Automotive Fleet

Fleet FAQ

Fleet FAQ? Telematics & Fleet Tracking

Q. I run a small delivery fleet, and recently implemented a telematics solution — and I’m buried in data. How can I get this under control?

A. Telematics, by its nature, is a data accumulating machine, and, keeping that in mind, you need to realize that it’s impossible to evaluate every piece of data that it captures.


Your best strategy is to focus on what’s essential for your business. If you’re looking for some areas to start, for Geotab’s small business customers, we recommend using these three reports:

  1. Trip history report: This report allows you to track vehicles that aren’t moving as expected or simply not being productive, and fulfills the number one fleet manager priority — visibility.
  2. Driver safety scorecard: This report allows you to evaluate all of your drivers based on a set of specific criteria — e.g., speeding, harsh braking, and/or seat belt use — either from the report’s six default criteria or a set of custom rules. By having this data, you can identify risky behavior and coach your drivers in safe driving techniques.
  3. Cost of idling: Idling is probably a fleet’s biggest source fuel waste. With this report you can make it easier to calculate exactly how much by individual vehicle idling is costing your business, helping you to identify drivers and address with them individually how to cut their idling time.

  4. Once you get comfortable with these reports — or if one of these issues are less of a concern — you can add other reports into the mix. One of the benefits of telematics is that you aren’t locked into a specific report for an infinite time. You can make changes based on the specific needs of the fleet’s operation.

Expert Bio

Answered by : Sherry Calkins

Associate Vice President, Strategic Partners

Sherry Calkins has been involved in the Fleet and Automotive industry for the last 21 years, working both nationally and globally. The first 10 years of her career began as a Fleet Administrator working in both government and corporate fleets, overseeing the entire fleet operations, ranging from acquisition, leasing, remarketing, maintenance facility's, fueling, alternative fuels, safety, and partnering with various vendors. Over the last 11 years, her career has been in SaaS based solutions offering software and data for fleets, OEM's and Tier 1 suppliers. Sherry has been involved in various Fleet committees and advisory boards, offering a range of knowledge and insight, training and speaking at national conferences. Her passion for the fleet industry is endless, along with her desire is to bring her energy, knowledge and experience to the industry and continue advancing corporate fleets worldwide. Sherry is currently an AFLA Board member and is the Vice-Chair for Fuels & Technology Committee with NAFA, and serves on the Board of Directors for GAVDA.

Sherry Calkins has been involved in the Fleet and Automotive industry for the last 21 years, working both nationally and globally. The first 10 years of her career began as a Fleet Administrator working in both government and corporate fleets, overseeing the entire fleet operations, ranging from acquisition, leasing, remarketing, maintenance facility's, fueling, alternative fuels, safety, and partnering with various vendors. Over the last 11 years, her career has been in SaaS based solutions offering software and data for fleets, OEM's and Tier 1 suppliers. Sherry has been involved in various Fleet committees and advisory boards, offering a range of knowledge and insight, training and speaking at national conferences. Her passion for the fleet industry is endless, along with her desire is to bring her energy, knowledge and experience to the industry and continue advancing corporate fleets worldwide. Sherry is currently an AFLA Board member and is the Vice-Chair for Fuels & Technology Committee with NAFA, and serves on the Board of Directors for GAVDA.

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Fleet FAQ? Telematics & Fleet Tracking, Questions?

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