| Q: |
What is GPS? |
| A: |
The Global Positioning System – satellite technology which delivers exact positioning information with Latitude & Longitude coordinates. |
| |
|
| Q: |
What is GSM? |
| A: |
The Global System of Mobile Communications – commonly known as Cell-Phone Technology. |
| |
|
| Q: |
What does it mean if a Fleet Management System (FMS) is GPS/GSM-based? |
| A: |
Vehicle positioning is determined via GPS – all information sent from the vehicle is conveyed via GSM. |
| |
|
| Q: |
What are the benefits of using a BANDIT Fleet Management System? |
| A: |
Actual case studies – through monitoring the whereabouts of company vehicles and sales teams - have revealed productivity gains of up to 30%. Simultaneously, vehicle running costs were seen to be reduced by as much as 25% – achieved through optimising trips and reducing Insurance Claims via the promotion of more responsible driving habits.
Fleet One is a compact Internet-based monitoring system, which may appeal more to the owner of a smaller fleet, or perhaps one who requires only more fundamental information. It has useful applications for the Insurance industry seeking accurate, independent data for pay-by-mile premium calculations, and similarly for the Vehicle Leasing sector. Fleet One is also equipped to report Speeding Violations.
Fleetmax is the ‘full house’ system, and facts-at-your-fingertips are as all-encompassing as to include the work history and current status of all vehicles, along with the means to plan ahead via pre-set dates and odometer triggers. For maximum efficiency, correlated ‘Reports’ may be set up per vehicle or groups of vehicles.
Fleetmax also functions as your onboard ‘private detective’ – uncovering financially-draining employee negligence, blue-collar crime and even industrial sabotage. This watchdog alertness creates an indispensable ally, reporting a host of user-defined exceptions to acceptable practice. |
| |
|
| Q: |
To whom and to where will exceptions be reported – and at what intervals? |
| A: |
Internet-based for ‘anywhere-anytime’ data access, BANDIT Fleetmax enables optimum flexibility and is the last word in User-Configurable systems. Exceptions may be programmed for immediate notification to the Fleet Owner/Manager – via SMS or e-mail – or downloaded for access at the operator’s convenience. |
| |
|
| Q: |
Using any Web-based system, is my data secure? |
| A: |
The BANDIT Data Servers are housed in a secure location. Equally inviolable, the BANDIT Website was designed with Controlled Access as a primary concern, and is thoroughly fire-walled and encrypted. |
| |
|
| Q: |
What savings can I expect on Vehicle Running Costs? |
| A: |
To begin with, the prices of Fleet One and Fleetmax have been appealingly reduced and both are now fully inclusive of ALL upfront software and ongoing system communications costs. BANDIT also guarantees NO annual enhancement fee. Monthly Rental and Outright Purchase options are available. Operation-wise, cost-cutting results depend ultimately on whether the FMS technology is put to its optimum use. Actual case studies – through monitoring company vehicles and sales teams – have revealed Running Costs reduced by as much as 25%. |
| |
|
| Q: |
Unauthorised After-Hours and Weekend vehicle use – can BANDIT Fleetmax address these problems? |
| A: |
Trip Reports may be drawn up to deal specifically with these periods. In addition, Driver ID Tags will disclose who was operating the vehicle/s concerned. |
| |
|
| Q: |
Are Fleet Management Systems used solely for Trucking concerns? |
| A: |
Not at all – any multi-vehicle company, association or even extended family group will benefit from the many various applications. Business outlets with a team of Sales Reps, for example, can enhance productivity by ensuring that clients are visited according to schedule. |
| |
|
| Q: |
How will the system improve Individual Driver Performance? |
| A: |
Information gathered enables the compiling of Driver Profiles based on numbers of trips and the exceptions reported during them. The speed-based logs, for example, are indispensable in uncovering harsh-braking habits which cause unnecessary wear-and-tear. |
| |
|
| Q: |
Will I continually require Software Upgrades? |
| A: |
No – BANDIT Internet-based technology includes Continual Seamless Upgrade Path. |
| |
|
| Q: |
What On-Site Support does BANDIT offer? |
| A: |
BANDIT technology negates any need for such – simply Log On. |
| |
|
| Q: |
My branches around the country – will they need to be networked to gain access to Fleet Information? |
| A: |
BANDIT Internet application demands only Internet-access. Furthermore, our clients enjoy User-Defined levels of access to various fleet sections via the issuing of exclusive passwords. |
| |
|
| Q: |
Is the ‘evidence’ gathered from the system admissible in Court? |
| A: |
Information captured is housed at the secure BANDIT Server and cannot be manipulated by any party – integrity of such data is assured. |
| |
|
| Q: |
Are the exceptions user-definable and if so, can I alter them? |
| A: |
All exceptions are pre-determined by the user and with Fleetmax may be modified – even live over-the-air. |
| |
|
| Q: |
If my system is programmed to report in at predefined intervals, what happens if an exception occurs between these report-in times? |
| A: |
The result depends upon how Fleetmax is configured – the exception may be sent immediately via SMS or e-mail, or saved to Memory until such time as accessed. |
| |
|
| Q: |
What evidence will the system provide in the event of a vehicle accident? |
| A: |
Fleetmax contains four speed-based ‘Crash Logs’ and the last 20 seconds of data prior to any given moment – the speed details of a vehicle in the crucial time leading up to an accident may prove invaluable. |
| |
|
| Q: |
If a vehicle travels outside of the GSM Network, will Trip Data be lost? |
| A: |
The ability to store three SMS or GPRS ‘packets’ is utilised when the unit is unable to send information because the vehicle has travelled beyond GSM-coverage area. The utilisation of MTN’s extensive and comprehensive grid significantly reduces the likelihood of that scenario, while simultaneously guaranteeing Priority Messaging. |
| |
|
| Q: |
How does Fleet Management compare with a tachograph? |
| A: |
BANDIT FMS technology provides live data – the tachograph is a somewhat antiquated, mechanical and labour-intensive device limited to historic speed-related information. |
| |
|
| Q: |
Can the Fleetmax system detect Fuel Theft? |
| A: |
Fleetmax is compatible with a wide range of ‘Third Party Systems’ – all of which communicate their information to the Fleet Owner in the same manner as the ‘built-in’ features. Not only Fuel Theft but crucial functions such as Unauthorised Cargo- Door Opening, Unauthorised Trailer Unhitching and Cargo Temperature Alerts may also be enabled. |
