What is telematics? What are its advantages?

Telematics is a vehicle-related technology that integrates telecommunications, informatics, and wireless devices to send, receive, and store data. Telematics devices use GPS and other vehicle-specific data to collect and transmit location information to a centralized server through cellular networks or satellite communication. This information is processed and stored in a user-friendly manner that fleet owners may access through websites and applications.

How does telematics work?

At its most basic level, a telematics system consists of a vehicle tracking device placed in a vehicle that transmits, receives, and stores telemetry data. It uses a SIM card to connect to the vehicle’s onboard diagnostics (ODBII) or CAN-BUS connector, and a built-in modem to communicate via a wireless network.

The gadget captures GPS and other vehicle-specific data and sends it to a centralized server through GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), 4G mobile data, cellular network, or satellite connection. The server interprets the information and makes it available to end-users through secure websites and apps for smartphones and tablets. It uses a SIM card to connect to the vehicle’s onboard diagnostics (ODBII) or CAN-BUS connector, and a built-in modem to communicate via a wireless network.

The gadget captures GPS and other vehicle-specific data and sends it to a centralized server through GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), 4G mobile data, cellular network, or satellite connection. The server interprets the information and makes it available to end-users through secure websites and apps for smartphones and tablets.

Location, speed, idling time, hard acceleration or braking, fuel consumption, vehicle issues, and other telemetry data can be recorded. This data can give in-depth insights across a complete fleet when it is evaluated for occurrences and patterns.

Applications of Telematics

The logistics and transportation industries, particularly in commercial fleet cars, are where telematics is most used. Location, speed, engine idle, hard braking or acceleration, fuel consumption, temperature, and vehicle issues are just some of the data that may be collected utilizing telematics devices. This allows fleet owners to track all their cars in real-time, both as a group and individually.

Reduced fuel expenses: Telematics can assist fleet managers to discover waste areas, such as vehicle idle or fuel slippage, and correcting them quickly, improving fuel efficiency and lowering costs. It can also aid management in determining the most effective route for each driver to cut down on wasted mileage.

Improved safety: Fleet managers may teach drivers and minimize bad behaviors like speeding and forceful braking by receiving continuous input on their driving style and behavior. Actionable, data-driven reports that highlight driver performance and promote new safety goals can be used to make improvements.

Drivers may assist avoid traffic delays and plan for adverse weather using GPS system data that is updated in near real-time. Back-office administrators may simply assign any new or extra site visits to the nearest vehicle and direct them on the most effective route to take.

This data may be read by fleet management software, which can then send notifications to fleet owners about performance concerns, emergencies, and crucial events like route deviation or overspeeding, allowing them to take immediate action. Sensors can detect when oil, brake pads, or batteries need to be changed, making vehicle maintenance easier and more predictable. Fleet managers may obtain insights into driving habits and trends using telematics data, which can then be used to develop training programs to increase driver safety. The technology can help boost productivity, save costs, and thereby increase profitability for fleet owners.

Better payroll management: Fleet managers have an exact, automatic record of how long an employee worked by recording the precise time a vehicle begins at the beginning of the day until it shuts down.

This data may be read by fleet management software, which can then send notifications to fleet owners about performance concerns, emergencies, and crucial events like route deviation or overspeeding, allowing them to take immediate action. Sensors can detect when oil, brake pads, or batteries need to be changed, making vehicle maintenance easier and more predictable. Fleet managers can also acquire insights from telematics data.