Blog Feed: The Fleet Beat: A blog for those of us who live and work in fleet management.

How Much Money Can You Save with a Mobile Workforce and Fleet Management Solution?

Published on 2012-05-24 17:00:05

Mobile workforce and fleet management solution can help your company increase efficiency, improve customer service and reduce data entry. However, do you know how a technology solution directly impacts your bottom line? This savings calculator will show you how savings in the field and the office can lead to major operational cost reductions. Click here [...] > read more

Educational Webinar: Strategies for Managing a Safer, More Effective Fleet

Published on 2012-05-16 13:16:56

Safety is a top priority and a main concern for managers of any fleet-based business. Join us for this free, informative webinar to learn solutions for common safety challenges faced by fleet managers that will lead to better business practices and more effective fleet management. Our expert host will discuss solutions to key safety issues [...] > read more

How to Simplify Hours of Service Compliance

Published on 2012-04-16 11:12:40

Coping with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations can be a nightmare for fleet-based businesses, especially if HOS issues are resulting in vehicle downtime. This short demo explains how an automated HOS solution works to manage compliance requirements, eliminate the need for paper logs, and makes inspections and audits easy. > read more

How to Decrease Paratransit Operating Costs Using Fleet Management Strategies

Published on 2012-04-04 16:11:39

Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) and Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) are being used extensively in virtually any industry that employs a fleet of vehicles, and are especially valuable to paratransit organizations. The benefits of AVL/MDT technology combined with scheduling and routing software for paratransit agencies is clear: managers and office staff can use these technologies to [...] > read more

The Ease and Convenience of a Passenger Information System

Published on 2012-03-19 11:19:20

The role passenger information systems play in making public transit easy-to use and convenient cannot be overstated. With more and more passengers carrying smart phones, being able to access trip information from wherever they may be is quickly becoming a familiar demand; being able to easily access trip information is, perhaps, even more important. After [...] > read more

FMCSA Cell Phone Regulations: A Guide for Compliance

Published on 2012-02-21 16:12:47

If you have a bus or truck fleet you need to be aware of the most current FMCSA rules when it comes to cell phone and hand-held device use. On November 23, 2011, a rule was issued that prohibits interstate truck and bus drivers from using hand-held cell phones while operating a motor vehicle. ZoomSafer has [...] > read more

All Hands On-Board

Published on 2012-02-08 11:13:17

Attention Transit Agencies: In case you are unaware, APTA is urging immediate and widespread action by all of its members to oppose the House of Representatives’ proposal to eliminate the dedicated motor fuels tax for public transportation investment. Here is a handy website with a list of actions, including press release and letter templates, to [...] > read more

Strategies to Prepare for Rising Fuel Prices in 2012

Published on 2012-01-26 10:39:34

Guest Blogger Info: Today’s guest post comes to us from Derek Singleton, ERP Analyst at Software Advice. Software Advice helps buyers find the right software for their business by constantly publish product profiles, comparisons, best practices guides and other research to their website. Experts are also available by phone to provide free consultations for software buyers. ______________________________________________________________ Article: Over the last few [...] > read more

Canadian company wins Metro Transit contract in Oklahoma City

Published on 2012-01-12 15:40:58

We would like to take this rare opportunity to toot our own horn and direct you to this press release about an exciting new project in Oklahoma City. Mentor Engineering was awarded a contract by the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority to implement a GPS-based automatic vehicle location (AVL) and passenger information technology system [...] > read more

Putting an End to Distracted Driving

Published on 2011-12-08 16:30:50

The stakes for fleet drivers using hand-held cell phone devices while driving just got higher. This article outlines the regulations and implications from a Department of Transportation (DOT) final rule on distracted driving. Ray LaHood, U.S. Transportation Secretary, has announced a final rule that will hopefully put an end to distracted driving in fleet-based industries. [...] > read more

6 Ways to Improve Your Bottom Line with Electronic Dispatching

Published on 2011-12-06 16:00:35

In the competitive taxi business, having any advantage over your competitors can make all the difference. An electronic dispatching and vehicle location system can set you apart from your competition and help you dramatically increase revenue. This whitepaper will highlight the benefits of an electronic dispatching/vehicle tracking system using examples from taxi companies like yours. [...] > read more

Beyond AVL: A Guide to Selecting a More Effective Mobile Workforce Management Solution

Published on 2011-11-17 16:05:44

Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) is being used extensively in virtually any industry that employs a fleet of vehicles. The benefits of AVL technologies are clear: AVL is a tool fleet managers and office staff can use to access real-time location information for every vehicle under their care. It can also indicate the status of each [...] > read more

Find Your Destination and Get Help Quickly with GPS

Published on 2011-11-15 16:00:56

When you think of GPS, improving driver safety probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind, but this KITV4 news story might make you think twice. This is one story of how GPS is being used to not only help drivers get to their destinations faster, but is keeping them safer as well.  Charley’s Taxi [...] > read more

Defining Rugged: What is Rugged and Why You Need to Know

Published on 2011-11-09 04:00:18

In the world of handheld and in-vehicle computers, “rugged” is often used to describe these devices and is used quite a lot as a buzzword – but what does “rugged” mean exactly? We’ll break it down for you. From a user’s perspective, rugged refers to the device’s ability to operate under all exposed working conditions for [...] > read more

Listen Up: Vehicle Telematics 101 Podcast

Published on 2011-10-25 17:19:21

We have another informative podcast for those of you looking to learn more about vehicle telematics and how vehicle telematics technology can impact your business. This podcast will provide listeners with a comprehensive overview of how a vehicle telematics solution can increase efficiency, scheduling flexibility, customer service, and fleet transparency while saving your organization money.  Also [...] > read more

Listen Up: Resolving Key Mobile Workforce Challenges Podcast

Published on 2011-10-20 17:30:09

Here’s an informative podcast that discusses ten common challenges faced by fleet managers today, and ways to resolve them using strategies that are within reach of any company. Learn from an industry expert with hands-on experience helping companies in the fleet management industry find solutions to issues such as: Data management Inefficient communication Asset tracking Driver behavior Operator safety You will [...] > read more

Taxi Agencies: Learn How to Transform Your Business with Automated Dispatching

Published on 2011-06-29 10:24:26

  Do you want to find out how to dispatch trips faster, perform more trips per day and generate more revenue? If this sounds good to you, check out this short but fun demo which shows you how an automated taxi dispatch system can completely change h > read more

Electronic On-board Recorders: More Than Just HOS Compliance

Published on 2011-06-21 14:47:39

The trucking industry is facing substantial reforms in the face of recent regulatory activity concerning Hours of Service (HOS) compliance and Electronic On-Board Recorder (EOBR) requirements. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) h > read more

Automating Your Mobile Workforce: 10 Ways to Improve Efficiency and Save Costs

Published on 2011-06-14 09:24:04

  Here is a great presentation direct from the 2011 Oil & Gas Expo and Conference in Calgary, AB. This presentation explores how fleet-based businesses can improve the efficiency of operations and decrease costs at the same time with mobile work > read more

Fleet Leader Interview with Michele Whitlock of Ashland Bus System

Published on 2011-06-09 15:06:13

The Ashland Bus System (ABS) operates paratransit buses in the cities of Ashland, Cattlesburg and Westwood, Kentucky. As a relatively small agency, ABS provides over 1200 door-to-door paratransit trips for elderly or disabled passengers each month. I > read more

In the News: How Smartphones Can Improve Public Transit

Published on 2011-04-20 09:37:51

In the battle to get people out of their automobiles and using public transit more, smartphone apps may play a pivotal role. This recent article from Wired explains how smartphone apps are changing how people use and view public transit. A study of c > read more

Why a Mobile Workforce Management Solution is the Key to Efficiency

Published on 2011-04-12 09:40:49

Issues such as inefficient data management, poor communication and wasteful driving habits make it hard to manage a mobile workforce safely and effectively, and are commonly experienced across the Oil and Gas industry. Making your operation more effi > read more

CTA Bus Tracker: Helping Chicagoans Demystify Public Transit

Published on 2011-04-06 09:28:57

The people at Streetfilms have once again demonstrated the power of passenger information systems and open transit data. Their latest video features the Chicago Transit Authority’s ”Bus Tracker” system in action. “Bus Tracker” is a real-tim > read more

Make Mobile Fleet Challenges a Thing of the Past

Published on 2011-03-29 10:07:29

It’s no secret that managing a mobile workforce in the Oil and Gas industry is not easy. Inefficient data management, poor communication and wasteful driving habits can really drag down the efficiency of your operation, but it is possible to overco > read more

Mobile Workforce Management Technology: A Growing Demand

Published on 2011-03-23 09:50:13

In November 2010, Fleet Owner magazine put out an interesting article on a recent Frost & Sullivan study about what fleet managers in the trucking industry want out of their technology investment – and the results might surprise you. We might o > read more

Public Transit and the Waiting Game

Published on 2011-03-18 09:34:16

Here is an interesting article from New York Magazine about how waiting for public transit affects rider satisfaction. Studies have shown that waiting – whether it is for a bus or in line to buy a coffee – is psychically painful. This is due to t > read more

Fleet Leader Interview with Ismaeel Chartier of Union Taxi Co-Operative

Published on 2011-03-15 09:29:37

For the past two years Union Taxi Co-Operative has been serving the Denver Metropolitan Area, and their business has been growing at a rapid pace. Recently, Union Taxi implemented an automated taxi dispatch system combined with in-vehicle mobile comp > read more

Everything Transit Agencies Need to Know About Passenger Information Systems

Published on 2011-03-07 15:39:05

If you’re involved in public transportation, chances are you’ve probably heard some of the buzz about passenger information systems and how they are transforming the public transit experience for riders. Implementing a passenger information syste > read more

A Guide to Solving Mobile Workforce Challenges

Published on 2011-02-28 10:52:02

Issues such as inefficient data management, poor communication and wasteful driving habits make it hard to manage a mobile workforce effectively. Luckily, there is technology out there that can help fleet managers overcome these challenges, while inc > read more

Mobile Workforce Management 101: Part II

Published on 2011-02-21 15:28:04

Kurtis McGeachy, Oil & Gas Manager at Mentor, is back in the second part of his Mobile Workforce Management podcast. Kurtis picks up where he left off in his aim to demystify mobile workforce management. In this installment, he discusses more spe > read more

In the News: Technological Innovation Driving the Transit Industry

Published on 2011-02-16 10:42:51

Here is an interesting article from APTA’s Passenger Transport about the role of technological innovation in public transit. In particular, the article discusses how real-time vehicle location systems lead to better customer information and, in tur > read more

Webinar Alert: Top 10 New Ways to Increase Revenue and Save Costs

Published on 2011-02-08 12:03:41

Managing a mobile workforce in the Oil and Gas industry is not easy. Whether you are in production, liquid transportation, pipeline and facility construction, or are a service organization making your operation more efficient is a challenge. If you > read more

In the News: Public Transit Relieves Traffic Congestion

Published on 2011-02-04 12:59:19

 Here’s a news article from APTA that looks at recent data concerning traffic congestion and the role public transit plays in reducing it. According to the most recent Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) report, without public transit, travelers > read more

A Better Way to Manage Your Fleet

Published on 2011-01-25 11:30:01

If someone were to ask you where a specific vehicle in your fleet is right this moment, would you have the answer? What if they asked you how fast that vehicle was traveling last Thursday? Do you know? If you don’t know, a mobile workforce manageme > read more

Benefits of Real-Time Communication for the Mobile Workforce

Published on 2011-01-20 11:04:08

No matter the industry you are in, if you have a large, distributed mobile workforce standardizing field tech processes is a challenge. Without an effective solution to manage your mobile workers or field techs, your customer service and process effi > read more

In the News: APTA Transit Savings Report

Published on 2011-01-04 09:17:05

APTA’s most recent Transit Savings Report indicates that taking public transportation saves individuals an average of $9,581 a year. Compared to the same time last year, it is an increase in savings of over $400. The report also ranks the top 20 ci > read more

Happy Holidays from The Fleet Beat and Mentor Engineering

Published on 2010-12-22 10:13:53

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Free Webinar: Passenger Information Systems 101

Published on 2010-12-16 17:07:48

Trying to find ways to keep up with the increasing demand for real-time bus status and location information may seem challenging, but is actually pretty easy with a Passenger Information System. Here’s a free webinar that explains what a Passenger > read more

Passenger Information Systems Made Easy

Published on 2010-12-10 10:40:29

Do your passengers want real-time bus information and status updates, but you’re not sure where to start to keep them informed? Are you interested in technologies such as SMS text messaging from bus stops, wayside signs or smartphone apps? This sho > read more

New Technology Keeps Lone Workers Safe

Published on 2010-11-23 16:35:00

  Lone worker safety is a critical issue for any company, but when your field operators work in remote job sites and travel to areas where there is no cell coverage, keeping them safe is a big challenge. This demo shows you how lone worker technolog > read more

Passenger Information Systems 101: Technology, Benefits and Practical Applications

Published on 2010-11-17 14:04:06

In today’s transit environment, passengers are increasingly demanding instant, real-time information available anytime, and from anywhere. Implementing a Passenger Information System is a way to make this happen and increase rider satisfaction at t > read more

M2M in Action: Success Stories

Published on 2010-11-11 11:31:48

You probably know or have heard by now that M2M-based solutions such as remote monitoring, asset tracking and GPS/telematics can do great things for your company. They can save valuable time, money and increase worker safety, just to name a few. If y > read more

Field Service Automation: Challenges and Survival

Published on 2010-11-09 11:27:58

Is your company considering transitioning to automated field service technology? Eliminating time-consuming, paper-based manual processes in favor of an automated system can save your company a lot of time and money, but the transition can be a chall > read more