By Nikol Hillman, on September 3rd, 2010
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. will raise its consumer tire prices up to 6% on Oct. 1.
The increase will encompass all of Goodyear’s consumer tire brands, including Goodyear, Dunlop and Kelly, says a Goodyear spokesman. The tiremaker is hiking prices in response to escalating raw material costs.
With that in mind… it’s time to review your fleet maintenance program, and how quickly your drivers are going through expensive items, such as tires. Here are some helpful tips to get the most out of your vehicles life and keep your costs down.
Consistent tailgating and speeding will reduce tire life and brake life by about 20%
fixing a serious maintenance problem like a faulty oxygen sensor may improve mileage by as much as 40%?
Idling causes twice as much damage as driving. 1 hour’s idling is equivalent to 80-120 minutes of driving time
Keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure improves gas mileage by around 3.3%
A simple reduction of driving speeds from 65 mpg to 55 mph can result in as much as a 15 percent increase in gas mileage.
idling for over 10 seconds uses more fuel and produces more CO2 emissions than restarting your engine.
Just a few helpful tips, and for more tips, or to find out ways we can help save your company $2500 per vehicle per year, give us a call at 877-467-0326 or visit us at www.gpsfleetsolutions.com
By Nikol Hillman, on August 27th, 2010
By Mike Antich
Many fleet managers deal with drivers remotely because they manage nationally dispersed fleets. Most never meet the majority of their drivers. My question is: Do you really know who is driving your company-provided vehicles? Often the “at-work” persona of an employee is not the true indicator of their behavior when no one is watching. Recently, someone forwarded me a link to a chat room for pharmaceutical reps. I did a search of posts that included the phrase “company car” and, in short order, I was shocked at some of the comments written about their use of company cars and how drivers play “the system” to their advantage.
Here is a suggestion from one pharma rep on how to avoid personal use charges while vacationing:
“…. (Before you go on vacation), you need to take the company car into the dealership to repair a ‘weird noise and vibration on the right front part of the car’ the afternoon of the day before you leave. Since your car is in the dealership, you’ll need a rental vehicle. You will have to go and get a rental from Enterprise. The Enterprise guys all want to be pharma reps, so take down all their personal info to pass on. Then, ask if you can get upgraded to a luxury or SUV. Free car for a week, no mileage reporting, and free gas. Have done it for years.”
I don’t know about you, but I was floored when I read this post. This scam never occurred to me, but I can see how it could easily slip through the cracks and not be detected by the fleet manager. This scam could be thwarted by working with HR to check whether car rentals coincide with the start of vacations.
But it doesn’t stop there. Consider this gem.
Q. “I heard there are GPS tracking devices in our company cars and laptops. Is this true?”
A. “I doubt it. If they did, they would have fired me seven years ago!”
If there was ever an argument to be made supporting the use of GPS, this is it. You know the comment from this individual is just the tip of the iceberg. In fact, the most heated discussion topic among pharma reps revolved around the company’s possible use of GPS.
The next post reinforces the truism to remain constantly vigilant about fuel management. It’s hard to believe someone is posting queries such as this on a public site asking whether others have committed the same criminal act they are considering. Equally unbelievable is the advice given on a public site by another pharma rep.
Q. “Does anyone ever use their fleet card (I’m assuming this is your gas credit card) to fill up your significant other’s/spouse’s vehicle once in a while, or would that be too easy to catch and highly unethical for reps?”
A. “Yeah this would be unethical……but what I do is bring a five-gallon gas tank with me fill it up and use it for the toys! I have about five tanks at the house and when the wife’s car needs some gas, I use them. It is great, been doing this since I got the new car so I am sure they think I get horrible gas mileage!”
Fuel pilfering isn’t a new scam, but, as this interchange illustrates, it is ongoing. This is the best argument favoring a fuel management program, but these programs need to be continually monitored and assessed. They can’t be just corporate “window dressing.” Here is another post mocking corporate laxity in monitoring fuel expenditures.
“You don’t really think anyone is keeping track of that stuff, do you? I don’t even look at the odometer and haven’t for years. I just push a bunch of numbers into the pump. No one gives a <<expletive deleted>>. No one looks.”
Another revelation (perhaps I’m revealing my naivety) is how abusive some employees are to their company vehicles. Below are several posts from pharma reps on what they do before a car is taken away from them.
“I love putting the car into park prior to a full stop. This does wonders for the transmission. I especially love filling up my friend’s gas tanks using my gas card. On those cold mornings around zero degrees, I love racing the engine into drive prior to it having any chance to warm up and beating the <<expletive deleted>> out of the engine. I especially love running it out of gas so the engine eats up all that grime that slips through the gas filter. Of course, I keep a little spare jug of gas to fill up! All these concepts do not leave immediate marks; it’s similar to how cops take their frustration out on those in custody without leaving marks!”
Or how about this “recommendation” from a fun-loving rep:
“Here is a way to have some fun before you turn in your company car. Take an egg and place it under the spare tire in the trunk. It should be out of sight and tucked in pretty tightly. When the next rep gets the car, at some point the shell will break and then “shazam”- quite a stink! Have fun with it.”
There needs to be accountability for these brazen acts of corporate vandalism. When vehicles are turned in, condition reports should be analyzed to identify these individuals. This message should be conveyed to all drivers to let them know the company is “looking,” which will hopefully act as a deterent to future acts of vandalism.
Another point that came across loud and clear in these posts is many pharma reps base their job selection on the type of company-provided vehicle. I’ve known this for years, but it really hit home with repeated comments. Here’s one such post:
“People need to consider the complete package. I drive a minivan for my company now. If I could do it over again, I would have gone with the competitor that gave a Camry. It is a deciding factor, free or not.”
However, after reading these chat room posts, it is clear that there are many reps you would never (ever) want to drive your company vehicle. The challenge is to identify these individuals.
Let me know what you think.
By Nikol Hillman, on July 29th, 2010
People have lots of choices out there for everything. Just look anywhere and you see someone trying to get you to choose their company for whatever it is they are selling. Smaller purchases for everyday items don’t require as much in depth research as larger purchases, but when you need to make those big purchases, you normally shop around. I know I do. Even though I’m one of those awful impusle buyers, I still do a little research. Like what type of warranty is offered? How is the company as a whole? How’s the customer service – this is a big one to me. I will pay extra every time to know that when I need something it’s taken care of right away with out any hassles. Good customer service is so hard to find these days and I believe it is the core of every great business. Can you find the same product out there for a cheaper price? Most likley because some companies will do just about anything to make the sale, and add your name to the number board. But where are they when you need them? Here, we’re different. We create relationships. We build trust and reliability. Are we perfect? No. No one is. Will be stand behind our product, and take care of you if there is a problem? Yes. How many other companies can you be that rock solid about? Not many. We’ve been in the GPS tracking business going on 11 years now. We know what we’re doing, what works and how to get the job done right. I know you hear that a lot, but we really mean it, and we can prove it. We do every day, with thousands of our customers. It’s something we’re pretty proud of here. Our staff is a committed team of highly talented individuals who are passionate about what they do day in and day out. Here are just a few reasons why you should choose GPS Fleet Solutions
- GPS tracking is our core business
- GPS Fleet Solutions was started in 2001 and has been what we do ever since. We have worked with thousands of companies across the US, Canada and Caribbean to help them control fleet expenses and improve profitability through productivity. We have experience with fleets of one vehicle, to over five thousand with the United States Postal Service. We work with municipalities, service fleets, delivery fleets, school bus fleets, and many others.
- Our extensive product line allows us to consult with prospects early on to match the right system to the needs identified. We determine enterprise customers needs through an extensive and defined discovery process that looks at all aspects of a business from fleet operations, to risk management, to dispatching, to administration. Once we find the best technology match for the lowest investment, we move into the Product Evaluation Process (PEP). See 2.b below.
- Most advanced consultative methodology in the industry
- Business Analyst:
- This is another first in the GPS industry. We have a fulltime business analyst to help prospects evaluate technology and quantify the value based on each customer’s operational environment. We are able to quantify the value of the data and make recommendations on how to improve fleet operations. Your two most expensive resources are unsupervised 95% of the day; they are your drivers and your fleet. Our business analyst helps you understand the true cost of fleet operations and how to drive down associated expenses while improving revenue.
- Product Evaluation Process (PEP):
- Knowing where to invest your money is important. We have seen many times where a company speaks to 3-10 GPS vendors, combines all the features and functions into a massive document and then spends 3 years searching for one system that does it all. During the 3 years spent looking for the system that does not exist, they missed their ROI ten times over. Our PEP process is founded on a proven approach to discovering customer needs and uncovering needs not even realized. We clarify the capabilities of the technology and implement a test group, called a product evaluation project. Over the next 2-4 weeks we collect data to confirm fleet operations. We then make recommendations to modify driver behavior and measure the results. The change in behavior represents the initial potential ROI. The final stage of the PEP is to conduct a formal project review of the data and begin discussion on the deployment phase of the project. The investment in the technology and our partnership is never a question since the PEP process leaves no question about the value of either.
- New Account Liaison:
- Another first in the GPS industry. Service after the sale is where the work begins. Customers don’t get a return on investment in a pilot, although they start to understand the potential ROI. Many companies fall short after the order is signed and payment is received thinking they are on to the next prospect. GPS Fleet Solutions leads the industry in post sales service and support in many ways.
- Our New Account Liaison is a fulltime position that works with new partners to go through a standardized installation, implementation, setup and training process. We don’t leave it to the account manager to be a project specialist and we are the only supplier in the industry that we are aware of with such an investment in this stage of the process. Enterprise customers need more personal attention and consultation. The more we can consult with new partners, the shorter the ROI. The short the ROI the sooner we get a reference and referrals.
- Training & Online Resources:
- GPS Fleet Solutions offers a wide variety of training opportunities ranging from videos online to custom one-on-one training programs at the customer’s location. We provide overview training to all our customers 1-2 times a week for new customer, new employees and simple refreshers. This level of availability keeps people proficient with the technology and opens the eyes of new employees as to what data is available as it relates to their functional areas. Our online training includes: Screencasts, full length videos on things such as installation, Tech Tips, manuals, diagrams, podcasts and more. Our training program is a living, growing part of our service and one we are very proud of.
- Installation project management
- We have salaried employees who do nothing but care for the needs of our customers equipment. They are experts with installation and service work and have experience on a wide variety of vehicles. The key point is that they are not paid commission on a per unit basis so they are eager to get the work done correctly the first time. Contract installers tend to rush the work in an effort to maximize the installs and revenue per hour.
- Project management sounds easy but until you have to coordinate who, what, where, where and how of a major national installation project you don’t realize the time and expertise required for such an undertaking. The slower the deployment the longer the ROI. Our experts can get your company installed and trained as quickly as your company can move. Time is money.
- Our installers use technology to improve customer satisfaction and information accuracy. Installers capture installation information such as VIN, mileage, serial numbers, etc through handheld units that upload to a web interface that customers can access. This provide near real-time visibility on the installation project. We can also track invoices pending, paid and other administrative information important to enterprise fleet operators.
- Partnered with industry leaders
- Our partners represent a similar long history which expands our ability to serve a wider variety of customers, in various industries, with a greater degree of expertise. Our partners consult with us, and in special cases, directly with end users to develop new products or services to meet market demands. Because GPS Fleet Solutions is partnered with multiple industry leaders we are able to consult with fleet operators to match the right system to meet our customer’s needs, not our sales goal. GPS companies that sell one solution have to find a way to make the one solution fit your needs. This seldom works and tends to waste a lot of time and adds confusion to the decision making process.
You can see why the choice is easy, we offer you a supieror product, at competivete prices, with outstanding services that others can’t. Call us today, and let us prove to you why more people choose GPS Fleet Solutions than any other GPS Fleet Tracking provider.
By Eron Iler, on July 22nd, 2010
By Nikol Hillman, on July 22nd, 2010
 Over the July 4th Holiday, we decided to take a family vacation to North Carolina to visit some friends. On our drive up from Florida, I encountered many vehicle abuse situations where drivers were passing aggressively, speeding, harsh breaking, following to closely, texting or on the phone while driving, one guy was changing his clothes on the interstate doing almost 80 mph, swerving all over and barley missing cars! I jumped into “business mode” and reached for my trusty iPhone when I was quickly reminded by my family that I was on vacation, and I promised to cut the umbilical cord for the weekend and have some “family time”. I reluctantly put my phone down and kept driving, but the wheels in my head kept spinning about how angry I would be if my employees were driving my vehicles like that, with my name on the truck. Every 50 or so miles, I would see another instance of this same abuse, and my instincts would kick in again, and I could just sense the family glares… so I kept driving.
After a couple days on the lake we took a drive into town, and we passed the local boat ramp. There were company trucks ALL over this boat ramp with trailers attached and those still with boats waiting in line to launch! This was my Christmas! I couldn’t believe the blatant misuse of company vehicles! An employee using their company truck to take their personal boat to the lake for the weekend! I was our last day, so I gave the puppy dog eyes and the family gave in. We pulled into the boat ramp, I got out with my trusty camera, and took some snapshots of what I had just witnessed.
Now being a former small business owner with vehicles on the road that I paid for, that had MY name on them, MY gas, MY insurance ect, I become a little bit passionate about about the subject. If someone is driving crazy, cutting people off, using it to move their boat around town, it doesn’t create a positive company image. The the libality questions arise… what happens, when that truck slides down the boat ramp, into the water? Try explaining that one to the boss.. With GPS tracking, you don’t have to, because the vehicles wouldn’t be there in the first place.
Check our site for more information on GPS tracking and how you can take control of your fleet today.
By Nikol Hillman, on July 19th, 2010
 What is peace of mind worth to you? With a daughter approaching her teen years all too quickly, it leaves me wondering most days where my baby girl has gone. She’s dreaming of cars and ugghh… boys has me scared to death to let her venture out on her own. Some say I’m that “over- protective parent”, others say I should be more protective. I feel I’ve found that happy medium of trust, with a healthy dose of suspicion, because well, I was her age once and I know the stuff I did.
Working in the GPS Tracking industry, she knows mom will be watching. She’s a good kid to begin with, but this world is crazy and you can never be too careful. The agreement we have is once she gets her license there will be a GPS Tracking unit installed on her car. If she wants to have a car and drive, she has to agree with those terms. We talked about it, and at first she didn’t like the idea of it all. Once we sat down as a family and explained that this is for her safety, and how it works, she was much more receptive.
I’ll tell you like I have told my own child. It’s not about spying on your kids. It’s about peace of mind, safety. If it’s midnight and they were supposed to be home at 11, and you can’t reach them on their cell phone, it takes a couple of clicks to locate them on the web. Are they in a safe spot at a friend’s house or are they broke down on the side of the road? It’s just an extra layer of added security and protection.
With monthly fees as little as $9.95 a month, it’s something every parent should have. You can set speeding alerts that notify you if they go over a predetermined speed, helping to keep them safe and teaching them safe driving habits. You can also set a Geofence for areas you don’t want them to leave or go into, and get alerted by text message or email if they do. In today’s world it’s an extra step to help keep your driving teenagers safe when you’re not around.
For more information, check out our website, and watch a video from an actual teen driver whose parents track her and her thoughts on the subject.
By Eron Iler, on July 10th, 2010
  Do you need near real-time GPS position information? If so our e*Track series of GPS systems offers some of the fastest update rates in the industry. A 10-second update rate is not for everyone because it is more expensive but there are specialty applications where the added $10 a month is not a concern because of the added value of quicker update rates. The PT-2 is a portable, battery powered solution that can be worn on the hip like a pager, inserted into a bag (gold carriers) or enclosed in a weartherproof case and stuck on a car or piece of equipment. The PT-2 also works in Europe and South America so people traveling overseas can remain visible to anyone with access to the web account. The live view nature of the PT-2 coupled with an extended life battery offers the user tracking ranging from 20-50 days depending on how much driving is done every day. You can buy the PT-2 online or call us for more information.
Happy 4th of July!
Author: Eron Iler, President
By Eron Iler, on July 8th, 2010
I know it is a competitive environment in this industry but the one thing all GPS providers need to do is keep their integrity in place. We recently found a competitor to be claiming or at least implying that they sold the fleet tracking system to the US Postal Service. This is clearly not true and could lead enterprise level consumers to make a buying decision based on a lie or misleading information. Furthermore, the information stated is inaccurate. I don’t mind calling them out on it in a public forum because they are publicly misrepresenting the truth and attempting to leverage our success and hard work. It took GPS Fleet Solutions a year to close the account and several years of working with the US Postal Service to provide a level of service needed for this size account.
Click the image to the left to view a copy of the website where this has been done. 
To read the real story click here or give us a call to learn how GPS Fleet Solutions can help your organization.
By Eron Iler, on July 2nd, 2010
If you didn’t know we have a podcast called Fleetistics where we explore anything fleet related. It can be found on iTunes and on online at www.fleetistics.com. We are always looking for topics so send us your ideas. -Eron
By Eron Iler, on July 2nd, 2010
The other day I was making a day trip to another city about 250 miles away in my personal vehicle. I was cruising about 78 mph (just slow enough not to get a ticket) when I was passed by a company car doing about 90+ mph. Being in the fleet tracking business I could not let this go. What made it even worse was the vehicle said area supervisor on the side so this was a manager!
Since I always travel with my digital camera I pulled it out and started to take pictures as I caught up. I didn’t like taking one hand off the wheel at this speed but it was worth the risk when no traffic was present to get this documented. At 90-92 mph I was not catching this guy on the open road. I had to hit almost 100 mph (go Ford F-150) to run him down and then maintain about 93 mph to get some photos. When there was no traffic he would hit 95 mph. I followed him from a distance for about 30 miles before deciding I had enough. Did I mention he was driving a Toyota Corolla with a 4 cylinder engine? I’ve owned a Corolla and it must have been red lined to go as fast as he was going. I suspect his driving was nothing unusual for him since his behavior has never been corrected (by the law or company). What was his driving doing to this new company vehicle?
I have since taken this information to the company and presented the situation with photos of the vehicle, my speedometer and the GPS report from my truck. What comes of it I don’t know yet but my question to you is, was it wrong of me to document this drivers behavior and share it with the corporate fleet manager? I feel like an ambulance chaser but I know I would definitely want someone to tell me if my employee drove like this in a company vehicle.
What say you?
Author: Eron Iler, President
www.GPSFleetSolutions.com
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