Getting Smart About Fleet Management

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Finding the right fleet management tools and technology can be a hassle. I’ve been there.

Proprietary solutions are expensive and don’t play nicely with other devices, while point solutions keep data in silos that separate tracking from management and reporting.

But with the rising price of fuel and customer demand for on-time services and delivery, businesses can’t afford not to streamline fleet management operations to increase productivity and profit.

A smart fleet management solution does more than just simple GPS vehicle tracking. It provides actionable data about the condition of the vehicles in your fleet while helping you meet FMCSA compliance regulations.

What if you could eliminate out-of-route miles and idle time?  A mere 10 minutes of labor shaved off your schedule could save $50. A reduction of just two miles a day could save $100 each month PER VEHICLE.

This is how I do it.

Pedigree Technologies’ OneView can help you answer the questions, “Where is it?” and “When will it get there?” Learn more about OneView for Fleet Management.


Jack Knows Asset Tracking and Management

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I used to lose track of things. I wouldn’t know where all my equipment was or where it needed to go next until the paperwork was processed at the end of the day, or sometimes even the week.

Despite their size, those trucks, generators, bulldozers, and trailers can be awfully tough to keep track of.

Unless you’re smart about it, that is.

I’ve transformed my operations by connecting to all my assets in real-time and getting actionable insight into the health of my machines.

In the time it takes you to watch this video, I can pull up a report that shows where all my assets are right now, where they were, and where they’re headed.

When your business operations depend on high-value mobile assets, knowing the location and status of each is critical to not only you, but to your customers.

Mobile asset tracking and management improves your bottom line and differentiates you from the competition, whether you’re tracking oilfield assets, agricultural equipment, or heavy equipment rentals. Even better, it’s the first step in moving from preventative to predictive maintenance.

Learn more about how you can track, monitor, and deploy your powered and non-powered equipment in real-time with Pedigree Technologies’ OneView solution.


Connecting with technology: Introducing “Just-in-time” Jack

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Pedigree Technologies "Jack"As an operations manager, I never had much time for technology. I was too busy working and keeping my business running. And let’s be honest, all that techno-talk was usually way over my head. I mean, clouds are those white things up in the sky, not something I’m going to put all my proprietary information on.

­­But my cousin, Chip, is big into all that computer stuff (we call him Chip — you know, like Microchip –because he loves technology. His real name is Will). Anyway, he wouldn’t stop hounding me about using software to “streamline my operations,” as they say. I resisted, but when I learned how much money I could save, not to mention cutting down on those 13+ hour days, I gave in and decided to give it a shot.

Now I can monitor everything from my trucks, inventories, equipment – even the air conditioner in my office building – from my computer, phone, or brand new tablet (courtesy of Chip), anywhere I have access to the Internet.

With all this “real-time” data, I can find my closest employee, with the right parts or inventories, and dispatch them directly to a customer, even sending them turn-by-turn directions so they don’t get lost! And the continuous monitoring allows me to catch equipment problems or inventory shortages before the equipment fails or the inventory runs out. By catching these before they become outages, I’ve saved my customers a bunch of money and kept them from having their own unhappy customers to deal with. They’re so happy with me they’re referring me to all their friends. They’ve even come up with a new nickname for me: “Just-in-time” Jack.

Nothing is better than making your customers happy — except maybe the extra time for fishing or sports with the guys. And by finally connecting some of that technology I kept hearing about, I’m able to keep them happy without living at the office – or breaking the bank.


DOT Issues Final Rule Restricting Use of Hand-Held Mobile Phones by CDL Drivers

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The U.S. DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Organization (FMCSA) has issued a final ruling to restrict the use of hand-held mobile cell phones by CDL drivers. The final rule may be accessed here.

While this rule does not ban hand-held mobile phones by commercial motor vehicles (CMV) drivers, it does significantly restrict the use of those devices while driving.

Be sure to read the full report for details on the restrictions and penalties that will go into effect 30 days after the rule is published in the Federal Register, which is anticipated to take place next week.

Learn how machine-to-machine technology can help you stay compliant.


Verizon Wireless and Pedigree Technologies Reroute Traditional Fleet and Field Service Management through Tablet-Based Applications

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Integrated Cloud, Tablet and Machine-To-Machine (M2M) Solution Addresses Key Federal Regulations for Truck Drivers While Optimizing Service Operations with Service Chain Management

Pedigree Technologies has partnered with Verizon Wireless to offer an integrated cloud, tablet, and M2M solution  that addresses key federal regulations for truck drivers while optimizing operations with end-to-end service chain management.   The companies will be offering OneViewPOV, a suite of tablet applications for Fleet and Field Service management that makes the mobile enterprise more productive and profitable. Read the full announcement.


Fleet and Field Service Managers, What’s Your POV?

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Do you know where all your assets are, right now? What time that service truck will arrive at its destination? Or, better yet, if the scheduled stop is even needed?

Efficient, compliant, and profitable Fleet and Field Service Management simply can’t happen without a real-time connection to the mobile workforce.

The technologies needed to make this connection are those we already depend on every day, on and off the clock—Internet access, a mobile device or two, and machines.

On the job, what information is most critical depends on your point of view: operations manager, driver, field service worker, customer. But no matter our point of view, we’ve come to expect information on-demand, in real-time.

M2M + Cloud + Tablet = Service Chain Optimization

Software as a Service (SaaS) provides the cloud-based information and automated processes to run operations; tablet applications bring visibility and enable pro-active planning and collaboration with the mobile workforce based on the most up-to-date conditions; and M2M communications lets your assets join in the conversation to tell you where they are, whether they’re healthy, and how much fuel is left in the tank.

An integrated cloud, tablet, and M2M solution lets Fleet and Field Service operations managers optimize their service chain through Condition-based Service Management (CbSM) while addressing federal regulations for truck drivers.

Electronic on-board recorders (EOBR) automate the process of tracking hours of service (HOS) and eliminate the hassle of paper logs and human error. Tracking hours of service electronically decreases compliance violations while increasing time management for the fleet and field and addressing regulatory compliance requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Meanwhile, dispatch planning, navigation, field communications, and machine diagnostics are optimized as a result of real-time information exchange among the enterprise, its mobile workers, and its machine assets.

Connect your mobile workforce to the enterprise via the cloud. Read more about the benefits of an end-to-end Fleet and Field Service Management solution to learn how it can help boost efficiency–and profit–for your operations.


Pedigree Technologies Named to the 2012 CW 100 by Connected World Magazine

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Pedigree Technologies of Fargo, ND, the leading provider of web-based logistics and field service automation solutions to the energy, agriculture, field services, and transportation and logistics industries, today announced that it has been selected to Connected World magazine’s 2012 CW 100, a prestigious list of the most innovative technology providers of M2M and connected devices.

“The CW 100 represents the best of the best in the M2M industry,” said Alex Warner, President and CEO, “We appreciate the award and the recognition for the phenomenal market adoption of our Service Chain Management solution.”

The CW 100 represents the top companies that are demonstrating significant market traction and pursuing game-changing technologies in connectivity. The list provides a guide to the companies making a difference in connected devices and M2M, as chosen by the editors of Connected World magazine. From those that have long established their expertise to organizations just emerging in the market, the CW 100 is made up of innovative companies that are leading the charge when it comes to M2M.

“Each year as M2M gains in popularity, industry stalwarts work to entrench themselves into the connected devices industry and CW 100,” says Peggy Smedley, editorial director, Connected World. “As the market continues to grow, the fight to find a position on the CW 100 becomes increasingly more challenging, yet desirable.”

Companies appearing on the CW 100 are chosen from a selection of hundreds of firms, both private and publicly traded. The criteria for the listing include: sales and earnings growth, contribution to the connected-devices space, and innovation in multiple markets served during the past 12 months.

“The CW 100 gives us a look at which companies are helping to bring the most sought-after devices to the world,” says Mike Carrozzo, chief editor, Connected World. “Whether they are developing business solutions or consumer products, these companies are really pushing the envelope regarding what is possible with M2M technology.”

 

About Connected World Magazine

Connected World is the definitive resource on connectivity trends and mobile lifestyles. The magazine and Website are the authoritative voice that set the direction for influential individuals looking to take innovation and emerging technology to the next level. By shaping the way readers embrace connected devices, Connected World helps make the present look more like the future. www.connectedworldmag.com

 

About Pedigree Technologies

Pedigree Technologies is a leading provider of web-based solutions that give organizations real-time visibility into operations and empower them to locate, track, and monitor stationary and mobile assets worldwide. Built on a unique and scalable platform, Pedigree solutions bring together disparate information to help companies increase operational efficiencies, improve workflow, manage inventories and logistics, and maintain equipment—all in one simple system. For more information, visit www.pedigreetechnologies.com.


In the world of machine-to-machine software, service is still king

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Let’s think about the aesthetics of a vast network of connected assets and equipment, proactively communicating with your workforce. How overwhelming do you find a network of 1,323 trucks sending GPS, routing, dispatch, compliance, safety, billing and work order data over complex cellular and satellite networks, seamlessly and in real, or near real-time? How about monitoring the consumption rate, current levels and projected days-of-inventory for 872 fixed and mobile bulk tank sites, across different grades of petroleum and chemicals, in a six state area? Or the tracking of 723 trailers, of which 422 are refrigeration units needing to be monitored for quality, cold-chain assurance, chiller diagnostic information and logistic coordination?

Machine-to-machine SaaS (software as a service) providers should be able to seamlessly bring this information to you in a comprehensive and user-friendly solution. Forget manual data retrieval and the accompanying inaccuracies.

But what happens when one of those connected assets doesn’t ‘report in’? Can you ask your connected fork-lift to, “Call me back on a land line. You’re cutting in and out on me and you still need to give me your location and engine hours.”? Or “Can you hear me now, mobile generator 3? I was trying to run a diagnostic report and then schedule maintenance but you hung up on me.” Do you or your IT team really know how to speak back to this new workforce of connected assets and machines? Do you have the time and resources to become an expert?

With the myriad of software service providers out there, how do you evaluate which one is right for your business?

At its core, if something does go wrong, you shouldn’t be calling your software provider, they should be calling you. If they value your business, if they understand the costs of your operations, if they have made an effort to understand how this technology will ultimately transform the way you do things, and if they have designed their technology to deal with these important demands, then they will know that system and network downtime, bad devices, and ineffective, poorly developed software is not acceptable.

Until next time,

Alex


Joining the Connected Enterprise: Reliable partners are critical to success

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Many in the machine-to-machine (M2M) technology space like to evangelize a coming connected future. A ‘real-time enterprise’; your whole business ‘connected’. Indeed, current technology has reached a point where it has become cost-effective to connect operational assets, equipment and products to the Internet, achieving new levels of efficiencies and service not thought possible before.

Before you jump on the first bandwagon you see, ask yourself a question that M2M fanatics may not be asking you: Is it really as easy as it’s made out to be? Have your competitors really implemented these technologies with no hiccups? Guess what, the old rule holds: nothing in life is as easy as it seems BUT good partners make it easier.

As you start to engage potential partners, keep the following two things in mind:

#1) Not all hardware is created equal. Nothing has changed: the right tool and the right device for the right job. It is important that you, the customer, understand that just because we can force the proverbial square peg into the round hole, doesn’t mean we should. In the world of ‘connected assets’, the wrong or poorly-designed device, without enough ‘smarts’, can lead to costly dispatches, costly replacements or upgrades and costly downtime, in addition to losing precious profits and operational savings. Frustration! You need to work with partners that understand and are able to assess whether hardware will do the job correctly, and who are not limited by the types of devices available on the market (i.e. in-house proprietary quotas) that may increase downtime and create substantial technical problems.

#2) You need a good software partner. Ask yourself, does my software provider help me manage this network of mobile assets and fixed equipment? If you are going to rely on this data to transform the way you do business, you need to be able to rely on it working properly. Your software service provider supplies the all-important glue to make this ecosystem work. They should not only be aware of the performance of their own applications, but also the condition of the networks powering the devices, and the quality and security of the devices that are capturing and delivering the data.

It’s possible to achieve the benefits of a scaled network of assets and equipment, while proactively communicating and working with your labor force to deliver the goods, services and operational harmony of your company on a wide scale; however, identifying reliable partners, both for hardware and software service, are critical to the success of these new technologies.

 

Until next time,

Alex


Welcome to the new Pedigree website!

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Welcome to the new Pedigree website!  It’s been months in the making and our marketing team deserves a pat on the back for a job well done.  We hope you find it easy to use and informative.

As you navigate around the site you’ll see some familiar themes for Machine-to-Machine applications to manage plant, property and equipment – we haven’t changed our core business.  What has changed is the evolution of OneView into a platform for operations management. 

When we launched our HVAC-R monitoring application we were overwhelmed by the amount of interest it generated for moving to predictive maintenance and Condition-based Service Management (CbSM).  It’s clear that the abilities to close the operations loop and automate the workflow of the mobile workforce has set us apart from the myriad of fleet management and asset tracking point solution providers and we wanted to reflect that in our marketing, messaging and the website.

Please share your thoughts, interests and concerns with us, we’re always striving to improve.

Thank you,

Ian

Ian McPherson
Vice President-Marketing and Product Management
Pedigree Technologies