Driver Behavior and Safety

Ensuring the safety of drivers is a top priority. In 2025, Blackhawk will introduce an advanced suite of driver behavior and safety improvements to enhance monitoring, reduce risk, and encourage safer driving practices.

• Real-Time Driver Behavior Feedback: Blackhawk already provides real-time insights into driver behaviors such as harsh braking, speeding, and sudden acceleration. 2025 will see additional use of alerts and AI to help empower fleet managers to identify patterns and provide timely feedback or training.
• Driver Scorecards: We will introduce driver scorecards that rank drivers based on their safety metrics. This will help foster a culture of safe driving, and drivers can view their own performance to make improvements.
• Automated Safety Alerts: For serious safety incidents, the platform will send immediate alerts to fleet managers, ensuring that critical events are handled quickly to minimize risk and respond to any necessary interventions.

EV Dedicated Solutions and Emissions Reporting

As electric vehicles (EVs) and asset such as forklifts and construction equipment become an increasingly important part of fleets worldwide, Blackhawk is committed to providing tools that support EV management and help companies meet their sustainability goals.

• EV Fleet Management Tools: We’re adding EV-specific features like battery health monitoring, charging state, and charging alerts help managers and drivers maximize their EV fleet efficiency.
• Emissions Tracking and Reporting: Blackhawk will enable emissions tracking for both conventional and electric vehicles. This reporting will provide insights into carbon reduction targets, helping companies monitor and improve their environmental impact.
• Charge Scheduling and Alerts: Fleet managers will be able to schedule charging sessions for EVs based on utilization data and receive alerts when battery levels are low or when a vehicle has completed charging and is ready for work.

Asset Templates for Service Schedules, Forms, and Documents

Standardizing and simplifying asset management processes is essential for efficiency. Our new NEEDME.com smart asset management platform will introduce asset templates to streamline maintenance scheduling, documentation, and reporting.

• Pre-Built Service Schedule Templates: With customizable templates for routine maintenance, inspections, and repairs, users can save time by applying a ready-made template that aligns with manufacturer recommendations or industry best practices.
• Standardized Digital Forms and Documents: NEEDME’s library of templates will include digital forms for various assets and use cases, making it easy to track service history, complete checklists, and maintain compliance.
• Document Management and Storage: Additions coming for video links for assets such as “How To” tutorial videos. This central repository keeps all critical information within reach.
• Video Links: NEEDME will add support for asset-specific videos such as safety procedures or start-up and shut-down processes.

UI Improvements and Refinements

We’re making NEEDME’s interface more intuitive, responsive, and visually engaging to improve the user experience for all users, from fleet managers to technicians.

• Streamlined Navigation: Based on user feedback, our design team is refining the layout and navigation to make it easier for users to find the tools and information they need.
• Improved Data Visualizations: New and improved charts, dashboards, icons, and analytics tools will make it easier to interpret data, spot trends, and make data-driven decisions.
• Mobile UI Enhancements: With more users accessing NEEDME on mobile devices, we’re making significant improvements to our mobile interface, ensuring it’s optimized for on-the-go asset and job management.

Workflow Job Tracking and Job Board (Technician Job Management and Follow-Up)

Efficient job tracking and assignment are critical for high-performing teams. Our new job tracking and job board features will simplify technician scheduling and job follow-up.

• Technician Job Board: A centralized job board will provide technicians with an overview of their tasks, including priorities, due dates, and special instructions.
• Real-Time Job Tracking: Managers and customers alike will be able to track the progress of jobs in real-time, with updates on job status, completion times, and any delays.
• Automated Follow-Up: After a job is completed, automated follow-up tasks can be triggered to ensure customer satisfaction and close the loop on service requests.

Vehicle Pool Booking Enhancements

Managing large fleet pools requires flexibility, precision, and tools that empower both fleet managers and users. In 2025, Blackhawk is introducing a host of updates to optimize the efficiency and usability of its vehicle pool booking system:

• Flexible Home Bases: For fleets with dynamic or rotating home base assignments, the new enhancements will allow seamless reconfiguration of vehicle home bases based on operational requirements. This ensures vehicles are allocated where they are needed most.
• Empowered Administration: Bookers will gain more self-sufficiency with advanced administrative tools. This includes the ability to manage their reservations, modify booking conditions, and access detailed usage history without needing fleet manager intervention.
• Enhanced Booking Flexibility: Our system will support nuanced booking conditions, such as multi-day reservations, specific vehicle preferences, and on-demand booking adjustments. These features cater to diverse operational needs and ensure optimal resource utilization.
• Large Fleet Optimization: The updated interface and algorithms will streamline the management of large pool fleets, ensuring that users can quickly identify and reserve available vehicles while minimizing downtime and maximizing fleet efficiency.

Bluetooth Asset Management Enhancements

Building on the success of our BLE solution, which has revolutionized applications like wheelchair tracking for airport passenger mobility services, Blackhawk is introducing exciting new features for 2025:

• Expanded Gateway Support: To provide even greater versatility, NEEDME.com will support additional gateway scanning devices, offering customers more choices to suit their operational environments and budgets.
• Anchoring to Known Locations: Our new functionality will allow fixed gateways or beacons to be anchored to known map locations. This enhances the accuracy of indoor and multi-level asset tracking, making it easier to pinpoint asset locations within complex facilities.
• Refined Multi-Level Location Reporting: With feedback from our customers, we’ve improved location reporting, ensuring accurate tracking in multi-level buildings such as airports, hospitals, and warehouses. This feature is ideal for any organization managing high-value or operationally critical assets.
• Expanded Use Cases: Beyond current applications, these enhancements open the door for innovative use cases across industries, such as equipment monitoring in manufacturing, tools tracking in construction, and inventory management in large-scale retail operations.

These updates are designed to bring unparalleled flexibility, accuracy, and scalability to Bluetooth-based asset management, ensuring Blackhawk stays at the forefront of IoT innovation.
 
Disclaimer:

This Blackhawk development roadmap preview for 2025 represents a forward-looking statement based on our current goals and priorities. The features and updates outlined here are subject to change as we continue to evaluate and adapt to evolving customer needs, technological advancements, and market conditions. While we are committed to delivering these enhancements, specific timelines and implementation details are to be determined and may vary. This roadmap should not be interpreted as a commitment or guarantee of delivery within a particular timeframe. We appreciate your understanding and continued support as we strive to bring innovative solutions to your operations.

Looking Ahead

Blackhawk is committed to driving innovation and supporting our clients as they adapt to changing business needs. This roadmap reflects our dedication to providing smarter, more efficient solutions that make asset management easier and more effective.

Stay tuned for more updates as we roll out these exciting new features in 2025. We look forward to supporting your journey toward safer, greener, and more efficient operations!