Jigsaw: enhancing fuel management with telematics
Jigsaw Fuel Management Systems has explained how incorporating telematics into fuel management processes can provide significant benefits for fleet operators, particularly through the automatic capture of mileage.
“This integration enhances data accuracy, efficiency, and overall fleet performance,” said Jigsaw’s Peter Marsh.
“Jigsaw Fuel Management Systems have proven real time links to many of the popular telematics systems to automatically gather fleet mileage information.”
Telematics can capture mileage in three ways, Peter explains – firstly, through GPS tracking.
“Telematics systems use GPS technology to track the real-time location of vehicles,” he said.
“By continuously monitoring the vehicle’s position, the system can calculate the distance travelled accurately. Depending on the calculations used, this method is probably the least accurate.”
The second method is via on-board diagnostics (OBD-II).
“Most modern vehicles are equipped with OBD-II CAN Bus ports that provide data on various vehicle parameters, including mileage. Telematics devices can plug into the OBD-II port to capture this data directly from the vehicle’s computer. As the system is monitoring wheel sensors there is little room for error on measuring distance travelled.”
Thirdly, in some advanced systems, telematics can interface with the vehicle’s engine control module (ECM), says Peter, to obtain precise mileage and other critical performance data.
The advantages of automatic mileage capture include enhanced accuracy, he says, due to the elimination of manual entry errors; and real-time updates on vehicle mileage, ensuring that data is always current.
It also streamlines processes, he contends, reducing the administrative burden on drivers and fleet managers by automating data collection. In addition, it enables faster generation of mileage reports for management and regulatory compliance.
“By knowing the exact mileage, fleet managers can accurately calculate fuel efficiency (miles per gallon or kilometres per litre) and identify inefficiencies,” explained Peter.
It can also assist in scheduling predictive maintenance based on actual mileage, preventing the over or under-servicing of vehicles.
In addition, it helps identify and address issues such as excessive idling or inefficient routes that lead to higher fuel consumption, he adds, as well as helping to reduce fuel fraud.
“Real-time monitoring can help detect anomalies such as unauthorised vehicle use or fuel siphoning.”
He continued: “Analysing mileage data in conjunction with GPS tracking helps in optimising routes, reducing travel time and fuel consumption.”
Meanwhile, driver behaviour monitoring can identify patterns such as harsh braking, rapid acceleration, and excessive speeding, which can be addressed to improve fuel efficiency and safety.
There are also compliance and reporting benefits, he adds, including the provision of comprehensive records for audits and inspections, simplifying the compliance process.
Advising on implementation of the technology, Peter said: “Choose a telematics provider who has a real time data interface (usually known as an APi) which allows the fuel management system to acquire mileage information at the time of fuelling,”
“Make sure your fuel management supplier has the ability to interface to the APi. Jigsaw Fuel Management systems were designed from the start to be real-time, web-based solutions, so adding real-time interfaces is no major issue…
“Equip all fleet vehicles with telematics devices, ensuring they are correctly connected to the OBD-II port or ECM.
“Set up the telematics system to capture and transmit mileage data automatically to the fuel management software… Train fleet managers on how to use the telematics system and interpret the data.”
He added: “Continuously monitor mileage data and use analytics tools to identify trends, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement. Jigsaw Fuel Management Systems have integrated tools to directly spot if mileage from a telematics system is missing or even just not incrementing.”
Concluding, Peter said: “Integrating telematics for automatic mileage capture into a fuel management system significantly enhances the accuracy, efficiency, and overall effectiveness of fleet operations
“By leveraging real-time data, fleet managers can optimize fuel usage, improve vehicle maintenance schedules, and reduce operational costs. This technology-driven approach ensures better decision-making and contributes to more efficient and sustainable fleet and fuel management strategies.”
