The mobile data terminal from GPS Insight, in partnership with Garmin, provides a new dimension to fleet management. In addition to dispatching routes and communicating with drivers through a Garmin device, the terminal can be taken out of the cab and used like a tablet or iPad.

“You can fill out forms on the Garmin that you formerly filled out on paper,” says Ryan Driscoll, marketing director for GPS Insight. “There are forms that you can customize through GPS Insight to your business, like job number, loads completed and other details.”

Completed forms can be sent in real time to the office for analysis and processing.

“It helps with billing, and for payroll purposes it can identify who was on a particular crew or job,” he says.

As a management system, the device can track inventory, noting what type of equipment was used on a job.

“It also helps track pre- and post-trip inspections, which are becoming more important for fleets,” Driscoll says.

Cleaning contractors can note job type, time started and when work was completed.

“You’re more productive because you see your vehicles and receive job data in real time,” he says. “Using GPS Insight’s Garmin integration helps you dispatch people more effectively. You always know how far along on the job they are and who’s closest to the next job.” 866/477-4321; www.gpsinsight.com.