JJM Mechanical Group: Scalable telematic solution yields big results for small fleet

Results at-a-glance

• A 47% reduction in harsh driving events (braking, cornering, acceleration and speeding)
• Increased seatbelt use, with a 75.5% reduction in time spent driving without properly fastened seatbelts
• Enhanced customer service through more accurate service ETAs for clients
• Quickly recovered a stolen vehicle
• Reduced downtime through preventative maintenance driven by vehicle telematics

JJM Mechanical Group provides installation and maintenance services for plumbing, natural gas equipment, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. The company wanted more control over its fleet. Specifically, it wanted to easily know where vehicles were at any given time to improve service time estimates and manage unauthorized after-hours use. 

Working with Zeemac, JJM Mechanical Group utilized Geotab solutions to not only meet but exceed their goals. This included enhancing customer service, reducing unauthorized vehicle use through real-time vehicle tracking, improving driver safety with drive data, and minimizing vehicle downtime through predictive maintenance.

The challenge:

JJM Mechanical Group was looking to gain more control over its small fleet. The nature of their business means the company regularly deals with urgent service calls. Clients want to know when a technician will arrive, and the company wants to make the best use of employees’ time. They needed a solution that allowed them to provide accurate updates on service times and dispatch the closest technician to an urgent call. 

The company also needed to minimize unauthorized after-hours vehicle use when technicians parked at home overnight, to mitigate risk and ensure the safety of both drivers and vehicles. 

The solution:

To proactively enhance customer service and better manage their eight-vehicle fleet, JJM Mechanical Group partnered with Zeemac, a Canadian vehicle leasing and servicing company. As a Geotab reseller and certified installer, Zeemac equips vehicles with advanced telematics solutions like Geotab GO and MyGeotab, providing real-time vehicle tracking, improved safety and compliance, and data for effective maintenance. Since JJM Mechanical Group already relied on Zeemac for fleet vehicles and maintenance, integrating the Geotab solution was seamless. Zeemac installed the devices and trained JJM Mechanical staff on MyGeotab.

How did Zeemac support JJM Mechanical with a Geotab solution?

Seamless integration: The vehicles arrive ready-to-go with a Geotab device.  Zeemac’s extensive training makes administration simple and straightforward. JJM Mechanical Group has also integrated the driving data produced by their Geotab devices with a scheduling app, making it easy to tell technicians about their next job. 

Driver safety: Drivers know right from the start that safety and driving behaviors are being monitored. As a result, they are more likely to drive in safer and more efficient ways. 

Vehicle maintenance: The Geotab telematics solution offers deep insight into the state of fleet vehicles. That makes it easier to track vehicle “health” and perform preventative maintenance to reduce overall downtime. 

The results:

JJM Mechanical Group saw significant benefits from the Geotab solution installed by Zeemac. The company enhanced customer service, improved driver safety, and so much more.

Location tracking: JJM Mechanical Group could provide more accurate service times for clients. The company could also track any after-hours usage, with notifications alerting staff if a vehicle is driven after-hours.   

Recovered stolen vehicle: The company had a vehicle stolen at the end of a work week. Staff were alerted – almost immediately – that the van was not where it should be, thanks to the Geotab onboard device. That made it easier to recover the vehicle quickly – much more quickly than if it was discovered missing on Monday morning. 

Driver safety: The new Geotab system sparked a change in driver habits. The company saw a 47% reduction in harsh driving events such as harsh braking and acceleration, harsh cornering, and speeding. They also saw a 75% reduction in time spent driving without properly fastened seatbelts. 

Reduced downtime: Engine data reports, especially the battery drainage reports, mean JJM Mechanical can track how a vehicle is performing and ensure maintenance is done proactively, which reduces overall downtime.

Cost controls: Staff can use trip reporting to validate fuel card use and driver timecards. Plus, preventative service means fewer lost working hours when a vehicle is out for service. 

Next steps: 

With the service and safety results JJM Mechanical Group has experienced with their Geotab solution, the company is considering additional telematics technology, specifically fuel card and dash cam integration.