Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/84685
quick-position button located in the tracking hardware at the asset and displayed in Blue Sky Network's New SkyRouter. But what are the additional benefits of cloud com- puting for fleet managers? Improved Operational Costs Fleet operators can successfully leverage the benefits of cloud-computing fleet-management technology to save costs. For instance, it can help reduce driver idle times by delivering real-time reporting of trips and engine-on events. When combined with location-based services, managers can plan routes based on job sites and determine how to make routes more efficient. Furthermore, by tracking mileage and monitor- ing diagnostic alerts, maintenance costs can be improved by scheduling vehicle maintenance based on reported data. Savings also can be realized by eliminating towing costs and identifying issues before breakdowns. Enhanced Fleet Efficiency Personnel management also can be improved by deploying resources based on location to service sites, ensuring that high-paid employees are being utilized for their expertise based on the job at hand. Employees can be monitored via "geofencing" to see when they're onsite to track work hours more accu- rately. Moreover, fleet productivity can be improved by deploying resources closest to the job, saving time and fuel costs. Improved Safety Improvements in operation costs and fleet efficiency are added benefits, but they come after improve- ments in the level of safety that cloud computing provides fleet managers and their assets. Today's existing technologies provide solutions via satellite networks, such as Iridium, that can span from pole- to-pole in the most-remote areas, ensuring constant communication and asset safety. Cloud-computing- based fleet-management technologies can be used to shorten response times of emergency-rescue fleets and improve communication during times when land- lines and facilities are down. With current cloud-computing technologies, fleet managers can better secure the safety of their assets, which is important in cases of emergencies. Beyond that, fleet managers can obtain a real-time glimpse Figure 4. A quick-position (emergency) button alert can improve worker safety. Figure 5. Tracking hardware can be networked to a cloud-based fleet-management solution. into location, engine diagnostics, distance traveled, asset status, and the type and number of trips. In the end, these capabilities can save fleet man- agers time and money through fleet efficiency. By providing a scalable, extensible cloud-based solution to asset management and tracking, fleet managers can always stay connected to assets. Paul Duran is vice president of marketing and sales, and Alan Beverly is vice president of engineering, Blue Sky Network; e-mail: p.duran@blueskynetwork.com and a.beverly@blueskynetwork.com, respectively. SEPTEMBER 2O12 / WWW . GEOPLA CE . COM 25