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This article was first published on Warehouse and Logistics News in June 2021.

Today’s fleet telematics system is a far cry from the simple vehicle location solution it was before. Instead, it has evolved into a pipeline of data that connects fleets to warehouses, machines, and people over high-speed connections. Supply chains are more agile, efficient, and cost-effective when this ecosystem of the constantly moving parts work together symbiotically.

Sensors, software, and computing devices are embedded in logistics components, equipment, and systems which enable them to collect, send and receive relevant data. A central management system provides a dashboard of operations while enabling users to drill down into specific metrics to provide a greater understanding of operations and make strategic decisions.

Given its prominent role in the supply chain in enabling product movement, fleets (trucks, vehicles, and forklifts) are regarded as the most important components in the supply chain. Fleet telematics use GPS technology and wireless connectivity to provide warehouse management information on vehicle and driver performance, vehicle location and diagnostics, and how the fleet capacity is utilised.

What Are The Benefits Of Fleet Connectivity?

Increased Efficiency

Connectivity and digitisation enable you to automate manual processes, such as fleet inspections, real-time communication like re-routing to avoid traffic or redirect to high-priority loads, and optimising vehicle performance through timely diagnostic alerts.

Enhancing Safety

With connectivity, you can control access to ensure the fleet is never operated without a proper inspection or by unauthorised personnel. Connected equipment can alert you every time there is an impact, providing an opportunity to investigate the cause and implement corrective actions. It reduces accidents, monitors driver behaviour, and ensures that you meet your duty of care.

Improving productivity

Connectivity provides the data to measure and improve operator productivity, helping you understand why some operators are more productive than others and identify the best practices and additional training required to increase overall productivity. Routes, fuel usage, driving habits, speed and maintenance schedules all provide valuable data to improve productivity.

Optimising, utilisation, and uptime

Telematics can accurately measure how your fleet is utilised. With maintenance status, breakdown notifications, and service schedules, it ensures that there all vehicles are adequately utilised and reduces idle time.

What Components Should Be Considered For Fleet Telematics?

Software

The fleet management solution is the heart of the system. It should be easy to integrate with all the different warehousing systems you have in place.

Installation

Fleet software should be easy to install. The technology has advanced to the extent that fitting the device should be quick and without the help of an engineer.

Connectivity

Supporting real-time alerts requires good connectivity, whether in the warehouse or on the road. Typically, data is gathered from remote trucks and vehicles and typically transmitted over a mobile network. The logistics industry is set to be one of the biggest winners with the imminent roll-out of 5G due to the low latency, high speed, and capacity to connect multiple devices at the same time without affecting performance. In-building mobile connectivity solutions are set to overtake Wi-Fi in the not-so-distant future.

What About Cel-Fi?

Cel-Fi smart signal boosters from Nextivity are the best solution on the market to keep your fleet and warehouse connected. Unlike other unlawful boosters in the market, Cel-Fi products are mobile network approved and can be used without a licence. Cel-Fi products fully comply with Ofcom’s UK Interface requirement 2102 (IR2102) (UK) and ComReg S.I.No.283 of 2018 (Ireland). The Cel-Fi commitment is to protect the operator’s network, deliver the best in-building and in-vehicle mobile performance, and be the easiest solution to install.

The Cel-Fi GO M is an evolved smart in-vehicle mobile signal booster that automatically adapts to the moving environment and boosts 3G / 4G / 5G for voice and data.

Cel-Fi GO X, SOLO and Quatra are in-building mobile signal solutions that are designed to improve mobile signal strength with up to 100db gain for 3G / 4G / 5G in voice and data.

Frequency Telecom is the master distributors of Cel-Fi products in the UK and Ireland. When you partner with Frequency and buy from us, you can be confident of buying a product that is UK licence-exempt, legal to use and comes with access to a UK technical support team who can help you every step of the way.

The Cel-Fi promise is to protect the operator’s network, deliver the best in-building mobile performance, and be the easiest solution to install.