Firstly, let’s explain what telematics is, it sounds like something Star Trek invented to transport Spock to the future. It’s not, but it is the future of managing your company transportation.
Telematics combines telecommunications and information systems to allow companies and organisations to more efficiently manage their fleet of vehicles, saving them time and money. By monitoring vehicles and their use significant savings can be made due to less fuel being used and less wear and tear, potentially adding up to many thousands of pounds per year.
There are two elements to telematics: tracking equipment that’s installed in vehicles and software on computers at the base of operations. Most tracking hardware employs GPS technology so that the fleet manager is aware of vehicles’ positions at all times. The devices also record key information in the vehicles, such as whether their engines are on or not, as well as a host of other data.
The software that comes with fleet telematics allows fleet managers to get the best possible use out of a company or organisation’s vehicles while keeping costs down by not using vehicles when necessary. This is important for organisations with large fleets, such as trucking firms and the police.
There’s an added benefit for the environment, in terms of reduced exhaust emissions, and CO2 emissions from a fleet’s vehicles are constantly checked to ensure they meet current statutory requirements.
In addition, the software from Airmax Group works out the minimum mileage on all routes in operation, and the least amount of vehicles that can be used. This is truly exceptional technology.
It can benefit customers awaiting deliveries or urgent travel because drivers can be alerted immediately about any traffic delays or other problems on the roads ahead, thus avoiding costly delays and improving service.
Telematics can even monitor a driver’s behaviour and how well they are able to drive their vehicle. This is important in terms of reducing accidents, and if the system spots weak or bad driving — for example, failure to stop at red lights and other breaches of the rules of the road — it can be immediately addressed and the driver sent for further training.
Reviews of routes driven can be carried out by using telematics in conjunction with mapping technology such as Google Maps; this allows for entire journeys to be replayed from the driver’s line of sight.
Although fairly new to the market, it is easy to see why telematics is a favourite amongst fleet managers and company directors, saving money, the environment and improving customer services.
