Mapon Blog

Here we write about our latest updates and share our knowledge by publishing insightful articles on how to use fleet management telematics solutions to take your business to a new level!

3 Fleet Management Myths That Cost Companies Money

Fleet management is a complex mix of vehicles, people, cargo, and data. Yet, despite all the tools available today, many companies still run their operations on outdated beliefs. These myths don’t just cloud decision-making – they cost money, time, and sometimes even good drivers. To clear the air, we turned to Mapon’s chief of technicians – the person who spends the most time with our clients and knows the day-to-day reality of running a fleet. Here are the three myths he faces most often, and the truths behind them. Myth 1: All drivers steal fuel For many fleet owners, fuel theft feels like a constant threat. It’s an easy assumption to hold: fuel seemingly disappears, costs rise, and someone must be blamed. The suspicion often falls on drivers. But reality is more nuanced. Most drivers don’t steal fuel at all. The real culprit behind high fuel expenses is… driving itself. Speeding, long idling, sharp acceleration or braking all increase consumption. In fact, two drivers behind the wheel of the same truck, on the same route, can end up with very different results. One of our clients has witnessed it himself – they had a driver who had a low driver behaviour rating. It turned out he was driving a truck like a light vehicle. The managers coached the driver and achieved €300 in monthly savings. Relying on suspicion alone damages trust. A company may invest in sensors and alarms to catch theft, yet still see costs spiral. Why? Because the real problem – inefficient driving – hasn’t been addressed. Another client saw the transformation first-hand: a driver who had been suspected of taking €100 of fuel each month turned into one of the company’s most efficient employees. Instead of punishment, he was offered a €100 monthly bonus for economical driving. His behaviour changed, saving the company hundreds of euros monthly. The driver was happy, the company saved money, and the “fuel theft” problem disappeared. How Mapon can help save fuel: fuel management and driver behaviour tools don’t just monitor, they enable companies to build incentive programs. When drivers know they’re rewarded for efficiency, they’re motivated to improve. Both drivers and managers can see an automatic driving-style assessment generated by the GPS device from real driving data. Managers can open a report to see how much fuel a specific vehicle or driver has consumed over a given period and use this information to encourage more efficient driving. Myth 2: AI will replace drivers Autonomous systems and AI-based solutions are advancing quickly, and it’s tempting to believe drivers will soon be out of the picture. But talk to anyone who’s been in logistics long enough and you’ll hear the same truth: drivers remain irreplaceable. Technology can react in milliseconds, but it cannot anticipate like a human. Our chief of technicians recalls a story from Sweden where a truck’s advanced safety system stopped in time to avoid hitting children who ran across the road. But the real reason the outcome was safe? The driver had already noticed the school bus nearby, lifted his foot off the accelerator, and hovered over the brake. His instincts and anticipation gave the system the extra margin it needed. Would the truck have stopped without that? No one knows – and no one would want to test it. This myth is dangerous because it undervalues drivers. Companies that talk about replacing drivers risk scaring away the very people they need most. Recruiting and retaining skilled professionals is already difficult. Suggesting they’ll be replaced makes it worse. How Mapon can help boost the driver’s role: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and driver monitoring tools support drivers, but they don’t replace them. They help reduce risks and provide peace of mind, while the human behind the wheel stays in control. Myth 3: Technology alone solves fleet problems Installing some new devices feels like progress. But too often, companies expect technology to “fix” everything on its own. The hard truth is that data doesn’t change behaviour. People do. One Mapon client had access to temperature monitoring in refrigerated trailers. When shipments were damaged because drivers left trailer doors open too long, the system clearly showed the problem. Yet the company hesitated to act, fearing that stricter rules would upset drivers. The result? More spoiled cargo. Only after they introduced a clear policy – if temperature limits are exceeded, there will be consequences – did compliance improve. The lesson is simple: sensors, trackers, and reports only help when they’re used to start conversations and set expectations. Without communication and clear incentives, they remain underutilised. Mapon’s role: Custom dashboards, detailed reports, and data that can be used for incentive programs help managers turn raw data into action. We don’t just provide numbers; we give companies the means to act on them. What successful fleet management really looks like These and other myths distract companies from what’s already possible. Many still believe stress-free, efficient operations are years away, but with the right tools and approach, it’s already here. Mapon clients can already: Check key fleet metrics in seconds, not hours. Share one reliable system across accounting, maintenance, and dispatch. Turn driver behaviour insights into incentive programs that cut fuel use and keep drivers motivated. Use real-time temperature and video monitoring to prevent cargo losses. Plan routes and daily tasks based on live data instead of guesswork. This isn’t a distant future. It’s what happens now, when technology is paired with clear rules, good communication, and trust. Myths stick around because they’re easy to believe. But they also cost companies money and damage trust with drivers. Reality-based fleet management works best when it balances technology with people. That’s how companies save fuel, protect cargo, and keep their drivers on the road. Want to see how Mapon can help you run a smarter, more efficient fleet? Get in touch with us today.

Ride-hailing client: We paid off our 40-vehicle camera investment with a single incident

Our client, a passenger transport company in Spain specialising in ride-hailing services, manages a large fleet dedicated to providing private transfers and mobility solutions tailored to different needs. Demand for their services increases significantly during certain times of the year, making operations more intense and complex for the team. To handle the pace and complexity of such a seasonal operation, the company needed to strengthen fleet safety, prevent fraudulent claims, and resolve disputes quickly and reliably. That’s when they turned to Mapon’s video telematics solution — an investment in 40 vehicle cameras that proved its full value with just a single incident. Life Before Mapon Before implementing Mapon, the company used a basic GPS tracking solution. It allowed them to see vehicle locations and monitor speed, but it lacked the tools needed for modern fleet management and offered no real protection for the team in case of third-party disputes. “We worked with another company that only provided GPS location. We had to sit down with each driver to understand how their day went. There was no way to anticipate issues — we could only react after problems occurred.” Ride-hailing fleet manager The lack of objective visibility into what happened during rides limited the company’s ability to respond quickly to certain situations, such as road incidents or disagreements with external platforms. Installing cameras brought clear visual evidence that made it possible to handle such cases more efficiently, with greater transparency and confidence for everyone involved. Why Mapon? The decision to invest in Mapon’s camera system was driven by a clear need: improving safety and having objective evidence in case of any incident. The company chose to install two cameras per vehicle — one forward-facing and one interior camera with infrared night vision. The fleet manager explains: “We believe the camera provides safety not just for the driver, but for the passengers too.” Mapon’s camera systems help monitor the proper operation of the ride-hailing fleet. Beyond the hardware, the key factor was Mapon’s platform functionality, which allowed the company to centralise fleet management in one place: Fuel tracking and driver behaviour monitoring Automatic detection of critical events like harsh braking or sharp turns Remote access to footage, even from events not manually marked Intuitive interface and responsive technical support “We’re gradually using more and more features. We see a lot of potential in the platform and we’re on track to make it a key tool in our operations,” our client adds. One Accident Changed Everything The value of the investment became clear after a serious accident. During peak season, one of the company’s vehicles was hit head-on by another car that had veered into the wrong lane. “It was a total loss. Luckily, we had Mapon’s cameras installed, and you can clearly see how the other vehicle crosses into our lane,” explains the fleet manager. Thanks to the footage, the ride-hailing company was able to clearly prove what had happened to both the insurance company and the authorities.The video removed any doubt about responsibility and significantly sped up the claims process — avoiding disputes and eliminating the need for witness statements or lengthy investigations. What could have turned into a long and complex case was resolved quickly and smoothly, with full transparency and no disputes. “The investment we made in equipping all our vehicles with cameras paid for itself with just this one incident,” the client told us. Results and Fleet Impact Since installing 40 cameras across their fleet, the company has seen significant improvements across their operations: More cautious drivers; the awareness of being recorded has led to better, safer driving. Greater control and productivity; the company assigned an internal resource to review footage daily and make the most of the available data. Fewer disputes; with video evidence, conflicts are resolved more quickly and objectively. “Thanks to Mapon, we’ve changed the way we operate internally. We now rely on real indicators that help us make better, more informed decisions.” The camera records both the exterior and interior of the vehicle. Quick Installation and Outstanding Support The installation process was quick and straightforward. The company’s in-house mechanic handled the camera installations across the fleet. After receiving basic instructions, he quickly gained the experience needed to equip each vehicle independently and efficiently. Once the cameras were installed, Mapon’s technical team guided the setup process — assisting with configuration, verifying camera angles, and ensuring everything was fully operational from the start. “Installing both the front and interior cameras took us less than an hour per vehicle. Mapon’s technical support was excellent — fast, clear, and always available. We give them a 10,” says the fleet manager. Seeing What Used to Be Just Assumptions Our client already had established processes, industry experience, and operations optimised for peak season. But it was video telematics that made the real difference in control, prevention, and response capabilities. Mapon cameras reveal what other systems can’t: what’s actually happening inside and outside the vehicle. That level of visibility has brought greater safety, trust, and efficiency when it matters most. *** Want to make better-informed decisions with visual proof to back them up? Get in touch with our team and discover how Mapon’s video telematics solutions can help you manage your fleet with more peace of mind, control, and agility. Whether you run a ride-hailing fleet, taxi service, or tourist transport operation — we have a solution built for you.

One Driver Cut €1000 from Monthly Fuel Costs

Fuel is one of transport companies’ biggest expenses. Even small changes in truck driving can have a major impact on monthly costs. That’s why more companies are turning to driver behaviour monitoring and personalised driver coaching. A recent case in Finland shows just how much difference this can make. Thanks to Mapon solutions, just one driver was able to save €1,000 on fuel costs per month. Your fleet can achieve the same or even better results. Read on to learn how to do it. A new driver, a clear plan When a new truck driver joined one of our Finnish client’s’ fleet, the company decided to track performance from the start. They didn’t just want to see how the driver handled the vehicle – they wanted to make fuel efficiency part of the daily routine. In the first weeks, they closely monitored fuel consumption, idling, and use of eco speed. These insights became the base for a two-week personalised eco-driving training program. Before training: Higher fuel use, more idling, and less eco speed. Driver score: C. Training that changes habits The training wasn’t just a classroom lecture. It combined real data with real-time feedback. After each trip, the driver received a report showing exactly where improvements were needed. The fleet manager coached directly, pointing out moments of excessive idling, speeding, or missed opportunities to use cruise control. Progress was tracked week by week, so the driver could see the difference for themselves. This made the learning process easy and specific. The driver wasn’t just told what to do differently – they could see the effect of their actions on the numbers. After training: Fuel use dropped, idling fell, eco speed and cruise control improved. Driver score: B. The results after one month The impact of driver behaviour monitoring became visible quickly: Fuel use dropped by 5.2 L per 100 km. Eco speed and cruise control were used more often, reducing unnecessary fuel burn. Idling times decreased, saving even more fuel. For a single driver, these changes may seem small at first. But when you add up the kilometres, the savings tell a bigger story. Big savings from small changes: €1,000/month per driver, €20,000+ for a 20-truck fleet. What the numbers mean This driver covers around 3,000 km every week. With fuel costing around €1.80 per litre in Finland, the improvements translate into more than €1,000 saved every month. Scale that to a fleet of 20 trucks, and you’re looking at savings of more than €20,000 each month. Over a year, that’s close to a quarter of a million euros. And the benefit doesn’t stop with money. Lower fuel use also means fewer emissions, helping the company meet sustainability targets. Why monitoring makes the difference Technology plays an important role here. Tracking driver behaviour on the Mapon fleet management platform gives managers data, not just assumptions. It shows where fuel is wasted and highlights good habits that should be encouraged. But data alone doesn’t change behaviour. Without regular feedback, many drivers slip back into old routines. That’s why our client combined monitoring with coaching and consistent follow-up. It’s the combination of clear data and ongoing guidance that makes positive results stick. Clear driver scores on the Mapon fleet management platform help improve habits and cut fuel costs. Practical eco-driving tips for fleets Companies don’t need to wait for a full program to start seeing results. Here are practices any driver can apply right away: Reduce idling: turn off the engine if the stop will last longer than a minute. Even short idle times add up over a month. Use cruise control: on highways, cruise control helps maintain steady speed and cuts fuel use. Stick to eco speed: driving just 5–10 km/h slower on long stretches can reduce consumption without major delays. Anticipate traffic: look ahead, brake less, and coast when possible instead of accelerating hard. Check tyre pressure: under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and fuel burn. Small improvements in these areas can add up quickly across a fleet. Lessons for you This case shows that meaningful savings don’t always require new vehicles or expensive technology. Sometimes the biggest gains come from how existing trucks are driven. For any transport company, the key steps are: Monitor driver behaviour to understand current habits. Train drivers with data-driven feedback instead of generic advice. Provide ongoing coaching to prevent slipping back into wasteful habits. Track progress over time to see results and keep motivation high. Mapon ensures long-term impact Fuel efficiency isn’t just a cost issue. It’s also about staying competitive and complying with ever-tightening sustainability regulations. For our Finnish client, it started with one driver and one training program. The results speak for themselves, and the same approach can be scaled to the whole fleet. If your company wants to achieve the same, Mapon can help with the tools and insights to track progress and keep improvements on track. Reach out to learn how smart driver behaviour monitoring could work for your fleet!

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Mapon AI-powered fleet cameras with ADAS and DMS features, showing dash cameras and a truck on the road with collision warning.

Everything Fleet Managers Should Know About ADAS and DMS

ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and DMS (Driver Monitoring Systems) are powerful technologies designed to make driving safer. Both use AI-driven vision to detect risky situations on the road and unsafe driver behaviour, helping prevent accidents before they happen. In this article, we’ll break down what ADAS and DMS actually do, how they’re different, and why they’re especially valuable for fleet operators, not just private car owners. You’ll also learn how Mapon brings these technologies together in one platform to make fleet safety smarter, easier, and more efficient. What is ADAS ADAS stands for advanced driver assistance system. It’s a system built into the vehicle to help the driver in various situations that can happen on the road: Vehicle comes too close to the rear of another vehicle; Vehicle starts moving out of its lane unintentionally (without using the turn indicator); Another vehicle is in a position where the driver can’t see it (blind spot). ADAS uses technologies like AI, cameras, and sensors to detect these situations and, if possible, fix them. It can inform the driver with a sound or visual alert on the dashboard. In other cases, the system may take control automatically, for example, to brake before a rear collision. In the European Union, since 2022, different ADAS types need to be factory-installed depending on vehicle type. Why is ADAS good The main reason why ADAS is so widely used is that it consistently reduces the risks of human unpredictability. While the driver may become distracted for a moment, get sleepy, or simply be unable to see a problematic situation, ADAS is constantly on and ready to warn or interfere.  For example, many new cars come with a feature that stops the car if a collision is imminent while driving at speeds under 30 km/h. In city traffic, where movement is irregular, this can be a guardian angel if the car in front breaks suddenly to let a pedestrian pass, and in countless other situations.   To summarise, ADAS checks what’s going outside the vehicle to avoid dangerous situations by warning the driver or taking over certain vehicle functions on its own. What is DMS The full title of DMS is driver monitoring system. It focuses on what the driver is doing or not doing. The system uses AI and similar tech as ADAS to check for signs of: Getting tired or even falling asleep at the wheel; Looking away from the road for too long; Usage of distracting items such as phones and cigarettes. How does DMS help? The system uses sound and visual alerts to warn the driver about dangerous driving practices. While in some cases, the issue is obvious to the person, at other times, they may be unaware of their condition, especially in cases of drowsiness.  Perhaps you remember the scene in the kids’ movie Cars, where the big truck transporting the famous race car Lightning McQueen falls asleep during a long night drive, leading to a ton of chaos? That’s what DMS is supposed to prevent. While the underlying technology is quite complex, the basic premise of DMS is simple: make sure the driver is at the top of their game. Difference between ADAS and DMS In general, it’s easy to see two main differences between ADAS and DMS: ADAS analyses the situation outside the vehicle, while DMS focuses on the driver; DMS is purely a warning system, while ADAS can also perform actions on its own, such as braking (depending on the specifics of each system). Combined, these two systems provide a comprehensive security net with a proven track record of reducing accidents worldwide. Bringing ADAS and DMS to Your Fleet with Mapon And now the best news – advanced safety features are also available with Mapon’s fleet camera systems! Our ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) release focuses on three high-impact alerts: pedestrian warnings forward collision warnings distance-too-close alerts ADAS features are available with the standard dashcam – no extra hardware needed. We’re also rolling out DMS (Driver Monitoring System) features that match what the industry’s top systems offer: Alerts for drowsiness and distraction Yawning Phone use Smoking Seat belt not fastened All these DMS events are backed by video-covered detection, as well as 5-second recordings before and 5 seconds after each event – so there’s always context if something goes wrong. How easy is it to start using DMS and ADAS? When it comes to hardware, here’s how it breaks down: Dashcams offered by Mapon are ADAS-ready. DMS for dashcams works with an additional plug-and-play accessory camera. Howen mDVR systems support both ADAS and DMS, but need dedicated accessory cameras. If your fleet uses older Howen units, set aside a bit more time for installation. To make camera setup simple, our documentation covers everything you need – from camera alignment and installation distances to alert sensitivity and voice prompt settings. Accessory cameras available for self-installation You can install ADAS and DMS accessory cameras yourself by following the step-by-step guides. For larger fleets or custom configurations, our professional technicians can take care of the installation for you, including internationally. Fleet-Wide Safety Starts with ADAS and DMS + Mapon While separate ADAS and DMS systems typically work on a single vehicle level, combining them with fleet management software like Mapon takes things further. Instead of storing data locally, events are sent to the platform, giving your team full remote visibility. This shift from local alerts to central oversight turns ADAS and DMS into powerful tools for improving safety across your entire fleet – not just for one driver. How Mapon extends ADAS and DMS capabilities Mapon fleet camera systems send footage directly to our fleet management platform. When our AI-powered cameras detect an ADAS or DMS event, they automatically upload relevant videos along with the title of the issue. After a while, the fleet manager will have a catalogue of situations that can be used for: Coaching drivers individually and creating safety courses; Determining the cause of the accident and proving innocence; Getting better insurance premiums by proving the professionalism of drivers. It’s not just footage for future reference. Fleet managers can also act in real time. For instance, if a driver triggers several lane departure warnings in a short period, the system can flag potential drowsiness. The manager can then contact the driver and recommend a break, preventing a possible accident. What drivers really think about ADAS and DMS Rolling out ADAS and DMS across the entire fleet may seem like an obvious step, but drivers don’t always see it that way. The most common pushback comes from discomfort with driver-facing cameras – no one likes the feeling of being watched. If possible, consider using only outward-facing cameras. If you plan to do driver-facing monitoring, be transparent. Explain that footage is reviewed only when there’s a specific reason. For most drivers, this means nothing changes. If you drive responsibly, you’re not on anyone’s radar. When introduced the right way, employees will not just accept the solution, but even request to review the footage, as was the case with our client Keskkonnahooldus Eesti OÜ. What matters most is trust. You need to make it clear to drivers that these systems exist to prevent accidents and ultimately protect drivers’ careers and lives. We’re in the new era of fleet safety ADAS and DMS are becoming ever more sophisticated. Due to the large size and mass of commercial vehicles, these solutions are doubly important for companies providing passenger and cargo transportation. The pressure is on from lawmakers and the general public to reduce heavy vehicle accidents. The good news for fleet managers is that there are ways to reduce accident risks even further by combining vehicle-based ADAS and DMS tools with cloud-based solutions such as GPS tracking, driver behaviour analysis, and alcohol interlocks. We’ll keep bringing in the latest tech, so you can easily add safety features without dealing with a bunch of different vendors.Are you using all the available options to improve fleet safety? Discover the wide variety of Mapon fleet management solutions now!

Our Clients Confirm: Plug & Play Solutions Save Time and Money

Installing new fleet management hardware shouldn’t slow your business down. But too often, that’s exactly what happens when every new device requires a scheduled visit from a technician and hours off the road. There’s a better way to get hardware into your fleet – without wasting time, overspending on installations, or sidelining your vehicles. Mapon Plug & Play devices are designed for quick deployment with minimal effort. They give you the flexibility to set up dashcams and GPS trackers on your own schedule. No technician is needed, and there is no extra installation cost. Here’s how it works, when it makes sense, and where professional installations ensured by the Mapon technician team still fit in. The cost of traditional installs Installing fleet hardware with the help of external technicians adds up quickly – not just in direct costs, but also in coordination effort and vehicle downtime. Each installation typically requires: Scheduling a visit from a technician, often days or weeks in advance Parked vehicles waiting for setup Labour fees that vary depending on location and complexity One of fleet industry studies highlighted that the cost of vehicle downtime can be around 727 GBP or 840 EUR per day per vehicle in lost business revenue. This isn’t something any fleet manager is happy about. And while some idle time is inevitable – think scheduled repairs or accidents – removing the truck from the road for a whole day to install just one dashcam just isn’t sustainable. Multiply that across dozens or hundreds of vehicles, and the impact becomes clear. It’s not just about the price tag but primarily about delayed deployments, missed deadlines, and reduced availability. Standard InstallationPlug & PlaySetup TimeUp to 30 minutes per vehicle (requires additional time for coordination)Up to 30 minutes per vehicle (done on your schedule)Technician NeededYes – scheduled in advanceNo – install it yourselfVehicle DowntimeMedium to highMinimal to noneSchedulingRequires coordination with the installerInstall anytimeScalabilitySlower to roll out across large fleetsQuick to deploy for any vehicleInstallation Cost48 – 72 hours12 – 24 hoursIdeal ForAdvanced configurations or custom setupsQuick installs for compatible vehicle modelsSetup LocationFixed location or tech garageWherever the vehicle isPlug & Play VS Professional installation: a comparison table Plug & Play: install on your terms Plug & Play devices remove the friction from setup. There’s no technician, no specialised tools, and no wasted time waiting around. You or your team can install each device when the vehicle is available. Here’s what Plug & Play means in practice: Setup time: Same as technician installs, but on your schedule Next to no coordination required – install anytime, anywhere Zero vehicle downtime from waiting or queueing for installs No added fees for installation Scalable for fast rollouts across fleets of any size Especially suitable for adding hardware when the fleet gets expanded Dashcameras are one of the most popular Mapon Plug & Play solutions Mapon’s Plug & Play hardware Plug & Play support is available for several of Mapon’s core hardware devices: Dashcams: single-camera units with OBD2 connectivity are fully Plug & Play compatible. Mapon Basic GPS tracker: suited for most vehicles with accessible power sources. Mapon Expert GPS tracker: works in European trucks with digital tachographs. No need to access hidden wiring or disassemble panels. For many fleet types, especially those with standardised vehicles and straightforward tracking needs, these devices can be installed quickly and independently. Our clients confirm: self-installations need 30 minutes max For Delta LV, a fleet operator looking to equip over 100 vehicles with dash cameras, flexibility was key. A Mapon technician visited Delta LV’s service centre to train their in-house electrician on the first installation. From there, the company handled the rest itself, completing installs based on vehicle availability and internal priorities. Other clients have had similar success: “I literally had to connect two wires – installation couldn’t be easier!” Skujas M. “Instructions were detailed enough to be used for virtually every car model of our fleet.” CM Serviss Mapon Basic and Mapon Expert GPS trackers can also be self-installed in just 30 minutes When Plug & Play is the right fit Plug & Play is the best choice when: You’re rolling out devices across multiple vehicles in a short timeframe Your vehicles support OBD2 and have accessible hardware points You don’t want to wait for technician availability You’re running a pilot or test phase and want to install just a few units quickly It’s also a strong option when working with seasonal fleets, where vehicle numbers increase temporarily and fast equipment setup is essential. When professional installation is better Not every setup is the optimal choice for Plug & Play. Some hardware configurations require a skilled hand, especially when: The battery is hard to access (e.g., under the driver’s seat) You’re installing multi-camera systems with DVRs (digital video recorders) Tachograph wiring is poorly installed or located behind interior panels In these cases, a professional technician ensures reliability, safety, and compliance with manufacturer guidelines. Mapon technicians handle custom installations for a new client in Denmark Mapon handles all technician installations, even internationally Mapon offers professional installation services in countries where we have offices – and in those where we don’t. Our technicians are used to travelling and have gone as far as Chile to equip fleets with the right hardware.  We ensure every install meets quality standards, no matter the location. Just recently, our team handled professional installations of 1,200+ GPS trackers and 280 dash cams for a new client in Denmark. Your fleet’s size and location are not the limit! Whether you’re equipping a local fleet or scaling across multiple markets, we can coordinate technician installs that fit your schedule and operational needs. Getting started with Plug & Play Launching Plug & Play is simple: Contact our sales team at [email protected] Share your vehicle list (make, model, year) Receive your devices Install and activate tracking—on your terms No scheduling, no installation costs, no downtime. *** Plug & Play isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution – but when it fits, it delivers real savings in time, cost, and operational effort. For standardised vehicles and fast-moving teams, it means faster setups and smoother scaling. For more complex installations, Mapon’s technician service covers the rest, locally or abroad. Want to find out which approach works best for your fleet? Get in touch, and our team will help you out!

Keskkonnahooldus: Cameras Save Hours of Work Every Day

Estonian company Keskkonnahooldus Eesti OÜ works in urban environment maintenance: street cleaning, rubbish removal, green spaces upkeeping. In spring 2025, the company installed Mapon cameras on some of its vehicles. We spoke to Maksim Akulistõi, the representative of Keskkonnahooldus, to find out why the company decided to use video telematics and how fleet camera systems have changed its day-to-day operations. Why cameras? Keskkonnahooldus had long considered the idea of installing cameras on machinery, but for a long time they couldn’t find a suitable solution on the market. The company needed not just video, but a single system that would combine GPS monitoring and visual control. When Mapon’s solution appeared on the market, it became clear – it was exactly what Keskkonnahooldus was looking for: a unified platform with GPS and video monitoring. Camera systems on specialised vehicles The company installed cameras on street sweepers, which are large self-propelled machines used for seasonal work on cleaning roads and sidewalks, removing granite chips and dust after winter, leaves, branches, needles of coniferous trees, garbage, etc. in summer and autumn. In addition, the company services parking lots and construction sites. Mapon camera systems help monitor brush activity, routes, and driver behaviour Cameras in the cabin – savings in the budget One such sweeper costs more than 200 thousand euros, and any breakdown is not just a technical hitch, but a serious blow to the budget. Often the cause of breakdowns are hidden operational errors: wrong tilt angle, hatch collision, incorrect trajectory. This is why it is important for Keskkonnahooldus not just to monitor where the equipment is, but to see how it is used in practice – in what conditions, with what driving style, and with what results. Cameras improve driving Keskkonnahooldus notes that having cameras helps to maintain a high quality of work. Video is used to: evaluate new drivers live; analyse recurring errors; save time on task checks. “I used to have to go to the sites and observe the work in person. Now I can go to the platform, watch 10 minutes on one driver, 10 on another and save a few hours a day,“ – says Maksim. One of the in-cabin cameras captures what’s happening in front of the vehicle Cameras as a monitoring and training tool The main purpose of installing cameras is not control for control’s sake. Keskkonnahooldus emphasises that no one has that much time to watch all the footage every day or to monitor the live feed constantly. The footage is checked when necessary, depending on customer comments, signals from drivers in the field and performance reviews of new employees. In Keskkonnahooldus’ experience, the cameras help to: avoid breakdowns by analysing and improving driving habits; resolve disputes with customers; train new employees; save managers’ time. Here’s how Maksim describes how he uses the cameras: “I already know which parts of the routes are the most difficult when they are travelled, and I know when I need to go to the platform and check the live feed or records.”  Video footage is available on the Mapon platform in real-time or from the archive Cameras help work in an urban environment Keskkonnahooldus’ special vehicles work in dense urban environments where navigating is often complicated by parked cars, construction zones and other typical obstacles. Previously, drivers had to take photos of the situation and manually send the images through an app. This was distracting and took time away from the main work, but thanks to the cameras, the problem has been solved. Now, managers just need to find the right segment of video by time and GPS, analyse it, then forward it to the client if necessary, and that’s it. Managers can watch videos of their fleet’s sweepers right on smartphones If in winter a driver catches a manhole or kerb and breaks a blade, the camera allows seeing exactly what happened. This approach ensures transparency within the team and provides undeniable evidence in resolving any disputes. Video as an argument for the customer Municipalities often receive complaints from residents, especially in winter: “The cleaning machine did not pass” or “the snow was not cleaned.” Previously, the driver had to take a photo of the work done and send it manually. Now the manager opens the platform, finds the right fragment, and takes a screenshot or a short video to send to the customer and confirm the work done. Keskkonnahooldus notes that it is also important to take weather conditions into account in their work. In autumn, for example, a machine may drive by and clean up, but in 15 minutes, everything will be covered with leaves and needles again. Video helps to prove to the customer that the job was done. The employees themselves ask to check the recordings The company installed the cameras at the Mapon service workshop in Tallinn and was satisfied with the result: “Everything was done well and the cameras worked immediately after installation.” Drivers have accepted the innovation calmly. Maksim recalls that at first, there was concern about sound recording and filming in the cabin. Then it was explained to the employees that no cameras were installed towards the cabin, and no sound is recorded – only the road and what happens around the vehicles. Now drivers are so used to the cameras that they even ask managers themselves to “check the cameras” if they have any questions. “We don’t use the cameras for total control, but to make the drivers realise that we can see how they work and help them improve,” says the Keskkonnahooldus spokesperson.  Front-facing dash cameras are quick to install and don’t require interference with the vehicle’s control systems A plan for camera expansion Sweeper sweepers are far from the only Keskkonnahooldus equipment. The company plans to replace conventional GPS devices with GPS-enabled cameras and install them on: hand crew vehicles (used in park maintenance, etc.); winter equipment for the next season. In these cases, the plan is to put cameras not only in the front and back, but also on the sides to record the entire work area. Mapon’s solutions allow you to create exactly the kind of camera system that your fleet needs. The rear-view camera helps drivers manoeuvre safely in narrow spaces and while reversing What GPS won’t show, video will Cameras have become an important work tool for companies such as Keskkonnahooldus, which operates in challenging urban environments and has many customers. When the cameras were installed, Keskkonnahooldus already had clear routes, a team of experienced drivers, and well-established processes. But it was the cameras that helped to close the blind spots that could not be monitored via GPS. Video gives the manager the ability to see the situation through the driver’s eyes and make decisions faster and more accurately – without on-site visits, unnecessary calls, and guesswork. It’s a new level of control that works for quality, safety and trust. *** Want to see how your fleet is really performing? Get in touch with our team – we’ll find a video solution that will help you understand situations on the route faster and make accurate decisions. Whether you’re managing trucks, street sweepers or service vans, we’ve got you covered!
Highway with multiple lanes of trucks and cars driving in both directions, surrounded by green fields and distant mountains.

Fleet CO₂ Report: Comply with Regulations and Reduce Environmental Impact

Commitment to sustainability is no longer just about brand image. Since 2025, many European companies have been legally required to report their CO₂ emissions. In industries such as transportation and logistics, this means collecting accurate data on the environmental impact of each vehicle and demonstrating environmentally responsible practices to clients, auditors, and authorities. To support our clients in meeting these requirements and improving internal processes, Mapon has developed the CO₂ Report. Why Is the CO₂ Report Important? The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) of the European Union mandates that companies disclose their environmental impact in a standardised way, including greenhouse gas emissions. This regulation is being implemented gradually: From 2025: Publicly listed companies with more than 500 employees From 2026: Non-listed companies that meet 2 out of these 3 criteria: More than 250 employees Annual revenue above €40 million Assets over €20 million From 2027: Listed small and medium-sized enterprises that tick more than 2 of these criteria: More than 10 employees Revenue over €700,000 Assets over €350,000 The directive also applies to companies headquartered outside the EU with over €135 million in turnover within Europe. In addition, logistics companies serving these organisations must also be able to report the emissions associated with each delivery, making emissions tracking and reporting a clear competitive advantage. What Does Our CO₂ Report Offer? We’ve developed a simple yet powerful tool that helps you track and export CO₂ emissions data for your entire fleet: Clear overview of emissions per vehicle Automatic alerts for vehicles missing the necessary configuration Filters to easily locate unconfigured units Export options in two formats: PDF: Ideal for audits, regulatory compliance, and ESG reporting Excel: Designed for integration into internal analytics platforms All calculations are based on actual fuel consumption and vehicle usage data, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of results. CO₂ report within the Mapon platform Mapon – Your Fleet Sustainability Partner At Mapon, we work every day to make fleet management more efficient, safer, and more environmentally responsible. With the CO₂ Report, we’re taking another step forward in our mission to help companies reduce their carbon footprint and meet rising regulatory demands. Get in touch with us and discover how our CO₂ Report can help your business stay compliant, optimise operations, and position itself as a responsible and competitive player in today’s market.
A collage, on the left is the rear of an SUV on a highway, the middle is car cabin with a dash cam on the windshield, and right one is a van driver behind the wheel.

8 Reasons Why Fleet Cameras Are Better Than Simple Dash Cams

A dash cam is a common thing in road vehicles these days. The main benefit is obvious – you get reliable footage to prove the accident wasn’t your fault.  You can easily purchase so-called consumer dash cams in most electronics shops and online retailers. However, fleet management companies like Mapon offer more advanced dash cams that we call fleet cameras. What’s the difference? Take a moment to compare a generic dash cam from a local shop to a business-grade fleet camera system. FeatureFleet camerasConsumer dash camsGet footage in computer remotelyGet alerts when something goes wrongPower source inputDirectly from vehicleCigarette lighterAutomatic turn on and offAttachment typeScrews or special adhesiveSuction cupAmount of footage before overwrite48 – 72 hours12 – 24 hoursGPS tracking optionVisibility around the vehicleAnywhere you needFront of the vehicleComparison of fleet cameras vs consumer dash cams 1. Real reliability and security with a system A generic dash cam is just that: a camera attached to the car’s dashboard or windshield. Mapon offers something more. Not only the camera itself, but a whole system called fleet management software. The camera has a SIM card, and it sends data to this platform using mobile data. This way, you can fix a lot of the problems that you would get with ordinary dash cams.  Remote access Imagine your company’s vehicle got into a crash. Your driver knows it’s not their fault, but you need to double-check it and provide proof to the insurer and, in some cases, the court. Since the vehicle is damaged, you need to drive to it to get the footage from the memory card. Then you need to get back to the office and load the file into the computer, and then upload it to provide access to relevant third parties. Can you imagine how much time and fuel this will take?  Compare the process to what would happen with a fleet camera system. The dash cam automatically detects that a crash occurred and uploads the relevant footage to the Mapon platform. It would take a couple of minutes at most, and there’s no need to physically visit the vehicle. Additionally, you can remotely access the memory card to get a larger piece of footage for more context.  Fleet camera system lets you access footage remotely Automatic notifications When a crash happens, time is critical – to get help, of course, but also to prepare business arrangements, for example, to inform the client that the delivery will be late. Generic dash cams will help with none of that. But Mapon fleet cameras have multiple systems to inform you as soon as something happens: Get alerts in the platform or via SMS when the camera detects a crash Check the vehicle’s precise location on the map Use the camera’s live stream function to assess the situation Then, it’s up to you to do what’s necessary in the specific situation: send a replacement vehicle, call an ambulance, inform the client, and so on. It’s easier and quicker to do when you have all the information you need.  2. Business-grade vs consumer-grade dash cams Most commercial dash cams are by design made for consumer use, so they’re not as fit for fleets. There are multiple small, but very important ways how you will be inconvenienced when using a basic dash cam: manual power button, blocked cigarette lighter input, weaker type of attachment, smaller storage, and more. Let’s compare! Better starting mechanism and power source Any camera needs power to work, and most generic models use the cigarette lighter input (auxiliary power outlet if you want to sound fancy). It creates two big problems. First, it permanently occupies the cigarette lighter, so you’ll have no chance to charge your phone, for example. Or feel free to charge your phone and risk getting no accident footage. Second, you’ll always need to manually turn on the camera. Sounds easy, but Murphy’s law says that an accident will happen that one time you forget to do it. You’ll also need to instruct employees to do it and hope they won’t use the excuse “forgot to turn it on” when they want to remove negative footage.  Fleet cameras are connected directly to the vehicle, fixing both problems. They don’t use the cigarette lighter, and will turn on automatically when the vehicle is started.  Stronger attachment and larger storage Furthermore, simple dash cams are designed to be quickly attached to the windshield or dashboard with suction cups. They sacrifice sturdiness for speed. In case of an accident, it’s not uncommon for the camera to simply fall off due to the impact. This prevents it from filming the aftermath, and may damage the memory card, leaving you without any footage. In contrast, a fleet camera is attached using screws or a special adhesive, which is pretty hard to remove by accident.  One more issue concerns the memory card. To reduce the price, commercial dash cams have limited storage, in many cases 64 or 128 gigabytes (GB). In practical terms, this means up to 24h of footage at best. Around 3 workdays. When the storage is full, the oldest footage gets overwritten by new material. If you want to keep older footage, you need to load it regularly on a computer, and if you don’t do it, there’s no way to save that one important moment from 5 days ago. Fleet camera systems have two solutions for this issue. First is simple – they have more storage, usually around 256GB. Second, fleet cams use sensors to detect important events and automatically upload the footage to the cloud, where it’s safe. Even if the memory card gets rewritten, the clip will still be available online on the fleet management platform. In it, you can also check the date of the oldest footage that’s still available in the memory card – and request a manual upload!  Smart extras you didn’t know about Fleet cameras have some lovely features you will probably not find in a consumer dash cam: A button that lets the driver send footage to the cloud when something important happens A built-in GPS tracker that allows fleet managers to see the vehicle on a live map 3. There are more cams than just dash cams For the sake of comparison, we’ve been only discussing dash cams. These are cameras that film the front of the vehicle. They are highly useful in many cases, but not always: What if an accident happened at the rear of the vehicle, or you need to monitor the cargo onloading / offloading? What if you wanted to cover blind spots in real-time? What if the driver needs to safely take care of business while the vehicle is still running? A fleet camera system is great in that you can add eyes basically anywhere on your vehicle. Of course, some locations are more common than others: the dashboard, rear-view mirrors, the boot, and so on. If you add multiple cameras on one vehicle, you get a much more detailed view around it, making accident investigations, maneuvering (if a screen is installed in the cabin), and security management easier. Needless to say, a generic dash cam can only be installed on a windshield or dashboard.  Surprising cost-efficiency You might wonder how much all these benefits cost. With our full device rental model, you pay a fixed monthly fee that covers everything: the camera itself, mobile data, access to the fleet management platform, and even a replacement guarantee. So the upfront investment is not that big, unlike consumer dash cams that you would need to buy at full price or with large interest rates. And the return on investment? Our clients report saving between €2,500 and €5,000 after a single accident by speeding up the investigation and proving the company’s driver was not at fault. That’s enough to cover the cost of installing cameras on 15 vehicles. Contact us, and let’s protect your fleet’s future today!

Safer Fleet in 30 Minutes: Delta LV Experience with Mapon Cameras

If you try to list some of the most dangerous jobs, a truck driver is probably not at the very top. But Delta LV‘s experience suggests otherwise – congested roads and careless drivers increase the risk of accidents, filling drivers’ everyday lives with dangerous situations. Delta LV is doing everything it can to make drivers’ everyday lives safer by monitoring the road with Mapon fleet cameras. They ease information exchange with the road police because they record evidence of dangerous situations and help monitor events in real time. But how does the day-to-day work with the cameras look? Read on and find out what Delta LV logistics specialists Kristīne Ektermane and Artis Lasmanis shared with us.  Life Before Mapon Cameras Delta LV has been a Mapon client since 2015, but they started using our camera solution in October 2024 because they realised that the existing one was not reliable enough. Before that, drivers had to manage the cameras themselves. There were times when the driver had erased the accident recordings or when the data was not retained due to full memory, so the old camera platform was not completely reliable. The company opted for the Mapon camera solution because it:1) provides a live stream2) allows remote access to the full camera recording3) stores the full camera recording on a memory card with the option to download needed clips4) automatically records dangerous situations and stores the footage in the Mapon cloud, which can be used as training material for new drivers A Simple Installation Process Given that Delta LV wanted to equip at least 100 vehicles with cameras, it was important to find a convenient and flexible way for the company to do this. With the help of the client manager Mārtiņš, we came up with the best approach – a Mapon technician went to the Delta LV service centre and showed their electrician how to install the cameras. The company gradually completed the rest of the installations based on vehicle availability, priorities, and the electrician’s capacity. Currently, it takes a Delta LV electrician about 30 minutes to equip a vehicle – the same time as a Mapon technician.  When the installation of the cameras started, the company informed drivers about the changes. In general, employees were positive about the process – there were no drivers who were totally against the new camera solution. However, some were sceptical at first because they were concerned about privacy and assumed that the cabin of the truck would also be filmed. But then the logistics experts showed what the footage looks like – it has no sound, and only the road is filmed. This was enough to convince the doubtful employees. Improvements in Driving Culture Since the implementation of the solution, logistics professionals have noticed improvements in the driving culture. Kristīne comments: “This is because drivers know that we can view their driving at any moment and catch them doing something improper, such as dangerous overtaking or breaking other traffic rules.” The live stream function is useful when a company is recruiting new employees. Logistics professionals can monitor the new employee’s driving style in real time and make sure, for example, that they make dangerous turns correctly, stay within the speed limit, and obey other rules. The video footage can then also serve as a learning tool – both as a good and bad example.  Fuel Savings with the Help of Mapon In the long term, the installation of cameras and improvement in driving culture could be reflected in reduced fuel consumption. The company already measures fuel consumption with sensors on some vehicles: “We have put in fuel rods as a control mechanism.  Before, people could tamper with the fuel, but now that doesn’t happen anymore. We noticed that some people had shortages every month, but we put in a rod, and there are no more shortages,” says Artis. Safety on the Road and Evidence of Dangerous Situations  There is no shortage of dangerous situations on the road – every second or third day drivers call the logistics specialists about minor incidents on the road, and around every two weeks report high-risk situations.  “For example, last week, there was a crazy, dangerous situation – one lorry overtook another without assessing the safety of the manoeuvre. As a result, a very serious accident almost happened involving three lorries. At least we can try to catch such incidents with cameras,” says Artis. After the incident, Delta LV logistics specialists received a panicked call from the driver and allowed her to rest for the rest of the day. Delta LV sends recordings of such serious incidents to the road police so that they can take further action in the hope that together, they can improve the overall driving culture. The company’s logistics specialists add that the police have given positive feedback on these types of submissions, as they are accompanied by clear evidence of what happened on the road.  When we asked Kristīne and Artis about their overall experience with the cameras, they said: “We would definitely recommend installing the cameras; we can only give positive feedback. One company already approached us with interest – we told them about Mapon, and their eyes lit up because they liked our experience.” If you would like to join the ranks of our customers who are committed to road safety and driving culture, please contact one of our client managers by filling in the form.