GPS Tracking Provides Huge Benefits for Fleet Management

For businesses with multiple vehicles in their employ, it can be a challenge to manage them all effectively and efficiently. Every year millions of dollars are lost to unnecessary vehicle wear and tear, wasted productivity, misplaced assets, and high insurance premiums.

Fleet management with a GPS tracking system can help streamline business operations and allow owners and managers to keep a close eye on vehicle health and employee behaviors. Erratic and irresponsible driving behaviors contribute to the reduced life of vehicles and inflated fuel expenses.

Research done on the benefits of GPS tracking systems, found that more than 75% of companies that used GPS tracking in their vehicles, experienced a considerable boost in overall productivity. TELUS GPS trackers can help business of all sizes improve their bottom line in an assortment of ways.

7 Benefits of GPS Tracking for Fleet Management

Businesses are always looking for ways to increase performance and output, while minimizing expenses. GPS tracking offers advantages that can help your company achieve those goals.

7 of the major benefits of GPS tracking systems, may include:

• Fleet efficiency
• Live data feedback
• Reduced maintenance
• Lower fuel costs
• Automated driver logs
• Enhanced safety
• Reduces insurance premiums

Fleet Efficiency

GPS tracking systems offer a number of advantages for the improved efficiency of your vehicle fleet. It helps determine the best route available for each job, and ensure it is followed. You will be able to see where the vehicle is at all times, and ensure they are carrying a full load. This can be very helpful for matching the right vehicle with each upcoming task. For instance, if a client makes a request, you can easily see which driver is closest and the nature of their current activity. GPS tracking also helps make sure that deadlines are being met, and unauthorized breaks and detours are not being taken.

Live Data Feedback

GPS trackers allow for real time updates for all kinds of useful information regarding your fleet. This provides a clear picture of driver behavior and vehicle status. Rapid acceleration and abrupt stops are horrible for fuel efficiency and vehicle wear. Excessive idling and speeding also contribute to a massive waste of fuel. Even taking turns at high speeds can cause irregular wear on tires, increasing the frequency of replacements.

GPS feedback allows you to observe these actions as they are happening to help correct bad driving habits, prolonging the life of your fleet.

Reduced Maintenance

These real time reports on driving behavior and vehicle health also offer the benefit of reduced maintenance efforts and costs. This allows for more effective scheduling of routine maintenance to keep vehicles running at optimal condition at all times. Alerts are given when maintenance is required, based on vehicle activity and engine metrics. This helps avoid against unnecessary maintenance and expensive repair costs.

Lower Fuel Costs

Eliminating all of the bad driving habits associated with increased fuel costs is a tremendous advantage of GPS tracking. Cutting out excessive idling, speeding, hasty acceleration, sudden stops, sharp turning, and inefficient route planning can save huge dollars in fuel expenses.

Automated Driver Logs

A GPS Fleet Tracking System helps efficiently log driver hours and activities electronically, to offer a reliable system for keeping track of employee hours, mileage, and availability. It also helps with documentation required for roadside inspection and the forms required. Electronic reporting is provided to comply with ELD regulations when crossing the border.

Enhanced Safety

GPS tracking can also help improve the safety of your vehicles as well as your employees. When drivers know their actions are being monitored, they are more likely to drive in a safe and responsible manner. Cutting out dangerous driving habits is beneficial to everyone involved. It is also useful in the case of accident or emergency, providing quicker emergency response and even shedding some light on details of the accident.

Reduced Insurance Premiums

Another cost-cutting advantage is a reduction in monthly insurance costs. Most insurance companies offer a discount on monthly premiums for vehicles with GPS tracking systems installed.

VoIP FAQs – Why is it Good for Business?

Businesses of all sizes are showing great interest in VoIP phone systems. What is all the buzz about?

VoIP phone systems can be extremely beneficial for business communications for many reasons. People tend to have quite a few questions about VoIP services and what they have to offer.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about VoIP technology.

FAQs about VoIP for Business

It is important to do your research before implementing a new technology in your business operations, so here is some useful information about VoIP.

1.      What is VoIP?

A good way to get things started is to look at what VoIP technology is exactly. VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, and it allows for traditional telephone services to be practiced over the internet.

It works by converting analog voice signals to digital data, and then this data gets sent to the intended party over Internet Protocol Networks.

It is a much more efficient and effective way to provide optimal telecommunication services for your business.

2.      Are VoIP Services for business expensive?

Not only are VoIP telecommunication services more flexible and versatile, they are also cheaper. There is much less equipment to worry about, and therefore much less chance of problems arising with that equipment.

VoIP networks are quick and easy to install and maintain, and will likely cost a fraction of your conventional phone service. Businesses making the switch to VoIP technology are reporting anywhere between 30 – 70% cost savings over the old service.

3.      Can VoIP services be deployed over the existing telecommunication infrastructure?

While it is possible to use analog adapters with your existing phone equipment, it is not a recommended practice. This makes the network more complicated and more likely for issues to occur.

The equipment needed for VoIP communications is minimal, all you need computer, VoIP software, and a headset, and you are ready to go. This streamlined network is very easy to maintain.

4.      What is the Call Quality like with VoIP Services?

Many people expect a decline in quality when switching to VoIP services, but the call quality is often improved over a VoIP network, especially for long distance calls.

With the right cabling and network configuration you will be able to send and receive top quality VoIP calls anywhere in the world.

If you find your VoIP call quality lacking, you can try:

• Upgrading ethernet cables to CAT6
• Getting a new headset
• Monitor the traffic in your network
• Get a VoIP specialized router
• Ensure you have sufficient bandwidth

5.      How much Bandwidth is needed for VoIP Communications?

While there is no specific minimum bandwidth requirement for VoIP communications, the amount of bandwidth available on your network will be directly related to call quality and call volume.

The more bandwidth in your network, the more high quality calls you will be able to partake in. For businesses that are switching to a VoIP network, a fast and reliable internet connection is highly recommended.

VoIP capabilities can also be affected by QoS (Quality of Service).

6.      How does QoS (Quality of Service) affect VoIP?

Making sure the QoS is set on your router can help improve the capacity of your VoIP network.

QoS settings can help ensure priority is being given to the most important applications in the network, such as VoIP calling.

7.      How can VoIP services help my business?

There are all kinds of advantages VoIP telecommunication services can offer your business. A lot of companies are transitioning several business operations to the cloud, and telecommunications is no exception.

Some of the major benefits of VoIP services for businesses, may be:

• Improved employee productivity
  • Time saver
  • Workload management
  • Remote connectivity
• Multifunctionality
  • Instant messaging
  • Email
  • Teleconferencing and videoconferencing
  • Call forwarding
  • Voicemail
• Integrated customer relations management
• Call recording to improve quality
• Security – encrypted data protection
• Portability

Cost effective telecommunication solution

What is a cloud phone system?

A cloud phone system is a system that is hosted in the cloud, so that all your data is securely stored on a protected server that you can access by internet.

Using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology, cloud phone systems are being implemented to take the place of traditional or conventional landlines.

This process is typically carried out and hosted by a third-party service provider such as C&I Technologies.

TELUS Business Connect Products, Services

TELUS Business Connect is the perfect way to stay connected to all your clients. It is also a great way to stay available, and be easy to connect with, for new potential customers.

Products

There are a variety of phone styles to choose from, depending on your Business Connect needs. Some of the products to choose from are:

• Cordless phones
• Desk phones
• Conference phones
• Receptionist phones

Whatever your communication needs may be, there is an applicable product available to service those requirements.

Services

You will be able to perform an assortment of services with TELUS Business Connect.

Some of the services available are:

• Call management
• Conference calling
• Call routing

Call Management

Easily manage all your calls and Business Connect services with the all-in-one portal hub.

Never miss important business calls, which could regrettably result in lost business opportunities.

Conference Calling

It is now easier than ever to virtually connect with your clients using audio or video conference calling.

Conference calling is great for team collaboration projects, especially when team members are spread across various locations.

Call Routing

TELUS Business connect makes it easy to set up a call directory for your business. Make it effortless for your customers to reach the people or department they are looking for

Improve Productivity and Performance with TELUS Smartphones

The use of smartphones in the office can help boost employee output and efficiency in many ways. Not only do workplace smartphones help people stay in touch with each other and clients more easily, they also help ensure no one misses any crucial information and messages.

Market research shows that even employees themselves report being more efficient and productive when issued a smartphone for work purposes.

Smartphone use in the workplace has increased dramatically over the last five years, and the selection of business apps dedicated to improving business operations have become abundant and very useful.

For smartphone solutions for your business in London, Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo, Stoney Creek, Hamilton and other cities in the area, CI Technologies offers excellent solutions.

CI Technologies

CI Technologies is an IT and communications company that has been effectively serving business clients in southern Ontario for more than 20 years.

Aside from offering all the latest smartphones and service plans, the experts at CI Technologies can also assist with product integration and enhanced security for those products and the information they share.

Impeccable customer service can always be expected from CI Technologies, whatever your needs may be. 

For any questions or concerns, recommendations, or getting set up with mobile business solutions, you can reach the helpful and friendly staff at one the four in-store locations, or at the online store.

TELUS Smartphones

CI Technologies offers a wide array of all the newest, choice TELUS smartphones and practical service plans to go with them.

A few of the smartphone products you will have access to through CI Technologies will come from top notch companies like:

• Samsung
• Google
• Apple

Samsung Smartphones

One of the largest global producers of the best smartphones on the planet is Samsung. Samsung offers an assortment of products that can range from very high end with best specs available, to more affordable but still very effective options.

Some Samsung smartphones to choose from at CI Technologies, include:

• Galaxy S10, S10 +, S10e
• Galaxy S9, S9 +
• Galaxy Note 9
• Galaxy Note 8
• Galaxy A8
• Galaxy S8, S8 +

Galaxy S10

TheSamsung Galaxy S10 seriesis set to be released in March of this year, 2019. There are all kinds of perks and positives to look for with this new group of smartphones from Samsung.

There are three adaptations of the Galaxy S10, including the S10 itself, the S10+, and the S10e.

Here is a list of some the main features the Galaxy S10 will have to offer:

• 8-core Snapdragon 855 processor
• 6.1” AMOLED Infinity-O display (6.4” for the S10 +)
• More comprehensive viewing space on screen
• Android Pi operating system
• 3 rear-facing cameras
• 2 front-facing cameras, one offering live focus
• Sturdy aluminum frame with durable glass
• 3D fingerprint imaging for easier security
• Fast wireless charging
• Long-lasting battery
• Variety of colors to choose from

Google Smartphones

Google is the rising star in the smartphone game and is quickly becoming one of the most sought after smartphone producers in the world. This is probably not a huge shock to most, considering the massive resources at their fingertips.

CI Technologies offers all the most recent and finest Google smartphones, like the:

• Pixel 3XL
• Pixel 3
• Pixel 2XL

Pixel 3(XL)

The two newest Google smartphones, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL were put out in late 2018. 

A list of some of the more impressive features of the Google 3(XL) Pixel will include:

• 8-core 845 Snapdragon processor
• Android 9.0 Pi operating system
• The exterior of the phone is constructed entirely of durable Gorilla Glass
• The Front cameras offer wide angle and telephoto lenses for better range
• Real dual camera with autofocus and image stabilization
• 5.5” OLED display on the Pixel 3, 6.3” OLED display on the Pixel 3XL
• Long lasting battery life 
• Qi speedy wireless charging
• Variety of color options

Apple

Apple is still rolling along as one of the best smartphone producers out there, with customers that are loyal to their products.

Some Apple smartphones to be found at CI Technologies include:

• iPhone XR
• iPhone Xs, Xs Max
• iPhone X
• iPhone 8, 8 +

iPhone XR

This newest product from Apple that came out in late 2019 is designed to reach as many users as possible by lowering the price but still offering many useful new features.

Some of these features on the iPhone XR include:

• iOS 12 operating system
• Latest LCD technology available in a smartphone
• 6. 1” durable glass screen with aluminum frame
• Liquid retina display
• Quick wireless charging
• Face recognition for security
• 4-core GPU
• 7 mega-pixel TrueDepth camera system
• Long lasting battery 
• variety of colors to select from