What is the role of fleet intelligence platforms?
One such provider in Belgium is WhatTheFleet, which offers software tools aimed at enhancing fleet oversight and decision-making.
Real-time vehicle tracking is based on GPS technology. A small device is installed in each vehicle to transmit location and motion data to a cloud-based dashboard. Fleet managers can see where each vehicle is, how fast it's going, and whether it's idling, stopped, or moving.
This type of tracking is useful for: Verifying routes and delivery times
Notifying customers of estimated arrivals
Responding quickly to delays or route deviations
Supporting theft prevention with geofence alerts
Platforms such as WhatTheFleet's real-time tracking module are structured to provide these capabilities through a map-based interface.
Driver behavior monitoring provides data on how vehicles are being handled. This includes information on: Acceleration and braking patterns
Speed compared to posted limits
Time spent idling
Harsh turns or cornering
Such data is commonly used to identify patterns that could lead to excessive fuel use, vehicle wear, or safety risks. Businesses that use these insights often introduce coaching or internal benchmarks to improve driving habits.
Fuel usage tracking measures how much fuel each vehicle consumes in different driving conditions. It often pairs with route data and driver behavior to create a full picture of fuel efficiency.
Companies can use this information to: Compare fuel performance across drivers or routes
Detect excessive idling
Identify underperforming vehicles
Evaluate whether electric or hybrid alternatives are viable
For fleets that operate across cities or regions, accurate fuel reporting also helps in carbon reporting and sustainability efforts.
Maintenance modules in fleet software systems keep track of service schedules, mileage-based reminders, and repair history. These tools help prevent breakdowns by ensuring that vehicles are maintained on time.
Common alerts include: Oil change intervals
Brake and tire checks
Engine diagnostics
Inspection deadlines
By maintaining a digital service history, companies reduce unplanned downtime and extend vehicle life.
Many fleet platforms now include carbon tracking features. These measure estimated CO₂ emissions per vehicle or per trip and allow comparisons over time. Some also support electric vehicle (EV) tracking, showing battery range, charge status, and nearest charging points.
This information is increasingly relevant for companies that report on environmental KPIs or participate in green fleet initiatives.
Fleet software tools are used in a wide range of sectors, including: Logistics and delivery : for dispatch, route planning, and customer updates
: for dispatch, route planning, and customer updates Construction : to track equipment and ensure site productivity
: to track equipment and ensure site productivity Public services : for service route documentation and emergency response
: for service route documentation and emergency response Field service providers: to manage technician scheduling and time on site
Small companies may use basic tracking and fuel reporting, while larger fleets often add analytics, safety monitoring, and integrations with existing business tools.
Most modern systems are designed to scale. A company with five vehicles can benefit from knowing where their drivers are and how much fuel is being used. Larger operations with dozens or hundreds of vehicles often add multiple modules to support detailed analysis and long-term planning.
WhatTheFleet, for instance, offers tiered modules so users can start with basic features and expand as needed.
Access is typically through a web dashboard and mobile app. Fleet managers use dashboards to get an overview of operations, while drivers may receive alerts or feedback through apps or in-vehicle devices.
Setup often involves: Installing GPS or telematics hardware in vehicles Connecting that data to a cloud platform Configuring alerts, schedules, and custom reports Training staff on how to interpret and act on the data
Some platforms also allow integrations with ERP or HR systems to streamline workflows.
In Europe, fleet management platforms are required to comply with GDPR. This includes: Ensuring drivers know what data is being collected
Storing data securely
Limiting access to authorized users
Allowing anonymization of personal data when required
Companies using fleet intelligence tools are encouraged to establish internal policies on data usage, especially if driver performance data is linked to evaluations or training.
Fleets using digital tools often report: 10–30% fuel savings
Reduced downtime due to proactive maintenance
Better planning and on-time performance
Fewer incidents of unauthorized vehicle use
Improved driver accountability
The extent of improvement depends on how data is interpreted and incorporated into daily operations.
Yes. Most systems offer automated reports for: Monthly fuel usage
Driver safety summaries
Trip logs for tax or billing purposes
Carbon output for environmental reporting
These reports help businesses meet regulatory or client requirements without manual data collection.
Fleet platforms like WhatTheFleet give companies the ability to: See where vehicles are in real time
Understand how vehicles are driven
Maintain vehicles efficiently
Support fuel and emissions tracking
Scale operations through better planning
Whether for safety, cost control, or environmental performance, the role of fleet intelligence continues to grow as vehicles become more connected and businesses seek more control over mobility resources.
If you're evaluating providers, it may be helpful to explore individual modules like fleet analytics or real-time tracking to match functionality with your fleet's size and goals.
TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Business News
a day ago
- Time Business News
What is the role of fleet intelligence platforms?
Fleet intelligence platforms are tools designed to help businesses monitor, manage, and improve the performance of their vehicle fleets. They typically include real-time tracking, fuel usage monitoring, driver behavior analytics, and maintenance planning. Companies use these platforms to gain visibility into how vehicles are being used, identify inefficiencies, and improve safety and sustainability. One such provider in Belgium is WhatTheFleet, which offers software tools aimed at enhancing fleet oversight and decision-making. Real-time vehicle tracking is based on GPS technology. A small device is installed in each vehicle to transmit location and motion data to a cloud-based dashboard. Fleet managers can see where each vehicle is, how fast it's going, and whether it's idling, stopped, or moving. This type of tracking is useful for: Verifying routes and delivery times Notifying customers of estimated arrivals Responding quickly to delays or route deviations Supporting theft prevention with geofence alerts Platforms such as WhatTheFleet's real-time tracking module are structured to provide these capabilities through a map-based interface. Driver behavior monitoring provides data on how vehicles are being handled. This includes information on: Acceleration and braking patterns Speed compared to posted limits Time spent idling Harsh turns or cornering Such data is commonly used to identify patterns that could lead to excessive fuel use, vehicle wear, or safety risks. Businesses that use these insights often introduce coaching or internal benchmarks to improve driving habits. Fuel usage tracking measures how much fuel each vehicle consumes in different driving conditions. It often pairs with route data and driver behavior to create a full picture of fuel efficiency. Companies can use this information to: Compare fuel performance across drivers or routes Detect excessive idling Identify underperforming vehicles Evaluate whether electric or hybrid alternatives are viable For fleets that operate across cities or regions, accurate fuel reporting also helps in carbon reporting and sustainability efforts. Maintenance modules in fleet software systems keep track of service schedules, mileage-based reminders, and repair history. These tools help prevent breakdowns by ensuring that vehicles are maintained on time. Common alerts include: Oil change intervals Brake and tire checks Engine diagnostics Inspection deadlines By maintaining a digital service history, companies reduce unplanned downtime and extend vehicle life. Many fleet platforms now include carbon tracking features. These measure estimated CO₂ emissions per vehicle or per trip and allow comparisons over time. Some also support electric vehicle (EV) tracking, showing battery range, charge status, and nearest charging points. This information is increasingly relevant for companies that report on environmental KPIs or participate in green fleet initiatives. Fleet software tools are used in a wide range of sectors, including: Logistics and delivery : for dispatch, route planning, and customer updates : for dispatch, route planning, and customer updates Construction : to track equipment and ensure site productivity : to track equipment and ensure site productivity Public services : for service route documentation and emergency response : for service route documentation and emergency response Field service providers: to manage technician scheduling and time on site Small companies may use basic tracking and fuel reporting, while larger fleets often add analytics, safety monitoring, and integrations with existing business tools. Most modern systems are designed to scale. A company with five vehicles can benefit from knowing where their drivers are and how much fuel is being used. Larger operations with dozens or hundreds of vehicles often add multiple modules to support detailed analysis and long-term planning. WhatTheFleet, for instance, offers tiered modules so users can start with basic features and expand as needed. Access is typically through a web dashboard and mobile app. Fleet managers use dashboards to get an overview of operations, while drivers may receive alerts or feedback through apps or in-vehicle devices. Setup often involves: Installing GPS or telematics hardware in vehicles Connecting that data to a cloud platform Configuring alerts, schedules, and custom reports Training staff on how to interpret and act on the data Some platforms also allow integrations with ERP or HR systems to streamline workflows. In Europe, fleet management platforms are required to comply with GDPR. This includes: Ensuring drivers know what data is being collected Storing data securely Limiting access to authorized users Allowing anonymization of personal data when required Companies using fleet intelligence tools are encouraged to establish internal policies on data usage, especially if driver performance data is linked to evaluations or training. Fleets using digital tools often report: 10–30% fuel savings Reduced downtime due to proactive maintenance Better planning and on-time performance Fewer incidents of unauthorized vehicle use Improved driver accountability The extent of improvement depends on how data is interpreted and incorporated into daily operations. Yes. Most systems offer automated reports for: Monthly fuel usage Driver safety summaries Trip logs for tax or billing purposes Carbon output for environmental reporting These reports help businesses meet regulatory or client requirements without manual data collection. Fleet platforms like WhatTheFleet give companies the ability to: See where vehicles are in real time Understand how vehicles are driven Maintain vehicles efficiently Support fuel and emissions tracking Scale operations through better planning Whether for safety, cost control, or environmental performance, the role of fleet intelligence continues to grow as vehicles become more connected and businesses seek more control over mobility resources. If you're evaluating providers, it may be helpful to explore individual modules like fleet analytics or real-time tracking to match functionality with your fleet's size and goals. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Axios
26-06-2025
- Axios
Exclusive: Xona tallies $92 million as it sends Pulsar-0 to space
Satellite navigation startup Xona Space Systems secured $92 million in new funding, the company told Axios on the heels of its successful Pulsar-0 launch. Why it matters: The modern world would crumble without solid location-and-timing data. Militaries need it. Financial markets need it. A trip to the grocery store needs it. State of play: Xona is targeting automotive, logistics, mining and defense industries, among many others, with its satellite-based positioning, navigation and timing services. The company's planned low-Earth orbit constellation is expected to augment existing GPS until it becomes a standalone source of information. It inked a $4.6 million demonstration contract with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory earlier this year. Threat level: The U.S. advantage in space is thinning. Plus, Russia's jamming and spoofing efforts scramble signals beyond Ukraine's frontlines. In one high-profile case, Finnair suspended flights to Tartu, Estonia, due to interference. Pilots reported issues near the Black and Caspian seas as well as Kaliningrad. What they're saying: " Navigation and timing are systems the world isn't supposed to think about. They're just supposed to work," Xona chief executive Brian Manning said in a blog post shared with Axios. "When they fail, everything around them will too."
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Yahoo
Digitalization of the Supply Chain Risks Exploitation and Increased Cargo Theft
VoIP, GPS, and Synthetic IDs Leveraged in Crimes—Cargo Theft Expected to Rise 22% in 2025 OAK BROOK, Ill., June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As evolving technology has made transporting goods from port to port faster and more efficient in many ways, it has also created gaps in security that allow criminals to exploit cargo delivery systems. Increasingly, this digitalization results in fraudulent pickups, fictitious pickups, fictitious carriers and cyber-enabled logistics manipulation, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the nation's leading non-profit association dedicated to preventing insurance fraud and crime. For the first time, the value of stolen merchandise and estimated loss rose to more than $1 billion in 2023. Last year, cargo crimes increased to an all-time high, up 27% from 2023, according to AAA. Annual cargo theft losses are expected to rise another 22% from already historic levels by the end of 2025. The estimated average value of an individual theft is $202,000. "From the comfort of their own home or overseas, a criminal can use voice over internet protocol (VoIP), GPS and a synthetic ID to reroute electronics, medicine, clothing, food and beverages meant for your local store to their doorstep in another country," said Robert Bornstein, NICB's Cargo Theft Program Director. "The cost of these stolen goods is then passed along to the consumer." Technologies used to commit these crimes include: GPS Jamming disrupts tracking systems and allows stolen cargo to be moved without detection. NICB agents have confirmed confiscations of these devices in cargo theft incidents and noted that thieves frequently disable GPS trackers which are not concealed effectively. VoIP such as TextNow allows thieves to spoof legitimate carrier contact information and remain anonymous. These applications offer their customers the ability to select and utilize telephone numbers with any valid area code. Criminals are leveraging these services along with fictitious email accounts and altered Department of Transportation (DOT) records to impersonate companies, bid on shipments and reroute freight to unauthorized drop locations. Synthetic IDs are identities created from a mix of real and fake identifiers such as a Social Security Number, Date of Birth and name, email, address, or phone generally derived from stolen or leaked data. Phishing Attacks are a form of social engineering and a scam where attackers deceive people into revealing sensitive information or installing malware such as viruses, worms, adware or ransomware. Criminals use these technologies to disrupt and steal cargo in several ways: Railway Theft, which is on the rise, occurs when organized criminal groups take cargo from trains or rail yards, either while in transit or stored. They target rail yards and trains particularly when passing through rural areas. Ransom Demands happen when a cargo load is held for ransom by thieves impersonating legitimate motor carriers to gain possession of shipments through broker load boards. After securing the cargo, criminals move it to an undisclosed location, contact the shipper or broker, and demand payment for its return. Even when ransom is paid, many shipments are never recovered. Shortening Loads is a term used when thieves steal only a portion of the cargo. This tactic allows criminals to pilfer valuable items without attracting immediate attention since the remaining cargo appears undisturbed. This method often goes undetected until the driver reaches their destination. Selectively removing portions of the cargo load allows criminals to minimize the risk of detection and increase chances of success. Strategic Cargo Theft is defined as events initiated through deception or fraudulent means impacting one of the links in the supply chain. This deception may take place within the supplier, the freight broker and/or the transporter. NICB has seen cases in which all three links have been infiltrated through fraud schemes resulting in loads of cargo being released, brokered and transported by legitimate services, but destined for criminal enterprises overseas. The only way to stop cargo theft is through deterrence. The NICB recommends the following precautions for any entity engaged in the supply chain: Screen every employee. Conduct a background check on every employee including those with access to the shipping information. Train employees on the signs of cargo theft. Provide security training for every employee and educate truck drivers in hijack awareness and prevention as well as how to respond and report theft. Check transportation partners before hiring. They should share your security philosophy, such as conducting background checks and employee training. Use freight brokers and transporters who do not permit double brokering. Ensure that only you as the shipper can make re-routing decisions and not the broker, transporter dispatch etc. The change order can only originate from the owner of the cargo. Be cautious and scrutinize emails to ensure that they are legitimate and not altered. Scrutinize and ensure phone numbers used by individuals within the supply chain are valid and if determined to be Voice Over Internet Protocol, to take additional vetting procedures. Implement in-transit security measures. Cargo theft can be pre-planned or opportunistic and include an inside informant who follows the goods and ultimately leads criminals to quickly dispose of the cargo. Thieves will often wait outside known shipping facilities waiting for drivers to stop. Best practice is to not stop within the first 200 miles, park in known secure locations and avoid "hot spots" --areas known for increased frequency of cargo crime. Keep a vigilant eye. Trucks and cargo are most vulnerable when sitting idle. Include countersurveillance – observance and 360visibility to your property and surroundings--in the duties of your security guards. Take advantage of technology. Utilize layers of security: ensure the perimeter, entrances, building doors, and windows are well lit. Install alarm surveillance systems, vehicle and cargo tracking, immobilizers, and advanced security seals. Conduct audits. Regularly look for gaps in shipment protection and stay abreast of how technology enables theft throughout the supply chain. NICB develops proprietary threat assessments based on its own data as well as data from law enforcement, industry intelligence, CargoNet, FBI and Overhaul. If you suspect potential cargo theft, call local law enforcement, your insurance carrier and NICB's hotline at 1-800-TEL-NICB. About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to combatting and preventing insurance crime through Intelligence, Analytics, and Operations; Education and Crime Prevention; and Strategy, Policy, and Advocacy. NICB is supported by more than 1,200 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations. To learn more, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
