Field Service IT News For VARs — August 4, 2014
By Amy Taylor, contributing writer
In the news, an article lists considerations when designing a GPS fleet tracking solution for your customers. Also, a report shows unemployment may be influencing the equipment finance market.
Things To Consider When Designing A GPS Fleet Tracking Solution
In a Green Industry Pros article “What to Look for in a GPS Fleet Tracking Solution,” you can find a list of questions your customers could ask you – and also things to make sure you ask your clients about the right GPS tracking solution for their fleets. Some of the points to consider are the compatibility of devices with cellular or satellite networks, what type of data is your customer looking for in addition to vehicle location, and what will the ROI be for your client?
Report Finds Unemployment May Be Influencing Equipment Finance Market
The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (ELFA) released the Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry. Overall, the report showed confidence in the equipment finance market is unchanged from the June MCI-EFI, standing at 61.4. Adam D. Warner, president of key equipment finance and chairman of the ELFA says, “There are underlying concerns by businesses and consumers that real unemployment has been too high for too long and not enough of the federal incentives are around job creation.”
Field Service IT Talking Points
Fleet Owner reports six members of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) filed a federal class-action suit to halt the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Pre-employment Screening Program (PSP). The truckers argue that FMCSA is violating the Federal Privacy Act by unlawfully disseminating reports of driver safety records to potential employers. The lawsuit seeks statutory damages of $1,000 for each driver, and the six plaintiffs will ask the court to certify a class and award statutory damages to all drivers for whom such reports have been prepared.
Franchising reported Franchise Operations Manager, Andrew Kidd’s tips for boosting field management support, claiming that strong field management is one of the most important characteristics of a robust franchise system. The management points included efficient guidance for franchisees, clear systems and processes, while also maintaining and investing in training and education.
Fleet Owner reports that the Senate is backing a short-term highway patch for the Highway Trust Fund (HTF). The American Trucking Associations (ATA) praised the Senate action and called on the House to adopt the Senate-passed version.
Fleet Owner published an article claiming, “Great drivers need great coaches.”