How can you use GPS tracking to improve small fleet efficiency?

Technology continues to advance. Consequently, GPS tracking and telematics solutions have become increasingly important and available for small fleet management and asset tracking. These solutions offer many benefits, including to improve small fleet efficiency, cost savings, and enhanced safety. Below, we explore 5 ways that GPS tracking can improve fleet efficiency for businesses of all sizes and industries.

Real-time tracking and monitoring

One obvious benefit of GPS tracking is the ability to track and monitor vehicles and assets in real-time. This allows businesses to see exactly where their vehicles and assets are. Something they can do whenever or wherever, as well as how they are being used. This information can lead to optimised routes, reduced fuel costs, and improved efficiency.

Increased accountability and transparency

Additionally, accountability and transparency are key benefits of GPS tracking. Tracking and monitoring in real-time helps ensure proper use of vehicles and assets. Furthermore, it ensures that employees are following established protocols. This can help to reduce the risk of theft and other forms of misuse. At the same time, it can promote a culture of accountability and responsibility.

Improved communication and coordination

GPS tracking can also improve communication and coordination between different departments and teams. For example, dispatchers and managers can use real-time data to optimise routes, schedule maintenance and repairs, and make other important decisions. This can help to reduce downtime and improve overall efficiency, right down to the last metre.

Enhanced safety

GPS tracking can also improve safety for both employees and the general public. For example, real-time monitoring can identify unsafe driving behaviours. Behaviours such as excessive speeding, sudden braking, and hard cornering. This can help to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, while also promoting a culture of safety within the organisation.

Cost savings

Finally, GPS tracking can help businesses to save money in a variety of ways.  For example, reduced fuel costs from changes such as optimised routes, reduced idling and unnecessary travel. All possible when using real-time monitoring.

Additionally, GPS tracking and telematics data can help businesses to reduce maintenance costs. This data can identify potential problems early so you can schedule repairs and maintenance at the best time for you.

Having a GPS tracking device in your vehicle may result in insurance cost savings of up to 30%. This depends on your driving behaviour, and it can also help you improve your driving habits and avoid accidents.

GPS tracking and telematics solutions are essential tools

In conclusion, GPS tracking and telematics solutions are essential tools. Particularly, for businesses looking to improve fleet efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance safety. We’ve covered just some of the many ways GPS tracking can benefit businesses of all sizes and industries.

At Redtail Telematics, we provide you with a reliable, high-quality solution to help you achieve your goals.

The death of the telematics device – but the future is bright for Redtail Telematics

REDTAIL has been spending a lot of time wedged between car manufacturers and insurers of late.  It is an interesting place to be.

Redtail, telematics devices and innovation

As many of you know, REDTAIL was born out of Plextek Group. Innovating in Stolen Vehicle Tracking with Tracker, Lojack and CalAmp, as well as Usage-Based Insurance with Ingenie, Admiral and ByMiles.  Currently, well, innovation with Connected Vehicle.

Throughout, our reputation as a quality provider of telematics devices has held fast, especially as we control all aspects: form factor, ergonomics and firmware.  Also, connectivity, platform and portals, APIs, data science and Apps!  But now we can see a time when the telematics box will be superseded by data available directly from the vehicle and its OEM.  So back to that interesting place to be…

Telematics – data that revolutionises

Telematics data has promised to revolutionise risk and claims for a long time.  Cost and experience of a box has limited mass-market scale.    The automotive OEMs are trying to understand their play in the monetisation of Connected Vehicle Data.  The insurers are seeking to understand how vehicle data can benefit risk and claims and loss ratios.  And that is where we come in.

REDTAIL is entirely telematics device or vehicle agnostic when ingesting data.  That data is not limited to the typical four UBI parameters.  Instead, our data can manage both insurance and diagnostic datasets to enable new opportunities.  What we do is present that OEM Connected Vehicle data in a way that is immediately familiar, actionable and valuable to the insurer.

To date, we have started with the familiar, but are working on PoCs to scrutinise the value of other datasets – precise timing of airbag release, for example, innovation.  And momentum is growing, more insurers, more OEMs!

So, why is the future bright?

Our DNA is sensors, signals and data.  We know you need action and value.  Connected Vehicle data is providing more sensors, more signals and more data.  And we are convinced that we can play an important role in innovating and delivering that data to your needs.  Exciting times!

Redtail found and CEO, Dr Colin Smithers, won the latest BERU contest

Redtail’s founder, Colin Smithers, has had interest in wireless technology since childhood. It started with a bewildered fascination into the invisible radio waves that surround and pass through us. By age 12, Colin was transmitting on home modified equipment to his friends in the locality, albeit underage and so without a licence (hence illegal). Colin took his radio amateurs’ exam at the earliest legal age of 14 and shortly after started participating in amateur radio contests. Eventually, a younger school chum, named Gary Hinson, joined him in the hobby and in the sport of radio contesting.

A bit about these contests:

• Organised nationally or internationally
• Take place over a fixed period of time
• Across one or more short wave bands
• Points gained for contacting as many stations as possible in the allocated time
• Some are speech but this one is morse code
• The normal radio propagation mode used is by reflecting waves off the ionosphere but some more esoteric contests involve bouncing waves off meteor trails or even the moon

British Empire Radio Union (BERU)

One of the first, named BERU (standing for British Empire Radio Union) started in 1931. The BERU contest involves contacts across the entire geography and using five short wave bands. Contestants use the different propagation of each and as it changes from day to night and back. Originally, it lasted a week(!). Luckily, this was shortened to just 24-hours and has changed its name to the more PC ‘Commonwealth Contest’. A recent patron was Prince Philip and who wrote to it as recently as 2017 lauding its success and longevity.

Some years ago and now living in New Zealand, ‘young’ Gary jibed “I thought you’d be winning these by now, Col?”. Incentivised by this poke in the ribs, Colin has finally gained top spot and winning the Senior Rose Bowl, the first time by a Brit in a decade (well done Colin!). The trophy, donated in 1931 and  fabricated from solid Sterling Silver, is engraved with many famous names in the ham world. Being competitive in this event involved much practice and travelling to Grand Cayman for the better propagation round the Commonwealth that is enjoyed there, plus having to master the extensive club station. Young Gary still takes part and was contacted on several of the bands.

The power of positive thought!

If you are interested in learning more about the BERU contest, you can read more about it in Reflections in a rosebowl on the BERU website.