ROGERS FLEET MANAGEMENT
Rogers Communications launched its own wireless asset-tracking and logistics tool at Montreal’s Expocam truck show on April 12. The mFleet product, powered by the Quadrant system developed by WebTech Wireless Inc. of Burnaby, B.C., services a mix of fleet types – from transportation and logistics fleets to service and municipal vehicles. It will be available in three formats: mFleet for service fleets, mFleet for transportation logistics fleets, and mFleet for trailer and asset tracking. It’s a complete turnkey fleet-management system, providing vehicles with GPS locators to communicate over the Rogers Wireless network in real-time to mFleet Quadrant, a secure, hosted software application that can be accessed on any Internet connected computer. A return on investment of 10 to 15% is possible within 6 to 8 months of implementing the system, Rogers says. The company adds that it spent two years reviewing North American fleet-management-system providers before settling on WebTech. mFleet offers fleet managers and operators real-time automated vehicle mapping, intelligent management reporting, and vehicle diagnostic reports. Using mFleet’s locator hardware with GPS and engine diagnostic technology, messages from vehicles connect in real-time to mFleet Quadrant, a secure, Web-based hosted mapping and reporting software application, over the Rogers Wireless network. Each mFleet customer receives automated driver timesheets, custom geofencing, odometer readings, maintenance scheduling, and much more. The claimed benefits vary from less engine idling time and fuel consumption to lower insurance costs through improved vehicle and asset security. mFleet for service fleets improves technician and driver accountability on gas-powered vehicles while allowing dispatchers to optimize routes, schedules and time-sheets. Managers will be able to reduce fuel costs, determine maintenance issues before they become costly, and grow revenue by increasing daily service calls. Drivers are also provided with added protection through lone-worker panic buttons. Rogers says mFleet for diesel-powered transportation and logistics fleets enables managers to improve truck and trailer productivity while reducing downtime and increasing truck utilization. Cost-effective U.S. roaming packages for cross-border trucks are provided as well as in-cab mobile data terminals with driver-log and fuel-tax software, including up-to-date industry compliance parameters. Untethered trailers and other mobile assets can be kept safe by monitoring unauthorized activity and can be better utilized. Refrigeration units can be monitored remotely and recorded to ensure the proper temperature of perishable goods or medicines are met.