What is vehicle telematics and how can it benefit my business?

What is vehicle telematics and how can it benefit my business?

Enter the world of modern fleet management and gain unique insights into your fleet of vehicles and drivers with remote telematics solutions. This article will help you get the most out of your fleet and fully understand what telematics can do for you.

The telematics industry's efforts to benefit and make a difference are evident in every business it touches. In recent years, remote information processing has developed rapidly, and enterprises are encouraged to implement remote information processing solutions to improve security, improve efficiency, and most importantly, reduce costs.

I saw this rightInnovative Technologydemand has prompted more businesses to become curious about what remote information processing can be used for and how it can benefit them.

This blog will answer all your questions and provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions about remote information processing.

 

What is telematics?

 

Telematics (also known as fleet telematics) is a system that collects GPS fleet tracking data and a range of vehicle-specific information and stores it in a database. It integrates wireless communications and information technology (informatics) to process, provide actionable data, and effectively convey information through vast networks.

Remote information processing is often associated with fleet management and vehicle GPStracking deviceAssociated. Considering these fleet systems, telematics can be defined as an in-vehicle communications system in which all fleet software can interact with each other and share important information.

Remote information processing can also be regarded as an integration from vehicle equipment todriver rowforNew methods for all types of data.

 

How do remote information processing systems work?

 

For a remote information processing system to work properly, it requires some projects:

  • Communication device (mobile phone, computer, laptop and/or tablet)
  • Fleet communication software
  • GPS tracking device
  • engine interface
  • input/output interface
  • SIM card
  • Accelerometer
  • Alerts/Notifications

Telematics systems work by connecting GPS fleet tracking devices or other data logging tools to assets. The tool collects critical performance data about the asset, such as real-time engine diagnostics, vehicle location and vehicle activity.

After collection, the device transmits the data to a data center where it can be analyzed, interpreted and compiled.

After uploading, fleet managers can access the uploaded data through the software of the remote information processing system. However, the method of doing so may vary depending on the specific remote information processing solution.

 

Remote information processing equipmentHow is it installed?

 

Remote information processing is implanted through the vehicle's on-board diagnostic (OBD) II port or CAN-BUS port, usually located under the steering wheel.

GPS tracking devices and fleet management remote information processing are installed in discrete locations, making them difficult to locate and tamper with. Here are the three available unit types and their hiding places:

insertStyle: These devices plug easily into any fleet vehicle’s cigarette lighter, such as Cartrack’s Compact Mobile Units. Since these devices must be plugged in to function, they are easily discovered.

hardwired: These devices are installed directly in the vehicle and connected to the vehicle's power source (battery). Since they are not connected to the OBD port, they can be easily hidden in the vehicle.

Battery powered:They have their own battery or solar charger and can run independently of the vehicle, so they can be easily placed anywhere on the vehicle. These types of devices usually have powerful batteries that can last for months at a time.

When installed with a remote information processing unit, the device collects GPS fleet tracking data and a range of vehicle-specific information, where fleet managers can implement smart solutions to enable, automate and improve the following:

  • Manage route optimization
  • Ensure driver safety and compliance
  • Help identify and improve bad driving habits
  • Receive preventive maintenance notifications
  • reduceidling, fuel and maintenance costs
  • Manage asset utilization
  • Explain that driver partners comply with policies and regulations
  • Reduce carbon footprint

A central server receives information from devices via General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), 4G or 5G mobile data, and cellular or satellite communications, and is accessed via a tablet or smartphone via a secure website (usually remote information processing) System platform) displays this information.

 

Remote information processing and vehicle tracking system

 

Vehicle tracking is the most common telematics use in most industries, especially trucking and transportation.

This technology is preferred in vehicles as it offers significant benefits. By using a GPS system combined with on-board diagnostics, the vehicle's exact location, speed and maintenance status can be mapped.

The following is a list of other information obtained through remote information processing.

  • Location
  • fuel usage
  • Maintenance issues
  • Fuel consumption
  • free time
  • Harsh driving situations (such as hard braking or turning)
  • Speed and rapid acceleration

To make full use of this information, telematics systems analyze data for certain events and patterns and create reports about specific drivers and fleet vehicles, especially for the convenience of fleet managers.

From fleet manager to fleet driver

 

Integration of remote information processing and vehicles

 

Often, trucks, trailers, and other fleet vehicles are sold without tracking systems installed and have GPS tracking devices installed shortly after the sale. If the vehicle is not pre-equipped with this technology, many aftermarket options offer GPS and telematics units for installation.

Some car resellers also work with telematics providers or vehicle tracking companies such as Cartrack to provide a seamless end-user experience and sell already installedCartracktrackunit vehicle.

 

How to proactively use telematics in your fleet

 

You now have a basic understanding of remote information processing software and have decided to implement it into your business. Great! To get this technology game-changer right, here are a few key areas where remote information processing can boost your business.

  1. Safe tracking

    Fleet telematics allows you to track vehicle location, speed, seat belt usage and driving behavior. You'll receive a digital record of every aspect of your fleet's vehicle operations, which can provide insight into what improvements can be made to prevent accidents and improve driver safety.

  2. Better payroll management

    Remote messaging solutions can help you reduce overtime and timesheet fraud by monitoring your fleet's electronic time logs and allocating resources based on real-time information. You can optimize your driver's routes so they don't waste driving time. You'll also know exactly how long and how far your vehicle was driven, making payroll calculations easier.

  3. Trailer and asset tracking

    Remote information processing can be used for more than just monitoring vehicles. You can attach GPS tracking units to trailers, expensive equipment, and non-motorized assets to prevent them from being lost and find them faster if they are stolen.

    You can also create alerts that are sent to you if a trailer or other non-motorized asset is moved without your permission.

  4. insurance risk assessment

    With the car owner's permission, insurance companies can use telematics to monitor driver behavior, allowing them to better identify risk factors and adjust insurance premiums accordingly. If you need extra clarification when sorting out your insurance, Cartrack helps motorists find affordable coverage by looking at currently available insurance packages and providing you with 14 quotes and better deals.

 

How is it used in daily life?

 

By 2062, the remote information processing solutions market is expected to reach6billion, up from an estimated $2.9 billion in 2025. With that much money, it's a safe bet that it's not just the transportation and trucking industries that benefit from this system. There is room in almost every industry to integrate remote information processing into their operations, and some of them use this technology in slightly different ways than others.

Here are the industries taking advantage of remote information processing today.

  • heavy machine: Maintain heavy equipment and prevent theft by using telematics and asset tracking security features.
  • public security: Monitor the location and speed of emergency vehicles to improve personnel safety and increase response times.
  • fleet: Trucks and various fleet vehicles are monitored to ensure cargo reaches its destination safely and on time.
  • Construction: Performance diagnostics, fuel usage and maintenance schedules are all reported using telematics.
  • Petroleum and natural gas: Monitor oil and gas extraction and transportation activities to improve efficiency and worker safety.
  • Refrigeration: Monitor the temperature of cold- or heat-sensitive products to reduce spoilage and ensure safe consumption.
  • Executive fleet: Improve luxury vehicle maintenance to reduce breakdowns, unscheduled repairs and parts replacement.
  • Landscaping and Lawn Care:Monitor employee and equipment performance to improve productivity and customer service.

dynamo:Monitor generator conditions such as fuel level, battery voltage and coolant temperature to ensure it is healthy and ready to run longer.

 

How can telematics benefit fleet operations?

 

Telematics is dedicated to helping fleet managers navigate their vehicles, drivers and other fleet employees. Through telematics, GPS devices can successfully track your vehicles, trailers and assets while also collecting vehicle data such as the vehicle’s complete trip history and other actionable insights that fleet managers can use to improve vehicles and driving conditions.

Other significant improvements that remote information processing can make in fleet management include:

  • Improve fleet efficiency

    With actionable insights from our telematics and fleet data, you can track driver progress, improve communication, and streamline workflows.

  • Eliminate toll and gas card fraud

    Remote telematics will automatically validate gas card payments each time they are made by matching fuel sensor data, vehicle location history and fuel card recipes. Make sure each driver uses their authorization card at all times.

  • Always know exactly where your assets are

    With our GPS units, you not only know the exact location of your assets, but you can also ensure your shipment is accounted for from dispatch to delivery. For an extra measure of security, you'll receive alerts and footage every time the cargo door is opened and the cargo itself.

  • Actionable insights into fleet health

    From gasoline intake to driving behavior, telematics provides fleet managers with all the information they need about their fleets. They also receive instant alerts for immediate resolution of maintenance issues before they escalate. This allows you to keep your vehicle running longer, save big on repairs, avoid serious safety violations, and protect your Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) scores.

  • real time tracking

    Automatically update job status via text message or email and easily track delivery progress by sending electronic signatures and photos for a small layer of assurance and secure delivery.

  • Accurate scheduling plan to ensure on-time delivery

    Easily transfer information from fleet managers to fleet drivers using the Cartrack communication app. Say goodbye to incorrect customer information and ensure faster delivery and happy customers.

  • Simplify communication

    Fleet remote information processing can greatly improve communication between drivers and fleet managers or administrators in the enterprise. Improved communications combined with accurate vehicle location can help you accurately estimate arrival times and increase customer satisfaction.

  • Reduce fuel costs and operating expenses

    Telematics can help identify areas of waste, such as idling vehicles or fuel leaks, and allow fleet managers to quickly correct them, improving fuel efficiency and the bottom line in the business. It can also illustrate how management plans the most efficient route for each driver to save wasted miles.

  • It improves driver safety

    Accidents are always bad for business, and they can be even worse for the health and safety of drivers. Telematics can be used to improve driver behavior and promote overall road safety. Fleet management software collects telematics data about your team's driving habits and ranks your drivers based on their safety scores. You can then teach your drivers safer driving habits and improve the overall safety of your fleet.

  • It automates IFTA reporting

    Telematics and fleet management software can automatically calculate distance driving and fuel costs for different drivers in different jurisdictions. They can also automatically calculate International Fuel Tax Association reports, improving management efficiency, reducing calculation errors, and reducing the chance of a company being audited.

 

How does telematics work with other fleet software?

 

Enterprises are increasingly relying on remote information processing and fleet management software to help them manage their fleets.

Fleet management software is a branch of telematics that is popular among modern companies as a way to manage the vehicles they own. Fleet management systems give them a complete view of the health, profitability and productivity of their entire fleet.

Many fleet managers use both fleet management systems and remote information processing to simplify and efficiently compile the information they collect.

 

What is fleet management software?

 

Fleet management software is a large database of information where you can track everything related to your fleet. These records may include:

  • Purchased or leased vehicle
  • vehicle information
  • maintenance plan
  • Parts and Service History
  • Compliance documents (insurance, licenses, taxes)
  • Fuel transaction log
  • production cost
  • financial data

The goal of using both telematics and fleet management technologies is to reduce the administrative processes associated with managing all fleet lifecycle information. This helps understand your fleet in terms of operating costs and total cost of ownership, and ensures you are operating legally, complying with regulations and maintaining your assets effectively.

As a result, these fleet systems typically have fairly comprehensive reporting tools, with the ability to set alerts and send emails, while integrating well with third-party systems that provide financial solutions, such as Cartrack's SARS-compliant logging functionality.

 

Are both systems required?

 

If you're asking yourself whether you really need telematics and fleet management software to optimize your business, the answer is yes. These systems work together to increase fleet efficiency and productivity and provide several benefits that can be easily observed once the technology is integrated into the business.

Benefits include:

  • Create risk analysis by combining driver behavior information with accident rate, medical history and fine data
  • Security Monitoring
  • Eliminate costly idling
  • Improved travel itineraries
  • Streamline processes by eliminating administrative time
  • Improve accuracy by eliminating redundant data entry

By integrating telematics and fleet management software into business practices, you can reduce investment and operating costs in various areas, including fuel procurement, leasing, maintenance, incident management and accounting.

 

Get fleet insights with Cartrack

 

Use Cartrack's fleet management solutions and remote information processing technology to put your entire fleet under your control and monitoring. Stay informed on all the comings and goings of your fleet.

Contact us on our website to take the first step towards fleet efficiency.

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