The Benefits of Proper Fleet Management

Fleet Manager with ipad and trucks in the background

Benefits of Effective Fleet Management for Logistics.

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Optimising Business Operations

Introduction

Efficient fleet management is vital for businesses operating in the logistics industry. The ability to effectively oversee and control a fleet of vehicles can significantly impact business performance, customer satisfaction, and overall profitability. In this blog post, we will explore the numerous advantages that proper fleet management brings to businesses in the logistics industry, emphasising the importance of adopting robust systems and strategies. Uncover the Benefits of proper fleet management through and explore how it can optimise operations and drive business growth.

Effective fleet management plays a pivotal role in improving operational efficiency. By implementing advanced fleet management solutions, businesses gain real-time visibility into their vehicles’ locations, routes, and conditions. This allows fleet managers to make data-driven decisions, optimise routes, and allocate resources more effectively. Optimised routing not only saves time but also reduces fuel consumption and minimises unnecessary mileage. Efficient operations lead to faster deliveries, streamlined processes, and increased productivity, thereby enhancing overall business efficiency.

Proper fleet management enables businesses to identify cost-saving opportunities and optimise resource allocation. Advanced technologies, such as GPS tracking and telematics systems, provide valuable insights into driver behaviour, fuel consumption, and vehicle performance. By analysing this data, businesses can identify inefficient driving habits, implement driver training programmes, and reduce fuel consumption. Furthermore, proactive maintenance scheduling and monitoring help prevent breakdowns, minimise repair costs, and extend vehicle lifespans. By optimising routes and reducing idle time, businesses can maximise fleet utilisation, effectively reducing operating expenses and enhancing profitability.

Safety is of paramount importance in the logistics industry. Proper fleet management ensures that businesses maintain high safety standards and comply with regulations. Fleet management systems provide real-time monitoring of driver behaviour, including speed, harsh braking, and acceleration. By identifying and addressing unsafe driving habits, businesses can minimise accidents, reduce insurance costs, and improve road safety. Additionally, fleet management systems help companies stay compliant with licensing, inspection, and insurance requirements, mitigating legal and financial risks. By prioritising safety and compliance, businesses can protect their reputation and build trust with clients and partners.

Fleet management directly impacts customer service and satisfaction levels. Efficient operations enable businesses to provide accurate and timely information to customers regarding delivery status and estimated arrival times. Real-time updates and proactive communication regarding any delays or issues help manage customer expectations effectively. By ensuring reliability, businesses can enhance customer satisfaction, loyalty, and retention. Moreover, fleet management systems facilitate route optimisation, enabling businesses to meet tight delivery windows, reduce transit times, and provide exceptional service to customers. Satisfied customers are more likely to recommend the business to others, leading to increased opportunities and revenue.

Proper fleet management empowers businesses with valuable data insights that can drive informed decision making and facilitate business growth. Fleet management systems provide comprehensive data on vehicle performance, driver behaviour, fuel consumption, and maintenance requirements. By analysing this data, businesses can identify trends, uncover inefficiencies, and make strategic improvements. Data-driven decision making helps optimise operations, reduce costs, and identify opportunities for expansion. With accurate information at their fingertips, fleet managers can adapt to changing market conditions, enhance operational agility, and drive sustainable business growth.

Conclusion

In the logistics industry, proper fleet management is critical for optimising business operations and achieving success. From enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs to improving safety and delivering exceptional customer service, fleet management systems offer numerous benefits. By investing in advanced technologies and adopting effective strategies, businesses can streamline their fleet operations, increase profitability, and position themselves as leaders.

Got The Right Camera System For Your Fleet?

Truck driving on motorway.

Got The Right Camera System For Your Fleet?

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How to choose the right camera system for your fleet

Why you need camera system

Introducing a camera system for your fleet can bring numerous benefits, including reducing accidents, fuel usage and improving driver behaviour to mention a few. However, there are plentiful dashcams on the market and finding the right one can be difficult. 

When considering introducing a camera system

When evaluating the implementation of a camera system for your fleet, it’s important to keep in mind that the market is quite fragmented. Here are a few must have features a fleet management system should include:

  • Advanced Telematics Dashboard
  • Driver Monitoring
  • View Real Time Footage
  • Vehicle Maintenance and MOT Scheduling
  • Detailed Journey Reports
  • Geofencing Capabilities
  • Ongoing Customer service and Support

Want To Learn More?

8 factors to consider when selecting a fleet car camera system

When it comes to protecting your fleet and ensuring the safety of your drivers and other road users, a high-quality camera system is a must. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the right one for your needs? Here are 5 factors to look out for when selecting a fleet camera system:

The most important aspect of any camera is the quality of the video it is capturing. Look for a system with high-definition quality to ensure that you have a clear and accurate record of any incidents. Fleet Witness utilise 1080P HD cameras.

Having an in-cab viewing monitor that can display the imagery captured by the camera system is crucial for empowering your drivers and eliminating blind spots. Fleet Witness use a HDMI monitor for a crisp, clear image.

Different camera systems provide varying degrees of visibility. Consider the types of accidents that your fleet is most likely to have (such as side swipes or rear-end collisions) and check that your camera system can provide you with the visibility you require if your system has restricted coverage.

A complete fleet camera system should include some form of collision detection warning to warn drivers of possible hazards and to give added safety to other road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.

Finally, ensure that all data captured by your cameras are securely stored to inhibit unauthorised access. It’s also good practise to periodically check that your system is functioning as expected. A functional system is a good system. Fleet Witness use the latest SSD technology and our Fleet Witness Live platform will notify you if a camera, or channel fails.

Looking To Purchase A Camera System?

If you’re interested in an installation of a camera system, be sure to visit our Multi-Camera Systems page. Here you can find detailed information about the system and it’s many features. Don’t wait, take the first step towards a safer fleet.

Daily Vehicle Checks LGV Fleets

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Daily Vehicle Checks LGV Fleets

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Are daily vehicle checks for LGV fleets really necessary?

Why do I need to do them?

There is no specific legislation that demands that a business should carry out pre – journey checks on a commercial vehicle under 3500kg, so as a owner or operator of a Light Goods Vehicle (LGV) fleet should you bother?

There are several compelling benefits in incorporating this short task into your drivers daily routine;

The answer is YES!

  • Duty of Care
  • Safety
  • Performance
  • Advanced Telematics Dashboard
  • Driver Monitoring
  • View Real Time Footage
  • Vehicle Maintenance and MOT Scheduling
  • Detailed Journey Reports
  • Geofencing Capabilities
  • Ongoing Customer service and Support

 

Duty of Care

Although as we stated at the top of this article there is no actual specific legislative requirement to carry out daily vehicle checks on your LGV fleet – the employer does have a Duty of Care to ensure that all vehicles that are used for work purposes are safe and compliant.

Safety

Data from the DfT reveals that 3894 road traffic accidents between 2013 -2018 were caused by faulty brakes alone. The cumulative cost of an incident involving a vehicle being driven for work can be enormous, not merely the insurance premium increase, but the knock on costs of – driver injury, HSE involvement, fines, reputational effect, the list goes on.

A quick and easy check list undertaken daily can identify issues before they become a safety concern and can, where correctly undertaken and recorded, prove that correct process was undertaken thereby reducing the onus on the fleet operator

Performance

Daily vehicle Checks allow you to identify vehicle problems before the vehicle breaks down and must be taken off the road.

Breakdowns and unscheduled repair work has a damaging impact on service performance across your mobile fleet, a preventative approach to maintenance not only reduces risk for the driver and the operator but also reduces costs by attending faults before they become extensive repairs.

For instance, identifying a dashboard warning light – which if not reported and of course acted upon can have expensive consequences – often an issue with multi driver vehicles.

At Fleet Witness we understand that the collection and storage of the daily vehicle checks can be onerous for the fleet operator, so we have included in our software a specific function that will collect and collate the daily vehicle checks enabling the fleet manager to identify and act upon the necessary issues in a simple and timely manner, and then schedule the required maintenance so avoiding unexpected breakdowns.

Call us for more information on 0203 897 3600

Digital Tachographs – Downloads and Analysis

Fleet Witness Tacho Downloads

Digital Tachographs-
Downloads and Analysis

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Effortlessly track and analyze your journey with Digital Tachographs

The Back Story.

All commercial vehicles first registered on or after 1st May 2006 that come within EU, GB or AETR rules must be fitted with a digital tachograph.

You can find all the rules and regulations here –

Tachographs: rules for drivers and operators: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Tachographs record information about driving time, speed and distance and are used to ensure that both drivers and employers follow the rules on driver’s hours.

So a digital tacho download and analysis solution provides fleet operators with a quick and painless way of meeting their Driver Hours compliance requirements without a drain on resources.

Fleet Witness’ automated tacho download and analysis offering eliminates the need to manually download driver and vehicle data, not only saving time but also ensuring that you don’t risk missing any crucial infractions .

What are Digital Tachographs?

A Digital Tachograph is a radio-sized device that digitally records driver hours and speeds.

Driver and operator ‘Smart cards’ store the data digitally

Thereafter an operator, can then remotely download the data easily and quickly. Storing and analysing  digitally, in line with regulation and without the time consuming manual recording and analysis. 

How are DTD a benefit to fleet operators

The collected data is mandatory to store and analyse, ensuring compliance;

Other key benefits include:

Reduce administrative burden of tachograph paperwork

Ensure Compliance with EU, GB & AETR regulation

Reduce stress associated with inspections

Making informed decisions on job allocations (who has weekly hours left etc)

How DTD streamlines data collection

Digital Tachograph Data is all remotely downloaded in real-time, so no need for either a driver or a vehicle to attend at site.

Fleet Witness offers you a fully managed service that retrieves your stored data for recording and analysis. Thereafter the system generates scheduled reports directly to your inbox.

 

Fleet Witness can help with DTD

Our system offers a high level of flexibility in the form of configurable downloads, alerts and reports. Enabling you to specify the frequency, design and content of your reporting.

Our ethos is to concentrate on driving business performance. By focussing on  helping to improve your fleet operations and solve your fleet problems, we make sure that the solution always fits your need.

For instance, our system integrates with all of the main hardware and software providers so you don’t need to change the system that you are already using.

Interested in learning more about Digital Tachograph Data, and how Fleet Witness’ automated tacho download and analysis can help simplify and automate driver and vehicle data? Get in touch with one of our team today for a chat about your requirements.

 

Interested in learning more?

Give us a shout in the office and ask for more information – or call us on 0203 897 3600

 

Fleet Witness Live – The Best Solution for Tracking & Video Telematics

Fleet Witness Live

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The Best Solution for Tracking & Video Telematics

Here at Fleet Witness, not only do we supply fleet vehicles with blind spot cameras and tacho downloads, we also have our own tracking video telematics platform. Fleet Witness Live provides fleet operators with the information they need to successfully manage their vehicles. This helps to reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and protect drivers. 

Using the data that is collected, you are able to establish the cause of a traffic collision or both monitor and improve driver behaviour. Fleet Witness Live is the unrivalled solution for tracking & video telematics with remote access to tracking, ongoing support and a fully tailored package, 

The user interface allows you to adjust the layout to exactly how you would like it. You can even customise Fleet Witness Live by changing icons and columns to match each of your vehicles.

What is included in Fleet Witness Live?

Live Fleet Tracking

A live map displaying the location of all your vehicles updates every few seconds, allowing you to see exactly where your fleet is at any given time.

Real-Time Camera Feeds

Connect up to 8 cameras per vehicle, as well as access live video on demand. 

Pinpoint specific locations on the map to easily find footage that you may need to review. There’s even an option to download the footage to your device in the event you would like to review it at a later date. File formats are also incredibly user-friendly and can be viewed on almost any media player.

Detailed Journey Reports

Fleet Witness Live has a clean, user-friendly interface which helps to provide accurate tracking data ideal for refining transport processes. Specific points within a route can be easily selected to obtain bespoke statistics, including vehicle speed and location. With the added functionality to view vehicle footage live, users are able to monitor feeds in the moment, whilst having the ability to assess previous footage.

Not only can you readily receive detailed data, but you are also able to access information on driver behaviour, such as acceleration. 

Geofencing

Track movement of your vehicles after plotting your own virtual geographic boundaries. Create detailed reports of when your fleet enters a specified zone, how long it spends in that area, and when it leaves. You can also set up email alerts for when your vehicles enter your chosen geographical boundaries.

Flexible Reporting

Fleet Witness Live has a report builder which can be manually run or scheduled at different times on certain days. Select as many data points as you need to create a report that is tailored to each vehicle or driver. Some of the data points to choose from include mileage, expenses and site visits. If you have a specific requirement, we can create the report and configure it to your specification.

Why Choose Fleet Witness Live?

If not for our reputation and high-quality services, our hardware and software offers an all-inclusive solution that truly sets us apart from our competitors. These include features such as:

  • True idling reports
  • Fuel theft detection reports
  • CCTV camera solution for fuel security
  • Driver behaviour reports
  • Journey cost reports
  • MPG monitoring
  • Tacho download and analysis

Fleet Witness Live allows you to maintain your historical data while presenting it in a clean user-friendly way. Utilise our range of tracking and on-board video solutions by customising them to your requirements. 


Get in touch with us today to learn more about Fleet Witness Live

The Benefits of the DVS Law and How the Fleet Witness Blind Spot Detection Cameras are the Best Choice

The Benefits of the DVS Law

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How the Fleet Witness Blind Spot Detection Cameras are the Best Choice

The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) is a new law, designed to reduce the risk of close-proximity blind spot collisions. As of March 2021, lorry owners must eliminate all blind spots by adding camera equipment and other enhancements to driver vision.

Today we are jumping into what this law means for fleet vehicles and how our blind spot detection cameras meet the requirements of the law.

What is the Direct Vision Standard law?

The DVS law came into effect in February 2021 and it means it is an offence for any truck over 12 tonnes to be entering London without a HGV DVS Safety Permit.
If you do enter London without a permit, penalty issues will be charged to the operator and the driver where deemed appropriate.

How does this affect fleet vehicles?

Each vehicle will be rated by what is called “the star rating”. You can find your star rating by contacting your vehicle manufacturer. From 2024, the minimum DVS star rating will be 3 and above to enter London.

If you are a 0 star rated vehicle (up until 2024), you are required to fit the following audio/visual technology to improve the safety of your vehicle:

> 1 nearside camera
> 1 in-cab screen
> 1 nearside blind spot sensor system
> 1 nearside external audible turn alarm
> Safety signage

If you are rated 1 or 2 stars, the permit will expire in 2024 and you will have to reapply for a 10 year one. If you are a 3, 4 or 5 star vehicle, your permit will expire in 2030 (or 10 years after the application date).

The benefits of the DVS law

The DVS law has come into effect as part of the Vision Zero initiative to help eliminate death and serious injuries caused by road collisions in London by 2041.

Not only will it benefit drivers of HGV and fleet vehicles but other road users. A collision can affect many lives and that is what this law can help prevent.

Fleet Witness’s Blind Spot Detection Cameras

Our unique camera package can be installed to display individual, or multiple cameras on the in-cab monitor. Switching to a blank screen so as not to distract the driver once the presence of a hazard has passed.

If paired with our active sensor range we can provide further visual and audible alerts to ensure the driver doesn’t miss a hazard. The systems have been designed to aid the driver and not act as a further distraction themselves.

The Fleet Witness Blind Spot Detection system provides fleets with the required equipment to obtain a HGV Safety Permit.

Our kits contain both visual and audible alerts for the driver. As well as external turning alarms to warn pedestrians and other road users when the vehicle is manoeuvring.

Interested in how Fleet Witness can help you implement Blind Spot Detection cameras? Contact one of our sales consultants today to learn more.

Safety at Heathrow

Aviation Plane Stand

Safety At Heathrow

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providing technical services in secure environments

In 2004, Airport Energy Services was created to offer both an air-side refuelling service and management services. The company provides 95% of Heathrow’s air-side fuel. Additionally, it manages fuel supply and fuel facilities at many of the UK’s other airports.

They approached Fleet Witness looking for a technical solution to combine vehicle tracking and connected on-board cameras with the goal of managing their fleet remotely and more effectively.

Interested In Learning More?

In an busy Airport environment, operating a vehicle presents many hazards. Combined with the requirement for ever increased security and data collection, it can be a tricky environment to navigate.

Airport Energy needed a partner who had the correct technology to design a solution for them but also to deliver it. Fleet Witness have a professional deployment team and experience working on Airports.

A single system was deployed, tested and configured to get the required outcome. Once all parties were happy with the trial system the wider fleet was kitted out.

Fleet Witness Airport

In an busy Airport environment, operating a vehicle presents many hazards. Combined with the requirement for ever increased security and data collection, it can be a tricky environment to navigate.

Airport Energy needed a partner who had the correct technology to design a solution for them but also to deliver it. Fleet Witness have a professional deployment team and experience working on Airports.

A single system was deployed, tested and configured to get the required outcome. Once all parties were happy with the trial system the wider fleet was kitted out.

Fleet Witness Airport

“Fleet Witness did a superb job from start to finish; quickly establishing the needs of the project, executing on the plan with an exceptional work ethic to meet a very challenging schedule, and worked painstakingly to ensure everything worked seamlessly. We are recommending their work to other air-side companies.”

Jason Winder – Project Manager

Airport Energy

School Coaches & Minibuses

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School Coaches & Minibuses

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Capturing video and location evidence

Taunton School was suffering from opportunistic people making false claims against its drivers. They needed detailed video and location evidence which only dash cameras can provide.

Want To Learn More?

It was back to school recently for Fleet Witness, when we visited Taunton to fit cameras into their fleet of coaches and minibuses. Set in picturesque grounds, the magnificent building is ‘home’ to pupils from both the UK and abroad. Many are boarding, but around 180 pupils are transported daily from various locations in Somerset. Their safety and security is the school’s number one priority.

The Fleet

Taunton’s fleet consists of three coaches, twelve mini-buses, three MPVs and a couple of utility vehicles, and over the last few years, they have had a number of claims made against them which they were unable to defend due to a lack of evidence. 

The school decided that the only way forward was to install dash cams across the whole of their fleet. A move which has been welcomed by both professional drivers and academic staff alike.

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Fleet Witness worked closely with Taunton School to deploy, test and train the staff on how to manage and use the system effectively. Within days of the cameras being installed footage was captured that provided vital evidence in identifying damage done to one of the vehicles. 

The footage gave Taunton the evidence required to prove accountability.

Reive and Grossart Haulage

Reive&Grossart

Reive and Grossart Haulage

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Understanding and working to improve your business

Established in 1965, Reive and Grossart are a family owned and operated business with many years of experience in their sector; delivering goods safely, on time, and in perfect condition. The ethos is very much about quality customer service rather than volume. The company is small enough to cater to every client’s need but large enough to cope with 1000’s of tonnes on a weekly basis.

“Fleet Witness did an excellent job for us, in taking care of everything we needed. As a haulier, you want your suppliers to be people who are absolute experts in their field, dependable and understanding of the realities of the business, willing to listen, and who care as much about the industry as you do. Fleet Witness are those guys and they continue to support us with excellent customer care. 

Reive and Grossart would be more than happy to recommend Fleet Witness and their services at any time.”

Iain Blackstock
Business Owner

Want To Learn More?

Since safety is very much a priority for Reive and Grossart, they contacted Fleet Witness to enquire about equipping the vehicles with all-around cameras for maximum, 360° coverage. Monitors and DVRs would also be installed, fully equipped with 4G so that clients could remotely access and download the footage.

Being the brains of the system, the DVR is where all cameras and programmable triggers wire back to. When this is correctly set up and configured, it can automatically communicate with our Fleet Witness Live platform, allowing real-time tracking and camera footage, along with detailed insights into journey details, driver behaviour, and more.

Van Theft – Couriers

Delivery Van

Van Theft - Couriers​

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Gathering live data delivered in real time 

“With Fleet Witness Live, we were able to track and recover our stolen vans within less than 20 minutes. The cameras provided indisputable evidence against the criminals.”   

Frank R – S3 Logistics

Want To Learn More?

Fleet Witness recently worked alongside a fleet of courier vans to supply and install a connected 5-camera system. This allowed full 360° visibility around and inside the vehicle, and live GPS tracking abilities from the Fleet Witness Live platform.

Like many companies, they had found their drivers in situations where they had been involved in an accident but had been unable to prove their innocence. Alongside this, their drivers transport valuable goods to customers every day.

Ensuring the safety of these goods is a major priority, it was decided that a 5 camera DVR system with access to the Fleet Witness Live tracking and management platform would be most suitable for the management of their fleet.

In Operation

The courier vans were fitted with five cameras covering all angles of the vehicle. These link back to our DVR – the brains of the operation. Live video footage and location details are automatically sent onto our server.

During a vehicle theft, which took place in broad daylight. Our customer was able to access Fleet Witness Live and find the exact location of the vehicle using our Smartphone App.

Our customer quickly recovered the vehicle and minimised loss of valuable goods, or damage to the vehicle itself.

Van Thief