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Our fleet-ready navigators offer the interactive navigation and messaging terminal that has been missing in your Fleet Management Interface (FMI).
Our portable navigation devices double as mobile data terminals in fleet management vehicles, while the “black box” data transponder unit provides seamless connectivity to the monitoring center via a wireless mobile data network.
Our fleet management and dispatch messaging interface enables direct-to-driver communication via text messaging as well as instant re-routing with “new destination” message prompts.
How does it work?
Our interface tool kit enables any fleet management provider the ability to plug their service into our fleet-ready navigators for the complete fleet management solution with navigation and messaging.
Supported devices are installed in each vehicle along with an in-vehicle data transponder, available through a fleet management partner.
Drivers now have “screens” in their vehicles for real-time navigation, messaging and job dispatch capabilities to help them be more efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What devices are supported?
A list of which Garmin automotive units and personal navigation devices can provide fleet management solutions to your company is on our supported devices page.
What other receivers will you support in the future?
We currently support all of the models of Garmin GPS receivers for which this type of support is practical, but future designs will undoubtedly be added to this list.
Does Garmin offer tracking modules for use with the supported devices?
Our current approach is to offer the Fleet Management Interface support for compatibility with third-party tracking solutions. It’s possible that we will offer such devices in the future, but our current approach allows us to continue to focus on the design of the types of navigation products that have made us world leaders in GPS navigation technology.
What does Garmin provide in a typical Fleet Management System?
Garmin provides the navigation technology and the user interface to the system. From a hardware perspective, that means that Garmin provides one of the supported devices listed above. Garmin also provides an interface cable that makes the physical connection to the GPS receiver and offers bare wires for connection to the rest of the tracking system. From a software perspective, Garmin provides the integration of the Fleet Management features into their user interface. Garmin also provides a simple communications interface which allows third-party developers easy access to the Fleet Management Interface features.
What third-party tracking solutions are currently supported?
See our list of third-party fleet management partners.
Will you develop interfaces to other companies’ tracking solutions?
We plan to offer support for other tracking solutions through the existing Fleet Management Interface. This interface is described in the Fleet Management Interface Control Specification.
Where can I get a copy of the Fleet Management Interface Control Specification?
You can download a copy of the most current version of that specification as a part of our Interface Developer Kit here.
Will you add new features that are required by my dispatch management system?
Although we cannot promise to add all requested features, we are always willing to consider adding improvements to the existing Fleet Management Interface.
How often are vehicles’ positions updated for the dispatch fleet manager?
This depends on the design of the third-party system. Garmin’s Fleet Management Interface can provide a new position once a second, but a typical system allows you to adjust the position report rate from about once every 15 seconds to once every 15 minutes.
What happens if the driver enters an area that is not covered by GPS signals?
Again, this depends on the design of the third-party system. Garmin’s GPS receivers will produce position reports only for as long as there is a valid position fix, but typical systems will retain the last known position and report it as the current position for as long as the GPS receiver remains in an area that is not covered by GPS signals. Some systems may also report how old the most current position report is.
How long does it take for a text message sent by a dispatch fleet manager to reach a driver?
This depends on the design of the third-party system, but typical text messaging transit times are well under one minute and are often on the order of just a few seconds.
How can I contact someone to discuss how Garmin’s Fleet Management Interface can be used within the context of my dispatch system?
Just follow this link to contact our dispatch management technical staff.
How do I become a Garmin Fleet Management partner?
Once you have a working design that is selling well as an off-the-shelf solution, you may apply to be listed on our Fleet Management Partners page.
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