Since installing the Fleetmatics mobile workforce solution on its 50 strong fleet, Berkhamstead-based Framework (Specialist Works) has significantly reduced vehicle idling time and out-of-hours use.

The firm turned to Fleetmatics to keep up with its expanding customer base across the South East of England. “With a growing fleet, we found that organising each vehicle’s schedule and knowing their location at any given time of the day was becoming increasingly difficult,” said Rob Lee, logistics manager.

“At a glance, I am now able to view all our vehicles that are out on the road, which is great. We find the system is easy to use and, with Google Maps integration, keeping track of our fleet has never been simpler.”

One way in which Fleetmatics is increasing the firm’s productivity is by helping it save on unnecessary man hours.

“I estimate that up to 50 hours per week are saved through increased productivity with the help of Fleetmatics,” said Lee.

“There is no unnecessary idling, hanging around or unscheduled stops. We are able to plan and route our fleet more efficiently from one job to another, as Fleetmatics allows us to accurately gauge the arrival time of the vehicle to a particular job thus allowing us to schedule in the next job.”

Additionally, the Fleetmatics GPS tracking system now enables the firm to gather accurate evidence of private vehicle use. “Alerts set up on the Fleetmatics system automatically notify key managers immediately of any out of hours use, or visits to restricted locations, and this is an extremely valuable management tool,” explained Paul Freeman, commercial director.

He added: “For example, one of our small lorries was spotted being unloaded at a residential address some considerable distance from any of the sites we were working on at the time.

“When taking the matter up with the driver, and subsequently the Police, the fleet tracking facility gave us convincing documentation that the location and time of the vehicle being at the address were as reported.

“We went to the address and were able to retrieve all of our materials – this would have been impossible to manage as effectively without Fleetmatics.”
The benefits that Framework (Specialist Works) has received since installing the Fleetmatics GPS vehicle tracking system have, it says, far exceeded its expectations, both in terms of increased productivity and security over its fleet.

Freeman concluded: “We’re confident that the system more than pays for itself and is now an essential tool. There is no way our business can operate effectively without it.”

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