450’s vehicle telemetry feature to produce a complete workforce management and vehicle monitoring solution.

“Our mobile workforce platform is tightly integrated with AirLink gateways,” said Edna Menon, senior product marketing manager, Clevest. “With the GX450 telemetry feature, our utility customers can take advantage of robust vehicle diagnostic capabilities, in addition to the reliability and ease-of-use of our integrated solutions.”

The AirLink GX450 vehicle telemetry uses an optional OBD-II accessory to collect vehicle diagnostic data and send it to a remote server using an open messaging protocol (MQTT). Vehicle telemetry is designed for applications in public safety, utilities, emergency and field services, and for large organizations or fleet management solution providers that have the in-house resources to develop their own vehicle monitoring applications.

March 16, 2016
ORBCOMM expands M2M, IoT capabilities for fleet management

ORBCOMM Inc., a global provider of machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, has added to its fleet management portfolio.

Announced at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) are the new cellular-only SkyWave IDP-782 device and the viaFleet web application for tracking, monitoring and managing trucks, railcars and other mobile assets. MWC is being held Feb. 22-25 in Barcelona, Spain.

By leveraging ORBCOMM’s fleet management solutions, fleet operators can reduce fuel costs, optimize travel routes, monitor driver behavior, minimize idle times and ensure cargo and driver security, the company said.

ORBCOMM’s cellular-only SkyWave IDP-782 device is designed for vehicle tracking and driver monitoring applications specifically for areas where cellular coverage is widely available. This device provides customers the same functionality and flexibility as the dual-mode version at a more economical cost for cellular-only applications.

ORBCOMM’s comprehensive viaFleet application enables fleet operators to see the location of mobile assets in real-time, monitor driver behavior, streamline vehicle maintenance schedules, communicate with drivers and much more. With an intuitive, easy-to-use graphical interface, the viaFleet application works with the IDP-782 to display the location of assets on a map in real time, tracks asset movements with breadcrumb reports, and supports advanced reporting capabilities on speeding events, dwelling times, geofence access and asset health, allowing customers to significantly improve operational efficiencies and productivity.

In addition, ORBCOMM recently introduced several other innovative wireless solutions. These products and services enhance ORBCOMM’s M2M and IoT solutions portfolio, which span from device to dashboard, for system integrators, end user customers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) across a wide variety of industries.

The ORBCOMM OGi modem, which has a footprint smaller than a credit card, is the smallest and lowest cost IDP modem built to date and is targeted for mission-critical applications that require low latency. The versatile modem’s design provides customers with unrivaled ease of use, flexibility and quality of service based on their unique application needs, including message size, delivery speed, geographic coverage and regulatory requirements. Both ORBCOMM’s OG2 and OGi modems use the same electrical and application interfaces, including the connectors, power input and programming environment. This interchangeable format enables OEM customers to plug-n-play satellite connectivity utilizing the ORBCOMM VHF network or the Inmarsat L-band network without the need to redesign their M2M solutions.

The ORBCOMMconnect subscriber management portal gives ORBCOMM customers complete comprehensive control over wireless services and connected devices, while reducing the complexity of managing and integrating multiple connectivity offerings. Customers can access three satellite and seven Tier One cellular networks in one comprehensive platform, optimizing M2M and IoT service delivery and subscriber management, enabling better business planning and helping to reduce and control costs.

ORBCOMMmobile is a mobile app that integrates with ORBCOMM’s M2M and IoT applications, including ORBCOMM’s cold chain monitoring solution and the ORBCOMMconnect portal. ORBCOMM’s mobile app runs on both iOS and Android devices to facilitate easy access to ORBCOMM solutions and technology in real-time and remotely outside of the traditional office environment.

ORBCOMM Enterprise Connect is an end-to-end 4G xLTE wireless failover solution for distributed enterprise, financial, hospitality and retail locations that need reliable, high-bandwidth WAN connectivity for M2M and IoT applications. The solution works with integrated routers from industry-leading hardware manufacturers as a back-up to existing broadband connections in the event of a primary network communications failure. The affordable turn-key solution combines world-class connectivity, hardware, management capabilities along with network and deployment support. ORBCOMM Enterprise Connect allows both large and small enterprises to conduct business efficiently and reduces risks of downtime, reduced productivity, lost revenue and customer experience issues.

To learn more about ORBCOMM’s latest innovations, visit Booth G11 in Hall 8.0 at Mobile World Congress.

February 23, 2016
8 million GPS/wireless devices in use for fleet management

Eight million GPS/wireless devices are used to manage fleet vehicles, trailers, construction equipment and mobile workers, according to a new report by C.J. Driscoll & Associates, a supplier of telematics market research and consulting services.

According to the “2016-17 U.S. Mobile Resource Management Systems Market Study,” by 2019 this market will expand to more than 14 million units, and annual hardware and service revenues will grow to nearly $4.7 billion.

Growth has been strong in the local service and delivery fleet market, where the use of commercial telematics solutions is expanding at a rate of 15-20 percent per year. However, the trucking sector’s rate of growth is projected to exceed the local fleet market because of the recently issued regulations requiring the use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) by interstate trucking fleets for monitoring driver hours of service.

While the largest GPS fleet management companies are becoming increasingly dominant, this has not discouraged new players from entering the market, some with considerable success. Overseas suppliers also continue to be drawn to the U.S. market due to its size and rate of growth.

The 323-page market study provides in-depth information on each major MRM market segment, including the markets for vehicle-installed GPS fleet management solutions for local service and delivery fleets and long haul trucking fleets. The market for driver behavior management systems is also examined, along with the emerging market for managing mobile workers with GPS-equipped smartphones and tablets. In addition, the study covers the markets for monitoring mobile assets, such as fleet trailers and heavy equipment.

The study assesses the current market penetration of MRM systems and services and projects annual subscriber and revenue growth through 2019. Detailed profiles are provided on more than 140 suppliers of MRM systems and services, including target markets, key features, installed base and pricing.

January 20, 2016
PCTEL launches new member of GNSS antenna portfolio

PCTEL Inc. has launched a new antenna for high-speed rail, fleet and other transportation modes. The new SkyCompass Dual multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) Long Term Evolution (LTE) antenna is designed for high data-rate applications such as direct video feeds and broadband connectivity for commuters.

The SkyCompass series comprises six new configurable antenna platforms, including single-band and multiband GNSS options that address the majority of rail and fleet management installation needs. The antenna features new ultra-ruggedized design and housing, outstanding electrical efficiency performance, high isolation between elements and pattern consistency.

In addition, as wireless routers adopt MIMO, the antenna’s inherent MIMO capabilities protect a network’s investment in cellular and — more specifically — LTE installations.

“MIMO and efficiency with optimized patterns enable high throughput in performance critical mobile applications for public safety, fleet and rail markets,” said Rishi Bharadwaj, vice president and general manager of PCTEL’s Connected Solutions. “PCTEL’s innovations continue to deliver high performance antennas in robust, easy-to-install housings.”

The series is currently available to select OEM customers and will be generally available at the end of January 2016.

January 4, 2016