‍Macro Companies is a major disaster response and emergency fuel and water supplier, trusted by numerous private organizations and municipal communities to assist in recovery efforts during crises. 

As one of the nation’s leading fleets in the industry, managing logistics and operations across multiple states after disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes is critical to helping communities recover.

Challenges

• ‍Operational Complexity: Managing a vast, dispersed fleet is inherently complex, particularly in disaster response scenarios. Macro’s fleet team is continuously focused on optimizing operations to improve response times and maintain visibility over their fleet once deployed. To achieve this, leveraging technology and extracting insights from fleet data was essential.

• ‍Limitations of the Previous System: Although Macro Companies had some telematics systems in place, they were limited in several key areas:‍
  
  • Diagnostics and Fault Code Tracking: The previous solution lacked reliable diagnostic data, making it difficult to identify potential vehicle issues in the field or take preemptive action before a breakdown occurred.‍
  • Battery and Hardware Management: With many telematics devices deployed in remote areas, preserving battery life was crucial, and some of the existing telematics hardware proved inadequate.‍
  • Transparency: Without visibility into their telematics devices and the quality of reporting, billing remained unclear and ROI was difficult to quantify.

‍Solution Implementation

1. A Reliable Telematics Partner: Macro selected Utilimarc for its expertise in supporting fleet technologies, such as Geotab telematics, and its domain knowledge in fleet data engineering and analytics. Utilimarc worked closely with Macro to understand their specific requirements and implemented customized telematics and reporting solutions that seamlessly integrated hardware, analytics, and operational workflows.

2. Enhanced Data Accuracy and Reporting: Utilimarc improved the integration and deployment of Geotab telematics to support real-time tracking and monitoring. The solution included advanced error diagnostics and a checklist-based system, enabling operators to detect and resolve issues quickly. This proactive approach prevented minor problems from escalating and preserved operational integrity.

3. Expansion of Telematics Hardware: Utilimarc partnered with Macro to provide additional telematics hardware that supported the tracking of non-powered assets such as trailers and equipment. (This refers to the Anytrek solution.)

4. Improved Billing Transparency and Cost Control: A clear, itemized billing structure for each vehicle was introduced to meet Macro’s need for financial transparency. This model provided better clarity around costs and helped identify non-reporting devices, which Utilimarc subsequently helped bring back online.

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Results and Benefits

1. Increased Operational Visibility and Control: Macro transformed the way they monitor and manage assets. A senior fleet leader described the improvement as gaining visibility into what was previously a “black hole,” now offering a comprehensive operational overview. This transparency streamlined fleet management and improved response times, allowing Macro to fully utilize their telematics data with Utilimarc’s support.

2. Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics: With access to predictive and prescriptive analytics, Macro evolved from reactive to proactive maintenance. This shift reduced downtime and allowed the team to address maintenance needs before they became critical—significantly improving service reliability and enabling further expansion.

3. Cost Savings and Operational Efficiency: Enhanced diagnostics and efficient battery management led to substantial cost savings. Transparent billing and improved data accuracy enabled insights into fleet performance, helped identify inefficiencies, and supported better resource allocation. Error-utilization checklists further reduced maintenance expenses and mitigated operational risks.

4. Support for Growth and Expansion: Armed with reliable telematics data and streamlined data management processes, Macro expanded confidently, assured that Utilimarc’s scalable solutions could support additional assets and sites. As one executive noted, these solutions were instrumental in driving the growth they are now experiencing.

Key Takeaways

• ‍Enhanced Visibility and Transparency: Macro transitioned from reactive to proactive fleet oversight, expanding telematics coverage. Fleet and field response teams now operate with clear, actionable data while delivering disaster relief.

• ‍Proactive Maintenance: Prescriptive analytics reduced downtime and enabled in-field issue resolution, improving reliability and responsiveness.

• ‍Financial Control and Efficiency: Choosing Utilimarc as a technology partner resulted in more transparent billing and better hardware management, increasing the ROI on telematics investments.

• ‍Responsive Partnership: Macro appreciated Utilimarc’s knowledgeable and supportive approach, underscoring the value of a dedicated partner in their telematics and fleet data journey.

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“This solution has brought organization to chaos. We now have full visibility into our operations, enabling the growth and expansion we’re seeing today. Utilimarc’s insights allow us to act prescriptively, saving us significant time and money.”
_{— Fleet Leader, Macro}

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Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Macro and Utilimarc plan to build on their current achievements. By continuing to leverage best-in-class telematics like Geotab—delivered by a knowledgeable and experienced technology and analytics partner, Macro is positioned to further streamline operations, sustain resilience, and expand on a strong, data-driven foundation.

Discover how Utilimarc can help your fleet operations: Contact our team today.