You can’t get too far in the fleet industry without knowing something about fleet telematics. Even if you’re not familiar with precisely what the term entails, you likely use fleet management telematics daily in your fleet’s operations. Telematics is a technology that tracks various data points such as speed, location, fuel efficiency, hours of service, maintenance requirements, and more. You can use telematics for a wide variety of purposes across the gambit of fleet management functions. Let’s learn more about fleet telematics and how you can take advantage of this technology in your fleet.
Telematics: A General Overview
Telematics transmits data over long distances and can be used in both commercial and non-commercial settings. Many industries take advantage of the efficient retrieval of electronic data to comply with strict safety and security regulations. You may see telematics in field service, home delivery, long-distance trucking, the public sector, OEMs, and construction businesses. As mentioned previously, telematics’ uses cover the whole range of fleet management needs, from:
- Asset management
- Route planning and optimization
- Customer experience
- Electronic proof of delivery
- Reducing costs
- Improving driver productivity
- Improving driver safety
Types of Telematics Devices
Telematics isn’t a one size fits all solution. There are all kinds of telematics variations out there, and fleets use all types. Let’s break down the different ways that telematics is used in fleets.
GPS
You likely recognize telematics mainly through GPS technology. Telematics can pinpoint precisely where your vehicles are and their current status. We mentioned some of the insights that telematics can gather earlier, but here’s a clearer picture of what data this technology can provide:
- Vehicle speed
- Incidents of harsh braking or tight cornering
- Vehicle diagnostics and health
- Geofencing
- Dashcam recordings
- Driver ID
Dashcams
We mentioned dashcams in the previous section, and you may be surprised to learn that dashcams and telematics are connected. Dashcams can monitor a lot of data, including who is operating a particular vehicle and where. AI dashcams can also detect many safety-related behaviors, so you can always ensure your drivers are at their best on the road without being in the vehicle.
Vehicle Sensors
Vehicle sensors are becoming more common in vehicles. You’ll know them as the alarms that go off when your vehicle gets too close to an obstruction. This technology is critical in keeping drivers safe and can save fleets money on insurance. These sensors can also benefit other drivers by alerting people when trucks are turning or reversing.
Benefits of Telematics
Of course, your fleet can enjoy many benefits if you take advantage of telematics in your everyday operations.
Lower Insurance Premiums: When fleets can demonstrate consistent driver safety and vehicle maintenance, they can prove to insurance carriers that they are not a risk.
Improve Safety: When managers are alerted to unsafe behaviors in real time, they can intervene before an accident happens.
Maintain Compliance: Every fleet must comply with federal and state regulations. These regulations require the use of telematics for purposes such as e-logs.
Keep Vehicles Maintained: Telematics is essential in staying on top of predictive maintenance. It also prevents wear and tear, helping vehicles last longer and saving money in the long run on costly repairs and breakdowns.
Boost Fuel Efficiency: Telematics can minimize fuel costs by analyzing driving practices and behavior such as speeding, idling, inefficient routing, unauthorized vehicle use, or poor vehicle maintenance.
Get the Best Telematics Solution!
When you’re implementing telematics for your fleet, partner with the experts in technology and fleet operations. Azuga has worked with fleets of all shapes and sizes to achieve their goals, boosting safety or saving money. Share your goals with Azuga’s experts and see what we can achieve together by trying a demo!
