Omnitracs uses COVID-19 data to provide fleets with logistics insights
Omnitracs is compiling live COVID-19-focused location insights for its enterprise services customers, which the logistics management company said would keep fleets, drivers and the general public safer.
By leveraging COVID-19 datasets from Johns Hopkins University and the Kaiser Family Foundation, Omnitracs developed a feature that integrates COVID-19 location-based intelligence into its fleet mapping tool. This integration, announced June 1, could help fleet managers make better safety decisions for their drivers in near-real-time, according to the Omnitracs announcement.
“Drivers are on the front lines of national response efforts around this pandemic while putting their own lives at risk,” said Paul Nagy, Omnitracs’ chief product officer. “As an organization, we have a responsibility to do our part to mitigate those risks by providing fact-based information that will allow our customers to continue operating their businesses safely and protect their drivers.”
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, truck drivers have faced health risks and operational demands. According to a survey from Change to Win, seven in 10 truck drivers reported more dangerous working conditions during the pandemic.
Making fleets aware of local pandemic conditions and state travel and business restrictions could help drivers stay safe and more productive. Omnitracs is adding that critical COVID-19 intelligence to its customers’ Fleet Mapping view for back-office managers. The Fleet Mapping shows the current location of each truck, allowing managers to provide the safest and most effective routes during the pandemic.
“Safe and timely service has been a part of C.R. England’s core values since its inception,” said Dustin England, the vice president of safety and compliance for C.R. England. “Partnering with Omnitracs in this uncertain climate has been empowering for our fleet managers. These datasets will help them understand the potential risks, adding an additional layer of protection to our load planning strategy.”
Data provided in the new Fleet Mapping view includes new COVID-19 cases and deaths during the last seven days for specific locations; quarantine and stay at home restrictions; local group and gathering limitations; and restaurant limitations and business closure rules. The new location intelligence feature is free and already available to all Omnitracs Enterprise Services customers.
“We believe that serving up timely insights about locations is a critical component for making fleets more efficient and helping to improve driver satisfaction. The integration of COVID-19 data into our products is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of where we are going with location intelligence,” said Michal Yariv, head of Omnitracs’ Innovation Lab.
