A Fleet Management Case Study: Maximizing Driver Safety & Efficiency

By now, you likely have a deeper understanding of what fleet management is and how it can benefit companies that operate vehicles. However, nothing is better than seeing the real results of fleet management in action. 

Join us as we take a close look at a fleet management case study. You will see an example of a fleet management system in action and how the right technology has been able to help maximize driver safety and efficiency for an organization like yours. 

What is Fleet Management?

Fleet management technology comprises essential elements that contribute to its efficacy. These components encompass GPS and Telematics, providing real-time visibility and tracking along with insights into driver behavior. At the core of this technology is the Fleet Manager’s software, coupled with edge computing ELD hardware, which facilitates fleet compliance, route planning, maintenance scheduling, and reporting. Internet of Things (IoT) devices embedded in vehicles gather information on vehicle health, fuel consumption, and driver performance. Driver management tools play a crucial role in monitoring and ensuring driver safety and policy adherence, while reporting and analytics features empower fleet managers with data-driven insights and regulatory compliance capabilities. Together, these elements constitute the fundamental building blocks of a robust fleet management system.

Fleet Management in Action

In this fleet management case study, we delve into the challenges faced by a transportation company grappling with a trifecta of issues that significantly impede its operational efficiency. The organization contends with an unreliable telematics platform, hampering the accurate tracking and monitoring of its fleet. Compounding the problem, the company encounters dissatisfaction stemming from poor customer service and inadequate tech support, hindering swift resolutions to operational glitches. Additionally, a lack of comprehensive visibility into truck information and driver habits poses a significant obstacle to optimizing performance and ensuring adherence to safety protocols. This case study explores how the company addresses and overcomes these obstacles to achieve a more streamlined and effective fleet management system.

With more than 800 moving assets across more than 200 US retail locations, this My20 customer has a lot to manage. Positioning automobiles for retail sale requires the right vehicle to be in the right market at the right time. Accurate GPS location and reliability of truck information are critical to meet demanding end consumer requirements. Prior to working with Konexial, the fleet was using outdated technology with on-going connectivity issues. Limited reliability and connectivity are two factors that cause major issues for professional fleet managers. On top of systematic issues, customer support was non-existent with the previous provider. The Carrier was ready to make a change and began the process of finding a new technology provider.

After extensive research, Konexial was identified to support both current and future requirements. The Konexial My20 ELD + Fleet provided an easy-to-install hardware unit with a vast toolbox of features such as GPS tracking, HOS compliant logs, live log auditing, engine diagnostics, DVIR, one-touch exception statuses, team driver functionality, commercial turn-by-turn navigation, Geo-fencing and much more. Along with the robust every day driver and fleet admin functionality, the partnership with Konexial offered the fleet an opportunity to customize a solution to meet their ever-changing business needs. 

After a successful trial period, The Carrier quickly decided to deploy the Konexial My20 system for the entire fleet of 750+ users by way of a strategic roll-out plan. The biggest challenge of the implementation process was uninstalling the previous hardware. The Konexial team provided a detailed implementation plan, onboarding and training schedule, and comprehensive on-demand training resources. Weekly calls were conducted with both teams to ensure timeline was maintained and issues were resolved quickly.

With Konexial’s My20 installed, the fleet now has the benefit of ONE Dashboard for truck telematics, fleet management and video – saving the fleet time and money. 

 

Driver Scorecards + Custom Reporting 

“Every fleet requires a set of unique needs and reporting capabilities. The ability to meet a customer’s needs in a timely manner is mutually beneficial for carriers and Konexial. When customers bring pain points to our development team, it becomes an opportunity for us (Konexial) to improve our product and create value for our customers while differentiating ourselves from other providers,” said Ken Evans, Chief Technology Officer for Konexial. 

One of the most important requirements for the fleet management system was a way to accurately measure driver behavior and implement driver scorecards to enhance fleet wide driver retention. The ability to score drivers based on factual driver data brought value and a non-biased way to measure driver performance. Before implementing Konexial, dozens of hours were spent each quarter by the customer gathering and processing multiple data sources via Excel spreadsheets. By creating a unified, configurable Driver Scorecard, telemetry and AI camera events allow the fleet to manage what is most important to improving driver behavior and eliminating risk. The system includes configurable events (threshold and duration), 1 second level of accuracy and event data visibility in driver mobile app and admin web app. The Driver Scorecard is used to drive driver accountability via the quarterly incentive program.

 

Enhanced Fleet Safety with Integrated Dashcams

To complement the telematics data, the fleet also chose the LogiCam AI system for video security. This provides live, in-cab coaching and both on-demand and retrievable video capture to protect the fleet . Drivers receive alerts instantaneously when a dangerous driving behavior is detected, and are given the opportunity to correct the behavior LIVE as it is happening. Pairing in-cab driving behavior detection and HOS compliance enhances the comprehensive driver training and retention programs. 

The Carrier chose to work with Konexial because of the attention to detail and the service level provided to the fleet with a customizable and scalable fleet and video management system.

Edge Computing + LIVE View Dashboard 

Edge computing technology with LTE and 5G compatibility is designed to exceed FMCSA ELD mandate requirements and provides premium 5G ELD coverage and compliance. Edge computing ELDs compute all HOS data in the cab allowing more accurate logs, faster ELD processing time, and improved security.

With My20’s edge computing technology, the fleet gained access to a live view of all drivers, trucks, and assets through the My20 Tower dashboard. This includes “Live” vehicle movement, live video views for both road and in cab (configurable) and driver messaging w/ push-to-talk voice.

Driving Value and Results:

The solution required an FMCSA compliant system that can change as business needs dictate. From Geo-Intelligence to commercial truck routing to User View by Hierarchy, the Konexial solution supports the constantly changing requirements of the customer.  Agile, innovative, and rapid custom development and integrations allow the fleet to get the right car, to the right place, at the right time. Konexial’s knowledgeable US based, customer service team of compliance experts provides premier support utilizing phone, live chat, email and text capabilities. The company also offers bi-lingual representatives to meet diverse fleet needs. 

Truck information is accurate and supported with data and video. Reporting is available by day, week, month and drives better decisions. Customer visibility has evolved to support current and future conditions. The fleet achieved a 90% reduction in risky driving behaviors and can now quickly identify areas for improvement. 

Real Benefits of Fleet Management 

Efficient fleet management is not just about keeping your vehicles on the road; it’s a strategic approach that yields tangible benefits for your business. One of the key ways to cut costs for your fleet is through the implementation of advanced telematics and GPS tracking systems. These technologies offer real-time insights into vehicle locations, enabling optimized routing that reduces fuel consumption and operational expenses. Additionally, proactive fleet maintenance scheduling based on data analytics from daily trip driver DVIRs can prevent costly breakdowns and extend the lifespan of your vehicles.

To further cut transport fleet costs, focus on fleet efficiency. This involves optimizing routes, reducing idle times, and ensuring timely deliveries. Fleet efficiency translates to improved resource utilization, decreased fuel consumption, and ultimately, significant cost savings. Embracing technology, such as electronic logging devices (ELDs), enhances your ability to streamline operations and minimize unnecessary expenses.

Fleet efficiency also carries substantial implications for your overall business performance. It means improved productivity, timely deliveries, and enhanced customer satisfaction. A well-managed fleet contributes to a positive brand image and customer loyalty, giving your business a competitive edge.

When it comes to safety innovation, fleet management adopts proactive approaches to minimize risks and enhance driver well-being. Implementing a fleet safety program and AI-powered dash cameras and driver monitoring systems allows for real-time analysis of driver behavior, helping prevent accidents and ensuring compliance with safety protocols. Regular training programs, coupled with data-driven insights, contribute to a safety-focused culture within your fleet.

Incorporating Fleet Management Technology In Your Fleet

Incorporating technology and artificial intelligence (AI) into fleet management solutions involves leveraging innovative tools and systems to enhance overall efficiency, safety, and decision-making processes. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the landscape of fleet management technology by offering advanced solutions to enhance operational efficiency. AI can optimize route planning, predict maintenance needs, and analyze driver behavior through technologies like GPS, Telematics, and video recorder dash cameras. This not only improves overall fleet performance but also contributes to cost savings and sustainability efforts. 

AI-powered cameras and sensors inside vehicles can monitor driver behavior in real-time, providing insights into factors such as fatigue, distraction, or aggressive driving. This information helps in implementing proactive safety measures and training programs. Dash cameras combined with telematics and ELDS (electronic logging devices) allows AI algorithms for fleet management to analyze data to provide insights into driver behavior, fuel consumption, and maintenance needs. 

As for drivers, training becomes crucial to operate vehicles equipped with AI-driven systems. Drivers need to familiarize themselves with the technology, understand how to interpret AI-generated insights, and adapt to new operational workflows. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) play a pivotal role in ensuring compliance with regulations, and they integrate technologies such as GPS, sensors, and connectivity to efficiently monitor and record driving hours. This integration not only aids in regulatory compliance but also streamlines data collection, contributing to better decision-making and overall fleet optimization.