The number of options of telematics providers on the market can be overwhelming when trying to determine which would work best for a company. However, these five key features are essential for waste management companies and can increase productivity and boost overall fleet operations.

By Wyn Partington

 

Many industries today have found ways for technology to handle tasks that once required an employee to complete. However, solid waste and recycling businesses still rely heavily on employees and their vehicles to get the job done. Efficient business operations are extremely dependent on efficiency out in the field. If materials collection is a disorganized process or if field employees experience delays on their routes, it can throw off operations for the entire business.

Luckily, a telematics solution can provide insights into field operations for business managers. However, there are a number of telematics options on the market today, with different features and price points, so it can be challenging to determine which is best for the company. When considering a GPS fleet tracking solution, there are five key features that waste companies should look for: fleet tracking, fuel management, route optimization, maintenance and reporting.

 

#1: Fleet Tracking

Fleet and asset tracking are the fundamental features that waste management companies seek when shopping for a telematics solution. With a number of employees and expensive assets out on the road throughout the day, it provides peace of mind to business managers to know where their employees are and if they are safe. Having a clear picture into the status of company employees and vehicles provides managers with the information they need to improve fleet operations.

As an added benefit, the tracking feature can help resolve any customer service issues that might arise related to materials collection. If a customer complains that their waste or recycling is not being collected routinely, managers are able to pull up a vehicle’s report and can confirm whether or not the stop was made. Companies can also set up geofences, or virtual perimeters, around locations that trigger an alert if an asset leaves the designated area and instantly notifies management of any unauthorized use. Having this insight allows managers to confirm routes and employee activity throughout the day.

If collection vehicles are left unattended overnight, this feature is helpful to prevent theft. Tracking devices placed on assets make it easier to share the location of the stolen vehicle with police, allowing companies to recover the asset faster, saving both time and money.

 

#2: Fuel Management

According to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report, on average, gas prices have dropped across the country. However, gas prices are a constantly fluctuating and necessary cost for fleets, which can make it difficult to plan expenses. Fuel tracking and management is a top feature that waste management companies should consider when selecting a telematics solution. A comprehensive fuel management solution provides data that allows users to track, monitor and analyze fuel consumption so companies can improve efficiencies, reduce fuel waste, account for purchases and improve buying behavior.

Detailed fuel reports allow management to identify any behaviors that are not fuel efficient, such as idling, or identify any vehicles that may require maintenance and are not operating at an efficient level. When managers are equipped with these tools and data, companies can proactively address any wasteful practices, which put more money back into the company’s pocket.

Free fuel card integration is an option that waste management companies should look for, as it offers a complete view of fleet operations and fuel consumption. Gas card data, fuel card transactions and purchase information are all pulled into the GPS fleet tracking solution’s dashboard. Managers are able to run reports to better analyze and understand the company’s fuel use and consumption. Companies are also able to set limits on fuel-related purchases by integrating fuel cards into company operations, which ensures purchases made are business-related and can reduce the risk of fuel slippage or other wasteful behaviors from occurring.

 

#3: Route Optimization

Route planning and optimization is another key feature waste management companies should consider in a telematics solution. Employees spend hours of their day in the car, traveling along routes to collect waste and recycling materials. Route optimization takes all locations and stops in a vehicle’s route and orders them to create the shortest route. In addition, optimized routes and additional stops can be dispatched to an employee’s in-vehicle Personal Navigation Device (PND), with voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions, eliminating the need for the driver to pick up his or her cell phone to receive a route or directions.

Route optimization increases company productivity by providing daily itineraries and routes to drivers. While collection routes may remain routine, slight changes will automatically update within the solution and seamlessly notify the driver. These optimized routes ensure drivers are traveling in the most efficient way possible, allowing them to complete more jobs in one day while also increasing visibility into the field from the main office.

 

#4: Maintenance

Ongoing maintenance is key to keeping vehicles and assets running efficiently.  If a vehicle is unavailable due to unexpected repairs, it can throw off a company’s entire day and productivity.  Waste management companies should look for a telematics solution that offers maintenance modules that provide schedules, logs and reports to ensure vehicles receive needed routine maintenance.

Automated maintenance schedules can be set up to alert managers when it is time for upkeep and repairs, ensuring routine maintenance is occurring consistently. Maintenance logs provide details regarding all services performed, so all employees assisting with vehicle maintenance can easily pull up a vehicle’s maintenance history. In addition, managers can customize and pull the data they need for a complete picture of their fleet. Alerts can be set to inform managers of when maintenance is needed based on odometer readings, engine hours or other checkpoints. Properly managing vehicle maintenance helps optimize vehicles and keeps them running at their most fuel-efficient levels.

 

#5: Reporting

Reports are provided with most GPS fleet tracking solutions, but not all reports are created equal. Companies should seek an option that offers a variety of customizable reports with information on all aspects of fleet operations including routes, fuel usage, maintenance and driver behavior. Reports should be easily accessible and available via automated delivery or ad hoc reporting with data on a single vehicle or the entire fleet.

The number of telematics providers on the market can be overwhelming when trying to determine which would work best for a company. However, these five key features are essential for waste management companies and can increase productivity and boost overall fleet operations. | WA

Wyn Partington is the Vice President of Marketing at NexTraq (Atlanta, GA). NexTraq’s applications—Fleet Dispatch, Fleet Metrics and NexTraq Connect—deliver real-time data needed to optimize fleet operations. With nearly 20 years of experience in the technology industry, Wyn has a diverse background in development, marketing and demand generation. He can be reached at (800) 358-6178.

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