Managing a truck, let alone a whole fleet of lorries, is no mean feat! You can get by using simple methods to manage operation of a single vehicle, however, managing several Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) requires you to look at things a bit differently. Fortunately, there are various truck fleet management solutions available to help you oversee your truck fleet.
Implementing truck solutions which involves vehicle telematics to effectively run your business which is on a larger scale is the best way to start things right. We hope that this article will give you a good overview of the available options for HGV fleet management, of which In Car Telematics can mostly help you with.
Truck Fleet Management Software
Fleet management software is the ultimate all in one solution, offering complete fleet services on a single platform. Reducing costs, improving efficiency, keeping your fleet compliant, are just a few of the many benefits it provides.
In Car Telematics recommend using Trakm8 which an industry-leading diagnostics. A trusted, effective solution that we have been using for our clients for years.
This 360° solution offer the following:
Need help with your truck fleet management software? Call our specialist at 03337 720 418 or email info@incartelematics.com. We can advise you the best solutions and do all the installations for you as well!
Do you prefer individual solutions instead of using truck fleet management software? Please read ahead:
Tracking Solutions
Stay in control of your truck fleet using real time fleet tracking solutions. With the right advance solution, fleet tracking will help your business improve performance, make operations more efficient, lower costs, improve service quality, as well as remain compliant with the ever changing and toughening regulations. Increase your fleet’s visibility, set geofence alerts, monitor driver behaviour, manage vehicle maintenance, reduce your operational costs, and more.
In Car Telematics supply the most advanced GPS and GSM truck fleet tracking solutions.
This is the right solution for your business or organisation if you intend on improving control and enhancing operation whilst also reducing outgoing costs, increasing profit margins, meeting duty of care laws, benefiting employees, controlling assets among many other benefits.
Contact us today to discuss your fleet tracking requirements. Our expert specialists can will offer you the best solutions to maximise your fleet’s efficiency.
FORS Packages
Fleet Operators Recognition Scheme (FORS) offers an accreditation process that transforms fleet businesses into industry pace setters and leader in fleet transport best practice. With the help of FORS, you can “Prove you’re safer, smarter, and greener”.
There are 3 FORS accreditation packages available:
FORS Bronze
- Mirror (class V) fitted to the nearside
- Mirror (class VI) fitted to the front
- Side protection fitted to both sides
- External warnings to vulnerable road users of hazards around vehicle
FORS Silver
- Close proximity blind spot sensor alarm system
- Manoeuvring warning alert when turning left or reversing
- Camera system monitoring nearside blind spot
FORS Gold
- Camera system monitoring nearside blind spot
- In-cab display screen with a view of nearside blind spot
This is just an overview of the FORS packages. Please contact us for more details. Whatever package you are aiming for, In Car Telematics can help your fleet comply with all the requirements.
Alarm & Immobiliser Systems
Having the right fleet alarm and immobiliser system will provide protection for your vehicles and assets. Alarms and immobilisers are often used together for maximum safety and security.
Truck Fleet Alarm Systems
Did you know that around 75% of sold vehicles do not come with an alarm as standard? Installation of an alarm system will help deter thieves or vandals and will alert you if an attempt has been made. With vehicles becoming more difficult to steal, thieves are now simply breaking in stealing anything they can get their hands on such as mobile phones, tablets, vehicle accessories, or even your shopping!
Our alarm systems of choice is from Autowatch which is one of the original and best providers of vehicle protection. In Car Telematics can supply and install various Autowatch Thatcham approved alarm systems. From the essential CAN Bus universal alarm system which can be fitted to any compatible new vehicles, to comprehensive remote ultrasonic alarm upgrade system which has security features that includes battery back-up siren, auto re-arm alarm, auto-arming alarm, ignition anti-hotwire, anti-key theft facility, and more.
Truck Fleet Immobiliser Systems
Research shows that car theft is reduced by 40% with uniform application of immobilisers. Immobiliser systems utilises electronic security device fitted to the vehicle which prevents the engine running unless the key is present. Immobilisers has been mandatory for new cars sold in UK since October 1998. Add-on immobilisers are still available for older model vehicles and those that do not come with it as a standard.
Autowatch Transponder Immobiliser works exactly as factory fitted transponder immobilisers but is not integrated into the ignition key with no batteries or receptacles to worry about. This immobiliser is ideal for heavy goods vehicles (HGV).
Features include:
- Coded transponders
- Pin-code override
- On-board immobilisation
- Circuit 3 immobilisation
Ignition anti-hot wire
Contact ICT to discuss Thatcham approved Alarms and Immobiliser Systems that will suit your truck fleet, call 03337 720 418
Advanced Run Lock (Keyout) Systems
With a run lock or keyout system, the vehicle can be safely left unattended with the engine running, even with the key out of the ignition. This keeps out opportunist theft or unauthorised movement and allows continued operation of ancillary equipment without getting the batteries flat.
Key features include:
- Provides safety for unattended vehicles to avoid theft or unauthorised movement
- The engine is immobilised with any unauthorised attempt to move the vehicle
- Ideal for commercial operators that requires use of ancillary equipment such as cranes, road-side assistance, refuse collection, etc.
- Driver is alerted when subsequent attempted restarts are made
Call 03337 720 418 for more details regarding run lock systems
Pedestrian/Cyclist Warning Systems
Aside from the safety of the driver and the vehicle itself, as you know, it is also important to be mindful of our surroundings whilst driving. We are now sharing the road more with cyclists and pedestrians as the nation gets more environmental, health and fitness conscious.
It is a common knowledge that one of the main things that truck drivers should be careful of are blind spots. It is quite challenging to drive a large vehicle because of this.
Thankfully, there is an excellent solution for this, which is the side scan pedestrian and cyclist warning system. Which does the following:
Provides additional assistance on blind spots
Warns cyclists and pedestrians of a manoeuvring vehicle
Alerts driver of any obstacles and other road users
The side scan warning system uses a unique traffic light style display which offers a visual and audio alert.
Ideally used in combination with other solutions such as corner protect, marker 90 reversing aids, as well as camera systems, the side scan warning system will provide you a solid truck safety solution.
We know that every truck fleet is different. In Car Telematics offers bespoke solutions. Contact us at 03337 720 418 to discuss available options for your requirements.
Marker 90 Trailer Reversing Sensors
Large vehicles such as trailers have limited visibility, which increases safety risk to anything in the vicinity and the driver itself. Driving trucks is not straightforward in itself, and reversing these huge vehicles is even more challenging. Fortunately, there are now systems in the market that helps drivers when reversing. These devices are usually sensor or camera systems which give drivers greater control by providing more visibility or awareness of what is happening at the rear of the vehicle.
What is Marker 90?
The Marker 90 Trailer Reversing Sensor System by Autowatch helps prevent accidents, damage, and injuries. The system is specifically designed for HGV trailers and 7 tonne rigid bodied lories to aid the driver when reversing.
The conventional wired systems on lorries doesn’t work unless coupled with a matching system. Meanwhile, wireless systems are costly to maintain and are prone to radio frequency interference (RFI). Marker 90 reversing sensor system is an independent LED reverse parking aid. Unlike the usual reversing systems or cameras which uses a buzzer or monitor fitted in the vehicle, this system works on its own and is powered by the reverse light.Â
It is available in 2 models:
Marker90250 – For vehicles without a tail lift. Detection zone starts at 2.5m and final constant zone is at 0.45m.Â
Marker90295 – For vehicles with a tail lift. Detection zone is the same as Marker90250 (starts at 2.5m and final constant zone is at 0.45m) however, the dead zone D is ignored.
Camera Solutions
For 360° Camera Systems and Front Facing (FFC) Accident Cameras, please refer to our camera solutions page.
Truck Fleet FAQs
Thatcham Research evaluates alarms, immobilisers, and other vehicle security equipment. After evaluating the characteristics and functionalities of these devices, they are awarded with Thatcham Security Certification. Thatcham Categories are the ratings given to these grades, and approved equipment are referred to as ‘Thatcham Approved.’
Following a change in Thatcham Research’s classifications, there are now seven Thatcham device categories:
‘Does your vehicle have an immobiliser or alarm?’ is a common auto insurance inquiry. This is because these devices have a big influence on a car’s security, and the safer a car is, the less likely it is to be stolen.
As a result, if your automobile is equipped with an immobiliser, insurers may consider it to be less likely to be stolen, resulting in a cheaper insurance rate. Yes, an immobiliser can reduce insurance premiums. However, bear in mind that because insurance premiums are calculated based on a variety of variables, an immobiliser is not guaranteed to lower your rate owing to the effect of these other factors.
Want to know more about our alarm and immobiliser solutions? Call +44 3337 720 418 to speak with one of our experts.
An immobiliser is an electrical device that prohibits a car from starting without the right key or key fob.
Immobilisers were first introduced in 1992. Since October 1998, all new automobiles in England and Wales have been obliged to have factory installed immobilisers that come as standard and are installed during the production process.
If your automobile was built after October 1998, you may be confident that its immobiliser came as standard.
If your automobile was built before that date, and you want to know if it contains an immobiliser, the simplest method to find out is to contact the manufacturer or reference the owner’s handbook.
You may also have your automobile checked out by a skilled mechanic, who should be able to tell you whether or not it has an immobiliser.
Thatcham is the motor insurers’ automotive research centre which is established in 1969 by the motor insurance industry. The aim of Thatcham Research is specifically maintaining safety standards which ultimately leads to containing or reducing the cost of motor insurance claims.
Thatcham is the only not for profit insurer funded research centre in UK with the forefront of vehicle safety, security, and repair.
Thatcham Research so far achieved:
- 1974 – First research to control the cost of repair (doorskins)
- 1989 – Opened Thatcham Training to improve body repair standards
- 1993 – Creation of Thatcham Standards to address car theft
- 2004 – Researched better car seat design using Hyper G sled
- 2007 – Joined Euro NCAP to add whiplash testing expertise
- 2011 – Focused on Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- 2014 – Thatcham’s Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) Tests added to Euro NCAP’s 5 Star Rating
2016 – Creation of Automated Driving Insurers Group (ADIG)
- 2017 – Funding for research framework for assessing vehicle cyber risk
- 2019 – New research into electric vehicles and lightweight structure
In Car Telematics ensure that most of our vehicle solutions are Thatcham approved whenever possible. Contact us to discuss a tailored package for your vehicle or fleet.
A vehicle bus is an internal communications network interconnecting components inside a vehicle. On the other hand, Controller Area Network (CAN bus) is a robust vehicle bus, a message-based protocol which allows microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other’s applications. CSS Electronics likens CAN bus to our nervous system as it enables communication of parts of the vehicle without needing a host computer.
CAN bus is simple and practical to integrate as it is fully centralised and extremely robust. Furthermore, CAN bus reduces error, it’s lightweight, uses less wiring and is reasonably cost effective.
Vehicle applications of CAN Bus includes but are not limited to:
- CAN bus determines if engine can be shut down when stationary (automatic start/stop) by collating various inputs around the vehicle including steering angle, air conditioning, engine temperature, and speed sensors. This improves fuel economy and emissions.
- Inputs from the vehicle’s tilt sensor, road speed sensors, and seat belt sensors are all integrated through CAN bus which controls electric park brakes.
- CAN bus receives signals when the reverse gear is engaged to activate parking assist systems. Aside from the parking sensor system, the door control module for the passenger side as well as the rear windscreen wiper are all set in motion to make parking a smooth operation.
The inputs from the parking sensors are also used to provide outside proximity data to driver assist systems such as lane departure warning and collision avoidance systems.
CAN Bus is essentially a vital part of vehicle telematics providing more information more than a dot on the map.
A geofence is a virtual perimeter for a real-world geographic area as described by Wikipedia. Geo-fence is basically a virtual geographic “fence“. Geofencing combines current location of the device with its proximity to area(s) of interest.
Set areas are dynamic and can be any shape or size; a straight line from point A to B, or a 50-mile radius from a city. Geofences can include a particular address, radius around a location, and predefined zones or boundaries. Multiple active geofences is possible as well.
Among its numerous applications, geofencing is known to be vital in telematics. With an integrated fleet tracking solution, here are few of the various ways geofencing can benefit your business:
- Monitor the time your vehicles leave and arrive at a certain area
- Manage and automate time sheet logging for your mobile staff
Receive an alert if a vehicle or asset is moved from your site without authorization
- Gather important data to improve your operation
Telematics can do a lot for businesses. There are endless advantages that telematics can offer; below are just a few of the many vehicle telematics business benefits.
Interested to know more about vehicle telematics business benefits? In Car Telematics (ICT) offer various solutions for cars, vans (LCV), trucks (HGV), plant machinery, and assets. ICT takes pride in offering excellent service on telematics installation as well as high level customer support.
Contact us to discuss more about what we can do for your business.
Wondering what telematics can do for your business? Whether you have a company car to manage, taxi fleet, fleet of trucks, or assets to track, vehicle telematics can help.
Telematics is an essential tool that helps optimise several elements in fleet management. Telematics help with fleet management by collecting real-time data which includes location, fuel use, vehicle speed, driver behaviour, and more. It also helps identify other issues that may arise as they occur.
Having all these important information at hand allows for easier, more effective and efficient fleet management.
Data allows managers to plan ahead, improve operations and staff, ensure safety and security, and a lot more possibilities.
Source: Comparesoft
Interested to know more about how telematics help with fleet management? We would be delighted to discuss this more with you! In Car Telematics (ICT) is a leading specialists in vehicle solutions. We take pride in offering excellent service on telematics installation as well as high level customer support.
Contact us to discuss more about what we can do for your business.
Pricing for telematics for fleet management can vary depending on many factors including size of the fleet, number of users, features or customisation requirements, implementation, and deployment.
Fleet management telematics cost is usually either annual or monthly subscription.
The subscription may include the following:
- Fleet management software which interprets the data and can be accessed any where, in any device
Telematics device that needs to be installed on each of the fleet’s vehicles
- Cloud hosting which will deploy the fleet management software
- Tech support which is available remotely
With the endless possibilities of telematics these days, telematics cost can range from £8 to £40 per month per vehicle depending on the exact needs of the business.
