In the past, organisations with a large fleet of vehicles, 
where dependant on the performance of their vehicles
and drivers for the success of their business.
They had literally no control over the control and safety of their vehicles.
Often, the only way a business would find out about issues with their fleet
would be via an alert from a concerned member of the public complaining
about poor driving skills, or by a mobile phone call from a driver to report an issue whilst on the road.
This might sound ludicrous, and of course, it is.
How can a business operate without knowing how its fleet is performing when out on the roads?
All this has changed with the introduction of vehicle telematics and the features and
benefits this new technology has provided.
What is vehicle telematics
This can be described as the integrated use of telecommunications and informatics (information), for application in vehicles on the move. Telematics can include GPS (Global Positioning System) technology integrated with computers and mobile communications technology and assist in the daily management of a vehicle for the business. Basically information from the vehicle will be sent back to a central point so the business will know where the vehicle is, how it is being driven and how the vehicle is performing.
Saving time by centralising data
A key benefit to be considered is the time and labour savings associated with using a vehicle telematics system. At one time multiple staff were needed to manage a fleet from an office located at a depot or headquarters. Now Telematics can store data in one central location where it can be accessed by key staff or management when necessary, which in turn saves a considerable amount of time. There is no longer a need to work through an enormous amount of information from all over the organisation to make a decision relating the management of the fleet.
Tracking driver performance
Telematics, quite simply, makes it easier to assess how the driver is handling the vehicle across measures such as speed, idle time, fuel efficiency and hard braking. Being able to assess driver performance in this way presents a number of benefits. Most obviously, this kind of monitoring encourages the driver to drive more sensibly and thoughtfully, which in turn means that the organisation is likely to receive fewer complaints. In addition, more responsible driving means less wasted fuel, less wear and tear on the vehicle and a reduced impact on the environment.
Working to provide important vehicle information
Fleet safety managements means being able to detect possible problems with the vehicle as well as any issues with the way it is being driven. Manufacturers of these kinds of systems are working to develop them so that they can provide a fuller, more robust, system for their customers.
Why more and more businesses are adopting Telematics
In consideration of the numerous benefits that on board telematic systems can have for a business, it is little wonder why many businesses have employed the technology. The ability to be able to manage vehicles in this way is not only important for safety, but it is also more economical too and could save a business money. Drivers are expected to perform to industry standards in every aspect of their driving, which will lead to better performance of their vehicle and also management of their health and safety.