Connecting the Fleet:

Streamlining fleet operations with IoT

IoT (Internet of Things) technology is increasingly used for fleet and vehicle tracking, monitoring and management, in order to improve efficiency, safety, and the customer experience.

As the industry analyst firm Berg Insight defines it, an IoT fleet management solution is a vehicle-based system that incorporates data logging, satellite positioning and data communications to a back-office application.

Many telematic companies provide conventional CAN bus (Controller Area Network) with their vehicle tracking solutions which monitors diagnostic information such as oil temperature and pressure, mileage, engine hours, excessive braking and so forth.

Typically, a more advanced vehicle telematics solution will include multiple sensors that collect real-time data to provide insights into fleet health, safety, location, maintenance status, in-cab comfort, charging status, and driving behaviour. This information is consolidated by IoT-enabled smart devices, some built into the vehicle, others mounted on the exterior for example the grille or roof. The devices transmit the data via cellular connection to a central IoT platform, which uses software to process it, and uploads it to the cloud for analysis and storage.

Vast amounts of data can be gathered and used by the fleet manager, operator or owner to make quick and accurate decisions, as well as identify trends that will inform longer-term strategy and planning.

The device design challenge

In a survey undertaken by Kaleido Intelligence and sponsored by Eseye, 84% of respondents cited hardware design as the number one perceived barrier to deploying IoT.

Designing and engineering an IoT device right first time can be problematic. Missing the mark could mean having to redesign the device or even rethink the strategy, resulting in delayed time to value.

Getting the device right involves successfully navigating a number of factors that ensure it will not have a negative impact on vehicle operations or the driver experience. It also needs to be capable of delivering high performance wherever the vehicle is. These factors include creating a seamless user experience, optimizing the sensor and device hardware, and achieving the necessary connectivity and automotive industry certifications.

It’s vital that device performance remains unimpaired as the technology landscape evolves. This means that functionality changes, software and SIM updates will need to be made throughout their lifecycle. Manually updating each device in the field is costly, and will result in delays.

BT Final Mile

BT Final Mile is a smart locker service, introduced by BT with the goal of ensuring that telecoms engineers are no more than 15 minutes’ drive from the parts they need. Its network of intelligent lockers is connected by IoT technology.

Eseye’s in-house IoT device design consultancy brought BT’s vision from idea to proof of concept in weeks, overcoming challenges such as the need for the units to be exceptionally robust. Eseye’s AnyNet+ SIM card is embedded into each locker, delivering 100 percent cellular connectivity by ensuring it’s connected to the strongest possible network at all times. Engineers are instantly alerted when items arrive at the box, and receive one-time codes to unlock them. The devices also track usage and system functionality, and allow firmware updates to be made over-the-air.

As a result of the initiative engineers spend less time travelling, which has enabled BT to reduce its delivery costs and carbon footprint, as well as provide a better service.

This could be because the antenna hasn’t been well designed, or the housing hasn’t been properly considered. Putting in the work early on to optimize the design will avoid any unpleasant surprises.

At Eseye, we reduce the chance of failure by essentially simulating extremely challenging network environments using a private LTE test network that allows customers to check and measure how well their device will perform in situ. Ultimately, we try and break the device connectivity to see how well it recovers or not. Transmission power can be modified depending on the use case: for example, products must continue to provide exceptional performance, even on the fringes of cells. We reduce the power to replicate that scenario. If a customer needs to make revisions to their design, they can complete the work and then retest the device to evaluate whether the required improvement has been made.

Global IoT brings with it a number of connectivity quirks, not least that networks in different countries work on different frequency bands. Again, depending on how the hardware has been designed, you may discover that the device works better on lower frequency bands and not quite so well higher up, for example. Using a private test network also allows customers with international deployments to check their device will work equally as well across all frequency bands.

Taking advantage of a Device Validation service will allow you to build an even more robust design through observing how the device behaves in different connectivity environments, including the worst possible scenarios you could face. How will you pick up on any unusual behaviors and make sure your device is stable? If the networks have different configurations or use modems in different ways, how well will your device work?

...depending on how the hardware has been designed, you may discover that the device works better on lower frequency bands.

Achieving consistently reliable, fast connectivity

In a survey undertaken by Kaleido Intelligence and sponsored by Eseye, 84% of respondents cited hardware design as the number one perceived barrier to deploying IoT.

Designing and engineering an IoT device right first time can be problematic. Missing the mark could mean having to redesign the device or even rethink the strategy, resulting in delayed time to value.

Getting the device right involves successfully navigating a number of factors that ensure it will not have a negative impact on vehicle operations or the driver experience. It also needs to be capable of delivering high performance wherever the vehicle is. These factors include creating a seamless user experience, optimizing the sensor and device hardware, and achieving the necessary connectivity and automotive industry certifications.

It’s vital that device performance remains unimpaired as the technology landscape evolves. This means that functionality changes, software and SIM updates will need to be made throughout their lifecycle. Manually updating each device in the field is costly, and will result in delays.

Rethink uptime
Businesses often think on a per-month basis, focusing on the monthly statistics to gauge how well things are working across their IoT estate. This is of course a crucial metric – but you also need to take the long-term view, looking at how the device will perform over its lifetime. If a device is going out into the field for 10 years, there’s a lot that could change in that period. The mobile network operator (MNO) landscape and legislative environment are constantly evolving, for example.

Three years into the lifecycle of the product, the connectivity it started with may be no longer viable; perhaps due to a roaming agreement that has become uneconomic or been blocked altogether. If you lose connectivity at that point, you have effectively only achieved 30% availability over the 10 years you expected, which will have devastating consequences for the project.

Testing matters
Thinking about geography at a micro level, you need to consider likely variations in connectivity environments. If you’re designing and building your device in a laboratory in a research park where the cellular coverage is extremely good, and then testing it on the lab or office network, it will appear to perform perfectly adequately. However, when it’s taken out into the field, it may work well only when close to the mast and within a much smaller radius than expected.

This could be because the antenna hasn’t been well designed, or the housing hasn’t been properly considered. Putting in the work early on to optimize the design will avoid any unpleasant surprises.

At Eseye, we reduce the chance of failure by essentially simulating extremely challenging network environments using a private LTE test network that allows customers to check and measure how well their device will perform in situ. Ultimately, we try and break the device connectivity to see how well it recovers or not. Transmission power can be modified depending on the use case: for example, products must continue to provide exceptional performance, even on the fringes of cells. We reduce the power to replicate that scenario. If a customer needs to make revisions to their design, they can complete the work and then retest the device to evaluate whether the required improvement has been made.

Why work with Eseye on your
IoT project?

Bringing IoT cellular connectivity to fleets of vehicles and other assets has huge advantages for manufacturers and their customers. The ability to generate real-time updates on mission critical data points allows manufacturers to offer competitive and potentially lucrative value-add services. Fleet managers and operators gain a detailed, accurate understanding of vehicle usage, performance, status and condition, which can be leveraged to reduce costs, streamline operations, and improve safety.

For the potential of an IoT fleet management system to be fully realized, consistent availability and reliability of cellular coverage must be guaranteed, wherever in the world the asset is. This makes choosing the right IoT connectivity solution the most important strategic decision a manufacturer will make.

VDS Technology

VDS Technology has exploited IoT technology to develop a cost-effective intelligent race tracking solution specifically designed for international rallying events. The solution enables organizers to deliver real time race statistics to fans, while playing an important role in safety and security. With global expansion in mind, it needed a SIM card that could be easily deployed in multiple locations.

Eseye’s AnyNet+ eSIM is embedded into each race tracking device, providing seamless access to ubiquitous cellular connectivity on a global scale. This makes it easy to geolocate and monitor competitors across physical borders and even into remote areas. Devices connect straight out-of-the-box – simplifying the logistics of deployment and enabling VDS Technology to offer a ‘turnkey’ solution.

Eseye is a cellular connectivity specialist with a wealth of experience in guiding organizations through complexity to deliver IoT projects successfully. We take a device-first approach to IoT. Working together from the planning and development stage right through to device testing and rollout, we maximise business value while minimising risk.

At the core of our offering is an end-to-end connectivity solution that simplifies and accelerates IoT deployments by enabling customers to work with one partner, one SIM card, one platform, and one bill.

Our award-winning AnyNet+ eSIM allows stable and ubiquitous cellular connectivity to be built into fleet management devices by design. Using eUICC technology, the eSIM can store multiple network profiles and these can be automatically provisioned and managed over-the-air. In practice this means your tracking devices connect to the most available mobile network, wherever the asset is, thanks to Eseye’s relationships with more than 800 operators in 190 countries. Each SIM can be loaded with multiple network profiles (multi-IMSI), allowing each device to be localized, which brings cost efficiencies and improves operations.

Updates to the unit’s software, firmware and connectivity can be made instantly and at scale, over-the-air, helping to future-proof the system so it lasts for the vehicle’s lifetime. A single global product SKU for the eSIM streamlines the supply chain and manufacturing processes, supports global expansion, and makes billing easier.

Unbeaten IoT connectivity expertise, service, and support

Every single percentage of service uptime matters. That’s why choosing a cellular connectivity provider on cost, or opting for a SIM card supplier who simply resells connectivity, is unlikely to get you to where you want to be.

Your connectivity partner should be immersed in IoT design, development, and operation day in and day out. They must understand what you are trying to do and be ready to help you achieve the maximum uptime possible so that your business case is successful.

Eseye has the required deep IoT expertise and experience, codified within our industry-leading technology tools, which is why Kaleido Intelligence Vendor Hub has named us the no.1 market leader in eSIM Connectivity Solutions for four consecutive years.

Our team of technical consultants is absolutely intent on taking proactive action to get connectivity working as well as it possibly can. If something isn’t right, we work with you to investigate the catalyst for the problem and to close the gap.

Eseye is equipped with the capabilities to guarantee unbeaten IoT cellular connectivity coverage globally, at every stage of your IoT project.

Our team of technical consultants is absolutely intent on taking proactive action to get connectivity working as well as it possibly can.

The device design challenge

The device design challenge

In a survey undertaken by Kaleido Intelligence and sponsored by Eseye, 84% of respondents cited hardware design as the number one perceived barrier to deploying IoT.

Designing and engineering an IoT device right first time can be problematic. Missing the mark could mean having to redesign the device or even rethink the strategy, resulting in delayed time to value.

Getting the device right involves successfully navigating a number of factors that ensure it will not have a negative impact on vehicle operations or the driver experience. It also needs to be capable of delivering high performance wherever the vehicle is. These factors include creating a seamless user experience, optimizing the sensor and device hardware, and achieving the necessary connectivity and automotive industry certifications.

It’s vital that device performance remains unimpaired as the technology landscape evolves. This means that functionality changes, software and SIM updates will need to be made throughout their lifecycle. Manually updating each device in the field is costly, and will result in delays.

Rethink uptime
Businesses often think on a per-month basis, focusing on the monthly statistics to gauge how well things are working across their IoT estate. This is of course a crucial metric – but you also need to take the long-term view, looking at how the device will perform over its lifetime. If a device is going out into the field for 10 years, there’s a lot that could change in that period. The mobile network operator (MNO) landscape and legislative environment are constantly evolving, for example.

Three years into the lifecycle of the product, the connectivity it started with may be no longer viable; perhaps due to a roaming agreement that has become uneconomic or been blocked altogether. If you lose connectivity at that point, you have effectively only achieved 30% availability over the 10 years you expected, which will have devastating consequences for the project.

Testing matters
Thinking about geography at a micro level, you need to consider likely variations in connectivity environments. If you’re designing and building your device in a laboratory in a research park where the cellular coverage is extremely good, and then testing it on the lab or office network, it will appear to perform perfectly adequately. However, when it’s taken out into the field, it may work well only when close to the mast and within a much smaller radius than expected.

This could be because the antenna hasn’t been well designed, or the housing hasn’t been properly considered. Putting in the work early on to optimize the design will avoid any unpleasant surprises.

At Eseye, we reduce the chance of failure by essentially simulating extremely challenging network environments using a private LTE test network that allows customers to check and measure how well their device will perform in situ. Ultimately, we try and break the device connectivity to see how well it recovers or not. Transmission power can be modified depending on the use case: for example, products must continue to provide exceptional performance, even on the fringes of cells. We reduce the power to replicate that scenario. If a customer needs to make revisions to their design, they can complete the work and then retest the device to evaluate whether the required improvement has been made.

Unbeaten IoT connectivity expertise, service, and support

Every single percentage of service uptime matters. That’s why choosing a cellular connectivity provider on cost, or opting for a SIM card supplier who simply resells connectivity, is unlikely to get you to where you want to be.

Your connectivity partner should be immersed in IoT design, development, and operation day in and day out. They must understand what you are trying to do and be ready to help you achieve the maximum uptime possible so that your business case is successful.

Eseye has the required deep IoT expertise and experience, codified within our industry-leading technology tools, which is why Kaleido Intelligence Vendor Hub has named us the no.1 market leader in eSIM Connectivity Solutions for four consecutive years.

Our team of technical consultants is absolutely intent on taking proactive action to get connectivity working as well as it possibly can. If something isn’t right, we work with you to investigate the catalyst for the problem and to close the gap.

Eseye is equipped with the capabilities to guarantee unbeaten IoT cellular connectivity coverage globally, at every stage of your IoT project.

Our team of technical consultants is absolutely intent on taking proactive action to get connectivity working as well as it possibly can.

The device design challenge

The device design challenge

In a survey undertaken by Kaleido Intelligence and sponsored by Eseye, 84% of respondents cited hardware design as the number one perceived barrier to deploying IoT.

Designing and engineering an IoT device right first time can be problematic. Missing the mark could mean having to redesign the device or even rethink the strategy, resulting in delayed time to value.

Getting the device right involves successfully navigating a number of factors that ensure it will not have a negative impact on vehicle operations or the driver experience. It also needs to be capable of delivering high performance wherever the vehicle is. These factors include creating a seamless user experience, optimizing the sensor and device hardware, and achieving the necessary connectivity and automotive industry certifications.

It’s vital that device performance remains unimpaired as the technology landscape evolves. This means that functionality changes, software and SIM updates will need to be made throughout their lifecycle. Manually updating each device in the field is costly, and will result in delays.

Rethink uptime
Businesses often think on a per-month basis, focusing on the monthly statistics to gauge how well things are working across their IoT estate. This is of course a crucial metric – but you also need to take the long-term view, looking at how the device will perform over its lifetime. If a device is going out into the field for 10 years, there’s a lot that could change in that period. The mobile network operator (MNO) landscape and legislative environment are constantly evolving, for example.

Three years into the lifecycle of the product, the connectivity it started with may be no longer viable; perhaps due to a roaming agreement that has become uneconomic or been blocked altogether. If you lose connectivity at that point, you have effectively only achieved 30% availability over the 10 years you expected, which will have devastating consequences for the project.

Testing matters
Thinking about geography at a micro level, you need to consider likely variations in connectivity environments. If you’re designing and building your device in a laboratory in a research park where the cellular coverage is extremely good, and then testing it on the lab or office network, it will appear to perform perfectly adequately. However, when it’s taken out into the field, it may work well only when close to the mast and within a much smaller radius than expected.

This could be because the antenna hasn’t been well designed, or the housing hasn’t been properly considered. Putting in the work early on to optimize the design will avoid any unpleasant surprises.

At Eseye, we reduce the chance of failure by essentially simulating extremely challenging network environments using a private LTE test network that allows customers to check and measure how well their device will perform in situ. Ultimately, we try and break the device connectivity to see how well it recovers or not. Transmission power can be modified depending on the use case: for example, products must continue to provide exceptional performance, even on the fringes of cells. We reduce the power to replicate that scenario. If a customer needs to make revisions to their design, they can complete the work and then retest the device to evaluate whether the required improvement has been made.