Vehicle telematics systems have been actually around for very some opportunity, they have strengthened significantly in current years many thanks to advances in modern technology and also software-as-a-service. Nowadays, vehicle telematics is an increasingly popular feature of fleet-operating businesses now use due to the advancement in technology and features typically found in the fleet management system have become more accessible.

What is the meaning of Vehicle Telematics?

Vehicle telematics (a combination of the word "telecommunications" and "informatics") combines communications software with the internet and computer systems so that vehicle location information and data can be collected and sent to fleet managers for use in different business applications--ultimately for decision making and better fleet management.

What are the essential features of a Vehicle Telematics System?

While different telematics solutions come with various features and no vehicle telematics solution is the same as another however, there are some essential ones that should be considered essential when evaluating various providers.

Full and Complete 24/7 Tracking through GPS

The tracking of location data for fleets is at the heart of fleet management and thus is a must-have feature. It should therefore not come as a surprise you that GPS tracking is the most sought-after feature in any vehicle telematics system.

Fleet drivers as well as fleet managers and dispatchers, as well as administrative staff all benefit from full GPS tracking. It helps drivers understand exactly where they are, and the best way they can reach their destination, while also avoiding traffic, accidents, and construction. Administrative staff can also make use of it to reduce their workloads. Fleet managers are able to track their fleets' performance and dispatchers can send the correct vehicle at the most appropriate time, based on current location of the vehicle.

Fleet managers can use the GPS-based vehicle-telematics system to give more reliable and improved service to their customers . They can also ensure the safety of all vehicles.

Real-time communication

What's the point of being fully and complete tracking when you are unable to be able to communicate with your vehicle in real-time, too? Another vehicle telematics feature that we believe is vital is the addition of some type of web-based interface or software service which receives real-time data from the vehicle telematics systems used in your fleet.

This is vital for managing the current activity of your vehicles, creating reports, and analyzing routes to ensure that there's nothing to cause your drivers to be delayed. The ability to quickly access a fleet management dashboard as well as view the data and connect with fleet vehicles enables agile decision-making and assists fleet managers make critical decision-making at-the-moment.

Most vehicle telematics providers will incorporate a similar system in their telematics offerings However, it's worthwhile to confirm this.

Customizable Alerts

You might not be aware of how important customizable alerts asset tracking telematic technologies are. You and your fleet managers can receive real-time notifications regarding issues like driver behavior as well as vehicle diagnostics. This allows you to minimize risk and solve problems quickly. This helps to reduce the possibility of an issue such as a carless driver, or an underlying problem within a vehicle, which can manifest into something more serious, such as a road traffic accident.

Route Planning and Optimisation

Making use of asset tracking telematic technologies to map and plan your drivers routes is a lot better than doing it on paper and pen which frequently leads to overlaps in routes and slow journeys. It is also a waste of time calling drivers to track them down.

Driver Monitoring

The most difficult part of fleet management involves managing drivers. But, it's vital for businesses to track and improve the behavior of drivers. Not only does responsible driving contribute to effectiveness and efficiency, it also protects your reputation, helps you save money and lowers the risk of accidents on the road.

An excellent vehicle telematics system will make your driver's actions and habits more transparent by providing valuable insight. These include data from speeding, sudden and aggressive brakes and acceleration, average time spent in a location, engine idling, gear changes and many more. Telematics in vehicles can also be used to verify timecards since data will indicate the times of the start and stop of your vehicle and the many hours you have driven.