For
police, utility,
insurance and all organizations that rely heavily on a field workforce, a fleet
vehicle is more than a mere transportation vessel - it is the epicenter of
productivity for workers on the front line.Follow these tips to transform your fleet
vehicles into safe, connected and productive “mobile offices”.
1. Perform
a Comprehensive Workflow Analysis
By understanding how your
field force works, you will be able to identify
the right type
of mobile device
and what integrated capabilities it
should feature,
how and
where the device should be mounted,
what software and
applications are needed as well as what accessories would further enhance
productivity.
For example, many police departments man their vehicles with two deputies,
therefore
a
mounting set-up
that allows for a passenger to sit
and enter data is required. EMTs need to take their mobile devices out of
vehicles and be hands-free, so the device needs to be portable and include a
carry case. Insurance workers rely
heavily on photos, so
an
intuitive, image capture and documentation software
is essential.
Watch this video
to learn how the City of Brenham transformed their fleet vehicles and saved
30%.
2. Make
Your Vehicle a Communications Hub
It’s easy to assume that wireless
connectivity is a given into today’s world, but it is definitely not.Your mobile workers take their vehicles into
dead zones every day, multiple times a day.Ensure secure wireless connectivity is always available by installing
a
vehicle area network (VAN).
Small, rugged units are available today that
provide fast, reliable network and internet access for mobile workers in
vehicles.
(currently, VAN product is only available in North America)
3. Take
Safety and Security to the Next Level without Sacrificing Productivity
According to Monash University,
drivers who use mobile devices are 4 times more likely to get into crashes
serious enough to injure themselves. The statistics are alarming, and
organizations around the country are working to drive change by encouraging new
laws and executing public awareness campaigns.As we continue to see more guidelines, policies and laws enacted,
technology is evolving as well. The latest mobile device safety innovations
include specifications as to where and how mobile devices are mounted in the
vehicle along with voice-activated controls and built-in sensors from
innovative companies like
Blank-IT that turn off the
screen when the vehicle is in motion.The right technology can help limit distracted driving and save
lives.Make this a priority when arming
your vehicles with technology.
Just as keeping your
drivers safe is critical, so is keeping your data secure.Selecting a mobile device and wireless
solution that provide
encryption
technology
or other types of security features will
go a long way in protecting data loss and theft on mobile devices.