In today’s competitive landscape, fleets are looking for any way to boost efficiencies and reduce costs. Luckily, technology can help fleets do just this. Geospatial mapping software provides many benefits to fleets and can also generate valuable data.
This article will define geospatial mapping software and discuss information on geospatial data and its origins. We will also highlight the benefits of geospatial mapping, including generating valuable data and decreasing operating costs. Finally, we will outline the best geospatial mapping software on the market today, such as Verizon Connect GeoBase and Azuga’s fleet management software.
What Is Geospatial Mapping Software?
Geospatial mapping software allows users to add, store, edit, delete, manipulate, visualize, and analyze geospatial data.
Geospatial Data
So what is geospatial data? Geospatial data is data that includes a locational or geographic element. Geospatial datasets may include locational data such as city, ZIP code, geographic coordinates, or physical addresses. The location may be dynamic, such as tracking a moving vehicle, or static, like the coordinates of a specific landmark.
Addresses and locations are the simplest forms of geospatial data. However, geospatial data can contain much more information than just a spot on the earth’s surface. Geospatial data sets may also include additional non-spatial information. We call this extra data “attributes.” Geospatial data may have any number of descriptive attributes in addition to standard geographic data. Geospatial data integrates geographic information, attribute information, and time-related information.
Where does Geospatial Data Originate?
Geospatial data may come from Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), remote sensing, geotagging, and even satellite imagery. The most complete geospatial data sets combine information gleaned from several of these source types at once.
What are the Benefits of Geospatial Mapping?
Fleets, both large and small, can get a ton of benefits from geospatial mapping. Here are a few of the advantages your fleet can gain from the use of geospatial mapping software.
Generate Valuable Information
Fleet managers can use geospatial mapping data to identify valuable information about their fleet. For example, they can find inefficiencies in a fleet’s operations by determining which vehicles are sitting idle too often and which are being inefficiently routed.
Fleets can monitor drivers on the job with geospatial mapping software. Fleet managers can get precise data on their drivers, such as actual time departed and what course they took. Advanced fleet tracking software using GPS can also detect dangerous driving habits like harsh braking and excessive acceleration. Geospatial mapping software can even help fleet managers catch drivers who use their vehicles for non-work-related purposes.
Decrease Costs
By improving safety and optimizing routing, geospatial mapping software can help fleets to decrease costs.
Geospatial mapping software can provide fleet operators with real-time locational data on their vehicles. Managers can use this information to optimize vehicle dispatch and routing to save on time and fuel. Monitoring fleet vehicles’ speed can help reduce speeding and accidents, both of which can be significant expenses. Geospatial mapping can also be combined with traffic and weather data to further enhance drivers’ journeys.
The Best Geospatial Mapping Software
Of all the geospatial mapping software available to fleets today, two options stand out amongst the crowd as the best: Verizon Connect’s GeoBase and Azuga’s fleet management software.
Verizon Connect GeoBase
Verizon Connect’s GeoBase is a robust geospatial mapping software that can handle demanding environments and challenging business needs.” The software includes route optimization capabilities and allows for integrating additional data such as traffic volume and truck restrictions.
GeoBase’s mapping engine uses the GeoBase File System to generate detailed maps. Every aspect of map visualization is customizable. Users can layer custom GIS data over maps and even overlay satellite images.
A useful feature of GeoBase is reverse geocoding and rule processing. Verizon Connect claims that “high-performance reverse geocoding is a cornerstone of GeoBase’s design.” The software enables large volume latitude and longitude processing.
GeoBase also features address lookup and a map display editor. The address lookup is scalable with a geocoding engine that can handle a high-volume of requests. It can identify locations from text provided by the user. GeoBase lets users create and view hybrid maps that are composed of both aerial and satellite imagery. Additionally, the software contains custom data layers to meet your unique business needs.
The software also allows managers to choose what different groups of users to access specific types of data. Managers can even utilize tags to locate the right person or equipment closest to the job. GeoBase also includes flexible geofencing to alert you when a fleet vehicle leaves its designated location.
Azuga Fleet Tracking
Azuga’s fleet management software utilizes GPS data to generate geospatial maps. Installation is easy: all you need to do is plug the Azuga GPS Tracker into your vehicles’ OBDII ports. The device will then generate diagnostic data to be sent to your Azuga dashboard, accessed through a computer or mobile device. There is no need for expensive installation services, and vehicles experience virtually zero downtime.
With Azuga’s fleet management software, managers can see each vehicle’s journey and track road events on a point-by-point basis. The software also features geofencing capabilities for both vehicles and large equipment. Managers can receive alerts when vehicles exit or enter predetermined zones and get data on how long vehicles spend in the geofenced area.
Azuga offers software that can run in your main office or through their free fleet tracking app on your preferred device. You can see the full dashboard while on the go, giving you access to data relating to safety, maintenance, dispatch, and more. There’s even a driver rewards program to help you create a culture of safety within your fleet.
If your fleet hasn’t made the jump to a fully-featured fleet management software package yet, it’s time to look into your options. Contact Azuga today to learn more about how we can help.
