To put it simply, telematics is the combination of two sciences: telecommunications and informatics. Telematics refers to a branch of technology such as phone lines and cables while informatics refers to computer systems. Today, the term telecommunications is used to describe the telematics solutions which are used commonly for commercial fleet vehicles.
These wireless devices provide an overall view of the fleet’s health, productivity and profitability.
How does it work?
Telematics uses a vehicle tracking device that is installed in a vehicle and allows for the sending, receiving, and storing of telemetry data. It gathers data and transmits it to a centralized server, where it is displayed to the end-user via secure websites and apps. This data includes vehicle speed, idle time, harsh acceleration, and fuel consumption to name a few. All this data adds up to provide very insightful information and insights across an entire fleet.
By using telematics for your fleet, you will benefit from lower fuel costs and improved safety. Elevated productivity is achieved through data helping drivers avoid high traffic areas and allowing them to plan ahead. Office managers can view this data and instruct their drivers on the fastest and most direct routes to use while on the roads.
Is It expensive?
This depends on which fleet management solution you choose, as they are all different and all offer different features. The simple GPS tracking on a map is relatively cheap but offers little insight, compared to the more advanced option which includes customizable dashboards, dashcams, and advanced driver management.
You will have better control over your payroll as you can see the exact time the vehicles start in the mornings and when they shut down at the end of the day. The data provides an accurate track record of the hours each employee has worked, so you can verify their hours worked and ensure that they are paid accordingly.
The future of Telematics?
The future is looking bright, new and more advanced GPS devices are being produced to keep up with the growing demand. The need for fleet management is continuously growing, meaning that telematics will soon become a necessity of all modern fleet operations.
At Edge Telematics, we have a wide range of hardware and software telematics solutions to help you better manage your fleet. We tailor our solutions to your specific needs, so view our solutions here:
https://edgetelematics.com/solutions/
This article was originally published on:
https://www.verizonconnect.com/resources/article/what-is-telematics/
