In trying times, fleet managers are under even more pressure to optimise efficiency and reduce costs — while fulfilling regulatory requirements and tightening security controls. To do this effectively, they need immediate access to reliable intelligence about overall fleet health before taking corrective action.
This valuable information is a product of a smart combination of software and telematics hardware — designed to transform fleet device data into usable insights via a tracking platform. But as with all things, not all tracking platforms are created equal.
Transforming data into insights you can use
Telematics describes devices that merge telecommunications and informatics to enable wireless sharing of information which, in turn, is fed into vehicle tracking software that presents it in a meaningful, visual format that’s easy to use.
Choosing the right platform provider
With a plethora telematics and tracking solutions out there, you’re truly spoiled for choice. But how do you decide on the right solution? What features should you be looking for? And how important is support when it comes to buying an off-the-shelf solution?
Recognising that no two businesses are the same either, there are a few factors to consider in your decision:
- Control
Look for a telematics provider that can give you, as partner, full control over the platform. This means you’re better able to support your clients — reducing administrative delays, minimising waiting times and making sure they’re up and running quickly AND efficiently.
- Expansive features
Renowned business management pioneer Peter Drucker once said, “If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it”. Effective measurement depends on device monitoring to ensure fleet managers can optimise efficiencies wherever possible. Solutions should offer features that include (and continue to build on):
- Fuel management
- Advanced driver behaviour
- CanBUS monitoring
- Fleet scheduling and schedule optimisation
- DTC reporting
- OBD integration
- MDVR (with livestream if possible)
- Flexible/customizable dashboard with reporting capabilities
- Device flexibility
Different fleets require different monitoring, both in terms of compliance and vehicle profile. And across various regions or with older fleets, there may be issues related to connectivity and device availability. To ensure you can deliver the same consistent quality solution to your clients, wherever they are, ensure you work with a device-agnostic, global provider — able to support the world’s best tracking hardware, while integrating with legacy devices to deliver insightful information.
- Dedicated service and support efficiency
Because time is money. If you’re supporting clients, you need rapid, responsive service to deal with queries quickly. Make sure you’re working with a provider that makes serviceability easier through ongoing training support and dedicated service contacts you can talk to – ideally in your language and time zone.
- Flexible branding opportunities
To deliver the same, high-quality tracking solution across your customer base it’s best to look for a full white labelled solution. This means you can apply branding in line with your client’s unique requirements — without getting bogged down by licensing issues or ownership confusion.
- Innovation and on-hand technical expertise
Ensuring you’re offering the widest range of services to your clients, you need a partner with the right technical know-how. Be sure that your chosen platform partner is continuously integrating the latest tracking devices into its system and be clear on the costs (ongoing innovation should be free!) For clients who need to migrate their systems, vehicles and databases across to a new provider, ensure the technical team is ready (and able) to help without having to outsource.
- Comprehensive worldwide support
To offer a fleet tracking service that’s truly global, you need a multi-lingual support team across the world — with the functionality to add new languages on demand — to ensure easy usage in any country.
Most importantly, look for a partner you can trust with an indirect distribution model that’s focused on service excellence and fleet management innovation.
