Category: Vehicle trackers

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Vehicle fleet management software and fleet driver behaviour

Among the many responsibilities of a Fleet Manager is the role of fleet driver management. Vehicle fleet management software like AJT Installs Tracker 365 provide important data to help Fleet Managers improve driver behaviour by identifying poor or bad driving habits.

This information can be used to create individual driver profiles and determine their training requirements. All Fleet Managers should make sure their drivers are driving to the best of their ability, so the fleet is running efficiently and at the lowest cost, while reducing the risk of a collision or harm to other road users.

All AJT Installs technicians have completed after-market vehicle fleet management software installations in many different transport sectors, so you can be confident that we will understand the individual requirements of your fleet.

Chat to us today to discuss how Tracker 365 can help to highlight bad driving habits and help your Fleet Manager to ensure the fleet is operating efficiently and safely.

Vehicle fleet management software and driver training

According to the AA, the main causes of road accidents is human behaviour.

What is even more worrying is that the AA reports that in 2012, the Department for Transport revealed that 42% of road accidents reported to the police involved drivers failing to look properly!

It is, therefore, no surprise that well-trained, consistent, and patient drivers are safer.

What’s more, accurate reporting of the number of hours spent behind the wheel can ensure fleet drivers get proper breaks at the right time, reducing the risk of driving while tired and diminishing the chance of a collision.

It is vital that professional drivers, (who spend the majority of their working day driving), receive targeted training, and are educated about the impact their driving habits can have on other road users.

Vehicle fleet management software data provides essential information on aspects of driver behaviour that can put other road users at risk and contribute to the risk of collisions.

The human traits that can contribute to poor driver habits or behaviour are:

  • Speeding by ignoring the law, not realising the speed limit or lateness
  • Distractions like eating or using a mobile phone not only divert attention away from the road, but they also result in drivers only having one hand on the steering wheel!
  • Texting while driving is especially dangerous.
  • Ingrained bad habits such as tailgating, last minute braking, etc.
  • Not being ‘road aware’, for example, not looking properly at junctions, failing to see vulnerable road users, etc.
  • Tiredness, which can result in slower reactions and a loss of focus.
  • Drink/drug driving, leads to slower reaction times and a lack of awareness about what is happening, but can also induce risk taking behaviours.

Identifying these habits or behaviours can help Fleet Managers to put together effective training programmes through putting together full driver profiles, including risk profiles.

Reports from downloaded data shows whether drivers are engaging in risky behaviour such using a mobile, sudden braking, swerving out of a lane, or putting the general public at risk.

This enables Fleet Managers to select the most effective approach to training for individual drivers.

Vehicle fleet management software and changing fleet driver behaviour

In fact, many Fleet Managers find that driver behaviour improves just by having vehicle fleet management software installed.

Knowing they are being monitored makes drivers more careful and less inclined to take risks. 

This all sounds great, doesn’t it, so how can fleet management software like the AJT Installs Tracker 365 help to improve driver behaviour?

Data from vehicle fleet management software is useful for changing fleet driver behaviour through education.

When drivers are made aware of the increased risk of an accident by driving when they are distracted or fatigued, and the impact of that behaviour on other road users, they can modify that behaviour to prevent actions which may cause a collision or injury to others.

Not changing bad driving behaviours can result in:

  • Higher insurance costs
  • Time taken away from important tasks to complete insurance claims
  • Cost of repairing vehicles
  • Impact on customer service when vehicles are out of action
  • Effect on fellow drivers who have to fill in for those who are injured in collisions
  • The impact on scheduled vehicle maintenance
  • The cost of replacing damaged vehicles
  • Legal proceedings

The benefits of safer drivers

Once Fleet Managers understand fleet performance, they can implement a strategy to tackle the causes of risky driving behaviour that uses education and training, corporate policies and procedures, and ensures legal compliance.

Companies can reap the rewards of having safe and considerate drivers by:

  1. Saving money through improved efficiency, including less wear and tear on vehicles which can prolong their working life, and reduce fuel costs through lower consumption.
  2. Reducing insurance premiums based on driver risk profiles.
  3. Minimising the fleet’s carbon footprint through lower carbon emissions caused by bad habits like excessive revving or speed and not driving on the brakes.
  4. Reducing costs per driver/vehicle because safer drivers have fewer accidents. As most vehicle collisions are caused by driver error, the effect of education and training can have a big impact on costs.
  5. Increasing driver morale through investing in employees. A company that provides training and incentives for good driver behaviour shows belief in their staff. A willingness to spend time and money on training encourages loyalty, so drivers stay with the company for longer, reducing driver turnover and recruitment costs.
  6. Fostering team relationships and camaraderie increases the sense of belonging. This is an important aspect of showing drivers how their actions impact others. Something which is not always apparent in a solitary profession.
  7. Improving communications for effective team building. By developing an understanding of the difficulties facing drivers, Fleet Managers will be able to encourage drivers who show improvement.
  8. By producing brand ambassadors for a company. Inconsiderate or bad driving of a liveried vehicle can damage the overall reputation of the company and even impact sales.
  9. Saving Fleet Managers time and the frustration of organising vehicle repairs, changing staff rotas to provide cover, and completing insurance claims.

With the Tracker 365 client portal from AJT Installs, data can be downloaded with a simple mouse click and used to produce reports about vehicles and drivers to give an overall picture of fleet performance and where improvements can be made.

Why not call us at AJT Installs to discuss the benefits of Tracker 365 to your fleet and we can show you how our vehicle fleet management software can help to maximise performance, improve driver behaviour, and reduce costs. In addition, every product bought and installed by AJT Installs technicians gives you complete peace of mind because of our minimum three year warranty.

 

 

 

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The benefits of Tracker 365

microwave sensors on vans

Telematics systems assist Fleet Managers in making improvements across the board, from maintenance and fuel economy to route planning and driver safety. In a recent AJT Installs blog, we talked about our brand new Fleet Management Software system, Tracker 365. In this article, we are going to go into a bit more detail about the benefits of Tracker 365 to Transport Managers and transport/delivery companies.

Tracker 365 from AJT Installs provides real-time data and time-saving automated processes to monitor every vehicle in a fleet, making it easier for Fleet and Transport Managers to meet their objectives, save the company money, and reduce time spent on administrative tasks.

At AJT Installs, our expert technicians have experience in a range of sectors, including delivery services, transport, logistics, public transport and even the emergency services. Contact us for a demonstration and we will show you the benefits of Tracker 365 to your business.

The benefits of Tracker 365 - Improved driver safety

One of the main benefits of Tracker 365 is that it can help to improve driver behaviour and, therefore, safety. The data relayed to a computer in the office provides managers with valuable insights into how well, or badly, their vehicles are driven. This just wasn’t possible before telematics systems.

A traditional tachograph only detailed time, speed, and distance, helping to monitor the time spent behind the wheel to ensure proper breaks were taken at the right intervals. They could not show details regarding driver performance or alert Fleet and Transport Managers to dangerous driving habits.

The data provided by Tracker 365 can be used for several different purposes, all of which help to improve driving:

  • To show driving habits that increase wear and tear on the vehicle
  • To highlight bad habits that increase fuel consumption
  • To demonstrate dangerous driving for example, tailgating or harsh braking
  • To highlight gaps in existing driver training programmes
  • To develop training programmes to combat bad driving, tailored to individual driver needs
  • To improve safety by adding insights to written safety policies
  • Be used to incentivise good driving habits!

Although there may be some resistance from drivers when first installed, one of the benefits of Tracker 365  is the positive effect it has on drivers who know they are being watched. The likelihood of them taking risks while out and about is greatly reduced, and it is in their interests to make sure they drive safely too!

Reduced insurance premiums

Many insurers see telematics systems like Tracker 365 as a benefit in both reducing costs to the insurance company in the event of an accident and reducing the risk factor associated with bad drivers and their risk profiles.

The data downloaded from Tracker 365 shows precise historical and real time information regarding accidents/incidents. It can, therefore, be used to generate accurate risk profiles of drivers, demonstrate a good track record, and substantiate a low accident risk to insurers.

In the event of an accident, cameras installed on the vehicle provide eye-witness evidence. This means claims can be settled quickly with no extra or unnecessary costs, or an argument about who was at fault! This can be a big benefit, reducing the time needed to process claims and the burden on companies to prove a driver was or wasn’t responsible. It makes things easier for insurance companies by speeding up the process and having the incident recorded as it happened.

Another major insurance benefit of Tracker 365 above other systems currently on the market, is that video can be downloaded either from the portal or the DVR card installed in each vehicle, and there is no limit! Most vehicle camera systems either won’t allow video to be downloaded directly from the hard drive in the DVR, or if they do, it is only up to around five minutes but with our system you can download as much as you want.

If you have to insure plant, you will be pleased to learn that one of the benefits of Tracker 365 for plant is that it includes an asset tracker. This is a real benefit to companies when negotiating insurance premiums.

Saving on fuel costs

We have already detailed the benefits of Tracker 365 for reducing bad driving habits. But these bad habits can also waste fuel. During instances of overrevving, harsh braking, unnecessary and hard acceleration, fuel is wasted!

An 2016 RAC report based on 1.000 UK businesses with telematics systems installed, found that 55% of those companies stated a reduction in fuel costs. This is a major benefit following the recent steep rises in the cost of fuel.

Effective route planning can also have an impact on fuel economy, for example, to avoid delays where engines idle, congestion charges, accident black spots, etc. The data can be used to map out the most efficient way of getting from A to B – an invaluable asset for delivery companies! With Tracker 365, vehicle cameras can also be viewed live through the portal, with no buffering! This can give a Fleet Manager vital real time information about congestion, delays, accidents or other hold-ups and ways other vehicles can avoid them.

It also shows if a driver is using the vehicle for non-work related stops or journeys as you can not only see where they are in real time, but also where they’ve been.

Longer life for fleet vehicles

And the benefits of Tracker 365 on improving driving, don’t end there. Fleet vehicles will last longer, bringing huge cost savings when multiplied across a whole fleet. There will also be savings in maintenance costs over the life of the vehicle because better driving reduces general wear and tear. Vehicles will spend more hours working for the benefit of the business with fewer hours in the garage having worn tyres, clutches and gearboxes replaced.

Cuts time spent on administration!

If you have been a Fleet Manager for any length of time, you will know how many hours a day you used to spend on administration:

  • Checking logbooks
  • Manual checking of tachographs
  • Producing reports
  • Talking to drivers about delays and congestion
  • Monitoring the fuel consumption of each vehicle
  • Maintenance schedules
  • Unplanned maintenance
  • Route planning
  • Driver rotas

And the list goes on. But with the Tracker 365 client portal, you only have to hover the mouse over a vehicle to see where it is and whether it is moving or stationary. Clicking on to that vehicle will show its previous journeys too. Data can be downloaded with a click of the mouse and used to produce reports, saving Fleet Managers time they would have spent on manual processes and administrative tasks.

Why not call the experts at AJT Installs and we will talk you through the benefits of Tracker 365, to your business, and how it can help you to maximise efficiency, enhance security, and reduce costs. What’s more, because we don’t want to add to your list of worries, every product bought and installed by AJT Installs technicians carries a minimum three year warranty for your peace of mind.

 

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Tracker 365 for Fleet Managers

Tracker 365 for Fleet Managers

At AJT Installs we understand the complexity of Fleet Management, whether it is cars, vans, buses, delivery, or emergency services.

No matter what the size of organisation, it is essential for profits that fleets are efficient, productive, operate safely, and comply with regulations.

This means ensuring drivers have the right qualifications, vehicles, and equipment to carry out their duties safely, while keeping expenses such as insurance, maintenance, and fuel consumption as low as possible.

Fleet Tracking systems can help to provide timely information for making crucial decisions.

Taking on board the needs of our clients, especially those operating HGV fleets, we decided that we wanted to offer a cost-effective, easy to use telematics system to help to maximise fleet efficiency.

And so, the Tracker 365 Fleet Management Software system was born, which can be fitted to single vehicles or an entire fleet.

Tracker 365 transmits real time information to enable Fleet Managers to fulfil their responsibilities effectively, as well as past journey details.

Tracker 365 includes a tracker, an immobiliser, and 360° camera, all fitted by our team of expert installers.

What’s more, we can fit sensors required for congestion areas, reversing/turning speakers, and LED and beacon lights for both decorative and safety purposes.

Simply contact us to arrange a date for the installation, and we will let you know how long fitting will take, depending on the size of your fleet, and the number of accessories you require.  

This will enable you to plan your logistics with minimum down time for each vehicle.

Changing Times in Fleet Management

Fleet Management is getting ever more complicated.

The fuel crisis resulting from the Russia-Ukraine war has seen unprecedented price rises, so making sure that your fleet is running as efficiently as possible at all times, is imperative.

The addition of Brexit, which saw as many as 60,000 drivers leaving the UK (according to some reports), has shrunk the pool of qualified HGV drivers, making recruitment and retention of good drivers difficult.

It is easy to see why being a Fleet Manager or Transport Manager is such a demanding and complex role.

And this is just scratching the surface, without taking into account changes in regulations such as the Highway Code and the introduction of Low Emission zones!

What is Tracker 365?

The constantly changing factors outlined above make it more important than ever to make sure that fleets run at optimum performance levels 24/7.

Effective Fleet Management requires:

  • Visibility of all vehicles while out on the road
  • Automated processes to cut down on paperwork/administrative tasks

Installing Tracker 365 from AJT Installs provides the necessary information and automation to make it easier for Fleet Managers and Transport Managers to monitor vehicles in real time, while at the same time reducing the number of manual tasks and paperwork.

Our Fleet Management Software has a tracker (with or without immobiliser) for each car, van, lorry, bus, emergency vehicle, truck – whatever type of vehicle you have in your fleet. It also includes a 360° camera, which can be  forward-facing, driver-facing, blind spot, load area, and/or reversing.

The advantage to installing a forward-facing camera is that it can provide footage in the case of an accident or dispute.

Some insurance companies may even reduce premiums if they are aware you have forward-facing cameras installed in your vehicle assets.

On the other hand, if the camera is driver-facing, it can alert you to bad or potentially dangerous driving habits and whether a driver is adhering to company policy, for example eating or using a mobile phone while driving.

In addition, camera footage can be used in training programmes to make drivers aware of what constitutes good and bad practice whilst they represent the company out on the road.

If you have plant and you are worried about theft, Tracker 365 for plant also includes an asset tracker.

Although normal trackers can be fairly easily found by plant thieves, they often overlook asset trackers, so having these fitted at the same time can prove a real bonus.

Tracker 365 Client Portal

Once installed by the AJT Installs experts, clients receive a full demo.

When ready to go, clients can then log into their own Tracker 365 portal online, which will show their personalised dashboard.

The dashboard lists every vehicle fitted with a tracker and hovering over individual vehicles will show where they are and whether they are stationary or moving.

A simple click on a particular vehicle will show its current status and previous journeys. It is very straightforward to download journey reports and statistics, which can provide invaluable information regarding route efficiency, fuel consumption, delivery progress, etc.

Fleet Managers can also view the vehicle’s camera live through the portal.

The downside to some camera systems is that live viewing can often take a long time to buffer before you can view it.

But with Tracker 365, you can rest assured that the connection is virtually instantaneous.

Another advantage of the AJT Installs Tracker 365 camera system over other systems on the market, is the ability to download video, either from the portal or from the DVR card installed in the vehicle.

Most camera systems, especially when they are part of an on-board telematics system, won’t allow downloaded video directly from the DVR card, and if they do, only for a maximum of five minutes of footage.

The advantage of Tracker 365 is that there is no limit – you can download as little or as much as you wish!

Why install Tracker 365?

If you are still unsure about whether to install Fleet Management Software, we thought we would list some of the major Fleet Management benefits, that we will explain in more detail in another AJT Installs blog:

  • Improved driver safety
  • Reduced insurance premiums
  • Reduction in fuel costs/improve fuel efficiency
  • Efficient route planning
  • Longer life for fleet vehicles
  • Less admin!
  • Setting up boundaries, such as avoiding locations at certain times of day, or congestion zone charges

Contact the experts at AJT Installs for everything to do with fleet telematics and to find out how Tracker 365 can help Fleet Managers to track their assets 24/7, and the benefits the system can bring to your business.

We have experience in a number of different sectors including logistics, transport, delivery services, emergency services, and public transport. In addition, every product bought and installed by AJT Installs has a minimum three year warranty for your peace of mind.

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Software for fleet management

How fleet management software helps with fleet driver behaviour

It’s okay, we understand that when it comes to fleet management there are several schools of thought.

After all, it was your job as a fleet manager to set up those spreadsheets to help you to manage compliance, vehicle maintenance, driver rotas, licensing, fuel, and mileage etc.

But using spreadsheets is not the most efficient way to run a fleet today.

Although Excel is low-cost and you spent time in the beginning setting everything up, the burden of accurate data entry and the constant updating of information costs a heavy toll in time and people resources.

Companies are continually looking for ways to cut costs by being more efficient and using spreadsheets might be preventing efficiencies in fleet operations.

In this article, we are going to show you how spreadsheets could be holding you back from achieving efficiency objectives and how the time-saving automated processes of fleet management software like Tracker 365 from AJT Installs can simplify and streamline admin by providing real-time data for every vehicle.

Contact our expert technicians for a demonstration and they will show you the benefits of Tracker 365, so you can get rid of those cumbersome spreadsheets once and for all!

Using spreadsheets for fleet management – the pitfalls

One of the main problems with spreadsheets is that they are passive.

They can only relate the information you have put into them in the first place!

They hold so much information that they become difficult to use because of their sheer size, and information can easily be missed – not an effective way to ensure compliance.

Using spreadsheets to manage fleet vehicles throws up a number of issues:

Human error

No matter how good your staff are, there is always the chance of an inputting mistake, a figure in the wrong column, a misread form, an important reminder missed.

Humans are fallible and it is impossible to be 100% correct, 100% of the time.

Ineffective way of using resources

There is a reliance on filling in paper forms and logbooks with information that then has to be added to the spreadsheet.

This means that time is spent on printing and filing forms, along with the need for filing cabinets to store these documents.

And again, you are relying on people to enter the information correctly on to that form in the first place.

When it comes to looking up or checking that important information, time is wasted searching files for the right piece of paper.

Technical issues

You need data storage too!

Spreadsheets take up space on company servers.

A glitch in the system or  a malware attack could mean lost access to vital fleet data and could result severe disruption and compliance issues.

There is also the issue of multiple users updating spreadsheets e.g. Google Sheets at the same time.

It can be confusing as one user deletes or overwrites the work of another, increasing the risk of errors occurring.

The alternative of only allowing one user to enter data is slow and inefficient.

Keeping track

The amount of data contained in a spreadsheet from individual vehicle and driver information to scheduling maintenance can be difficult to keep track of as a fleet expands, especially when it is reliant on manual inputting into individual cells.

The bigger the fleet, the more difficult it becomes to navigate and stay on top of the inputting and retrieval of data.

Reports

Generating accurate reports is essential to the role of a fleet manager.

But with spreadsheets, reports are often manually produced or rely on integration with reporting software.

Retrieving the right information in report form can be costly, time consuming and inefficient because reports are using historical data, not real-time information.

Insurance claims

Spreadsheets cannot help you when it comes to accidents involving your fleet.

You have to trust the word of those involved, which could tie you up in lengthy disputes with the insurance company.

 

All of these issues build up into one an admin headache for fleet managers, as well as a drain on company resources – people, time, and physical storage space.

Although spreadsheets are free or only have a minimal cost, they are expensive resource drains in other ways.

Your staff waste time on data inputting and retrieval, chasing timesheets and logbooks, while drivers are irritated by completing them. The historical data they contain does not help fleet managers to be proactive, and reporting functions are limited.

How can fleet management software help?

Fleet management software automates the admin side of a fleet manager’s job with minimal data inputting and retrieval at the touch of a button, while automatic reminders ensure that important milestones are not missed.  

It gives you an overview of every vehicle in the fleet from an operations and compliance perspective, as well as highlighting running costs via fuel consumption and maintenance schedules.

With Tracker 365 from AJT Installs you can save all the time previously spent on administrative tasks such as maintenance schedules, route planning, checking logbooks and tachographs and producing reports.

This frees up your time so you can be more proactive in making improvements to fleet efficiency through:

  • Effective route planning to avoid congestion and roadworks
  • Accident prevention through monitoring and training drivers
  • Driver safety through in-vehicle cameras
  • Cutting out time-consuming paperwork – banish those spreadsheets!
  • Highlighting where fuel savings can be made
  • Instant data downloads to produce up to the minute reports
  • Real-time vehicle tracking
  • Quick resolution to insurance claims through real-time recording of incidents

In the Tracker 365 client portal, hovering the mouse over any particular vehicle will show you where it is now.

With just one click, you can see its previous journeys and download the data to produce an accurate report about the vehicle, making auditing simple and straight forward.

Knowing where every vehicle in the fleet is in real time, its condition, driver behaviour, when maintenance is scheduled, its running costs and records ensure fleet managers keep on top of compliance and licensing requirements without having to retrieve data from a spreadsheet!

For a demo of how the AJT Installs fleet management software works, call our expert team and we will show you the benefits Tracker 365 can bring to your fleet management. And you have the added peace of mind that we offer a three year warranty on every product bought and installed by AJT Installs technicians!

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What are the benefits of vehicle trackers?

Following on from our in-depth guide to immobilisers in the last AJT Installs blog, we thought we would examine the benefits of vehicle trackers for fleet management in a bit more detail.

In this article, we will address what vehicle tracking is, the different kinds available and how the advantages of installing vehicle trackers in fleet vehicles are about much more than improvements for theft prevention and vehicle recovery after the event.

So, keep reading to discover more about how the benefits of vehicle trackers can help fleet managers with many aspects of their job from insurance and saving money to improvements in safety and customer service.

How does GPS vehicle tracking work?

GPS technology has been a game changer for professional fleet management.

The technology in tracker systems enables communication between each vehicle and the office, providing information such as:

  • Vehicle location
  • Direction of travel
  • Length of journey
  • Hold-ups/route obstruction
  • Live traffic information

There are two basic systems available.

Passive tracking collects and saves information and data that can be downloaded later, whereas active tracking sends information in real time.

Some systems offer both options.

More sophisticated functions available include:

  • Maintenance reminders
  • Historical journey information
  • Driver behaviour analysis
  • Fuel consumption
  • Electronic tachographs/timesheets
  • Theft prevention/immobiliser
  • Geofencing, so an alert is transmitted when a vehicle moves out of a designated area
  • Compliance
  • And in some cases, asset tracking

If you would like to talk to us about how the benefits of the Tracker 365 from AJT Installs – our own fleet management system – for your fleet, please contact us and one of our knowledgeable technicians will talk you through the features and benefits of having real-time data at your fingertips.

So, how does this technology help a fleet manager on a day-to-day basis?

The benefits of vehicle trackers

The advantage of instant access to information about where their vehicles are, how they are being driven, the mechanical health of vehicles, and where there may be possible delays to journeys bring many insights and benefits to fleet management.

Cut down on paperwork!

Paperwork is the bane of every fleet manager’s life!

But this is no longer the case.

Making everything digital saves time and reduces the possibility of inputting errors.

Time consuming reports are a thing of the past when the click of a button produces reports using up to the minute and accurate data.

Journey time, fuel calculations and customer expectations can be handled proactively.

The time previously used to input manually and generate reports can now be spent on proactive tasks.

Timesheets or driver hours are accurate as there is no chance of errors through manual completion and inputting/correction.

Data and information can also be more easily shared with other departments, and in a timely manner as and when necessary. 

Where fleet management systems really excel is in helping fleet managers with compliance, which you can read more about in an earlier blog.

Route efficiency

Productivity is increased while downtime is reduced when fleet managers can plot accurate and efficient journeys by taking any accident blackspots or hold-ups into consideration.

Monitoring vehicles in real time and noting where time is wasted can be used to cut the number of minutes the engine is idling.

Vehicle efficiency is optimised by avoiding known obstructions or selecting quieter routes, whilst some routes can be combined to maximise the number of drops/calls per journey.

This reduces vehicle wear and tear and fuel consumption while making more effective use of driver hours.

All these benefits result in better vehicle lifecycle management, a critical part of any fleet manager’s role.

For emergency vehicles responding to a collision, response times can be reduced through efficient route planning, and the time saved has the potential to save lives.

Vehicle Maintenance

Installing trackers in fleet vehicles will allows managers to set up reminders for routine maintenance that will take a vehicle off the road.

Having the ability to plan general maintenance and servicing minimises downtime and reduces unforeseen and costly repairs, while causing the minimum disruption to driver rotas and customer service levels.

Driver behaviour

This was a somewhat contentious issue at first, but fleet tracking software has been recognised as critical to improve safety of both drivers and the general public, as well as contributing to the reduction of vehicle wear and tear and fuel consumption.

On-board data reveals bad driving habits such as over revving, harsh braking, speeding, or swerving.

It is useful information to have from a corporate perspective to demonstrate that drivers are following the correct procedures and not breaking the law, and that they are careful and considerate road users, something that can enhance a business’s reputation.

Although some drivers may not like the idea, if they are shown how vehicle trackers work and the benefits they bring to the job of driving, rather than the negative connotation of ‘big brother is watching what you do’, it will be easier for fleet managers to win them over:

  • Working hours can be tracked more easily
  • In the case of an emergency, help can reach them quicker
  • If they are falsely accused of wrongdoing while behind the wheel, they can be exonerated
  • Routes can be optimised, removing the anxiety and frustration of traffic jams
  • Improvements in driver training

Downloaded information for each journey/driver can be used proactively for driver education and incentivisation, rather than accusation.

When a tracking system such as Tracker 365 is combined with dashcams, it can provide powerful evidence in the case of a collision or accusation of bad driving, which can save time and money on insurance claims or police/court proceedings.

The information can also be used to

  • Improve written safety policies
  • Develop better driver training programmes
  • Generate accurate driver risk profiles
  • Demonstrate a good safety record
  • Reduce insurance premiums

Theft prevention and vehicle recovery

Real-time vehicle and plant tracking means they can be retrieved easily when lost or stolen.

Again, this brings risk down for insurers and can lead to a reduction in insurance premiums.

Immobilisers can be activated remotely to prevent a vehicle being driven away by thieves and then reactivated when the recovery vehicle arrives to collect it.

Reduced costs and better service levels

All of the above when taken together helps fleet managers to optimised drivers and vehicles, reducing costs for:

  • Fuel
  • Maintenance
  • Wear and tear
  • Time idling
  • Route inefficiencies
  • Insurance
  • Unplanned maintenance resulting from bad driving/collisions

Moreover, increased productivity and the streamlining of journeys result in a better customer experience through improved service levels and an increase in profits.

AJT Installs’ skilled technicians have completed Tracker 365 installations across a number of different transport sectors.

We have demonstrated the benefits of vehicle trackers to many fleet managers looking for ways to optimise vehicle and route efficiency while reducing costs and paperwork.

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How fleet management software helps with compliance

How fleet management software helps with fleet driver behaviour

In this article, we are going to take a closer look at how fleet management software helps with compliance.

At AJT Installs, we know that one of the biggest headaches for a fleet manager is managing compliance.

The penalties for non-compliance can be very serious and could have a major impact on a company’s ability to continue trading as normal.

The amount of paperwork involved plus staying on top of amendments or changes in legislation can be daunting, especially for a large fleet.

When you add into the mix the need to ensure that legal changes are communicated throughout the business, it is clear that data needs to be managed efficiently.

Fleet management software like Tracker 365 from AJT Installs, provides fleet managers with instant access to vehicle and driver information so they can better manage the process of complying with industry regulations and legislation.

Talk to our expert team to arrange a demo, so you can see the benefits of Tracker 365 for yourself and how its reporting capabilities can help with fleet compliance.

What is fleet compliance?

Although the rules may differ according to vehicle class, the main aim of fleet compliance is to make sure that vehicles, drivers, and the general public are safe.

In order to do this and to maintain the operator’s licence, fleet managers need to manage the following areas to demonstrate compliance with safety standards:

Management systems should be established for safety and risk, operations/journeys, driver behaviour and vehicle maintenance.

Fleet vehicles have to be maintained, undergo regular inspections, including one by the driver before every shift. They must also be properly equipped.

Drivers have to be medically fit to drive, possess a current licence and have the required certification and relevant driver training for the vehicle. They must comply with the regulations governing driving hours.

How fleet management software helps with compliance

Fleet management software provides a system to electronically record data while vehicles are out on the road, providing a number of benefits:

  • Facilitates vehicle inspection/maintenance schedules
  • Monitors and analyses driver behaviour
  • Cuts down on the paperwork and time required to maintain compliance
  • Ensures data is accurate, avoiding human errors

Having the relevant data at their fingertips means fleet managers have all the information they need to maintain compliance.

Management systems

Fleet management software monitors and stores data about vehicles, journeys, loads, drivers, maintenance, insurance, in fact all the information required to produce accurate reports to support, maintain and amend company policies and procedures.

  • Information can be used to produce risk management policies and ensure compliance with current health and safety regulations.
  • The data downloaded from fleet management software for accidents and incidents can be analysed to compile driver risk profiles and to demonstrate the company’s track record of accidents, how they were handled, insurance claims etc.
  • Reports can be properly documented for both compliance and insurance.
  • The data can be used to review, revise and improve safety procedures and policies and risk management can be reassessed according to new data.

Vehicles

Fleet management software provides comprehensive data for every vehicle at the push of a button, enabling:

  • Effective maintenance scheduling, reducing downtime.
  • Preventative maintenance.
  • Inspection data can be used to highlight mechanical problems earlier, preventing costly repairs and unscheduled time off the road.
  • The production of a report history of faults and how they were resolved for each vehicle.
  • More accurate and timely safety inspections from the data recorded during daily driver inspections, reducing paperwork.
  • Mechanical problems to be identified before they become major issues, which allows operators to demonstrate how they have reduced risk to their own drivers and the general public.
  • Accurate mileage tracking across the whole fleet to ensure even vehicle usage and accurate vehicle replacement forecasting.
  • Route planning to avoid congestion, green charges, accident blackspots etc.

Drivers

Fleet telematics and software monitor and analyse driver behaviour, and the data gathered can be used to:

  • Develop driver training programmes.
  • Demonstrate their fitness to drive.
  • Analyse driving ability in varying road and weather conditions.
  • Produce risk profiles for each driver.
  • Eradicate bad and aggressive driving habits.
  • Reduce the risk of accidents.
  • Accurately record driving hours.
  • Improve accident investigation.
  • Improve safety for drivers and the general public.

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)

We thought it may be useful to talk a little about DVSA fleet compliance and the recognition scheme.

Compliance covers the areas we have explained above, with particular emphasis on:

  • Accident risk/safety management
  • Vehicle maintenance
  • Driver behaviour/training

In April 2018, the DVSA launched an ‘earned recognition’ scheme for operators of:

  • Heavy goods vehicles
  • Public service vehicles

The idea of the scheme is to help fleet operators in these sectors to show that they meet the safety standards required for drivers and vehicles.

Every four weeks, companies upload detailed reports of drivers’ working hours and vehicle maintenance data to a DVSA system.

The data is then monitored against a set of key performance indicators (KPIs.)

What happens if a KPI is missed for any reason?

The company will be contacted by the DVSA with a plan for how the issue can be resolved.

There are several benefits for fleet operators joining the scheme including:

  • Displaying the logo to show earned recognition scheme accreditation
  • To be included on the gov.uk website as having recognition status
  • To prove legal compliance to new and existing clients and demonstrate that the company maintains high standards of safety
  • Reduce the chance of a DVSA visit
  • Reduce the chance of having a vehicle stopped in transit

The DVSA has published a guide to maintaining roadworthiness for commercial good and public service vehicles, which is packed full of useful information, procedures, inspections, record storage systems, regulations, best practices etc.

You can discover more about the DVSA earned recognition scheme on the gov.uk website.

If you would like to find out how the automated process and data recording abilities of Tracker 365  from AJT Installs works and how fleet management software helps with compliance, call us now to book a demonstration so you can see for yourself.

Not only will you benefit from streamlined processes and paperwork, you will also gain peace of mind from our three year warranty on any product bought from us and installed by AJT Installs expert technicians.

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Asset trackers for plant  

tractor - asset trackers for plant

Security has become a major headache for agricultural machinery and heavy plant, especially on construction sites, where protecting the whole perimeter 24/7 may not be possible.

Large assets like earth movers and trailers are expensive investments and as some reports state that as little as 10% of stolen assets like these are ever found, more companies are looking for a better solution to protect their investment.

Asset trackers for plant provide site managers with the means to monitor and track the movement of plant equipment.

Asset tracking equipment pinpoints the location of heavy plant machinery via GPS tracking, providing an invaluable tool for the successful recovery of stolen plant via software on a computer or mobile device.

It can be an essential tool for the management of machinery on a busy construction site, as well as offering peace of mind from a security standpoint.

Plant theft – facts and figures

Police have long recognised the role of plant theft in organised crime, setting up the Plant and Agricultural National Intelligence Unit (PANIU) in 2008.

PANIU recovered 824 machines worth more than £17 million during its ten years of operation, and during its final year, 2018, reported the 650 mini excavators and 463 site dumpers were stolen that year.

When it folded in 2019 because of funding problems in the Metropolitan Police, there was uncertainty about what would replace it.

However, a unit called ‘Agriculture and Construction Equipment’ (ACE), has been set up by the Opal national intelligence unit, funded by donations from a group of insurance companies, the Construction Equipment Association, and the Agricultural Engineers Association.

According to a report by Allianz Cornhill, theft of construction plant in the UK currently totals more than £70 million per annum.

The knock-on costs are estimated to be nearer £800 million, but this kind of theft doesn’t just have an impact on the bottom line. It can prevent companies from fulfilling contracts on time, costing penalties and causing damage to its reputation, which in turn can lead to job losses and a sharp decline in profit.

Site managers have to protect construction machinery and tools not just from the opportunistic thief who spots his moment when a vehicle is left unattended, but from organised criminals who make a living from stealing plant equipment and machinery and selling it on.

They see a construction site as a low-risk opportunity providing high payoff because of the constant demand for heavy plant.

To make things worse, thieves are becoming ever more sophisticated because of the high financial rewards for stealing plant equipment.

Some even go as far as posing as plant mechanics, turning up with fake paperwork and liveried low loaders so they can brazenly drive the plant away right from under the noses of bona fide construction workers.

At AJT Installs, we are passionate about all vehicle security, whether private cars, fleets (buses, emergency vehicle, HGVs), or plant machinery like dumpers, diggers and earth movers.

Whatever the type of vehicle, our fleet management software offers protection 24/7.

One of the benefits of Tracker 365 for plant is that trackers are included.

So, if you are a construction site manager worried about the security of plant assets, get in touch with us today so we can talk to you about your options.

 

Security on construction sites

What makes construction sites prime targets for thieves?

There are a number of factors that when combined, can make them attractive to criminals:

Low risk: Some sites are remote, so the prospect of being caught quickly is slim, offering thieves a better than even chance of getting away clean.

Machinery is often left on-site overnight because removing it every day to a secure location is problematical and expensive. Providing a high level of security around the entire perimeter can be difficult and again, expensive.

High returns: Smaller machinery like mini excavators/diggers and dumpers (the most stolen items from sites), provide tempting targets owing to a lucrative second-hand market throughout Europe.

Opportunity: Keys left on or near vehicles, to make it easy for different operators to use the same vehicle, make easy pickings for those willing to observe and make note of hiding places.

Smaller equipment: Is often not secured and trailers can also be stolen by thieves to transport their main target of mini plant equipment. A kind of ‘two for one’ deal for thieves!

How does asset tracking help?

As the statistics for recovery of stolen plant equipment are only around 10%, vehicle trackers can provide that extra level of protection for high value equipment.

Using GPS technology to provide location details, the trackers give owners a better chance of recovering high value assets if they are stolen.

Provided as part of our fleet management software system, plant trackers have a battery, SIM card, radio frequency and GPS technology and do not require hardwiring to the plant battery, which means they operate independently.

Because they are small, they are easy to place somewhere where thieves will find them difficult to spot.

We also put a secondary tracker on every item of plant, just in case the first one is found and removed!

Construction site managers can see the precise location of the asset using the accompanying software, so any theft can be acted upon quickly and reported to the police with accurate time and location details.

The benefits of asset tracking devices

The benefits to fleet managers of using fleet management software have become apparent over the last ten years or so, but many construction companies are now realising that installing it into high value plant equipment and machinery has many advantages:

  • If you hire plant to other construction companies, you are not in control of its security, so a plant tracker can give you peace of mind that the equipment is where it should be
  • If you have a number of sites with equipment frequently moving between them, you can easily find specific equipment when needed
  • If stolen, the chances of recovering the equipment are greatly enhanced through tracking and being able to notify law enforcement earlier
  • If you successfully recover stolen equipment, insurance premiums will not increase when it is time to renew, and some insurers may offer lower premiums because the chances of recovery are greater
  • Limiting damage to company/brand reputation in the industry
  • Ensuring plant is where you need it, when you need it, every time
  • Peace of mind that you have the ability to track expensive equipment and machinery, 24/7
  • Save money! The cost of installing fleet management software with trackers is low when compared to the cost of losing heavy plant machinery

Plant equipment represents a large capital investment, so keeping it safe is essential.

There are a number of options available with Tracker 365 for plant, such as an immobiliser and geofencing (to prevent the plant from being taken outside the site perimeter fence.)

Talk to our expert technicians at AJT Installs about the advantages of installing our vehicle software management system and the benefits of asset trackers for plant machinery and equipment.

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AJT Tracker 365

Because we are specialists in aftermarket electronic vehicle security, we know how important peace of mind is to our customers. If your car should be stolen and the plates changed, it can prove very difficult for the police to locate and retrieve it on your behalf. In addition, the inconvenience of having to manage without your car, with the added stress of dealing with the police and with your insurance company, is something everyone would rather avoid! So, with this in mind Philip Todd (our founder and managing director) decided to develop the AJT Tracker 365 to help to combat the rise in vehicle theft and to offer our clients a simple, effective and low cost solution for tracking and immobilising their vehicles.

After property, vehicles are one of our greatest expenses, so it makes sense to protect yours by having our tracker installed.  According to plumplot.co.uk, the overall vehicle crime rate in Yorkshire is up 6.9% year-on-year (March 2021 to February 2022), with 30,400 vehicle crimes reported. This figure is higher than the national crime rate for England and Wales, which stands at 28,148 vehicle crimes reported.   With the AJT Tracker 365 you can find out where your vehicle is at the click of a button and immobilise it through our software if it is stolen.

At AJT Installs, we are passionate about vehicle security, so call us for advice about vehicle trackers/immobilisers including our brand new AJT Tracker 365, along with parking sensors, dash cams, and front or rear cameras. We have also produced the AJT Installs guide which details the most stolen models of cars, choices available for aftermarket vehicle security, and steps you can take to protect your car from vehicle theft. You can download our free guide here.

How can I get the AJT Tracker 365 installed?

Installation of our tracker couldn’t be simpler! We will send an expert team to fit the AJT Tracker 365 in your vehicle either at your home or place of work. All you have to do is choose your preferred option from the list, click on it and pay the fixed price, which covers both the equipment and its installation – no hidden extras! We will contact you within 24 hours to arrange a convenient place, date and time to suit you, and if you choose the immobiliser option, it can be fitted at the same time as the tracker – no additional appointment is required. Simply click here to see the available options and book your installation now.

How much does it cost?

Our fitters can install the AJT Tracker 365 in your vehicle for a fixed charge of £120. If you choose to have the immobiliser fitted at the same time, it costs an extra £100. Once fitted, you pay just £8 per month to have access to your vehicle’s tracking data (via an annual subscription), from your client portal. However, if you would prefer a rolling contract rather than an annual subscription, this is just £10 per month to protect your vehicle and have access to all the data.

Please Note: Subscriptions are per vehicle.

How does it work?

Once the AJT Tracker 365 has been installed, you can log on to your client portal on our website or app to find out where your vehicle is, any time, day or night. And if you also chose the immobiliser option, you simply click a button to prevent your car from starting again if it has been stolen. When the recovery vehicle arrives to retrieve it, you can reactivate it with another click, so it can be loaded on to the transporter for delivery back to you.

The client portal also allows you to view previous journeys as well as the current one, so you can see where your vehicle has been. This is especially useful if you are a fleet manager, more than one person uses your car, or if you are trying to cut back on the number of car journeys you or your family makes. You can see the trips you make most often, which may help you to cut back on the number of trips to the same destination. The client portal shows a driver score following every journey and also provides low voltage alerts, which is especially useful if you make a lot of short journeys, and you are worried about the battery going flat.

Lower insurance premiums

With current cost of living crisis, anything that can reduce outgoing expenses and help the household budget to go that bit further must be a welcome bonus. One additional benefit of installing the AJT Tracker 365 is your vehicle could well demand a lower insurance premium, saving you precious pennies. Insurance companies love vehicle trackers and immobilisers because they show driver behaviour, reduce the risk of theft, and improve the rate of recovery should the vehicle be stolen. Trackers can mitigate or reduce the risks posed by poor driving or living in a high risk area. 

For example, incidents of vehicle crime are particularly high in South Yorkshire which appeared in fifth place in the top ten worst areas for car crime in the UK, running at 44% above the national rate. You can read more about vehicle crime statistics here.

Benefits for Fleet Managers

All fleet managers understand that knowing where their vehicles are at any given time is an absolute must, both from a security and productivity perspective. Unfortunately, it is a fact of life that some team members may like to take an extended break or do an additional trip that is not necessarily on their schedule. Also, if one of your vehicles is stolen whilst on its rounds, your team could be left high and dry, to say nothing of the car or van’s stolen contents! With our tracker solution, you are provided with an online client portal where you can see the location of the whole of your fleet 24/7. And should the worst happen and one of your vehicles is stolen, if you have also had immobilisers fitted, one click of the button will prevent the car/van from being restarted until the recovery vehicle arrives to pick it up.

If you have questions about vehicle security and how the AJT Tracker 365 can give you peace of mind, please just get in touch. We will be happy to provide advice to ensure your vehicle has the protection it needs, whether provided by our new tracker/immobiliser, parking posts, dash cams, or front or rear cameras.