Fleet management software should provide users with specific insight into their vehicles and equipment, with its main requirement being driving down cost and improving efficiency. An efficient telematics partner understands that the technology has to complement the fleet while being staying updated on current advancements in the industry.
MECN looks at ten things fleet managers and organisations must look at when choosing their fleet telematics partner
Ease of installation and use
Selecting a telematics system is only as beneficial as its usage. Having a fantastic but complicated system that the operators cannot navigate will make the system ineffective. Difficulty to use and lack of proper training will discourage the workers from implementing it in their daily routine. It will consequently impact the imagined cost reductions from implementing an impressive system. Hence, it is important to search for the right telematics provider who is confident about demonstrating the product’s ease of usability upfront.
Scalability
An essential part of choosing a telematics system is selecting the right telematics system. It is important to ask questions, such as if the telematics provider scale up as the fleet demands change, and will there be delays in deployment if the system were to be upgraded. The second phase of implementing the right telematics is to judge if one provider can meet all the fleet requirements. This will save money and hassle in the future if the system has to be upgraded or if there are benefits that have to be extended across the business besides the obvious advantages.
Automation
An efficient telematics system should automate everyday operations such as inspections, maintenance, management, and be able to collect data in real-time, which allows fleet managers to eliminate manual data entry as well provide an easy-to-search platform. This essentially means the fleet management software has the ability to automate its processes. Another critical point is to ensure that the software supports mobile device usage if that’s a requirement, along with making sure that its cloud-based if the software has to be accessed anytime anywhere.
Customer support 
When implementing a new system for the fleet, it is essential to understand the level of day-to-day support available post-sales. It is important to note if the provider has a regional after-sales centre that can support and ensure that the service is provided. Additionally, to utilise the maximum return on investment, fleet managers should know how to get the most out of their system. There should be a focus on training the operators based on individual fleet requirements since one company may be focused on reducing fuel consumption while the other on time-management. It’s been noted that most telematics packages have expensive training, and it is beneficial to choose a provider who will be able to fill all the requirements.
Upgrades
Technology is moving at an unprecedented rate and is reaching new heights every day, and we have seen technology make remarkable progress in a short period. For instance, GPS navigation became available to the public about 25 years ago and in the meantime, has made tremendous progress in a short time. The possibilities of tracking and locating are huge, and it will grow more than where it is today. Hence, a good determiner when choosing a telematics provider is to look into factors such as their R&D department and how up to date they are with industry standards. Fleet managers must also consider if the system would be updated regularly and what are some of its providers’ short and long term goals.
Operator performance
A good fleet management service provides managers with accurate data on the efficiency of their fleet operators, and will also help to identify issues such as speeding, erratic movements, and overloading the machine, which are all safety hazards and can lead to damages to the equipment. It can also identify other operator habits, such as prolonged idling time. Regularly monitoring the telematics data will help fleet managers identify operators who are overworking or misusing the equipment and steps that can be taken to correct these issues. This will ultimately lead to reduced labour costs, less wear and tear on the equipment and safer workplaces.
Reduce fuel and maintenance costs
With advancements in technology nowadays, telematics data include much more than tracking a location. It provides extensive and intelligent data, can optimise productivity, and allow for more safety at the worksite. Additionally, a smart GPS tracking system ensures that organisations can keep track of their machinery and in-turn keep an eye on fuel consumption. With advanced telematics systems, fleet managers can opt for automatic notifications on monitoring idling time versus work time and also which operators are responsible for wasting fuel. Fleet managers note that reducing idling time also results in better fuel efficiency, extends engine life and reduces repair costs.
Improve productivity
Fleet managers have pointed out that intelligent data from telematics can identify how much individual machines are being actively used on construction sites. By analysing this data, managers can regard if there is too little or too much equipment on-site. For instance, there might be a backhoe loader made available for a job site, but has been unused for weeks, while an excavator might be required but not available. In this scenario, analysing the data will help identify if there is an equipment shortage on-site and if operators are overworking the existing equipment to stay on schedule. In time, this data will also help understand whether it’s beneficial to invest in a piece of new equipment or whether the job site can be managed with existing equipment.
Maintenance & repair schedules
It has been noted that integrating telematics the telematics data into a maintenance management program will allow fleet managers to better schedule and perform preventive maintenance and repairs. In addition to that, it also ensures that accurately tracking engine and working hours means the equipment is not being pulled out of service too early or too late to perform preventive maintenance. Fleet managers can also be alerted if the equipment is not performing at peak levels, which could indicate problems early on and the extend the life of the machinery, reduce repair and labour costs, and avoid downtime.
Security and privacy
With telematics and GPS technology, we have understood that it’s possible to track and locate all the equipment, so fleet managers can be alerted when the equipment leaves the job site. In addition to this, telematics can be used to time-fence the equipment, which will automatically send alerts if the equipment is being used outside scheduled work hours or being operated outside the specified area. This is beneficial in case of theft and provides managers with the equipment’s location so that in the event, something does go missing, managers can provide local authorities with its last-known location. Certain advanced systems can also remotely turn off the machine if unauthorised usage is detected and prevent the machine from being operated during unassigned hours.