Verizon Connect Fleet Management Review and Pricing

Why We Chose Verizon Connect for Midsize Fleets

Verizon Connect’s desktop dashboard lets you see exactly where vehicles in your fleet are on a map. Source: Verizon Connect

For companies with midsize fleets, access to usable and actionable information is essential for managing costs and improving efficiency. The cost of running vehicles and employing drivers at scale is significant and failing to manage these expenses properly eats into profit margins, especially for haulers.  We like that Verizon Connect’s features are built to help businesses with midsize fleets organize workflows efficiently, stay on top of vehicle maintenance, manage drivers and technicians and save money on fuel and wages. The system is particularly adept at mapping out the ideal routes for drivers and handling job scheduling.

Because of the volume of data obtained through Verizon Connect, fleet managers and administrators can create customized reports tailored specifically to their business needs. We also like how the platform helps companies comply with state and federal laws and regulations no matter where their drivers are. Verizon Connect is also scalable, meaning that as you add to your fleet and expand your geographical footprint, the system can grow with you. With all this in mind, we recommend Verizon Connect as the best GPS fleet management system for midsize fleets.

Ease of Use

The well-laid-out and user-friendly Verizon Connect dashboard on desktop, tablet and mobile makes it easy to grasp vehicle locations and fleet data. Source: Verizon Connect

For transport managers, Verizon Connect has all the features they look for in a GPS tracking system like driver and maintenance management, alerts, in-depth report and analytics and a high degree of customization options.

We like how easy Verizon Connect has made its system to use out of the box. The extensive online support section on their site is also welcome as it provides tips and suggestions on how to better use the system. We were impressed by the sheer number of business software titles you can integrate with it either natively through third-party apps or via the API.

Intuitive design and user experience

The Verizon Connect interface uses screen real estate very well and is built so that no function is more than one or two clicks away. Unlike some other platforms that require multiple clicks to access key features, Verizon Connect keeps everything within easy reach.

It’s clear that simplicity of use has been prioritized during the development process and they achieve that well.

Access to the main features on the platform appears on the screen all the time down the left-hand side of the dashboard. You get instant access to the main navigation screen, jobs & routes, reports, tasks, and the help section. We like how you can pin your most-used features at the top of the menu.

Another helpful feature is the ability to have multiple tabs open, similar to how you can have multiple pages open in a web browser at the same time for ease of access. For busy transport managers, this will save a lot of time.

There is often a learning curve if you’re new to GPS fleet tracking systems, but it shouldn’t be very steep with Verizon Connect’s design and usability choices.

Online knowledge base

Verizon Connect offers extensive online documentation featuring hundreds of articles for businesses that want their staff to familiarize themselves with the platform, similar to the excellent resources noted in our reviews of competitors like Azuga and Samsara. There is also a collection of videos walking users through topics like how to watch fleets in real time, how to set up a geofence and how alerts and reports work. There are lots of training videos too, plus you can book a live training session with customer support if you wish

Connecting to other business apps

We like that Verizon allows users to connect the platform with other apps, like enterprise resource planning solutions, the best customer relationship management software and highly rated payroll services, through its comprehensive API. So, rather than working on separate systems to perform different but related operational tasks, you can integrate timesheets, driver performance data and work orders with your existing software; keep on top of compliance and maintenance; and even assign drivers to particular jobs.

You can choose from 38 apps in the Verizon Connect marketplace across 11 categories: accounting, compliance, dispatching, electric vehicles, field service management, fuel management, original equipment manufacturer, safety, supply chain visibility, transportation management and dispatch and vehicle maintenance. However, for a greater choice of integrations across more categories, check out our review of Motive.

We also appreciate the ability to build custom workflow scripts in Verizon connect although you may require assistance from a third-party developer at an additional expense.

Verizon Connect Features

From high-quality hardware to intuitive software packed full of functionality, below are some of the features that make Verizon Connect particularly desirable for midsize fleets.

Route planning, work planning and geofencing

A geofenced area on the Verizon Connect platform lets you analyze fleet information for a specific region. Source: Verizon Connect

Route optimization and planning are integrated deeply into the Verizon Connect GPS fleet tracking solution. Drivers get tailored directions based on the type of vehicle they’re driving, size and load. The system makes sure drivers are directed to use only roads that comply with local transport regulations. It also steers drivers away from traffic jams and obstacles on the road. Drivers can even warn administrators and other drivers connected to the network of any unreported road closures. Map data can be downloaded to provide directions to drivers in areas with poor 4G reception.

If a driver is running late, you can send a message containing the vehicle’s estimated time of arrival to the end destination. Drivers can use Verizon Connect’s mobile apps to collect paperless proof-of-delivery forms, providing the functionality often needed by courier companies.

We like that you can also set up geofences with Verizon Connect. Geofences are geographical areas that you can either restrict vehicles to or set up to provide administrators and managers with a notification when a vehicle has entered or exited a particular area. You can use the system to send alerts to end users (like people or businesses awaiting a delivery) or end travel points (such as warehouses where goods are picked up or dropped off).

AI-powered dashcam

The Verizon Connect dashcam uses artificial intelligence. Source: Verizon Connect

Verizon Connect offers two types of artificial intelligence-powered dashcams: one monitoring the road only and the other filming both the road and the driver. The cameras perform well in low light, but you can’t livestream from them nor record audio. The camera monitoring the road automatically detects unsafe behavior like tailgating, near-misses and aggressive driving (like fast cornering, hard braking and rapid acceleration). The camera monitoring the driver watches for mobile phone use, smoking and eating and drinking behind the wheel. When incidents like these occur, the driver hears an audible warning and footage is sent back for fleet managers and administrators to monitor on their dashboards. Each clip is tagged with an automatically generated incident description.

Video footage is kept for 90 days in case of a crash or false insurance claim against one of your vehicles. If your driver is not in a 4G area when an incident happens, the footage is held in the dashcam’s internal memory and then sent back to your control panel or app when the connection is reestablished.

Mobile apps

Verizon Connect’s mobile apps work on both iOS and Android devices. Source: Verizon Connect

The vendor’s Integrated Video app, which can connect to the dashcam, is just one of many Verizon Connect apps available for fleet management. The apps are aimed at different user groups, but they’re all useful for improving the efficiency of midsize-fleet operations:

• WorkPlan (previously WorkMobile) is a field-service app that allows technicians to view detailed work orders while they’re on the road. They can also use it to get updates from other field techs in real time, ensure compliance with electronic logging mandates and communicate with the office.
• Reveal Driver enables drivers to carry out inspection reports (DVIRs) on their vehicles. The app guides them step by step through the area that needs inspection. For issues they believe need follow-up, drivers can append photos and notes. The app also provides drivers with directions, access to roadside assistance, general road condition alerts and job details. Meanwhile, you can use the Review Field app to manage new jobs remotely and change the schedule of a driver’s day.
• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) LogBook helps drivers of very large vehicles with electronic logging and hours-of-service regulations. [Related article: What SMBs Need to Know About ELDs]
• Navigation is an industry-standard route-planning app with global and North American editions.
• Networkfleet Driver also encompasses navigation but adds information on the vehicle and maintenance, plus bad driving behavior updates.
• Coach is a gamified training platform to help drivers become more aware of safety issues.
• Spotlight lets managers see where vehicles are on a live map and drill down into the activity of individual vehicles.

Roadside assistance

We appreciate that the Verizon Connect team will deliver gas to vehicles that have run out of fuel or tow broken-down vehicles up to 25 miles. The vendor can also provide assistance to drivers who have a dead battery; need a tire change; are stuck in snow, mud or on ice; or lock themselves out of their vehicle. Winching is only available for light vehicles on paved public roads and you’re limited to four calls a year. There is an additional charge for this service, though it’s extremely valuable.

Compliance, vehicle and driver safety dashboards

Verizon Connect records and analyzes extensive vehicle and driver data, which can help improve fleet safety and efficiency across your business. Verizon Connect’s Safety Scorecard constantly updates driver scores based on factors like whether they brake or corner abruptly, speed or drive aggressively. This makes it easier to identify drivers who deserve to be rewarded and those who need additional training. You can also run fuel-efficiency reports for drivers to see who is wasting gas through actions like regular idling. [Find out how to reduce idle time for your fleet.]

You can keep detailed maintenance records on all vehicles too and organize scheduled fleet maintenance for activities like oil and filter changes and tune-ups as well as major services. Maintenance records for each vehicle are available directly from the control dashboard. For an additional fee, you can also receive notifications when a vehicle reports a diagnostic trouble code. This gives you early warning on an issue with a vehicle that needs attention.

Plus, because the system keeps drivers on legal routes, tracks hours of service and follows electronic logging device regulations, you can keep on top of any compliance issues with Verizon Connect. Verizon’s ELD solution complies with hours of service tracking regulations as well as Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations. This is especially helpful for growing fleets, which are trickier to manage without the right tools at your disposal. 

Furthermore, Verizon Connect recently upgraded its platform to support more vehicle types, specifically battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). New metrics available for these vehicles include charge state, battery levels and specific EV alerts.

Verizon Connect Pricing

Prices start at 66 cents per day per vehicle (roughly $20 per vehicle, per month) for basic fleet tracking, which is known as Verizon Connect’s Reveal Starter plan. However, the vendor doesn’t publicly share prices for its more advanced Reveal package. That requires contacting the company for a quote.

With Reveal Starter, businesses get GPS hardware, a live map with route replay, speed and location data, geofencing and access to Verizon Connect’s mobile manager app. All of that is also included with the Reveal plan, which adds advanced reports and alerts, the driver mobile app, maintenance scheduling and dashboard metrics to your package.

Something else to keep in mind is that with Verizon Connect, roadside assistance, electronic logging, field service and scheduling, fuel card integrations and other features are considered add-ons. These have separate pricing structures, which can raise costs. Fortunately, Verizon Connect offers both a free demo and a risk-free 30-day trial that begins five days after your hardware has shipped so you can try before you buy.

Implementation and Onboarding

The Verizon Connect team would prefer to install the tracking equipment in your vehicles themselves, especially on larger rigs where fitting may be more complicated. They seem much more hands-on during the onboarding phase than other providers we investigated but this does come at a cost.

While you can negotiate a 12-month contract, the vendor prefers you to sign for 36 months. The payoff for you as a customer is that they will bundle the equipment and installation costs into your subscription fees, which, in many cases, means that setup and onboarding might be less expensive than with other providers. Note, however, that you don’t have to purchase tracking equipment from Verizon Connect. If you want to use your own equipment, just be sure to check with the company for compatibility before you buy.

We like that Verizon Connect offers both plug-and-play and hard-wired equipment. With the plug-and-play technology, you connect your device to the OBD-II port in your vehicle with an extension cable and Y-cable. The vendor estimates it could take up to 60 minutes to install each device. Once the device is installed, you add the vehicle’s details into either Verizon’s desktop interface or the corresponding app. Then you’ll be able to start tracking the vehicle immediately. If you don’t have an OBD-II port, an installation engineer from Verizon Connect will almost certainly need to fit the units for you with a hard-wired connection.

There’s no software to download for use on a PC or Mac, as the desktop control dashboard is browser-based. Verizon Connect’s apps are available on both iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded from the respective app stores for quick implementation.

Verizon Connect’s help center is accessible on a tablet. Source: Verizon Connect

Customer Support

Verizon Connect’s customer service team supplies 24/7 support by phone, email and online ticketing. We like that when you sign up, you get a designated point of contact for questions and issues. Getting such personal assistance regardless of the plan you subscribe to is unusual and beneficial. 

There are occasional problems with customer service delivery though. There is some criticism of it online and some concerns over equipment reliability. Most online reviewers concur with our experience of the platform however, especially around reporting, client tracking and the promotion of safe driving. Users have reported a 15% uptick in productivity, 40% reduction in insurance costs and nearly a 90% drop in accidents.

Online, the company’s help center includes on-demand tutorials as well as live webinar and each month a blog post helpfully explains everything new in the world of Verizon Connect. Other resources include e-books, case studies, a glossary of relevant fleet management terms and even reports on the latest trends in fleet technology.

We like how Verizon Connect upgrades and adds to its core offering on a regular basis. From 2021, they’ve introduced:

• Work order management: Make changes to company work plans dynamically. You can send out create new jobs and assign drivers to them as well as find out which jobs are about to be completed and who the driver on that job is.
• Route fine-tuning: Gets drivers to take the most efficient route that takes account of road closures and local weather conditions, even if you programmed in the route in a few days beforehand.
• Mobile job management: This app helps drivers know what jobs they have on. They can also fill out job forms via the apps and update job status on the go.
• Advanced navigation app: Verizon Connect Navigation offers drivers turn-by-turn directions based on the specs of the vehicle they’re driving.

Limitations

Two notable concerns we have about Verizon Connect are its contract term and customer service quality.

Users rightly praise the depth of functionality offered by Verizon Connect in online customer reviews, but three years is a long time to commit. If you don’t want to tie yourself into a long contact, Force by Mojio offers a 30-day rolling contract. They’re not alone as you can see in our review of ClearPathGPS and our GPS Trackit review.

While it’s great that Verizon’s customer support is always available, we’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge that not everyone is happy with it. Online reviews of the company’s customer service are very negative, which is something to consider when shortlisting potential GPS fleet tracking vendors for your business.

Methodology

Choosing a GPS fleet management service can be tough, so we did some of the heavy lifting for you. We spent hours researching and analyzing GPS fleet tracking systems to identify the top solutions on the market. We looked at hardware, features, pricing and contracts, usability, refresh times and customer support and we even got hands-on experience with demos and product videos when possible. When searching for the best GPS fleet tracking system for midsize fleets in particular, we focused on features such as scalability, customization, comprehensiveness, optimization and reporting.

Bottom Line

We recommend Verizon Connect for …

• Companies with a midsize vehicle fleet that may grow in the future.
• Businesses that want to integrate telematics and driver and vehicle management with other apps.
• Organizations that prefer to use the same platform to track assets, plants and equipment in addition to vehicles.

We don’t recommend Verizon Connect for …

• Companies with a tight budget.
• Businesses hesitant to commit to a 36-month contract.