The Day of a Roadside Systems Team Member (Granted a Big One)
When my alarm started screaming at 4:30 AM in St. Louis, I knew I was in for one of those classic Roadside Systems marathon days. First stop: Oklahoma! Nothing beats watching the sunrise in your rearview mirror while crossing state lines. A rough start to the day for some, but for us, it’s just another day in paradise. Well, if paradise had more truck stops and fewer beaches! By lunchtime, I was pulling into Bricktown Brewery in Joplin (bricktownbrewery.com), where I met up with the rest of our Roadside crew. Let me tell you about their buttermilk fried chicken sandwich—it’s the kind of sandwich that makes you forget you’ve been driving since before dawn! Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and big enough to make a grown installer cry tears of joy. The rest of the team watched in amazement as that sandwich disappeared faster than a stolen truck without GPS tracking! After lunch and our sales pitch (nothing like showing up with a full crew to prove we mean business!), I pointed my truck south toward Arkansas for an install job. Doing installs solo is like being a one-man band—you’ve got to keep all the instruments playing at once! But that’s what makes this job interesting—no two days are ever the same. The fun wasn’t over yet—Branson was calling with two more installs! Knocked out both installs faster than you can say Dolly Parton Stampede (apparently, it’s a big deal!). Last stop before home—Buc-ee’s! Loaded up with all the essentials: those addictive Beaver Nuggets, some pit-smoked brisket, and fresh beef jerky. Fighting through the fog on I-44 was worth it, knowing my bed was waiting for me in St. Louis. When I finally hit the pillow at 10 PM, I’d covered three states, crushed one killer chicken sandwich, nailed a sales pitch, completed five installs, and lived to tell the tale. Just another day in the life of a Roadside Systems road warrior! 🚛💨
Holiday Time at Roadside Systems!
Once again, it’s the holiday season, and it’s time for all of us to celebrate! Roadside Systems has its tree up, candles lit, and our holiday party set. The party will feature a combination of Imo’s, Boulayrd’s, and a little bit of gooey butter cake to top it all off. While last year’s caroling attempts were appreciated, it seems our efforts made the songwriters cringe. Better luck next time! Our install team made it back safely from the North Pole—scratch that, Idaho—just in time for the party. They worked like Santa’s elves and managed to install almost 400 units in just seven days. Talk about a Christmas miracle! Holiday crate drop-offs are now heading into week three (they used to take just a day or two) as we celebrate another wonderful year with our clients. Every year during drop-off season, we hear at least a few people say, “This is our favorite day of the year!” This time, someone even told us that the best part was the crate itself—not just the goodies inside! We’ve been fortunate to work with many of our clients for over twenty years, and we look forward to celebrating with them for another twenty. Hopefully, we’ll build the same strong relationships with the clients who joined us in 2024! Roadside Systems wishes everyone everywhere a happy holiday season. Any way you celebrate, we are thankful for you!
Our Installers Great Trek to the Northwest
Earlier this year, a member of our sales team overheard someone from the install team mention they wished they could do another project up in “God’s Country.” Based on past installations, the sales team interpreted this to mean the Northwest and did their best to make it happen. Sure enough, we landed a major project spanning parts of Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. However, the timing of the installation may have been lost in translation. The install team was last in the region during September. At that time, the average daily temperature was 85 degrees, with zero humidity and 100% blue skies. This new installation project, which covers hundreds of assets, will be deployed this December. The average daily temperature will hover around 30 degrees. Humidity won’t matter, but the wind might drive those “feels like” temperatures into the negatives. Ouch. Nonetheless, the install team greatly appreciates the thought and never shies away from a challenge—even if it might lead to frostbite! They’ve packed their Carhartts, charged their battery vests, and stocked up on hand warmers. They even invited the sales team to join them, but they have yet to receive a reply! The team looks forward to working with our clients on this exciting deployment and arranging follow-up installations… in September. Idaho- In our installer’s Dreams Boise – December
Tonight’s Total Attendance
We love baseball here at Roadside Systems. Specifically, we are Cardinals fans. We spend a lot of time-consuming baseball information. We may have a deeper connection with box scores than with some of our family members. This connection to the Cardinals and their stats means we want accurate reporting. This past year wasn’t our best year on the field. Many of us stayed home and spent more time with our family. Attendance numbers reported did not match with what was at the game. (It should be noted that MLB may control what number is announced. ) The Cardinals, with their rich history and dedicated fan base, often report impressive attendance figures. Year over year the Cardinals rank among the top in Major League Baseball with an average attendance of over 40,000 per game (routinely including us). However, these reflect sold tickets rather than fans in the stands. When a small number of fans don’t show, it’s not noticeable but when more than half your fans don’t show up for games (like this year) it’s very noticeable. Does the discrepancy between the announced and actual numbers risk alienating the very supporters who fuel the franchise? For sponsors and partners, these inflated figures might result in unmet expectations and dissatisfaction, damaging relationships built on trust. All that being said, hope springs eternal, and we will be back reading box scores(and attending games) next year. Accurate data for your operation: Now think about accurate information in your operation. For example, consider an employee who reports being at a job site for 8 hours. However, in reality, our reporting showed the employee could only have been on the job site for 7.5 hours. If you then charged the client for the entire 8 hours based on the employee’s report the client was overbilled. This could damage the relationship and lead to a lot of unnecessary problems. And let’s assume it was a standard 8-hour day. What happened to that extra half hour? Was there idling involved? Excess idling contributes to increased wear and tear on the engine, leading to higher maintenance costs down the line. GPS fleet management systems help mitigate these issues by tracking actual driving time and idling periods. With accurate data, you can ensure you bill your clients correctly, reduce operational costs, and maintain the longevity of your fleet. In the end, the Cardinal will be back in 2025. And we are thinking of playoffs. And we are thinking if you add the RoMa fleet management system to your operations, your clients aren’t going anywhere! 40,000 fans! Not 40,000 fans!
Our STL Food Journey (Gioia’s Deli, Imo’s, Ted Drews, Fitz’s)
Roadside Systems has been a part of the St. Louis community for over 20 years, and we’re proud of our roots here. One of the best parts about being in this great city is the incredible food. From iconic delis to famous frozen custard, St. Louis offers a culinary journey like no other. Here are some of our favorite local spots that every visitor—and resident—should try. First, we tried the legendary Gioia’s Deli. Known for their mouth-watering Hot Salami sandwich, Gioia’s has been serving up deliciousness for over a century. Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or catering a meeting, Gioia’s never disappoints. https://www.gioiasdeli.com Next up, we made our way to Imo’s Pizza to try the “Square Beyond Compare”. Known for its cracker-thin crust, Provel cheese, and square slices, Imo’s offers a unique twist on the classic pizza. There’s something incredibly satisfying about indulging in a slice (or ten) of this local favorite. https://www.imospizza.com No St. Louis food list would be complete without mentioning Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. Since 1929, Ted Drewes has been serving up creamy, dreamy custard that’s perfect for those hot Midwest summers. Famous for their “concretes”—custard so thick it’s served upside down—this spot is a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth. https://www.teddrewes.com Last but not least, we took a trip into the Delmar Loop to try Fitz’s. This local gem has been around since 1947, bottling up the best root beer in the city. The root beer floats are legendary, featuring generous scoops of ice cream floating in their signature root beer. It’s a nostalgic treat that brings out the kid in everyone. https://www.fitzsrootbeer.com As a company that’s been rooted in St. Louis for over two decades, we at Roadside Systems are proud to be part of such a vibrant and delicious community. These iconic spots are just a few of the reasons we love calling St. Louis home. Whether you’re a longtime resident or just passing through, make sure to check out these local favorites. You won’t be disappointed!
The Installers
When night falls on Gotham Roadside Systems, a group of individuals begin their work, hidden in the shadows. These are the installers, the unsung heroes of Roadside Systems. Despite the vital role they play here, their humble nature sometimes leads to their contributions being overlooked. Our fearless installers go onsite to install our magical tracking devices all over the country. Their super powers include advanced training to aid our clients so that they can navigate through our RoMa software! If you ever have a problem, they will always be there. We are so thankful for everything they do, and Roadside wouldn’t be able to function without them! Everyone owes these heroes a great debt of gratitude.
Meet the Birds
At Roadside Systems, our office is home to two lively parakeets that have become cherished members of our work family. Their cheerful chirping and vibrant presence brings a unique charm to the workplace, creating a more relaxed and enjoyable environment. Studies have shown that bird noises can reduce stress and enhance mood, making the office feel more welcoming and less stressful. The natural sounds of our parakeets provide a soothing background that can help improve concentration and productivity. By fostering a connection with nature right at our desks, these feathered friends remind us to take a moment to appreciate the simple joys, contributing to a more positive and harmonious office atmosphere.
Roadside Legacy Trucks
Over the years, Roadside Systems has proudly shared a piece of our journey with clients through our custom model vehicles. From the early days with our classic pick-up trucks and tankers with the original logo, to a variety of truck versions commemorating our 20th anniversary, each model tells a story of our evolution. We’ve even expanded our collection with Roadside skid-steers and updated model trucks, all showcasing our heritage and innovation. Each of these models not only serves as a memento but also as a testament to our commitment to quality and progress. As we look to the future, we continue to design and introduce new models that reflect our ongoing dedication to excellence and customer satisfaction. If you would like to see more of our models, check out our instagram @roadside.systems
From Deals to Delicacies: Allie and Kira’s Culinary Expedition in Birmingham
Calling all foodies! In the heart of Birmingham, Alabama, where Southern charm meets the hustle and bustle of urban life, Allie and Kira embarked on a culinary escapade to keep their engines revved and their spirits high. As intrepid Field Sales Representatives on the New Markets team, their journey wasn’t just about sealing deals; it was also about savoring every moment on the road. Amidst the whirlwind of client meetings and prospect pitches, they found solace in the city’s diverse gastronomic offerings. From the smoky allure of barbecue joints to the cozy embrace of coffee shops, every bite and sip fueled their journey.
RoMa Lane Miracle: How RoMa Became a Vehicle Recovery Hero
Roadside Systems released its “RoMa” software in 2008. It has been hailed as one of the world’s greatest achievements, similar in scope and importance to the wheel, fire, the cure for Polio, and the internal combustion engine. Okay, maybe that is a little overstated, but RoMa has helped many companies improve overall operations in many areas including safety, productivity, and client satisfaction. RoMa has also been involved in quite a number of asset recoveries as well. No kidding, one company informed Roadside Systems’ top brass that they had recovered “millions of dollars of equipment” utilizing our software. “Millions” sounds like a big number. Companies have had their property stolen since, well, the beginning of companies. There’s even a “Flintstones” episode about it (Season 1, Episode 17 – Fred and Barney are in a car that is stolen from Mr. Rubble’s used car lot – it’s a must-see episode). Which leads us to the craziest thing ever. In January, we received an email titled: “You can’t make this stuff up!” What couldn’t you make up, you ask? Our client recovered their stolen vehicle – wait for it – on RoMa Lane! That’s right, RoMa software led our client to their wayward vehicle on RoMa Lane. While we can’t promise you will recover all your stolen vehicles and equipment with our product, we can tell you that if you do, there may be a really good story that goes with it!
Super User Training Meets Historic Charm
Roadside Systems’ Restored North Campus Now Offering Super User Sessions! Roadside Systems is excited to announce the successful restoration of a century-old building in Maplewood, Missouri. This building, now known as the Roadside Systems North Campus, primarily serves as a training hub for our clients. Our restoration project has preserved the building’s historical charm while transforming it into a functional and inviting space. Vintage aesthetics blend seamlessly with modern amenities, creating a truly unique environment. Much of the work was undertaken by Roadside Systems employees, who are not only exceptional teammates but also outstanding craftsmen. We are now offering Super User sessions at the North Campus. During these sessions, we delve deeper into the RoMa software. We strive in these meetings to offer our clients maximum value for their fleet management investments. Each session is tailored to meet our client’s specific needs. And, importantly, we serve lunch! We proudly feature dishes from local restaurants, with Boulyards (www.Boulyards.com) being one of the most recent. If you’re interested in a Super User session, please reach out to any Roadside Systems team member or email [email protected]. If you just want to see the North Campus email [email protected]!
Roadside Systems Heat Map
It’s Hot Out There- Roadside Systems Heat Maps can show you where the fire is really burning! The heat really cranked up this summer. The Birmingham office boasted about its higher average temp but remained mum when the St. Louis office explained it’s the combo of heat and humidity that determine the “real feel”. What no one can disagree with is the Roadside Systems Heat Maps can give you an accurate view of the real temperature of your business. Now you can get a quick view of where your team is concentrating its time. It may surprise you. It is possible your team is spending time in areas you didn’t realize that they were. That could be a good thing(sales opportunities!) or a bad thing (red hot action at Bob’s Wing Buffet might not be the most profitable move for the company’s bottom line or your team’s waistline). What came as a disappointing shock to the Birmingham office is the heat map made it clear that it’s hotter in St. Louis. Okay, okay there are more personnel out of the St. Louis office. Still, the map can’t be wrong! St. Louis 0 Birmingham
Gardening at Roadside
Growing corn…on Big Bend Blvd? Does any other GPS Fleet Management company grow a garden on a busy street? Probably not. Gardening at Roadside has been a critical part of our operations over the past four years. This year we have corn stalks shooting up right in front of our office. We’ve seen major yield improvements over the years, especially after we figured out that plants need both sun and water. Corn is not the only thing we grow. We also care for squash, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, okra, cucumbers, green beans, egg plant, and onions. We love the taste of our food, and it seems that critters do as well. If you are interested in growing roots with us (pardon the corny joke), contact sales at [email protected].
Is This Thing On?
At last, Roadside Systems will be consistently gracing social media with our presence. Critics so far have called the reach of the accounts “close to Taylor Swift”. One critic even said the Instagram account layout is “that of a Picasso”. Since it has been an entire year since we announced our return to Facebook, everyone reading this should be following it already…right? Just in case you have been missing out, you can go follow us @RoadsideSystems on Facebook. While some of us here claim to have dance moves like Prince, we will leave the fancy footwork to other social media creators. Instead, if you are looking for a way to connect with us, get updates on the company, somewhat creative posts, an inside look on intern shenanigans, and more, the Roadside Systems Instagram pages are for you. If you want to get in on the action, there are a few different platforms that you can find us on: Instagram @roadside.systemsInstagram Southeast specialized @roadsidesystemsseLinkedIn, our handle is @roadsidesystems Facebook @RoadsideSystems Come be a part of the Roadside Systems social media expedition!
Don’t Let it Rain on Your Parade!
When it comes to running a successful fleet, unexpected rainstorms can really throw a wrench in your plans. The new Roadside Systems Weather Layers can help you finally take control of the skies! Our weather overlay allows you to see rain clouds approaching and adjust your outdoor jobs accordingly. No more getting caught in an unexpected downpour—stay one step ahead and keep your team dry.
Hardwired GPS Tracking Equipment
Roadside Systems clients continue to demand hardwired GPS tracking equipment. In every case of a client moving from a competitor, it has been the only option they have considered. It makes sense – hardwired installations offer several advantages. Here are some key benefits of hardwired GPS tracking systems: Why don’t our competitors focus on hardwired installations? They don’t because they have taken the path to outsourcing their installation almost exclusively to third parties. Then those third parties have been outsourcing the jobs to independent contractors. The work product has been so inconsistent that many vendors have focused on plug-ins to the OBD-II connection and pushed the installation onto the clients. In most cases, plug-ins aren’t the best option for the client. They are the best option for our competitors to not have to employ a qualified installation team!
The King! In Shreveport?
Yes! On a recent install in Louisiana, we stumbled across a fantastic Elvis statue a picked up a little bit of history! Elvis actually had his first big breakthrough playing on a program called the Louisiana Hayride hosted at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium. He made his performance debut on October 16th, 1954. Elvis was signed to a contract to perform every Saturday night on the Hayride for $20 a show. It is where Colonel Tom Parker first met Elvis and bought his contract for $10,000 dollars after 18 months, We took a look around but sadly, Elvis had left the building.
IFTA- The Four Letter Word of DOT Compliance
IFTA is either a four-letter word or an acronym. We aren’t sure as we were absent from school that day. In the end, the DOT just doesn’t care if it’s a word or any acronym. They just want their numbers-more precisely the correct numbers. Proper fuel tax reporting is possibly the most thankless job in any company with apportioned plating. It’s just no fun. Roadside Systems’ State Mileage/IFTA Report can take away much of the sting. With just a click of a button, you can have all the mileage broken down for all of your vehicles (equipped with a GPS unit of course) by state. We even include a beautiful and completely unnecessary map. It is suitable for framing. Feedback from many clients that use the State Mileage/IFTA report indicates it can cut out as much as 90%(true) of the time that goes into IFTA reporting. We have heard from some of our clients it has increased their job satisfaction by 200%! Well, that may be an exaggeration but it certainly doesn’t make things worse.
Advanced RoMa Usage Nets a Client a Free Lunch!
Advanced RoMa Usage Nets a Client a Free Lunch! A client of ours, we will call him Jim, was in our office last week. In theory, he dropped by for a review of how his company has been using RoMa. In reality, we were all looking for an excuse to have lunch at Rigazzis. (www.rigazzis.com) While we were in our “meeting” Jim showed us how his company had used our geofence features during the consolidation of service areas of multiple companies they acquired over the last few years. In short, Jim’s company drew geofences on the map and looked for the heavy crossover areas. The screenshot is a simulation. They discovered in the process that their service overlaps were more extensive than they originally thought allowing for big potential efficiencies to be realized. We told Jim that clearly, RoMa pays for itself. Jim told us that we were paying for lunch.
The Curious Case of the First Roadside Systems Birmingham Install
As most know, we opened up our Southeastern Headquarters in Birmingham this past year. It has been an exciting time and all is going very well. You can read about a few of our Birmingham adventures in these blog posts (#Southeast). Not many know that oddly our very first Birmingham installs were completed in the Great State of Mississippi. You heard that right Mississippi. Our first Birmingham client was focused on installing tracking on its heavy equipment. They had sent a good portion of the machinery out of state for a large job, and it made sense to want to know where that equipment was! Our client was also looking for engine run time for preventive maintenance and billing purposes. When Director of Operation James Taylor([email protected]) sent us a pic of the first install and said it was a proud day. Later when he said that the team was leaving Mississippi after wrapping up our first Birmingham install it made for a good laugh. Look for us to dress up in Halloween costumes on Valentine’s day this year!
Roadside Systems Meets Little Havana
We were invited and gladly accepted an invitation to a meeting in Miami. The highlight was a trip to Little Havana. We got our picture taken with an iconic patriotic rooster, learned a lot of Cuban-American history, and sampled the local mojitos. Maybe too many mojitos but like they say when in Little Havana…
Fishing Gear?
Does a fishing shirt actually help you catch more fish? It’s a centuries-old debate that has vexed anglers. We really have no idea. We do think our line of Roadside Systems fishing gear is pretty darn cool. If you would like a shirt just fill out the contact info and check the box for – I want a cool looking Roadside Systems fishing shirt. They run pretty close to size.
Sloss Furnaces – from Pig Iron to Music Festival
Centered in the heart of Birmingham (about ten minutes from Roadside Systems Southeast HQ) and a critical part of the city’s history is the Sloss Furnaces. The company operated as a pig iron-producing blast furnace from 1882 to 1971. After closing, it became one of the first industrial sites to be converted for public use and is now an educational center and concert venue ( https://www.slossfurnaces.com/) that has hosted bands including Wilco, Avett Brothers, and Alabama Shakes. Musical Festivals including Sloss Fest and Furnace Fest have called the site him. Sloss is an incredibly unique setting that is worth a visit. Birmingham had the vision to turn an important part of its part into a vibrant part of its future.
What the heck is that?
It’s a peanut roaster. Well, maybe THE peanut roaster. While on a recent trip to the new Roadside Systems offices in Birmingham, AL. We got a chance to sample the wares at the Alabama Peanut Company (https://alabamapeanut.com/). The pictured roaster has been in perpetual use for more than 100 years. Housed in Birmingham’s 1907 “Peanut House” – Alabama Peanut Co. is one of America’s last surviving peanut merchants. They still use the antique roasters original to the peanut business. The place was quite clean so we are confident the roasters have been cleaned thoroughly over the past eleven decades. We left with a three pound bag standard unsalted. They did not last long!
Hello Birmingham!
We opened the doors to the first office in our Southeastern expansion in October. We have set up shop in the Trussville area of Birmingham. We have brought on James Taylor, a Birmingham native, to run the show. We are very, very excited. So now our Southeastern push features an office (complete with desks), a manager, and clients in Birmingham. How cool is that! Clients! Many more details to come. James can be reached pretty much anytime at 205-308-8087. You can email him at [email protected] or [email protected].
Winter Time is Install Time
As we finish out fall and waltz into winter we get really busy around here. Many of our clients take the end of the year to catch up on those to-dos that weren’t done. Frequently that means installing a unit in to the new vehicle that was missed. Sometimes it is just moving a unit from one vehicle in to another vehicle. Any which way it works out great for Roadside Systems (and hopefully our clients) as we always end up installing bunches and bunches of units. Just like our HVAC clients a chill in the air is not so bad for us. We also pick up many new clients this time of year so you are not alone if you’ve been thinking about ditching that no-good GPS vendor that you currently use. Now is the time to change – we will welcome you with open arms! We are staffed to handle the work and look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate that we have our act together. As always we appreciate your business don’t hesitate to contact us. Please call us today at 314-304-7000 or e-mail us at [email protected]
ROMA APPS
In 2016 we released the RoMa App. We had high hopes for its adoption by our clients. We are happy to report our expectation have been exceeded! The RoMa app is now installed and running on thousands of our client’s phones. The app has many useful features including Driver ID, Fuel Management, and Vehicle Inspection. Some of our clients use the app for just one item but more and more are using the app for multiple functions. Some of our clients leverage the power of the RoMa API to transfer the collected information to third party systems. It is all very exciting! If you have a special use case at your company there is a very good chance that the RoMa App may work for your company. We would love to show you what the RoMa App can do for you. As always we appreciate your business, don’t hesitate to contact us. Please call us today at 314-304-7000 or e-mail us at [email protected]
Radio Spot Saluting the Men and Women in the Energy and Service Fields
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