Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Skip to main content
Home
    • Contact Panasonic
    EN
    • EN
    • FR
    EN
    • EN
    • FR
    • Home
    • Trends
    • Integrated Supply Chain
    • 6 Core Competencies for Fleet Management Mobile Deployments
    Back to Resource Center

    6 Core Competencies for Fleet Management Mobile Deployments

    • Contact us
      • Twitter
      • Facebook
      • Linkedin
      • Email

    6 Core Competencies for Fleet Management Mobile Deployments

    Trucking and package delivery fleet managers face pressures to increase efficiencies and reduce expenses while they enhance customer service. Fleet Management and the data maintained by electronic logging device (ELD) solutions paired with rugged, purpose-built mobile devices, are essential for achieving these goals. These devices are designed to perform under adverse and demanding conditions, where consumer-grade tablets and notebooks are not purposely designed to withstand daily usage in commercial vehicles and likely to fail. In order for Fleet Managers to meet their goals, their mobile device deployments need to address these six core competencies.

    1. Customer Service

    Customers rely on timely and transparent delivery tracking provided wirelessly by on-vehicle mobile solutions to dispatch systems that track progress against planned routes and allow dispatchers to answer inquiries from customers. The mobile devices must have built in optimal wireless connectivity to connect to both GPS satellites and cellular networks — even through weak signal areas. The mobile applications that generate and report conditions along the delivery path ease customer service tasks by delivering regular updates to keep operations staff aware of current conditions or possible delays.

    According to Laura Lohrke, senior product manager at Omnitracs, “The lack of mobile connection in each vehicle leaves you blind to their status.” For example, with health-care providers, transport and location of life-critical medical equipment and supplies such as oxygen and medicines must be accounted for in real time.

    2. Asset Management 

    Assets range from forklifts to trucks and trailers, each of which contributes to the smooth and continuous functioning of a transportation fleet. Mobile technology and the applications they support, track and report their locations and when they are expected to return to the company yard or distribution center. This timing information is critical to schedule loading and unloading, and the data collected by the applications is used to understand how assets are performing and when maintenance is needed.

    3. Fuel Management

    It's imperative for transport companies to create the most fuel-efficient routes for their drivers through GPS-enabled route guidance. “We can create the perfect plan for mileage, but if we don’t know if the driver followed the plan, costs can be much higher than they should be,” says Lohrke. Vehicles with a telematics “black box” coupled with a wirelessly connected rugged mobile device solution, allow operations to check routes in real time. This provides information on driving habits such as rapid acceleration, idling, and speeding — all of which can increase operating costs.

    4. Compliance Solutions

    One aspect of the ELD mandate allows that mobile devices such as tablets or rugged handhelds can be used as long as the system as a whole meets ELD requirements. This allows drivers to not only use their mobile devices for navigation and see alerts but also to use them to perform pre and post vehicle inspections. When the mobile tablets are out of the vehicle, they are subject to adversities such as weather conditions and grease. Using industrial-grade mobile tablets or handheld devices that can withstand near constant vibration, extreme weather conditions, survive being dropped or liquid spills and be operated with heavy duty gloves on, will deliver reliable use. Consumer-oriented mobile devices are likely to fail under these conditions and possibly lead compliance issues and even fines.

    5. Accurate and Timely Data Reporting

    Mobile handheld computing units remove the extra-time and inaccuracies of manual record keeping, as required by the ELD mandate. Automated updates can be triggered by GPS location or time of day, and drivers can enter responses by touching the screen rather than writing. The results of the captured data are transmitted to the transport company’s internal applications wirelessly and become part of the driver-vehicle inspection report (DVIR). Data can also be captured and reported on vehicle performance and maintenance, allowing more proactive and efficient scheduling for service versus dealing with unexpected breakdowns. Results from the data collected by mobile devices can be evaluated by safety supervisors and driver managers, then shared with drivers to address areas of concern, thereby keeping them and their cargo safe and in compliance with regulations.

    6. Driver/Employee Safety

    Mobile solutions allow drivers to receive critical alerts on weather, road conditions or traffic as well as other timely information updates from dispatchers. Flexible mounting options allow positioning of screens so drivers can see them without being distracted from their view of the road.  

    Is your mobile fleet management & ELD solution ready to reliably meet these 6 core competencies and comply with the ELD mandate? Purpose-built, rugged mobile device solutions are essential to increase efficiencies, decrease downtime being in compliance. Learn more about equipping your fleet with rugged mobile devices to improve your fleet operations.

    Authors
    Jim Dempsey - Director US Business Development & Partnerships, Panasonic North America

    Related Posts

    Integrated Supply Chain

    Three reasons to invest in automation technology

    Understanding the benefits of automation technology will help businesses initiate key conversations around investment and implementation.
    Learn more
    Sustainable energy

    Building healthier homes to breathe easier

    Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of people already spent 90 per cent of their time indoors, so imagine what that number is now!

    5 minutes

    Learn more
    Connected World

    Peace of mind on match day: facial recognition solution at the football stadium

    In the summer of 2019, Panasonic introduced a facial recognition system at a football stadium in Denmark to stop known troublemakers from entering,

    5 minutes

    Learn more
    Integrated Supply Chain

    Re-imagining QSR technology in a disrupted industry

    Many quick service restaurants (QSR) have set their sights on utilizing technology to help meet businesses sustainability goals, all the while remaining efficient and profitable.

    5 minutes

    Learn more
    Sustainable energy

    Good health starts at home

    With North Americans today spending more time inside their homes than ever before, many are taking a second look at their home's health and indoor air quality.

    6 minutes

    Learn more
    Integrated Supply Chain

    Food service and the “new normal”

    Discover how food service and food retail businesses are adjusting for customer expectations in a post-coronavirus world.

    5 minutes

    Learn more
    Social Impact

    Sustainable Seafood Project Places the Environment Front and Center

    Panasonic's corporate cafeterias help preserve marine resources for future generations with innovative new menus.

    5 minutes

    Learn more
    Social Impact

    Resources Recycling Initiatives Transform Product Manufacturing

    Panasonic turns end-of-life home appliances into reusable resources.

    5 minutes

    Learn more
    Social Impact

    Cultivate fruits and vegetables even in harsh environments with Panasonic’s it greenhouse

    A computer-controlled greenhouse that grows produce even in harsh climates.

    5 min

    Learn more
    Recent Research

    The Senior Boom is Coming: How Technology Can Assist in the Long-Term Care of Baby Boomers

    Panasonic is developing new-build and retrofit technology solutions to assist Canada’s senior care and long-term care industry.

    5 minutes

    Learn more
    Integrated Supply Chain

    How innovation in components is creating the factories of tomorrow

    Turning the human-powered factory floors of yesterday into the automated, data-driven enterprises of tomorrow.

    6 minutes

    Learn more
    Sustainable energy

    Battery Storage: The Missing Piece to Your Renewable Home Energy Solution

    If your goal is to create a truly energy efficient home, then solar panels are just the one part of the sustainable puzzle.

    5 minutes

    Learn more
    Back to Trends

    Talk to our sales team to learn more about Panasonic devices and solutions.

     

    General Information

    Customer Information

    Company Information

    Product Information

    Additional Information

           Yes, I agree to receive information about Panasonic's full suite of product and industry solutions, special offers, events product innovations and new products, whitepapers, research and more. I understand I can withdraw my consent at any time. The information you provide us will be used in accordance with the terms of the Panasonic privacy policy and terms of use.

    Proceed to the following URL for consumer product requests:
    http://help.panasonic.ca/pw/customercare/support/consumeremail.aspx?l=en

    Talk to our support team to get assistance for your Panasonic devices and solutions.

     

    General Information

    Customer Information

    Company Information

    Product Information

    Additional Information

           Yes, I agree to receive information about Panasonic's full suite of product and industry solutions, special offers, events product innovations and new products, whitepapers, research and more. I understand I can withdraw my consent at any time. The information you provide us will be used in accordance with the terms of the Panasonic privacy policy and terms of use.

    Proceed to the following URL for consumer product requests:
    http://help.panasonic.ca/pw/customercare/support/consumeremail.aspx?l=en

    • About Us
    • News
    • Careers
    • Investor Relations
    • Corporate Social Responsibility
    • Contact Us

    Connect with us

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Linkedin
    • Instagram Link
    • Youtube

    Select Country/Language

    • Canada - English
    • Canada - Français
    • United States - English
    © 2020 Panasonic Canada Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms
    • Accessibility
    • Panasonic Global
    • Consumer
    • Industrial
    Reviewed by Accessible 360