Internet of Things (IoT) and Fleet Management System (FMS)
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The document discusses the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) in Fleet Management Systems (FMS), which enhances operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness through data analytics and real-time monitoring. It highlights the importance of utilizing various sensors and modules, like OBD-II and GNSS, to capture vehicle diagnostics, location data, and to improve decision-making based on insights like driver behavior and fleet health. The author, Abhijeet Uttamrao Banode, elaborates on how advancements in technology and reduced costs of analytics platforms facilitate better fleet management solutions adapted to unique business needs.
Internet of Things (IoT) and Fleet Management System (FMS)
- 1. Internet of Things (IoT) and Fleet Management System (FMS) Author: Abhijeet Uttamrao Banode Fleet Management System (FMS) is one of the essential parts of businesses which directly or indirectly deal with automobiles. Precise fleet management minimizes various operational risks and increases cost efficiency. With proper utilization of analytics, alerts, and diagnostics, fleet management coverts businesses to be more reliable and sustainable. Like any other business, predicting risks and working towards mitigation is essential for businesses. Ample use of data analytics for early detection of faults and predictive mechanism helps business to reduce maintenance cost and downtime. Typical modular fleet management unit consist of OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics – Standard revision – II) module which connects to Controller Area Network (CAN) bus. Microcontroller, sensors, and various devices from vehicles use this bus (communication channel) to communicate with each other. OBD-II module captures diagnostic information from the CAN example, data engine control unit, and transmission. Figure 1: Typical architecture of Fleet Management System (FMS)
- 2. Internet of Things (IoT) and Fleet Management System (FMS) GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver unit like GPS, GLONASS, assist to capture geographic coordinates. Synchronous capture of GNSS data and diagnostic data can help to immediately identify exact location of a vehicle breakdown or other events. Mapping it against reference data from the department of transportation can be utilized to analyse driver behaviour and their adherence to traffic regulations. Every business has its unique requirement and objective behind Fleet Management System. Organizations need to upgrade FM module based their particular use case. Trailer transporting food needs additional sensors to monitor temperature of on-vehicle refrigerators whereas a trailer carrying hazardous liquids has its own sensor requirements. Cellular module is essential for real-time monitoring of a vehicle’s essential parameters, theft detection, driver safety, and to report breakdown. This data needs to be sent to cloud (physical storage) so that fleet operators can analyse parameters in real-time, perform predictive analysis, and identify mitigation requirements for smooth operation of fleet. Effective use of data analytics and visualization tools – dashboards is the brain of intelligent fleet management system. Visualization parameters varies with respect to business needs but a few basic conclusions like driver behaviour, fuel efficiency, fleet health, maintenance requirements and breakdown will be always there on dashboards. Figure 2: Benefits of effective fleet management The cost of E2E fleet management system has been reduced due to efficient analytics platform based on quality open source solutions (e.g. MongoDB, Hadoop), reduction in cost of electronic assemblies (chipset cost, antenna cost), economical cellular data connectivity (eUICC, dedicated data plans for M2M, IoT), reduction and flexibility in cloud storage cost due to competition, and most importantly cross domain interest of companies from various vertical (e.g. Cellular operators),
- 3. Internet of Things (IoT) and Fleet Management System (FMS) Executive MBA - Entrepreneurship & Strategic Management Bachelors of Engineering - Electronics & Telecommunication electronic product manufacturers, and IT services are exploring additional revenue streams in automotive domain. About Author Abhijeet Uttamrao Banode is a project manager at Tech Mahindra Americas Inc in Mobile Devices Testing department. He has been working at Tech Mahindra since 2008 on variety of projects globally dealing with product or service launch certification testing of mobile phones, terminals and mobile communication networks. He has handled multiple complex projects and programs for Tech Mahindra’s customers like Samsung Telecom Americas and Sony Mobile Europe. He has managed multiple initial launches of new technologies e.g. converged or hybrid comm. Networks like FMC, UMA, and services offloading over Wi-Fi and also managed multiple projects for several North American service providers like AT&T, VzW, and multiple Vodafone networks during his tenue at Tech Mahindra. He worked with Nokia CDMA R&D unit and multiple start-ups before joining Tech Mahindra. He is consistently involved in strategic initiatives to explore growth opportunities in new geographies and technology segments including non-traditional businesses (Cable MSO- FMC, UMA, OTT, DOCSIS, M2M, Connected Solutions – Car, Home, Health, and Wearable and VAS) apart from his existing focus on Mobile OEM/ODMs, Operators, and chipset manufacturers.