In freight transportation , knowing the location of vehicles is only one part of fleet management. Fuel consumption, vehicle utilization, operational events, and compliance with administrative obligations also influence costs and the continuity of operations .

According to Mauricio Calles , commercial manager of IQUO digital , one of the main challenges for transport companies is to relate these variables to obtain a more complete view of what is happening with their vehicles.

“When information is distributed across different platforms, reports, or files, it becomes more difficult to identify where deviations exist and what situations need attention. The challenge is not only having the data, but also turning it into information that helps in decision-making ,” he explains.

From this perspective, the integration of GPS, telemetry, and analytics tools allows for a shift from individual unit tracking to management based on key performance indicators (KPIs). These are five aspects that, according to Mauricio, should be incorporated into fleet management.

Fuel efficiency: How to detect deviations per unit

Fuel is one of the variables that transporters need to constantly monitor. However, simply checking total expenses doesn’t allow them to determine which vehicles are consuming more than expected.

Mauricio points out that the analysis should relate the liters loaded, the amount of the operations, the kilometers traveled and the performance of each unit.

“If a vehicle starts consuming more fuel than usual, we need to identify that difference and investigate what might be happening. It could be related to mechanical condition, route, vehicle usage, or load records. The indicator helps us pinpoint where to investigate, but it doesn’t determine the cause on its own ,” he explains.

Historical information and comparisons between vehicles allow us to recognize variations and establish reference parameters according to the characteristics of each operation.

Data to review includes fuel volume (in liters), associated fuel consumption, mileage, and the difference between expected and recorded fuel efficiency. With this information, managers can prioritize the vehicles that require evaluation.

Fuel loads vs. GPS activity: How to compare the records

Another variable that can provide relevant information arises when comparing fuel records with the activity reported by the GPS .

For example, a load recorded during a period when the vehicle is not in use may warrant review. However, this condition does not in itself demonstrate an irregularity: it could also be due to differences in recording times, legitimate operational activities, or communication problems within the team.

“ When we link fuel records to vehicle activity, we can identify discrepancies that require review and focus attention on the cases that need it. The benefit lies in detecting these situations promptly and taking steps to improve fuel consumption control ,” explains Mauricio Calles.

The potential for improvement is also reflected in fleet management studies. According to research by the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) , a program combining telematics monitoring, feedback, and driver training achieved fuel efficiency improvements of 5.4% in long-haul sleeper trucks and 9.3% in daytime trucks . These results reflect a comprehensive intervention on driving habits, not solely the detection of fueling inconsistencies.

“ That’s why it’s important not to focus solely on the fuel consumption. We also need to review the distance traveled, periods of inactivity, and the information transmitted by the GPS. By comparing this data, we can identify situations that need validation and establish corrective actions based on what is actually happening in the operation,” Mauricio adds.

To conduct this analysis, it’s advisable to review cargo records and their amounts, periods of inactivity, GPS connectivity, and the operating conditions of each vehicle. The goal is to detect potential inconsistencies, strengthen fuel control, and identify opportunities for improvement, keeping in mind that the results will depend on the specific conditions and needs of each fleet.

Fleet utilization: How to know the activity of each unit

Having vehicles available doesn’t necessarily mean they’re all being used equally. While some units are frequently used, others may remain idle for extended periods.

GPS tracking allows you to analyze trips, mileage, travel times, and periods of inactivity. By consolidating this data into a dashboard , you can compare vehicle activity and identify discrepancies that warrant further investigation.

“ It’s important to distinguish between a unit that is truly underutilized and one that is stopped for an operational reason. We must also verify that the equipment is transmitting correctly. Information only becomes valuable when it is interpreted in light of what is happening in the operation ,” Mauricio emphasizes.

The analysis can consider the number of trips, kilometers traveled, days of downtime, and the connectivity status of the equipment. This information provides elements for reviewing vehicle allocation, availability, and asset utilization.

Alerts and operational events: What to track with GPS and telemetry

In addition to analyzing historical information, companies need to identify events that require attention during operations.

Depending on the devices installed and their configuration, GPS and telemetry platforms can record speeding, entries and exits from delimited geographical areas, periods of inactivity, and power disconnections of the equipment.

The usefulness of these records depends on the fact that those in charge can consult what happened, in which unit, at what time and where the vehicle was located, when that information is available.

Mauricio indicates that event tracking also allows for the review of recurring behaviors.

“If a unit experiences frequent disconnections, for example, a technical review can be requested. If it registers periods of inactivity that don’t correspond to the schedule, it’s possible to verify what’s happening. Having the history helps to track the issue with more context,” he asserts.

Viewing events by unit, date, and alert type facilitates monitoring and allows for organized reviews. These tools provide visibility, but they do not replace security protocols or guarantee incident prevention on their own.

Vehicle administration: Keeping documentation under control

The profitability of a fleet also depends on the management of its assets. Insurance policies, inspections, registration cards, and other documents require monitoring to reduce the risk of expiration and disruptions to operations.

When information is stored in separate files, consolidating it and identifying outstanding issues can become a complex task, particularly in companies with vehicles distributed across different locations or divisions.

“ We need clarity not only on where the vehicles are and how they are being used, but also on their administrative status. If the information is organized, it is easier to identify which documents are about to expire, which ones require updating, and which units need monitoring ,” explains Mauricio Calles.

Administrative dashboards allow users to check the status of units, identify expired or soon-to-expire documentation, and detect incomplete records. Filters and export options also facilitate review by the responsible departments.

In this way, document control complements operational monitoring and contributes to a more organized management of vehicles.

How to make better decisions by integrating GPS, telemetry, and vehicle management into a dashboard

The five indicators show that fleet performance cannot be evaluated based on a single variable . Fuel consumption, vehicle activity, operational events, connectivity, and administrative status need to be analyzed together to better understand operational behavior.

In this process, management platforms and dashboards help to centralize information, compare results between units, and identify deviations that require follow-up. However, their effectiveness also depends on the quality of the records, the definition of benchmarks, and the existence of individuals responsible for investigating findings and monitoring corresponding actions.

“A technological tool allows for greater visibility, but the next step is to establish what will be measured, what the expected parameters are, and who will monitor the differences. It’s not about accumulating information, but about using it to better understand the operation and support decisions ,” says Mauricio.

IQUO digital, a comprehensive solution for greater visibility and control over your operations

In this context, IQUO digital offers GPS and telemetry solutions to know the location and activity of vehicles, as well as information on operational events, according to the installed technology.

For its part, DENED Dashboard allows the consolidation of information from vehicle management systems, GPS tracking, and compatible fuel sources to present it through indicators, dashboards, and reports.

This integration facilitates the analysis of variables such as mileage, trips, fuel consumption and performance , connectivity, operational events and documentary status, according to the available sources and the implemented modules.

Users can delve deeper into specific cases using filters, consult historical data, and export information for review. These capabilities can be useful for both companies seeking to structure their monitoring processes and for operations with a larger number of units and diverse control needs.

For Mauricio, the starting point is understanding what information each company needs and how it can use it to improve its processes.

“ Knowing the location of the vehicles is important, but we also need to understand how they are used, how much fuel they consume, what situations require attention, and their administrative status. When we can relate these variables, we have more information to identify opportunities for improvement and make informed decisions ,” he concludes.

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The implementation of new regulations for the transport and distribution of fuels and high-risk goods has brought the need to strengthen traceability and control of vehicles to the forefront of the debate. These measures include vehicle marking , the implementation of GPS tracking systems , and the use of QR codes to identify registered vehicles with valid permits, in an effort to improve oversight and safety in operations.

The emerging regulations NOM-EM-006-ASEA-2025 and NOM-EM-007-ASEA-2025 , issued by the Agency for Safety, Energy and the Environment (ASEA) , establish the mandatory nature of these identification and monitoring mechanisms. However, in an environment where thefts and accidents occur in a matter of seconds, the challenge for companies is not limited to regulatory compliance, but also to having the capabilities to react immediately to an incident.

In this context, some companies have chosen to turn regulatory obligations into a catalyst for operational transformation. Such is the case of FREJI Transportación Especializada , which anticipated regulatory compliance by fully digitizing its operations through the Samsara® Connected Operations Platform .

As a success story, with the application of these solutions, prior to the technological adoption, the company faced limitations in its ability to react to theft and accidents, which increased operational and financial risks, as well as compromising the safety of its operators. This was compounded by slow maintenance and administrative processes , resulting from operations with poor real-time visibility.

The implementation of advanced telemetry , dashboard cameras with artificial intelligence (AI), connected workflows, and asset tracking made it possible to change this scenario.

According to the company, digitizing its fleet resulted in an 87% reduction in accidents , an 85% decrease in vehicle theft, and a 95% improvement in incident response times. Furthermore, integrating cameras into more than 250 vehicles contributed to a 40% increase in driver performance.

Beyond the numbers, the adoption of the platform strengthened FREJI ‘s prevention culture by increasing real-time visibility and streamlining critical maintenance and administrative control processes, in a context of greater regulatory and operational demands.

“The digital transformation we have undertaken with Samsara has resulted in greater protection for our operators and fleets, improved operational efficiency, faster decision-making, and lower costs. We are convinced that technological innovation is the path to safer and more sustainable transportation,” stated Carlos Rábago, Project Director at FREJI Specialized Transportation.

With more than 250 operational units , the FREJI case illustrates that regulatory compliance in beacons, GPS and QR codes needs to be accompanied by operational capabilities that allow real-time visibility and immediate response to incidents.

What the regulations require and what the sector faces

In practice, the provisions published in the Official Gazette of the Federation have broadened the scope of vehicle marking beyond a purely visual measure. According to the guidelines issued by the National Energy Commission (CNE) , vehicles transporting and distributing petroleum products, gas, and petrochemicals must incorporate markings that meet durability and visibility criteria, active and certified GPS systems with real-time transmission, and QR codes issued by the authority to identify valid permits, authorized routes, and the legal origin of the products.

This scheme also incorporates digital monitoring tools such as the SIRACP system , which will allow authorities to access complete information on the units, while citizens will have partial access to the data.

The omission, manipulation, or deactivation of the GPS is considered a serious offense, and operating records must be kept for at least 12 months, which increases the operational and administrative responsibility of the permit holders, in accordance with the guidelines published by the CNE.

For the sector, the challenge is significant. Specialists and industry stakeholders have pointed out that, while markings can facilitate the identification of vehicles, their effectiveness against highway crime is limited when robberies occur in a matter of seconds and under increasingly violent methods.

In this context, several companies have chosen to complement regulatory compliance with monitoring technologies , reaction protocols and risk management schemes that allow them to act during the event, and not only after the crime has been committed.

Thus, compliance with the new regulations has begun to take shape not only as a regulatory exercise, but as a strategic decision that forces companies to review their technological capabilities , their monitoring processes and the way they manage the safety of their operators and assets on the road.

With information from Samsara .

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Union Pacific (UP) will track its domestic 53-foot container fleet , as well as those owned with other rail companies, through a new GPS-powered platform developed by Blume Global , seeking greater real-time visibility in intermodal transport.

Kenny Rocker, UP’s executive vice president of Marketing and Sales, emphasized that this is another significant step in providing the best possible customer experience.

“By combining GPS-enabled containers with real-time data and smarter visibility tools, we deliver the transparency and reliability our customers depend on,” he emphasized.

He highlighted that among the main benefits for customers are real-time notifications for critical deliveries , instant alerts for loading/empty status and location tracking, reducing street dwell time (the period of time a container is off the ramp in the customer’s possession, whether loaded or empty).

Also included are simplified communication, resulting in fewer phone calls and manual updates, Application Programming Interface (API) connectivity for complete data integration, and more.

“These tools help customers resolve issues faster, plan more effectively, and reduce manual tracking, enabling an improved and reliable shipping experience,” Rocker emphasized.

Developed in collaboration with Blume Global, part of CargoWise Landside , the initiative brings real-time location data , smarter alerts and geofencing capabilities to one of the largest railroad-owned container fleets in North America.

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For a logistics company it is essential to be immersed in the benefits that technology provides , mainly because using it means great benefits in costs and times.

In this case, geographic information systems (GIS) have become increasingly necessary in logistics, from a simple use of GPS to data analysis that allows decision making, said Paola Salman, vice president of SIGSA.

A GIS is a platform to gather, visualize, analyze and share results, from climate, temperature, demographic information, crime incidence, traffic, among others, of a place or route.

In an interview for T21, Salman pointed out that these systems have different applications , for example, in precision agriculture, mining exploration, renewable energy, urban planning, logistics and deliveries, to name a few.

In logistics, Paola Salman indicated that the main uses are maps , to understand basic things such as the location of a distribution center, generation and optimization of routes , travel time, balance, security, real-time monitoring of cargo, operational analysis, among others.

“Increasingly, consumers are asking for same-day deliveries. Having all of this well organized allows you to meet customer expectations in terms of service and security issues translates into lower costs,” he assured.

Likewise, as they contain important company data, he indicated that they are very secure systems against cybercriminals, since SIGSA’s software can even be adapted to the company’s own infrastructure.

“In general, for retail and transportation companies, the information is very sensitive, they can know where their cargo is. You have to have a lot of flexibility for security policies,” he said.

He explained that one of the things they are implementing in this case is to change the way the software is sold, which allows access control and traceability of the information being handled.

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A motor transport unit took an average of four hours, 57 minutes and 35 seconds to remove a container from a port in Mexico , according to the measurement of 8,114 maneuvers carried out last May in four of the country’s main ports.

The time recorded in the fifth month of the year is less than the five hours, 21 minutes and nine seconds that was obtained in the measurement a month before.

These results obtained by T21 from the ports of Altamira, Lázaro Cárdenas, Manzanillo and Veracruz are given in collaboration with transportation companies and GPS companies that facilitate access to their information.

The total average time obtained in May of this year was divided as follows: two hours 41 minutes 38 seconds in customs (54.23%); one hour, five minutes and five seconds in maneuver (21.83%); and one hour, 11 minutes and 21 seconds waiting (23.9%).

These data show that the waiting time at customs continues to be the most important in maritime logistics activities, at a time when the country has registered increases in the receipt of imported goods , mainly due to the effect of nearshoring (relocation). of companies or production lines), according to consulted specialists.

Individually, the port of Lázaro Cárdenas presents the highest average within the four ports measured , mainly due to the average time in customs, followed by Altamira, Veracruz and Manzanillo.

By arrival time at the port, it was observed that the highest density of motor transport units occurs between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. , while the most important departure window extends from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. .

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“The day we conduct 100 investigations in a month, this will be a great project. After five years, we were conducting 100 investigations a day. Today, under a different model, we conduct 450 investigations daily,” recalls Enrique Vázquez Rebollo, founder of Recurso Confiable, who described this scenario to his sister.

On May 29, Recurso Confiable celebrates its 27th anniversary, with a model focused on certifying transportation operators, which has become a strategic link in the supply chain. They have also incorporated other service verticals that go beyond socioeconomic studies of operators.

“We have always maintained an innovation strategy. Today, we remember with nostalgia when we had staff who would go to the shippers’ yards with 3 ½ inch disks to share the database of operators who could enter. Later, we evolved to point of sale (POS) terminals, being the only non-banking entity to use them, to register the entry of operators in the shippers’ yards,” recalled Enrique Vázquez in an interview with T21.

Today, Recurso Confiable has three major service verticals: RC Control, which addresses the need for a solid database of operators, with more than 400,000 records and serving over 1,700 transportation lines.

Through the RC Control Track vertical, they have become an integrator of GPS (location services) to provide visibility to shippers. This solution monitors more than 4,400 transporters and connects with over 1,000 GPS companies.

“With this solution, we are generating more than 45 million daily pulses in the hub, monitoring 2.9 million trips per year, and capturing more than 7.4 million pieces of evidence (PDO) annually,” described Enrique Vázquez.

Under the RC BPO vertical, there are three business lines: BPO WeTrack, which provides a logistics monitoring service, monitoring over 3,200 trips daily and triggering more than 270 alarms daily, under an exception management scheme.

BPO OnSite is a solution aimed at serving the main retailers and cargo generators in Mexico for the generation of PDOs, using tools for document reading and interpretation intelligence. Annually, over 1.7 million pieces of evidence are delivered, and 125,000 trips are managed.

The third vertical is BPO Shield, a solution focused on security, tracking, and monitoring. The objective is to strengthen security and minimize the risk of shipments in transit.

In addition to the solutions developed, Recurso Confiable operates within a technological ecosystem that utilizes various solutions such as machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud storage, and big data.

“Our effort is to better leverage technology. We are working on AI projects, predictive tools for dwell times, customer rejections; and enhancing interaction with drivers through a facial recognition application to strengthen access control systems,” described Enrique Vázquez.

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El cargo Reliable Resource, 27 years of Continuous Growth apareció primero en T21.