Connected Vehicles, Fleet Telematics, and GPS Tracking

Connected Vehicles, Telematics & GPS Tracking

Vehicle data to make informed fleet decisions.

Whether you get your fleet data from telematics devices, GPS tracking or connected vehicles it is one of a fleet manager's most powerful tools in gathering measurable, actionable data about their fleet. By monitoring trip data, vehicle systems information, and driver behavior, you identify key areas of improvement to drive cost savings and improve safety. Merchants Fleet has telematics and connected vehicle options that easily scaled and are customized to suit specific business and industry needs, so fleets of varying sizes and configurations can all benefit from this accurate, high-performance technology. Our connected vehicle technology, TotalConnect, allows you to streamline telematics and connected vehicle data into one dashboard giving you the deep visibility into your fleet in order to make effective, analytic driven improvements.

By combining connected vehicle data, GPS technology, and integrated telecommunications, telematics provides real-time and historic snapshots to help you manage expenses, utilization, productivity, compliance, and safety. The system sends, receives, and stores information about each vehicle. You can easily monitor emissions, speed and idle times, system diagnostics, and much more.

Make Use of Fleet Telematics Data with TotalView and TotalConnect by Merchants Fleet

If your fleet isn't making use of telematics data or the data from your connected vehicles, you are leaving valuable information on the table. Learn how TotalView and TotalConnect make your fleet and driver information easily digestible so you can make impactful decisions and drive value to your organization.

Capture Advanced Vehicle Data

Merchants Fleet helps you tap into the full, detailed picture of your fleet’s daily operations. Our premium tracking will give you high-quality data recording and accurate engine diagnostics, all communicated securely and in real time. Examples of data include low coolant levels, issues with the hydraulic braking system, low oil pressure, brake temperature warning, and rollover sensor.

From a maintenance perspective, connected vehicle data and telematics can provide you with the same maintenance codes that technicians receive when working on a vehicle. This can offer insight into potential issues and help you detect a problem right away, especially if a check engine light goes undetected for a period of time.

Connected vehicle data and telematics can also capture data points associated with driver behavior, such as how long a vehicle has been idle and harsh braking, cornering, and accelerating.

  • View Data from the Vehicle’s Engine, Drivetrain, Instrument Cluster, and Other Subsystems

Productivity

Connected vehicle data and telematics can help you obtain vehicle location information; you can even issue a “virtual perimeter” around certain geographic areas — otherwise known as geo-fencing. Once the perimeter is implemented, you can receive data on when your vehicles enter and exit the area and see how long they spend at a customer’s site. All of this data can help ensure more accurate billing.

Fleet Optimization

Connected vehicle data and telematics provides the most reliable and accurate odometer readings. Historically, odometer data has been generated from less reliable sources, such as maintenance checks and fuel transactions, which is subject to human error. With connected vehicle data and telematics, you can rest assured that your odometer data is up to date, which can help you optimize the lifecycle of your fleet.

Stay Compliant

Electronic Logging Device (ELD) compliance and Hours of Service regulations are not just the law — they are important ways for drivers to manage fatigue and stay safe. ELD restricts drivers from driving commercial vehicles over a number of hours within a certain time period. These safety mandates help eliminate long-term driving violations.

Telematics will streamline ELD logging procedures, reduce paperwork, and facilitate quicker inspections, making it simpler to stay in compliance with the latest regulations.

  • Mobile App Available for Easy, On-the-Spot Access
    • Drivers Receive Alerts When It’s Time to Take a Break
    • Managers Can Log In and Easily View Any Violations
  • Automatically Monitor Duty Status Changes
  • Track Regulated Driver Time Spent in Each Duty Status
  • Provides IFTA Reporting

IFTA is a federal law in which you must pay back taxes on mileage traveled and fuel purchased. Telematics will provide you with the information you need, including distance traveled per state, which make generating an IFTA report easy and efficient.

Monitor Driver Behavior

Through the power of connected vehicle data and telematics, you can capture detailed information about braking habits, speed, after-hours usage, acceleration, and other individual driver behaviors. This includes speeding (for example — every time a vehicle goes over a certain threshold or a certain number over the posted speed limited), harsh braking, harsh cornering, harsh accelerating, and idle time. Not only are these driver behaviors dangerous, but they can create undue wear and tear on your vehicles.

You can then use this data to reduce risk, reinforce your company’s safety policies, and improve driver on-road behavior.

  • Gain Advanced Insight Into Drivers’ On-Road Activities with Safety Reports
  • Provide Immediate Feedback and Improve Driving Practices with In-Vehicle Driver Coaching
  • Instant Notifications with Accident Detection Alerts
  • Maintain a High-Quality Record of Overall Vehicle Health

Sustainability

Connected vehicle data and telematics allows you analyze vehicle cost and emissions to make informed electrification decisions. You can easily view odometer readings to determine how many miles you’re driving in a certain time period and see fuel costs, which can help determine which vehicles are a good fit for electrification.

Exceptional Support

Advanced connected vehicle data and telematics technology doesn’t equal complicated. Merchants Fleet is here to make installing, activating, and using your connected vehicle data, telematics, and GPS tracking systems user-friendly so you can get the most information possible from day one. Once you start capturing data, you can leverage our fleet consulting experts to identify trends and make adjustments that improve fleet performance and reduce costs.

  • Easy Enrollment, Device Installation, and Vehicle Activation
  • Online Portal Training for Users
  • Easy-to-Understand Scorecard from Strategic Consulting Integrates Telematics Data

TotalConnect

Drive value to your business with Merchant Fleet’s connected vehicle technology, TotalConnect. Lower TCO and manage drivers in a meaningful way with state-of-the-art fleet analytics that integrates your connected vehicle and aftermarket device data. With TotalConnect, you can expect:

  • Clear, Accurate Integrated Data Across Multiple OEMs and Telematics Platforms
  • Reliable Charts and Graphs That Brings Data to Life
  • Cost Savings and Increased Safety Potential
  • User-Friendly Data and Analysis Dashboards

Fleet Savings Calculator

“Since partnering with Merchants Fleet last year, their professional team members have provided excellent service and offered innovative solutions to address our unique needs.  Merchants has proven to be a top-tier fleet management company, exceeding our expectations on all levels.”

“My experience has been one of overwhelming delight. Merchants facilitates the expansion of Novus Ag business possibilities with their experienced professional staff by engaging in supporting activities. Allowing Novus Ag to lease short term vehicles while factory ordering enables us to save tens of thousands while immediately placing the employee in a high-quality truck. From permitting Novus to lease agricultural, material handling assets, to fuel and maintenance programs, we consider them a valuable partner.”

Michael Gates
Corporate Services - Fleet, Novus Ag, LLC

“Floor Coverings International is proud to partner with Merchants Fleet.  Their responsiveness and consultative approach has been beneficial to us and our franchise partners.”

Neil Daley
Director of Merchandising, Floor Coverings International

Frequently Asked Questions

What is fleet telematics?

Telematics is an aftermarket GPS-tracking device that’s installed in a vehicle, which provides added insight into more detailed aspects of data, such as accurate odometer readings and driver behavior.

What are the benefits of telematics?

By monitoring trip data, vehicle systems information, and driver behavior, you identify key areas of improvement to drive cost savings and improve safety. Some companies have even seen a reduction in their insurance premiums.

Are there other telematics options that don’t require aftermarket devices?

TotalConnect can provide deep visibility into your fleet data without the need for a plug-in device. With TotalConnect, multiple sources of connected vehicle data and telematics device data are seamlessly consolidated into a single dashboard, enabling you to save processing time by only needing to use a single platform. No aftermarket devices are required. TotalConnect delivers cutting-edge vehicle visibility that starts as soon as the vehicle leaves the factory.

What are some other aspects in which I could use telematics?

In addition to the advantages we just mentioned, telematics allows you to see where your vehicles are in real-time — and how long they stay at a particular location.

Total Fleet Coverage

Our national footprint allows us to service clients all over the United States. No matter the size of your fleet, we’re ready to help you find a management solution that works for your business. From flexible leasing and comprehensive maintenance to innovative telematics and cost-saving fuel management, we’ll create a tailored plan to meet your needs.

Optimize driver behavior by using telematics to reduce speeding instances by 43%.

Merchants Fleet can show you how to use telematics data to reduce risk and improve safety. Call 866.653.2737 or click below.