Ace Tree Enterprise doubles their Safety Score with Samsara
After switching from Motive, Ace Tree Enterprise chose Samsara for reliable, accurate data to improve safety coaching, resolve false claims, and reduce accidents.
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Lack of real-time insights with Motive held Ace Tree Enterprise back
Ace Tree Enterprise operates as a specialized, one-stop shop for comprehensive tree service management, offering vital services such as tree trimming, removal, and storm recovery. Renowned for their affordable, safe, and exceptional services, the company has experienced rapid growth. To keep pace, they needed a reliable solution to provide real-time data and enhanced visibility across their expanding fleet of vehicles and assets.
However, they felt their previous provider, Motive, wasn't up to the task. "I gave Motive a chance, but when I saw what we were receiving versus what we were paying for, it was clear we weren't getting our money's worth,” said Lupita Hernandez, Fleet Manager.
Motive presented significant challenges for Ace Tree Enterprise. These included the poor quality and pixelation of Motive's dash cam footage, which made it difficult to defend against false claims. In addition, Motive provided delayed data, which hindered real-time oversight. “Samsara is live, and that's a huge difference. With Motive, we had to wait a few minutes just to see the next vehicle movement,” Hernandez explained.
According to Ace, this lack of accurate, real-time information was especially detrimental after an incident that left impact. Motive was unable to provide critical data, such as vehicle speed, to the California Highway Patrol, which ultimately resulted in Ace being found at fault.
The inability to prove fault and implement proactive safety measures also made it difficult for Ace to advocate for drivers. “With Motive, we were paying for a system that ultimately made no difference because it couldn't provide the critical data we needed to protect the business,” said Hernandez.
LUPITA HERNANDEZ
SAMSARA
MOTIVE
Reliable, live data for real-time visibility and proactive decision-making.
Delayed data and slow refresh hindered real-time oversight.
High-quality dash cam footage provided clear, actionable evidence to resolve false claims.
Poor, pixelated camera footage that didn’t provide enough detail to defend against false claims.
Accurate in-cab alerts that proactively coached drivers and reduced distracted driving.
Inaccurate or missed alerts, failing to warn drivers in critical situations, leading to accidents.
Trustworthy data for claims that helped protect the company from liability and secure insurance.
Unreliable telematics and data that could not be used as evidence, leading to financial penalties.
Comprehensive platform that supports safety, efficiency, and real-time operations.
Limited functionality that failed to meet the needs of a rapidly growing, specialized business.
Protecting drivers and the bottom line with Samsara’s advanced safety solution
Ace Tree Enterprise made a strategic shift to Samsara, a solution Hernandez had previously used at another company and strongly recommended due to its proven reliability. The decision came at a pivotal time: Ace had just secured a major wildfire recovery contract following the Palisades, Eaton, and San Bernardino County fires.
A critical advantage of switching to Samsara was the ease of installation. Even under the high-pressure circumstances of a major wildfire response, the installation process was quick, ensuring Ace had access to incredible visibility when it mattered most. "Within two and a half weeks, 100% of the people deployed to aid in recovery had GPSs and dash cams installed," Hernandez said. The dash cams allowed the back office to see what crews were experiencing on the ground, enabling them to more effectively support their team in the field. Samsara’s technology helped Ace stand out giving their relatively small operation the advantage of an advanced solution that made others take notice.
Moreover, AI Dash Cams provided reliable in-cab alerts that reduced mobile phone use and distracted driving, significantly improving driver safety overall. Drivers also used the dash cam record button to record incidents—such as navigating properties with pre-existing damage—proactively creating an objective record to protect themselves and the company.
Ace also uses Samsara's AI Assistant and Connected Training platform to build a culture of safety. With AI Assistant, Hernandez creates unbiased notes for coaching conversations, detailing behaviors like speed and phone usage. If drivers have a repeat incident, she assigns relevant training videos with the option for Spanish subtitles. Drivers appreciate the opportunity to improve with highly relevant, accessible training.
In addition, Samsara’s high-quality footage has been instrumental in resolving false claims. In one instance, a property owner accused Ace of knocking down a power line. Samsara's clear video showed the power line had been duct-taped to the house and came loose on its own, clearing Ace of any wrongdoing. “If I had a Motive camera in that situation, it would have been impossible to tell there was duct tape on the power line because their footage was so pixilated and low-quality,” said Hernandez. The clear, high-quality footage from Samsara provided the level of detail and clarity needed to resolve the issue, prove Ace was not at fault, and avoid potential financial penalties.
Ace Tree Enterprise chooses Samsara over Motive and doubles their fleet’s Safety Score
Since partnering with Samsara, Ace Tree Enterprise has achieved substantial improvements across their operations, improving driver safety, increasing efficiency, and standing out from the competition. The company's overall driver Safety Score more than doubled within just a few months, going from 42 to over 90. As Hernandez noted, "Since Samsara, our drivers are more careful. They're more mindful of their speed, and drivers are less distracted and more vigilant of their surroundings when driving.”
In the last six months, Ace has seen a decrease in mobile phone usage and distracted driving. This directly translates into fewer incidents and a safer environment for both employees and the public. Accurate GPS tracking has also improved efficiency by eliminating wasted time and fuel spent searching for crews. Now, managers and support staff can get precise location information to crews in the field, even in mountainous areas.
Samsara’s ability to provide clear video evidence has been a differentiator for Ace—protecting the company from false claims, preventing potential financial penalties, and safeguarding their relationships with utility partners like PG&E.
"Samsara is a core part of our operation,” said Hernandez. “We can count on it for clear, objective evidence we need to coach drivers and to defend against false claims. It is essential for our business and our relationships with major partners."
