Geotab GO6 Product Manual
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Geotab Product Guide
Table of Contents
Jump to What Is New
Jump to Features
Jump to Upgrading from Previous Versions
Jump to Business Use Cases
Quick Getting Started
Write down the serial number of your GO device.
Locate the OBD port in your vehicle
Plug the device in
The 3 lights on the device will show when the device has power, is connected and knows its position. Go for a drive.
Register your own database
Go to http://my.geotab.com
and choose the register option. You will be emailed your link. -
Do we have a direct link to the registration site?
Log in
Click the link in your email and log in.
Add your vehicle
Click Vehicles->Add->Add Vehicle . Enter your 12-digit serial number and choose a name for the vehicle.
View your trip
Click Maps and drop down the search list. Choose your vehicle. The map will now show where the vehicle is. Click Trips History to see where the vehicle travelled throughout the time period.
Explore Online Webinars
Attend one of Geotab’s free online training events by contacting your Authorized Geotab
Reseller to register.
Explore The Online Forums
Visit our online technical support community, which is available 24/7, by visiting http:// www.geotab.com/support/forum.aspx
. You can post your question or view other responses to previous questions. Our support team consists of experienced IT professionals who are focused exclusively on Geotab products.
Explore YouTube Videos
The online training videos help users understand the wide range of features and benefits that
Geotab delivers. The short 2-3 minute videos work to combine training and learning with fun interactive marketing. The videos can be found by visiting Geotab’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/mygeotab , or website: www.geotab.com/resources/videos.aspx
.
What is New
Enhanced user experience
● Completely redeveloped web application that is much faster, easier to use, and more flexible than ever before
● Multi-language options: English, French, and Spanish
● Bulk adding vehicles
● Help system that explains more about each item on the screen
Reports
● Fuel usage report
● Many reports support trending to show progress week over week or month over month
● New Speed profile graph that compares actual to posted roadspeed
● Reports improved by adding additional columns and more reports are now available for customization
● New simplified Trip Summary report. Allows sub-grouping to different levels and unique breakdowns
● View reports in PDF format
● Additional default reports, such as speed trending reports
● Ability to disable sending of a report, based on its content. This is useful if you want to generate a report but only email it to you based on a value in Excel
● The dashboards can now be created in different sizes
● Customer visits report allows selection by zone type
Mapping
● Simple to use trips list view with clearly numbered stops, visual indicator for customer stops and exceptions and speed graph
● Smart legend at the bottom of the map defines all of the data on the map
● Tooltip shows speed and exceptions against any part of the trip
● Show planned vs. actual data on the map for a route plan
● Support for new types of web maps, including custom ones such as ArcGIS server
● Edit zone shape
● Create routes on a map and edit the routes by dragging, adding or removing points
Support for new device features
● IOX (Input Output Expander) - a versatile expansion of the GO6 products using simple plug in cable. Supports Garmin, Iridium, IO, 3rd Party expanders
● New fuel consumption information from vehicles where available
● Automatic backup detect
● Engine light on detect
● Improved dangerous driving in cab detection
● Easy to configure acceleration values in vehicle editor and exception rule editor
Rules
● New Rules Wizard with one click best practice rules
● Creating of advanced rules now Web based UI editor allowing to create more powerful rules
● New exception rules allowing gps and engine conditions to be combined. This allows rules such as those requiring a seatbelt to be worn when the vehicle moves
● Posted road speed exceptions
● Faster Exception Processor for calculating long running Exception Rules
Improvements in security & manageability
● Increased security using strong hashing algorithm for storing credentials. Passwords can never be read back out of database
● Support staff working on customers databases are now tracked and audited and log in using their myadmin accounts
● Password reset feature where email will be sent to user to allow them to select a password
● Debug mode allows certain vehicles to have their data files duplicated to a different path for processing in more than one database
● Profiling improved to allow identification of performance trouble spots
● Moving of groups
● Showing what kind of asset (vehicle, driver, exception rule, zone) is still linked to a group when you try to remove a group
● SDK Improvements and support for javascript REST API
Product Features
Geotab provides powerful management solutions within an ease to use platform that can be accessed through various devices including your PC, mobile phone, and tablet device. As you become more familiar with the various features that Geotab offers, your organization will learn more about how to benefit from the technology, such as:
● Improved driver safety
● Enhanced driver productivity
● Savings from fleet management operations
Supported Browsers
Because the website has advanced functionality, a modern browser is required:
● Internet Explorer 9 and 10
● Firefox 4.0+
● Chrome 14+
If an older browser is used then the webpage will attempt to install www.google.com/ chromeframe .
Supported Devices
IPhone
IPad
Android tablets / phones
Legacy Features
There are certain legacy features in Checkmate that have not yet been moved over to a web page. This includes certain uncommon features and reports. Geotab is working hard to make all features available on the web moving forward.
In the meantime these features use a technology called ClickOnce. This requires the browser to support this and that the browsers machine runs Windows. Firefox and Chrome do require an add-in to support ClickOnce.
Navigation in Checkmate
Use your browsers back and forward button to navigate in Checkmate.
All pages in checkmate can be bookmarked in your browser for quick access.
Pages and links can be opened as tabs and new pages allowing side by side viewing. Use right mouse button menu or CTRL + SHIFT clicking of the links.
The menu in Checkmate can be opened and closed by clicking the small orange handle on the right of the menu to make more space.
Installing Your GO Device
If you are installing a GO4 device we recommend you use an Authorized Geotab
Installer arranged through your reseller.
● Locate the label on your GO device with the serial number. The serial number typically begins with G4, GV, G5, or G6. Once you find this, record this information on a piece of paper as you will need this later.
● Locate the vehicle's OBDII port typically found in the drivers area at or below knee level.
Commercial vehicles like vans with diesel engines use a different connector system. Deutsch
6 pin or 9 pin connectors are used see this Deutsch 6 & 9 . Geotab supports these connectors through an HD Kit which allows the GO device to be plugged in to these vehicles.
● In some vehicles you may have to look up from under the dashboard to see it. Check carefully to ensure once the device has been inserted in the OBDII port the device will not interfere with the safe operation of any of the vehicles equipment or interfere with the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle safely. If you are unsure, contact your Geotab
Authorized Reseller or Installer.
● Geotab resellers also sell T-harnesses , which allows the unit to be installed elsewhere.
● Install the device into the OBDII port. As the device makes connection you will hear 3 beeps, and the 3 LED lights will flash on,
● Start the vehicle, first the RED light will come on followed by the GREEN and BlUE lights this is an indication that your installation was successful.
GO Device Lights:
RED Light: The RED light should flash briefly when the device is first plugged in. From that point on the RED light will illuminate once the engine has been started. Contact your authorized reseller if the light does not come on.
BLUE Light: The BLUE light Should flash briefly when the device is first plugged in. From that point on the BLUE light will illuminate once the device has made connection to a cellular network. If this light is not on then there is likely no coverage available in that specific area. If the blue light never turns on, then this would indicate that the SIM card in the device has not been activated. Contact your authorized reseller if the light does not come on.
GREEN Light: The GREEN light Should flash briefly when the device is first plugged in.
The GREEN light indicates GPS connectivity - the device knows its position. In most cases the green light turns on within 10 seconds, but in rare circumstances it could take longer to turn on if the device cannot get a strong enough signal from the GPS satellites. If the green light does not turn on even in the open sky, then contact your authorized reseller for further assistance.
Checking your Installation:
● Using your PC or a smartphone, visit install.geotab.com
. This web site is the final step to ensure your GO device is working. Note : do not add www.
when entering this address)
● Enter your full name, name serial number of the device of your company, and the to have the server check that data is being received. Additional install details can be entered on the next few lines.
● The last step is to click on the log install button and a successful installation should produce GREEN Status similar to the example below.
Viewing Assets on the Map
To view your asset in the map log in to the website using your credentials. Select the map button on the menu. Select your asset using the search bar. The live position of your asset is shown by default.
Map Types
Checkmate supports a variety of map types to allow flexibility depending on use. The default is Microsoft Bing maps. The following are supported:
Bing Maps
Has live traffic information (in view menu). Used for dispatch or planning scenarios.
Automatic map mode will switch to an interesting 3D and street view perspective when zoomed in.
Google Maps
Geotab does not currently license Google Maps.
Customers can license from Google or make sure their companies complies already https:// developers.google.com/maps/terms .
OpenStreetMaps
Free, open collaborative maps that can be improved or corrected by anyone contributing, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenStreetMap .
Setup your own login on the map website www.osm.org
and start editing any mistakes or add posted road speed information to the maps.
Geotab updates their maps on the my servers about once every month.
This map type does not currently support traffic or street imagery.
Custom Maps
There is powerful custom maps support available - any maps that are supported by
OpenLayers see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenLayers are supported. Examples of supported map types are:
● ArcGIS REST Servers
● MapQuest
● CloudMade
● Tilemill
Customers with custom maps eg. ESRI maps can be integrated by setting up a tile server or
ArcGIS server. All trips, exceptions and zones will appear on these maps. These maps can be configured in Administration->System Settings
Map Searching & Views
The search box makes it easy to find anything from one place. It simultaneously searches:
● Device Name
● VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
● Zone/Customer Name
● Route
● Address
The drop down triangle next to the search is used to browse vehicles and groups. Selecting the vehicle will show its current position on the map. You can search for and select more than one vehicle at a time.
View->Views->Save this View to save specific map views to return to quickly and easily. Map views are user defined options.
These can be administered from Administration-
>Options .
The view that is at the top of the list of all the predefined views is the default view that will be used when opening a new map.
Zones can be shown or hidden to reduce clutter.
New Routes can be added.
A smart legend which shows which exceptions are which colors can be shown to help with identifying problems. Exceptions can be toggled on and off on the map by left clicking on the individual exceptions in the legend to reduce clutter.
Live Tracking
It is easy to add one, multiple or an entire group to a map.
The map will adjust to automatically show all vehicles being tracked.
Changing the view will then cause only those vehicles left in the view to be tracked.
Moving the mouse over the current position will show more information about what the vehicle is currently doing.
Clicking on a map
By clicking on the map, the following options are available
● Adding a zone will create a zone of the default size and square shape at the point clicked.
This is useful for quickly creating zones and it can be edited afterwards.
● Finding the nearest vehicles to the middle of the map or the address being searched.
● Finding the address at this point.
● Street view if you are licensed for Google maps.
Historic Tracking
The trips history button allows looking at one or more vehicles trips back in time.
When switching from Live Map to Trips History, the vehicles selected in Live Map will have their trips shown.
Initially only the list of trips without a map is shown.
Each row is one trip and stop info.
The first item in a row is the address where the vehicle stopped (or the name of the zone).
By importing customers, office locations or other places into the system, these zone names will show instead of the address.
If the location is a zone then it is underlined with the following to show the type of the zone.
● Green is for home type
● Orange is for office type
● Red is for customer type
The row also shows when the vehicle arrived, how long it was stopped for, the trip time and trip distance.
Clicking on the row will cause the screen to split and a map to show on the right.
Further clicking on any trip rows will have those trips added to the map.
A shortcut to adding all the trips for the day is to click on the date row.
The numbers on the trips list correspond to the numbers on the map for that vehicle, making it easy to relate them.
There is a speed graph button on each row, allowing a quick view of the speed of the vehicle during that trip.
Each vehicles track will be shown in a different color on the map. The colored bar to the left of the trip data indicates the color of that vehicles track on the map.
The map itself has an automatic legend that shows at the bottom.
Each exception applicable to the map and the stop icons are shown.
By clicking on any icon below, that exception can be hidden from the map.
The trail of the vehicle will be shown in the color of the exception. Where there are multiple exceptions, the color will alternate in a banding pattern. When an exception is too small to be visible, a warning triangle is shown instead .
Small black arrows indicate the direction of travel.
A star with a number indicates a customer stop (a zone was created at that location) and a square with a number indicates a stop that occurred outside of a known zone.
Moving the mouse over the trail will show more info like time, speed and exceptions.
When viewing trips on a map, the software will automatically push your left menu out of the way. To get the menu back, click on the orange line located to the left side of the page.
What is a Trip?
A trip is defined as one stop to the next. Stops can be ignition off events or idle stops where the vehicle is left running but it has not moved for a period of time. If the device in the vehicle can sense that the engine is no longer running (rpm), then Checkmate knows that a trip has ended. In some cases the device could be wired in such that it cannot detect ignition
(2 or 3 wire install). If this is the case, the device can sense engine running based on position changes.
If a vehicle does not move for more than 200 seconds with the ignition on, Checkmate will automatically create a trip. This means that if a delivery for example occurs and the vehicle is left idling, then a trip will be created. Short stops less than 200 seconds are not counted as stops if the ignition is not turned off though.
If Checkmate detects the engine is running, and the vehicle is not changing position then this action is defined as idling.
Idling that occurs before a trip starts is included as part of the idling for the previous trip. A trip only starts the first time a vehicle moves. This is done this way because vehicles may at any time be started and not driven and that idling is always recorded with the previous trip total.
Zone Adding and Editing
A zone is an area on the map with any number of sides.
It is used to show where places are: like your office or depot, customers, airport, gas stations, states or areas. Also, to assist you with how much time drivers are spending at your customer zones, home zones etc. Zones are an important part of productivity analysis.
To add a zone, click the Add Zone button.
To create a zone, first click on a starting point. Continue by clicking points around the perimeter of the area you wish to make a zone, until the first and last points meet. To complete the operation, click the save button.
Before the zone is saved, the round markers can be moved. They can also be removed by dragging them off the map.
Once saved, the following details page is shown.
Zones can be imported in bulk, which is quick and easy, particularly if you have a lot of zones.
You can enter an unlimited amount of zones.
Through the use of zones, more meaningful reports can be created within the software, which displays your customer and office location information.
The software can now recognize stops within zones, such as customer areas, and also indicate the amount of time spent at these locations.
To change the shape of a zone, find the zone on the map or search for it in the zones list.
Click on the zone and the menu as shown below will appear. Click Change zone shape . The zone points can now be dragged around to edit the shape of the zone. New points can be added by clicking on the zone line and a point removed by dragging it off the map. Click Save changes or Cancel to save or cancel the zone changes.
Zone Import
Bulk importing zones or customers is a quick way to add zones.
Zones allow useful reports to work such as time at customers or to know when vehicles are stopped at customers, the office or depots
A Microsoft Excel file is need with one of the two options below
The SDK can be used by a developer to automatically synchronise customers into the system from a completely different application.
Routing
Send routes to garmin
Add routes on map and optimize
Messaging
A Garmin device can be added to a GO 6 or GO 4v3 device using a cable purchased from a reseller
Messages can be sent to any vehicle with a Garmin or to a group of vehicles.
An inbox with replies that automatically update is used to manage this.
Dispatch
Attach a GPS Navigation device (Garmin Nuvi) to a GO Device and allow the sending of messages, routing to location and changing of status in vehicle.
Driver receives turn-by-turn navigation instructions to destination.
Dispatcher sees current status on map using different colors.
Dispatch vehicle to zone, address or any location on a map.
Text messaging to driver with user defined responses.
Detect when GPS Navigation device is removed.
Send message to driver based on Exception Rules in real-time.
Comparing Planned Routes with Actual Trips
In Checkmate 56 users can import routes from a routing and scheduling program and check to see if the driver followed the defined route.
This process requires the use of the Software Development Kit (SDK) to import the routes into Checkmate. The routes must be formatted in a csv file with the details of the route name, the stop locations the estimated time to drive to each location as well as the estimated service time at each stop. Samples are available in the SDK download.
All of the stop locations must be entered entered as unique zones in Checkmate.
After the route has been completed a report can be generated using the Planned vs. Actual
Route Report to highlight stops made out of order, missed stops, and travel or service times that deviate from the plan.
-NEED TO INSERT SAMPLE REPORT-
Vehicle Setup
● Enter your serial number(s) for your GO devices:
○ Vehicles->Add->Add Vehicle
○ If you have many serial numbers, paste in all of your serial numbers with the Quick Import option: Vehicles->Add->Quick
Import
Quickly import vehicles into Checkmate. Copy and paste from Excel and CSV files, or just type.
The serial number should come first, followed by a tab, comma, or space, and then the vehicle description. Vehicles should be separated by a line break.
Example: GV-xxx-xxxx-xxx Truck 123
Once complete, MyGeotab will automatically start receiving data from your vehicle(s).
Device’s can be edited by clicking on the vehicle that needs to be used or changed. The details with various tabs are shown as below.
Device
Driver feedback
Groups
For more information on how to set up groups and best practices click here.
Detailed device info
This advanced info is shown by clicking the more details button.
Custom Parameters
Geotab support can provide special code that needs to be pasted into the custom parameters form. This looks something like:
<Parameter Description="Log Debug" Offset="13" IsEnabled="true" Bytes="80" />
This unlocks special functionality and features and should be used with care.
Status
By clicking Vehicles -> status the list of devices will be shown allowing additional information to be queried:
Health
This lists in the download status column whether the device is communicating and in the troubleshooting column additional details about any problems with the device. If the engine light is on, it will also be shown.
Current Activity
This will show what the vehicle is currently doing: idling, driving, or stopped and also the last stop address.
Other.
There are additional options such as odometer and engine hours as well as last depot stop.
Install History
This shows a report that extracts the data that was recorded when the installer tested the vehicle at http://install.geotab.com.
Auxiliary Groups
Auxiliary groups are used to make it easier for companies who wire in their auxiliaries to specific functions to group and manage those functions.
For example if the device has aux1 connected to activate whenever the door is opened, then in the reports it would be useful to see “Door Open” rather than “Aux1”.
Exceptions
Checkmate has taken the best practices for rules and made them available for one click activation. This can be accessed under Rules & Groups -> Rules .
The rules are broken up into three categories - safety, productivity and fleet.
Safety relates to changing driving behaviour to reduce accident risk.
Productivity is measuring what the driver is doing like time on the road, idling at customers vs office.
Fleet relates to the vehicle and its health.
These one click rules can be customized using the buttons below.
The pen button allows customizing the rule. This very useful because you can use any one click rule as a template and then customize it to only apply to a specific driver or group very easily. Once a rule is customized, it drops to the advanced rules section near the bottom.
The envelope button allows setting who and how to notify when a rule is broken - see below .
Who and how to notify when a rule is broken
The following notifications are available:
● An email can be sent to someone or to a group.
● A popup can be shown to a user if checkmate is open.
● The driver can be warned by beeping or prompted on a Garmin to change his status.
● 3rd Party systems can be notified through additional means, eg. to send a text message.
An advanced feature is to show a textbox allowing copying and pasting of recipients between different rules.
Notifications
Notifications are the way the application tells the user that an exception has been broken.
The main types are:
● Email a user or group of users
● An urgent pop up when the user is on the Checkmate website
● A notification to the user that is added to their notification list
Email templates
● Create custom email messages sent to users when exception rules are violated.
● Text of subject line and body can be customized.
● Choose to include or exclude attachments.
● Various tokens are available for example {device}, the device name, comments, latitude, longitude and date/time of the event.
● Create a URL in the email that takes you directly to the location of the device on a map.
● Add a phone number or an email address in the device's comments field and it will be included in your email. Most modern mobile phones will detect this and allow you to click to dial the number.
Please note that there is a variable delay from when data is sent from the vehicle to the server and when the data is processed against a rule. Notifications for certain types of rule violations may thus be delayed slightly. If it is important to notify the driver real time, then please validate if this method meets your requirements.
Advanced Editor
The advanced editor is used to customize and create more advanced rules. This is a very powerful tool and allows limitless combinations. It is however complex and mistakes can be made that cause the system to run slowly. If in doubt contact your support for help.
The following are examples of types of rules that can be created in this advanced editor:
● Entering or leaving a zone
● Backup faster than a speed
● Seatbelt not worn above certain speed
● Dangerous Driving
Use the Exceptions report that is available under Rules and Groups to review which vehicles have broken which rules.
Drivers
Automotive Acceleration (g force monitoring)
The table below gives the acceleration values experienced by a driver in different vehicle types. It is important to note that a typical car is quite different to a large truck. These values can be used when custom acceleration rules are created but the application already has some good built in defaults.
Event Typical Car Sports Car F-1 Race Car Large Truck
Accelerating 0.3 - 0.5
> 0.9
1.7
< 0.2
Braking 0.8 - 1.0
> 1.3
2 ~ 0.6
Cornering 0.6 - 1.0
> 2.5
3
Speed Graph
This can be accessed from Drivers & Activity -> Speed Graph . This report is designed to allow visualization of how much time during the day a driver actually spends driving and to understand the drivers speed vs posted road speed. The yellow line is the posted roadspeed for that road and the blue line is the drivers speed. This makes it simple to see how often and for how long the driver is speeding.
This is available from the menu or as a shortcut button when viewing trips for a vehicle
Posted Road Speed
The my.geotab.com has posted roadspeed support allowing rules for drivers that exceed the posted roadspeed limits. The data that is used for this comes from two sources:
● Navteq maps and
● Open Street Maps (OSM)
Posted road speed data is currently supported for the USA and Canada.
If a road does not exist when viewing your data on the OSM maps, you can create an account on the OSM website and add your own streets to the map. Also if a road does not have a posted roadspeed or it is wrong, you can edit the data and assign the correct maxspeed tag to the road. See this link to get started.
Geotab will update the OSM maps every month or so - so the changes will take a while to reflect.
The navteq maps are updated every 6 months.
Posted roadspeed data is not completely accurate. Especially residential roads in Canada and certain rural areas in the US.
See this link for the current coverage of posted speed limits.
Users Options
Users options are available from the menu and allow the user to customize how they see their data.
Groups
● Groups are a very powerful feature to organize your Checkmate system. It allows you to create a structure that groups your vehicles, rules, zones and users into different groupings based on how you need to see data in your organization.
● Choose Rules & Groups -> Groups to graphically view the groups.
● Create your own groups and make them as complex or simple as you like.
● An example of a group setup:
○ The location node can be used to separate the assets into the area they service.
○ The report node is used for emailed reporting to ensure that the right report goes to the right team member at each location Risk & Safety, Fleet, Operations etc.
○ Vocation can be used to separate the types of assets for reporting sales, service, delivery, etc.
● To report on a subset of vehicles that are spread throughout your organization place that node at the top of the hierarchy and add the assets to that group as well as to the location group.
● This will allow for organization wide reporting on IFTA miles in the example shown above.
that groups can also contain other groups, forming a hierarchy that reflects your organization's internal structure.
● Once your groups have been created, you can place vehicles, zones, users etc. into these groups.
● You will notice that you are now able to run reports or search things based on the group(s) they belong to.
Filter
The filter box is always available on any page and allows the user to narrow down the set of vehicles being worked on by selecting one or more groups. This is only useful if vehicles have been added to groups according to the business needs. That way if you only want to see vehicles from the Southern USA, you can select just that group.
All groups selected will have those vehicles added together for the total list of vehicle ie. the vehicles shown are not vehicles that have to be in both groups but rather vehicles that are in either group.
A user may still not be able to see vehicles even if they filter by a particular group that has vehicles if that user does not have permissions to see that group. When setting up a user, the administrator sets which groups the user has access to.
Choosing my.geotab.com or Checkmate
Your own hosted database is available for free by registering at http://my.geotab.com/registration.html
.
Checkmate can also be installed in your own organization as a standalone server. It requires a
Windows server with Microsoft SQL Server and runs on the .NET Framework
Standalone Checkmate
If you install Checkmate on a standalone server in your own organisation then the following are the minimum requirements:
Web Server
These are the same specifications Geotab uses on its internal My Servers
● .Net Framework 4.0 SP 1
● Windows Server 2003/2008/R2 64 bit
● Minimum 8-10GB RAM
● Fast disk drives – OS and Data on separate disk
● SQL Server 2005/2008
● Internet Access - High Speed for best performance
● Microsoft Excel 2007/2010
● Ports required to be open: 80 and 443
Client
● .Net Framework 2.0 SP 1
● Windows Vista(SP1), Windows XP(SP2 and SP3), Windows 7- 32bit/64bit, Windows 8
● Minimum 2GB RAM
● Internet Access - High Speed for best performance
● Internet Explorer 9 and up, Firefox 4.0 and up, or latest Chrome with Click-Once add-on.
● Older browser supported with Chrome Frame.
● The following ports need to be open in your proxy/firewall: 80 and 443
Reports
The report button is available from most pages and allows a permanent record of data that can be emailed or modified.
Two formats are available PDF and Microsoft Excel.
By clicking on the report name, a pdf report is shown in the browser. This can be saved or forwarded by email and can’t be easily changed.
By clicking the Excel button, the same report can be downloaded and edited in Excel. If after editing the report in Excel, the user would like their changes to be available in Checkmate for all users or for himself, the report can be uploaded using the custom reports menu option.
● Using Excel to create custom reports allows great looking charts, reports with formulas and calculations and customization of the color and fonts to suit your business needs.
● These reports can be scheduled to be delivered via email.
● Dashboards can be created with custom graphs.
● Reports are customized and added to by going to Administration -> Custom Reports. The following can be done:
Templates can be edited, copied or uploaded.
Setting who has access to the templates.
Whether those templates are dashboards, and how often they are updated
Who gets emailed reports and at what frequency.
Email Limits
In order to protect the quality of the service to all users, the system will limit the number and sizes of emails that are sent to users. This prevents problems when rules are created that “spam” users by mistake - or where the wrong report is chosen when trying to show particular data and that ends up with spreadsheets that are too big to be practical.
The following limits are imposed:
● Size of attachment must not exceed 10 MB
● The total number of bytes in emails that a particular rule or a scheduled report sends in one hour is less than 250 MB
● The total number of emails that a rule or a scheduled report sends in one hour must be less than 250
If the limit is exceeded, the emailing is disabled and the user can fix the report or notification and re-enable it.
Dashboards
The following dashboards are provided by default and can, like any report, be customized and new ones added.
Driver Score
An easily customized chart rating the drivers by how much speeding, after hours driving and excessive idling they do
Percentage of time idling
This report compares the idling time as a percentage of the total driving time, ranked by highest to lowest idle time.
Activity - time at office vs home vs customers
Based on the zone type, the software calculates how much time is spent at the office, home and customers.
Number of stops by time taken
For every vehicle this displays a graph showing number of short stops, longer vs long stops.
Business vs Personal
By using the zone type for home and excluding the distance to and from work, this calculates business vs personal mileage.
System Options
The following are available under the system menu:
System Settings
These settings apply globally to the customers database.
Audit Log
This lists the audit of any event that happens in the system. This is useful to see in summary what parts of the system are being used by who and also maintains the security and integrity. Audit logs can also be used to monitor employee use of the system.
Service Statues
To view the health and status of the internal services of the system you can go to
Administration->System->Service Statuses .
The most useful status is the “Reprocessing Queue Watcher” to see if a long running reprocess operation has completed. A re-process of the data may be necessary if a new rule is added and needs to be backdated.
Performance Report
This is used to diagnose and performance slow down in the system by allowing support personel to see which report or exception rule is slowing down the system
Clear/Import/Export Database
These are dangerous operations but allow an administrator to move or backup their data.
Keys and RF
This is used to create or read legacy touch keys in Checkmate. It is also used to configure radio downloaders that download data for RF passive systems
Vehicle Maintenance
This can be accessed by going to Engine & Maintenance -> Maintenance Reminders .
This is a useful feature to track for example
● tire rotation
● minor and major services
● leases expiring
This report will show upcoming reminders that need to be actioned. You can choose for example to see any reminders becoming due in the next 45 days.
Reminders can be setup by clicking Setup Reminders . This brings up the reminder rules screen. In here you name the reminder rule, and chose its type. The default types are below but you can create your own:
● Lease expiry Event
● License Expiry Event
● Oil Change Event
● Tire Rotation Event
The reminder rule can be based on the following criteria:
● A certain time has expired
● The vehicle has driven a certain number of miles
● The engine has been running for a certain length of time
● or something that occurs on a hard date
Table of Hardware Features
Standard Features
Device OBD install
Optimal logging
Driver rating
In cab driver
Feedback
Feedback on server rule
PTO 3rd party integration
GO4v3 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
IOX expansion
Trip storage
2000 miles
Old touch key
New key
✓ ✓
GO5 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 2000 miles
GO6 ✓ ✓ ✓
Advanced Features
Device System health
& diagnosis
SDK for 3rd party devices
✓ ✓ ✓
Over the air updates
Immobilization
GO4v3
GO5
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓ ✓
✓
Device unplugged timestamp
✓
✓
2000 miles
School bus
✓
✓
GO6
✓
Engine Data
Device Most complete
✓ ✓
Gas J1708 J1939 diesel Hybrid, EV and alt fuel
✓
Secondary Engine
✓
Remote Scan Tool
GO4 data
✓ engine
✓ ✓ ✓
Protocol
✓
GO5
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
GO6
✓ ✓
Communication Options
Device 2G GSM 3G HSPA
GO4v3
✓ ✓
GO5
✓
CDMA
✓
✓
Garmin
✓
Iridium
✓
✓
WIFI
✓
✓
RF local download
✓
✓
✓
✓
GO6
✓ ✓
Safety & Compliance
Device Accident reconstruction
GO4v3
✓
GO5
✓
✓
Backup detect
✓
✓
✓ ✓
Driver rating
✓
✓
✓
Hours of Service
✓
✓
DVIR/CSA
✓
IFTA miles
✓
✓
GO6
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
✓ Coming soon
✓ Available
● OBD install
Device can optionally be installed into OBD port
Used by mechanics to detect engine fault codes and vehicle measurements.
Located somewhere accessible to the driver - sometimes by the drivers feet.
Gets power from this port and because is self contained doesn't require any installation.
In some cases the positioning of the port can interfere with the driver and thus an extension harness must be used.
● Optimal logging
Patent pending algorithm to improve accuracy and reduce costs
Most accurate mileage and track on a map
Fast GPS latch by having the GPS always know where the satellites are
● Driver rating
Accelerometer analysis and speed used to look at the drivers safe driving practices
● In cab driver feedback
Device can beep at driver for violations like speeding, over revving or over idling
● Feedback on server rule
Supports having a rule on the server that when violated can be set to buzz at the driver or send a message to their Garmin
● PTO 3rd party integration
RS232 serial port used to integrate with 3rd party devices that send serial data
IOs are inputs that read whether a circuit is grounded or left disconnected or alternatively whether it is switched to 12V.
● IOX expansion
IO eXpander used to plug in as many cables for different purposes into the GO device. There are many different cables available including
Garmin
4 IO’s & serial or Hours of Service
WIFI
RFID key
● Trip storage
This is the amount of data recorded even if the vehicle is out of range and does not download its data
● Old touch key
Support of older touch keys that require plugging into a mounted receptacle.
● New key
Geotab supports driver identification using an RFID touch key tag
● System health & diagnosis
Devices wake up periodically and do a self diagnosis and communicate with the server to confirm that are fully functional
● SDK for 3rd party devices
3rd Parties with devices like weigh scales can integrate through a free SDK
Geotab has an open protocol that any 3rd party can send serial data to the GO device. That data is automatically sent to the Checkmate database and tagged with location and date and time
● Over the air updates
Software in these units can be updated remotely adding new functionality or giving new features
● Immobilization
Units can be wired to inhibit the starting of a vehicle. This can be useful for theft deterrence or for enforcing driver identification
● Device unplugged timestamp
The device detects unauthorised unplugging or tampering and stores location and data time of any event.
● School bus
There is advanced support for newer school buses where the data about flashing lights and arm down are only available on the engine bus
● Most complete data
Geotab technology extracts the most amount of useful engine data from the widest variety of engines. Support for more vehicles and kinds of information are being added all the time
Vehicles VIN and odometer reading is automatically extracted out of the vehicle and made available in reports
Check Engine light is detected and shown in Checkmate
Engine measurements including battery voltage, oil pressure and temperature, fuel level and any engine fault codes describing maintenance attention issues are extracted
● Gas engine
Supports old and new gas engines
Supports ISO 15765 (CAN bus on all new European and North American vehicles)
Supports ISO 14230 KWP2000 (older vehicles mostly European and Asian manufacturers)
Supports ISO 9141-2 (older vehicles mostly Chrysler, European, and Asian vehicles)
Supports SAE J1850 PWM (older Ford vehicles)
Supports SAE J1850 VPW (older General Motors vehicles)
● J1708 J1939 diesel
Supports old and new diesel engines
Supports SAE J1708 (older diesel vehicles)
Supports SAE J1939 (replacement for J1708 for diesel vehicles)
● Hybrid, electric vehicle and alternate fuel vehicles
Special support for analysing performance of the new hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. Partners of Geotab analyse and consult around this data
● Secondary Engine Protocol
Newer devices can communicate using two protocol for engines that require it.
This is needed for some newer vehicles to get all the data that the engine computer has like seatbelt and VIN
Support for extra GM information
● Remote Scan Tool
This allows Geotab support to remotely communicate directly with the engine computer. This is useful for adding support for new vehicle types remotely and troubleshooting any issues
● 2G/GSM
Support for older GSM 2G networks. This is the most common network everywhere in the world
● 3G/HSPA
Some network carriers eg AT&T don’t allow new GSM devices on their network. A
3G or HSPA version of the device is available for these networks. The 3G version will run on GSM networks.
● CDMA
Support for CDMA 1xRTT is also available for CDMA networks like Sprint and Verizon
● Garmin
Through a Garmin cable, a garmin can be attached to a GO device allowing messaging and dispatch
● Iridium
Satellite system allowing coverage anywhere in the world
Works with GSM/3G/WIFI/CDMA when it has coverage but allows pinging, stop detect and panic when out of cell coverage
Additional hardware and a monthly charge required
● WIFI
Devices that can use a wifi network or hotspot to enable live tracking or uploading when connecting at the office
● RF local download
900 Mhz radio is used to upload data for vehicles when they return back to the office in range of a special downloader that plugs into the network. The range is around
1000ft
● Accident reconstruction
The device records in second by second resolution the last 100 seconds of position and speed data for detailed analysis of what happened in an accident
The force being applied to the vehicle in any direction is recorded. This allows forensic look at when brakes were applied, where and when an impact occurred and from what direction. Also when the device detects that a possible accident has occurred, it automatically sends this detail to the server for analysis.
● Backup detect
Sophisticated software can usually detect when the vehicle is being backed up or reversed and when it is moving forward. This is communicated to Checkmate
● Driver rating
The accelerometer is automatically calibrated to figure out the difference between hard braking, aggressive acceleration and dangerous cornering or lane changes. This is communicated to Checkmate
● Hours of Service
These devices can have an Hours of Service screen added. This enables compliance with HOS regulations
● DVIR/CSA
US Department of Transportation regulations see this link and this link for CSA information.
● IFTA miles
The product supports these requirements. See this link .
Release Notes for Devices
Device Release Notes for July 2012
RF (Passive) Devices
Even though it is much more useful to have tracking done live, the GO4v3 product line supports downloading data without the use of a cellular or paid for link. The data is buffered and stored in the vehicle for the entire day's journey for a vehicle and then downloaded through a downloader located at the customer's offices. The range of this downloading varies but is typically 1000 ft. The downloaders are connected to an Ethernet network and configured using Checkmate.
Web Browser / Smartphone
● View recent trip activity or current location of your vehicles from your smartphone.
● Access some of the features like Activity and Trips and Maps through the web browser.
This means users not running Windows have access to some key features of Checkmate.
Engine Data
The GO device is designed to collect as much engine information as possible from the computers in a vehicle.
The amount of information varies significantly manufacturer to manufacturer, model to model and year to year. In many cases the most useful information, like seatbelt state, is proprietary to each manufacturer.
When being plugged into an engine, the GO device is very careful to not transmit when it shouldn’t and rather attempts to retrieve information by listening. If for any reason the vehicle stalls, or engine lights show and this problem goes away when unplugging the unit, then please do not use the device and contact your reseller or Geotab support for help.
A general rule is that the newer the vehicle, the more data will be available.
In order to determine whether a vehicle is driving, stationary or turned off, the system uses a patented technique to look at battery voltage, movement via accelerometer, GPS and engine data. This allows the system to be used in vehicles that don't even have an engine bus, in new electric and hybrid vehicles and commercial vans and large trucks.
In almost all cases that the vehicle has the data, the product will collect:
● RPM
● Battery voltage
● Engine warning light on
● Driver seatbelt use & passenger if available
● Odometer
● Engine hours (number of hours the engine has run for)
● Emission faults
● VIN
Users
Security Clearances
Security clearances are used in Checkmate to give only the functionality that is needed to particular users. This is important to:
● Ensure users only access what they are authorized for
● Simplifies Checkmate by removing menu items making it easier to use
While the clearances can be customized, by default the clearances are:
● Administrator. This user has full and complete access to the system
● Supervisor. The user can administer most things but not users and database wide things like engine data, server status and system settings
● Default User. This is a good default for advanced users and allows administering zones
● View Only. The user cannot change any data but only views all data in their allowed groups
● Nothing. Used as a starting point for very limited users. The user only has access to help and groups that apply to their allowed group and viewing any data for drivers and vehicles belonging to their group
Software Development Kit (SDK)
Checkmate has an excellent SDK that allows customers or partners to integrate their solution with Checkmate. The SDK can be used to integrate with a company's internal systems for example to an invoicing system or a route planning system.
● REST interface (JSON through javascript)
● Microsoft .NET Framework interface.
The SDK has samples and source code.
Click here for the SDK faq and for getting started.
Even includes a mini version of Checkmate with source code
Individual pages eg. map of a vehicle can be embedded in your own webpages
Upgrading from Previous Versions
Upgrading from a previous version of Checkmate to 5.6 is a mostly automatic process, and you should be up and running without a hassle.
However, since there are some major improvements to some features in version 5.6, there are some manual steps that you may need to perform if you have some more advanced configurations. Please read the next few sub-sections carefully to check to see if you will need to perform some additional configuration to get up and running with Checkmate 5.6.
Generic Engine Rules
As of the July 2012 firmware update for devices, the vehicle will now use a generic engine diagnostic for many of the engine diagnostics. Previously, there would be a diagnostic for every type of engine source (for example, Fuel Level for both J1708 and J1939 were individual diagnostics). Instead, there are now generic aggregated diagnostics to make it easier to create rules and generate reports for a fleet with mixed engine sources.
Exception rules created with engine source-specific diagnostics will no longer create exceptions once the new firmware has been upgraded. To fix these cases:
1. Check to see if any rules in the system utilize an engine source (if they have a name with an engine source type in parentheses as shown below):
2. Add a generic diagnostic, by using the “Add Engine Diagnostic” button, and add to the conditions.
3.
Open the advanced rule conditions editor by clicking on the script icon take note of the new ID:
and copy or
4. Copy the newly added ID and click “Undo” until the changes made to the conditions are undone, and then replace the old id (2239 in this case) to the new one:
Business Use Cases
Causes and background to vehicle safety at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Road_traffic_accident .
The following areas are an opportunity to use Geotab to improve business:
Safety
● Setup exceptions for dangerous driving speeding against posted speed limits harsh brake dangerous lane changes/ aggressive driving after hours use driving with no seatbelt
● Limiting backing up (and ensuring backing first)
● Seatbelts are used much less than expected by monitoring compliance can go from 80% to
99.8% (large fleet case study)
● Notify the driver by buzzing in the vehicle
● Driver safety scorecard
● Who to email / alert in case of accident -setup a procedure when accident happens.
Auto retrieve
Reconstruction from data
● Detect distracted driving – big issue
Productivity
● Import customers using the built in wizard or use the SDK to sync customers in Checkmate from another system automatically.
● Use groups for different customer types. That way reports will group and categorize automatically.
● Get minutes per customer visit or minutes spent visiting by category.
● In an actual case study, a large company using Geotab saves 3% on labour by monitoring how much time was done doing their customers’ deliveries.
● Report the number of customer visited by driver per day
● Manage the time employees are at the office. Paid time vs. personal time (lunch and break abuse)
● Look at the total time each day employees spend driving slowly or idling (ie caught in traffic)
● Graphically monitor days trips with exceptions. In an actual case study, a large company using Geotab saved more than 2% of their mileage by avoiding bad driver decisions like bad routing or unnecessary stops
● In an actual case study, a large company using Geotab reduced the supervisor headcount from 30:1 to 50:1 by using Checkmate as a tool to manage driver activity
● Setup allowed time at stops and through routing get planned routes vs. actual activity
● Setup allowed travel times and compare planned vs. actual
● Dispatch Overlap
● Excess Miles – Best route taken? Off Area Mileage?
● Segmented Analysis of Work Day
Fleet
● A fuel saving calculator spreadsheet is available to show the fuel saving by managing using
Geotab
● High CO ratio detected by engine computer indicates vehicles wasting fuel and needing a service
● Fuel is saved by limiting idling – buzz in cab and exception rule. Accurate fuel and CO2 measurement during idle time
● Enhanced idle time measurement
Begin of Trip Idle Time (actionable)
End of Trip Idle Time (actionable)
Expected/Planned Idle Time per Route (Traffic Delays) (not really actionable but knowing this will tell you the best that can be obtained)
● Miles per gallon and mpg compared against peers
● Mileage Reduction
● Email can be sent when the vehicle engine warning light is on - vehicle needs maintenance
● Email can be sent when employee leaves their car lights on or the battery is going to fail
● Email can be sent when the alternator fails
● Use Checkmate to setup service intervals, tire rotation and even lease expiring.
● Service intervals are based off odo readings taken automatically from vehicle or by total engine hours (better metric for maintenance)
● Checkmate automatically makes available accurate odo and vin for every vehicle in
Checkmate
● The watchdog report is used to identify failed or tampered units
● An advanced user can use the vehicle engine codes to identify exactly what is wrong with a vehicle without even needing a diagnostic scan tool.
● For asset utilization, Checkmate can tell what percentage of vehicles are not being driven over time and by region. In an actual case study, a large company using Geotab reduced their unutilized assets to 4% from a the industry standard of 10% or more.
● Prioritized engine fault codes
Ability to filter out noise or un-actionable events
Optional integration with Asset Management System to open work orders
● Fault code knowledgebase
Optional integration with Asset Management System to provide repair data
● Best repair practices
Data provides repair information
Reduced unneeded parts expense
● Condition exceptions and threshold alerts based on like vehicles (peers)
● Scheduled component (brakes, starter, filters, alternator, etc.) maintenance based on:
Ignition Cycles
Hours
Miles
● Grade Component (brakes, starter, filters, lubrication, etc.) wear based on driving Habits
(jack rabbit starts, harsh braking, etc. cause accelerated wear)
● Measurement of repair effectiveness. Was condition fixed the first time? Has a direct correlation to breakdowns.
● Breakdown analysis. Breakdowns vs. vehicle data. Could breakdown have been prevented?
● Provide mechanic with vehicle location. Reduces vehicle obtain time.
Dispatch
● Find address or customer by customer name
● Find vehicles closest to the address or customer
● Click to send message to Garmin GPS in the vehicle to dispatch to that location and navigate the driver there
● Routes can be set up and driver dispatched to a route with automatic navigation to all destinations
● Statuses can be used by the driver in the Garmin to alert dispatcher as to availability
● Many reports to look at time spent driving, stopped etc.
Sustainability and Regulatory
● Hours of Service regulations
● Driver Vehicle Inspection Report
● IFTA Fuel Tax reporting
● Tax Mile Accuracy and Private Property Mileage Exclusion
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