Telematics has been helping companies improve their logistics operations since the late 70s. While telematics is still important to use, pairing it with new technologies can enhance its capabilities to allow fleet managers to improve overall operational efficiency. As the heartbeat of the supply chain, it's imperative to have seamless, well-coordinated logistics operations to ensure goods reach their destination on time. Delve into the transformative potential of this powerful pairing between telematics and trailer tracking that provides the knowledge and insights you need to navigate the evolving landscape of logistics with confidence and excellence.
Increase Your ROI by Investing in AirFinder Everywhere
- Loss Prevention. Reduce the amount of loss that occurs during the supply chain process
- Location Coverage. AirFinder Everywhere uses a combination of GPS, Cellular, and WiFi to determine location everywhere
- Security Alerts. Know when a delay in shipment has occurred so the problem
can be addressed immediately.
What You’re Lacking When You Only Use Telematics
Telematics provides valuable information that fleet managers can use to optimize their operations. Companies receive data on fuel consumption and driver behavior. This data enables companies to make adjustments when spikes in data occur. But while telematics excels at providing vehicle-centric data, it falls short in delivering the comprehensive visibility needed for a truly seamless logistics process.
While this solution has been helpful to the companies that have used it, it leaves visibility gaps in certain areas of the supply chain. The visibility that telematics provides is centered around the truck and truck operations. There are other pieces of logistics operations that companies need to have visibility of, specifically the non powered assets. When trailers are unhooked from the truck they are attached to, all visibility of them goes away.
Additionally, when using telematics alone, you do not have true visibility of the cargo and pallets being shipped on the trailer. You can only make assumptions based on what was documented before departure, and there’s always the possibility of human error. This blind spot can lead to inefficiencies, delays, and potential risks to your cargo. This is why it’s important to use other technologies to supplement your telematics system. And what should you add to it to gain the visibility you need? A trailer tracking system is a promising answer.
Reasons to Use Integrate the Two Solutions
1. Complete Visibility
When you utilize both a telematics system and a trailer tracking system, you have visibility over every piece of your supply chain. As previously established, telematics helps you gain visibility of your truck. You can use the data collected on fuel usage, driver behavior, and maintenance needs. All this data can be used by fleet managers to make decisions about how to optimize fleet operations. With a trailer tracking system, fleet managers have visibility of their trailers’ location at all times along with the asset inside of the trailer. This way, companies can track the utilization of trailers and pallets to help make wise purchasing decisions. The visibility also helps managers to prevent the loss of their valuable assets. By utilizing GPS trailer tracking, companies can implement geofencing capabilities. This technology allows companies to define virtual perimeters around specific areas, such as loading docks or designated delivery zones. When a vehicle enters or exits these predefined zones, automated notifications can be sent to the customer.
2. Ensure Compliance
There are multiple compliance regulations that fleet managers need to ensure their companies meet. Telematics provides data surrounding fuel consumption, maintenance, and driver behavior. A trailer tracking solution helps companies meet other compliance requirements they face. For instance, a company in charge of distributing perishable items needs to make sure these assets remain at a specific temperature at all times to prevent spoilage. A trailer tracker can be attached to each asset and monitor the temperature constantly. If the temperature falls out of the specified range, managers can be alerted so the problem can be fixed before spoilage occurs. Additionally, some companies need to know details on asset usage. They need data on where assets travel and when. The ease that comes from trailer tracking though automation makes it easy to collect this data and provide it as proof of compliance.
3. Customer Transparency
Through the integration of both telematics and a trailer tracking solution, fleet managers gain unprecedented insight into their operations, which ultimately benefit their clientele. Through real-time location data, clients no longer need to rely on vague estimations of arrival, instead receiving accurate updates on delivery times and potential delays. Such transparency instills confidence and trust in the company's services. In the event of unexpected incidents, telematics and trailer tracking enable companies to promptly inform customers. For example, if a vehicle experiences a delay due to unforeseen circumstances like traffic congestion or adverse weather conditions, the system can automatically trigger notifications to affected clients. This proactive approach demonstrates a company's commitment to keeping customers informed, even in challenging situations. The geofencing feature that comes with trailer tracking offers an added layer of security for the cargo. In essence, the integration of telematics and trailer tracking systems empowers companies to elevate customer transparency to new heights.
4. Sustainability
Sustainability has become top of mind for not just companies but also consumers. Consumers have placed a higher value on companies who are environmentally minded. Through telematics, companies are able to make decisions to drive forward their sustainability efforts, especially efforts to reduce and optimize fuel consumption. With few options for electric trucks and the hefty cost of completely changing to electric vehicles, the easiest way for companies to to reduce fuel consumption is by understanding where excess fuel consumption is occurring. Telematics and trailer tracking can work together to help you. Telematics systems can track fuel consumption and monitor trends, and trailer tracking can alert fleet managers if trucks are running longer than they need to during loading. Through this information, fleet managers can determine any areas fuel consumption can be optimized. Additionally, a GPS trailer tracker can help reduce waste in logistics operations. For example, a company that transports perishable items risks high levels of waste since these perishables must remain at a specific temperature throughout the entire distribution process. If the temperature falls out of a safe range, the items may spoil, which creates waste. Using a trailer tracking device with embedded temperature sensors enables fleet managers to be notified when the temperature of the perishables falls out of range. This way, they can address the situation quickly, preserve cargo, and lessen in-transit waste generation.
5. Make Data-Driven Decisions
Both telematics and trailer tracking technology collect data about logistics operations. By collecting data on fuel consumption by route, companies can make decisions on optimization to save money and improve sustainability. Moreover, telematics systems provide detailed insights into driver behavior. Factors like harsh acceleration, hard braking, and speeding can be monitored and analyzed. By identifying areas for improvement and providing targeted coaching, companies can promote safer driving habits and reduce the risk of accidents or incidents. This not only enhances safety but can also lead to reduced insurance costs and improved driver retention.
A trailer tracking system provides fleet managers with data on trailer utilization. It lets you know which trailers are in use, their current status, and how efficiently they are being utilized. This enables companies to allocate resources more effectively, ensuring that trailers are deployed where they are needed most. By avoiding unnecessary trips or idle periods, companies can enhance productivity. Additionally, data on the usage of trailers provides fleet managers with data to help them make wise purchasing decisions. If trailers aren’t utilized to their full potential, there is no need to purchase more. If it feels like you need more when you don’t, you can use the data to learn how to optimize your usage.
How To Integrate the Two Solutions
If you already have telematics, you need to invest in a trailer tracking system that has the ability to integrate with your existing system. Adding asset tracking to your logistics operations is supposed to enhance the solution you already have; you shouldn’t have to purchase a completely independent system to gain the benefits of both. Post-installation, the software settings of the telematics system may need to be configured to recognize and incorporate the new trailer tracking data. This step often involves assigning unique identifiers to each trailer, establishing geofences, and configuring alerts based on specific parameters like location, speed, or unauthorized movement. Once successfully integrated, the combined system provides a unified view of both vehicles and trailers, allowing for enhanced visibility, security, and efficiency in logistics operations.
Will You Pair These Two Technologies Together?
AirFinder Everywhere is a trailer tracking solution that helps fleet managers gain full control over their supply chain operations. It can be integrated with existing telematics systems to provide managers with full visibility of logistics operations. The system's customizable features empower users to set up geofences, receive alerts, and access critical data through a user-friendly platform. This level of precision and efficiency translates into streamlined operations, reduced downtime, and enhanced productivity.
The integration of trailer tracking with telematics heralds a new era in logistics management. By unlocking unparalleled visibility, companies can elevate their logistics operations to unparalleled heights of efficiency and customer satisfaction. Embracing these technologies empower companies to streamline their operations and position themselves as industry leaders committed to efficiency and customer satisfaction. Book a demo with our team to learn how our trailer tracking solution integrates with telematics to provide full visibility to logistics managers.
