Smarter Fleet Management with the Cloud

Whether your fleet consists of minivans, SUVs, limos or passenger cars, pickups or even ice cream trucks, running a successful fleet demands much more than just getting from point A to B. If you are currently going through the process of researching fleet management systems and/or wondering if now’s the time to purchase a fleet dash cam and implement some sort of a solution, then you’re in the right spot.

Today, more fleet managers are relying on telematics to keep tabs on their vehicles and drivers. In case the term is foreign to you, telematics is a method of monitoring a vehicle by using GPS and on-board diagnostics to record movements on a computerized map. There are several options for getting a telematics device in your vehicle - buy a car that already has one built-in or purchase a telematics device that you can plug into the OBD-II port in your vehicle.

The original need for a telematics solution was to provide the basic whereabouts on drivers but we all know that managing a fleet is more than just monitoring the “dots on a map” - you need to connect the dots to deliver the best customer experience you can, whether it is reducing window times or offering more competitive pricing by keeping overhead costs (ie. such as fuel costs and insurance premiums) low.  

While telematics can provide a wealth of data to make fleets safer and more efficient, it only tells part of the story. For instance, it will record hard braking, but is it aggressive driving behavior or was it to avoid an impending collision? If you want a more comprehensive account of what happened, you need video footage. By combining dash cameras with telematics data you get comprehensive vision-based evidence to validate insights from telematics systems.

Up until a year or so, the primary role of a dash cam was simply an extension of the office CCTV system - recording drives and capturing incidents that happen on or off the road. Dash cams were effective deterrents against poor driving behavior and provided evidence for disciplinary procedures, but you need more than just virtual eyes and ear - in other words, you need a dash cam that goes beyond just video recording.

Luckily, the advancement of technology, particularly GPS and Cloud connectivity, has opened up a whole new world of possibilities and efficiencies. For instance, fleet managers can now make route alterations to avoid congested roads on-the-fly. Cloud integration offers scope for instant alerts and notifications and thus transforming any vehicle into a “connected vehicle” on and off the road. Connected systems are much more useful than simply downloading footage after an incident.

By studying saved tracking logs, video footage, and driving reports, you can learn more about specific routes and replicate itineraries or plan alternative routes to increase both time and fuel efficiency.

Take location and GPS tracking to the next level with Geofencing, a cloud-specific feature. You can set up geographic zones so you will be notified every time the vehicle arrives or depart the pre-selected location. You can use geofencing to narrow down the delivery time window and to prevent potential unauthorized usage of the vehicle. Behind schedule? You can communicate with drivers directly with an integrated two-way communication function for updates.

Connectivity is key to getting the most from both the video and data collection, and with Cloud integration, fleet managers get real-time access to vehicle location and status, plus vehicle telemetry and a pair of live video feed. The ability to get a real-time view of the vehicle comes in handy especially in the event of an accident - you will be notified when impact is detected, whether the vehicle is on the road or parked, and it puts you in the position to assist the driver and the situation even when you’re miles away and away from your computer - there’s a mobile app for that!

If you need to monitor how your drivers carry out their work, for compliance or other reasons, you can use the cloud dash cam to complete checks remotely. And don’t just see it, hear it as well. Dash cams can capture sound on recordings, offering you the chance to hear how your drivers speak to customers and others they interact with. And often, letting your drivers know they are being recorded helps reduce misconduct and bad behavior, drinking driving, cell phone use while driving and other unwanted behaviors on the job.

Use video evidence to defend your drivers and company from false claims and costly legal battles. Quickly investigate whether or not your driver was at a location at a specific time, and review the footage to get the full story.

Dash cams with parking mode can continuously keep watch over your vehicles and cargo just like a security or surveillance camera. Should your vehicle be vandalized or your cargo stolen when the vehicle is unattended, your dash cam’s video footage will be vital evidence to submit to the authorities and insurance provider.

You cannot afford to lose important video footage. While a tamper-proof case can help you block physical access to the SD card and prevents unplugging of the power and coaxial cables, automatic cloud upload and storage give you the added level of protection in the event the dash cam is deliberately damaged or stolen.

Video recorded by dash cams shows you everything before, during and after an incident, giving you more insights into the factors that may have contributed to the driver’s decision behind the wheel. This way, you can easily pinpoint which drivers need to learn and customize their driving training accordingly, and by personalizing their training program, you can make them more effective and productive. You can even incorporate the footage into your other driver coaching programs as examples of what not to do in given situations, etc.

Worried about the quality of video recording at night or low-light situations? Dash cams have built-in image sensors and image-enhancing technology engineered specifically for night vision to ensure quality footage at all times.

Whether your main goal is to protect your drivers and vehicles, eliminate fraud attempts on your business, keep your drivers accountable, or reduce your insurance premiums, equipping your fleet vehicles with cloud-ready dash cams is a worthwhile investment.

BlackboxMyCar is your trusted partner when it comes to fleets - we have a track record of success with fleets, with satisfied customers like:

Our team of product experts are standing by to help. Give us a call at 1 (888) 978 6560 today.

Here are a few dash cams that we recommend, based on specific needs:

• Thinkware U1000 4K UHD Dual Channel with RADAR Sensor: 4K recording resolution and energy efficient parking surveillance with radar motion detection offer the ultimate protection for your vehicle and cargo when the driver is not around.
• BlackVue DR900S-2CH 4K Dash Cam: 4K recording resolution with strong cloud features to stay connected at all times.
• BlackVue DR900S-2CH IR 4K Dash Cam: 4K recording resolution from the Front camera and Full HD from the In-Cabin camera to capture both activities on the road and in the vehicle.
• BlackVue DR750S-2CH IR Truck: Full HD from the Front to capture the drive while the Full HD Rear camera monitors the activity behind the vehicle. The weatherproof rear camera is designed to be installed on the exterior of the vehicle, perfect for vehicles with tint or stickers on the back windshield.

Looking to equip your fleet with dash cams? Come talk to us, we offer fleet discounts!

The bottom line is, fleet managers need a multi-channel, tamper-proof dashcam system and it needs to be a smart system and is remotely accessible, giving a comprehensive view of the vehicle and the road.

We have seen fleet managers purchasing a simple, low-cost dashcam system only to come back to us within months to replace all the units they purchased with systems that are more suited for the need of a commercial-spec system with remote connectivity. Getting the system right the first time will save you money, time and frustration in the long run, and reduce the risk of unnecessary losses or legal exposure.

Stay tuned as we will be reviewing the BlackVue Over-the-Cloud (and BlackVue Fleet Tracking) and Thinkware Cloud services in the coming week, including an in-depth look into the specifics and the setup procedure to help you make the most informed decision for your business.