In 1893, the Paris Police Ordinance unveiled a groundbreaking innovation: the world’s first metal license plate. France led the charge, with Germany following in 1896, and by 1903, the state of Massachusetts introduced the first metal plate in the US. Since then, vehicles have undergone remarkable transformations in quality, features, and functionality. Yet, through all these advancements, the metal license plate has remained a stubborn relic of the past. Sure, the quality of license plates has improved with better coatings and reflective materials, but fundamentally, they haven’t changed.
FROM IDEA TO INNOVATION
Enter Neville Boston. In 2009, he envisioned a new era of vehicle identification with Reviver, a company dedicated to creating digital license plates that could be managed via an app and integrated with state Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs). It took years to develop and pilot, beginning with the State of California.
RPLATES are now legal for purchase in California, Arizona, Texas, and Michigan, and can be driven across all 50 states, Canada, and Mexico. On the horizon, states like Colorado, Illinois, Georgia, and Florida are set to join the digital plate movement. Around 75,000 RPLATES are on the road.
STREAMLINED REGISTRATION RENEWAL
Imagine being a fleet owner or manager. Typically, you’d have to navigate the cumbersome process of ordering renewal tags from the DMV, waiting weeks for their arrival, and sometimes dealing with lost or stolen tags. This inefficiency not only risks law enforcement fines but also can lead to grounded vehicles, disrupting your revenue stream. RPLATES eradicate these headaches.
The DMV-integrated platform transforms the registration renewal process into a seamless digital experience. Gone are the days of cumbersome paperwork and tedious manual entries. Fleet managers can now renew registrations for up to 500 vehicles simultaneously with a few clicks on a dedicated dashboard. Seventy-five days before the tags expire, Reviver’s system starts sending notifications to owners or fleet managers, reminding them of any DMV requirements like updated insurance information, gross vehicle weight updates, or smog tests. These timely alerts ensure a smooth and hassle-free compliance process.
Once renewals are paid, the DMV sends its approval over the air to the platform. Instantly, digital registration cards are updated and stored in the dashboard’s digital glove box. The vehicle’s license plate image refreshes automatically, displaying the new digital tags no matter where the vehicle is located.
This not only eradicates manual labor and repetitive compliance tasks but also significantly boosts productivity and saves valuable time. By reducing vehicle compliance costs by up to 65 percent, fleets can see a return on investment of 20 to 30 percent.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
RPLATES bring many security features to the table. Imagine a thief trying to steal a plate; it instantly displays a “detached plate” message, turning itself into a high-tech paperweight. This feature renders the stolen plate useless, preventing it from being used in any criminal activities. The only way to reactivate the RPLATE is through the customer dashboard.
Another example, one of your fleet vehicles gets stolen. With a police report in hand, Reviver can send a “stolen” message to the RPLATE. As the thief drives away, the plate broadcasts “stolen,” alerting everyone on the road to its illicit status.
CORPORATE BANNER MESSAGES
In California, commercial fleets can have the bottom area of the RPLATE be customized for branding purposes. Fleet managers can update these messages at any time across the entire fleet or on selected vehicles with just a click via the dedicated dashboard. In Michigan, Reviver is still collaborating with the Secretary of State to permit banner messages, whereas in Arizona, the request for banner messages can be submitted and is subject to approval.
WIRED VS. BATTERY
RPLATE comes in two models: battery-operated and wired. The battery-operated option is powered by a lithium primary battery, boasting a lifespan of five to seven years. Using low-power consuming bistable LCD technology, like that found in e-readers, the plate only uses power when it communicates with the cloud or updates its display. Otherwise, it conserves energy while continuously displaying the license plate image.
The wired version requires connection to a 12-volt constant power source like a fuse box or the vehicle’s battery. Professional installation is recommended, taking between 45 minutes to a few hours depending on the vehicle. This version features 10 built-in lights to ensure visibility at night and includes GPS capabilities. Fleet managers can toggle the GPS on and off, monitor vehicles through the dedicated dashboard, set geofences and speed limits, and download trip data reports. While not as robust as specialized tracking systems, this economic GPS option serves as a reliable primary or backup solution for fleet monitoring.
In the realm of fleet management, 77 percent of fleet managers are dissatisfied with their current methods, with 70 percent still relying on spreadsheets and pen and paper. These outdated practices are time-consuming and prone to errors.
An automated and digitized solution addresses these challenges, redefining efficiency, and security in fleet management. The future of fleet compliance and management is digital, and it starts with digital plates.
This article, titled “Tag, Your Fleet: The Future of Fleet Management,” was originally published by Work Truck Solutions on July 22, 2024. You can view the original post here https://www.mwsmag.com/tag-youre-fleet-the-future-of-fleet-management/. We are reposting it with permission from Work Truck Solutions.
