The adoption of telematics technology in fleets has seen tremendous growth in recent years, as more companies discover the benefits of data-driven insights into their vehicles and drivers. With robust telematics solutions now available for fleets of all sizes, the potential for cost savings and efficiency gains is greater than ever.
In this article, we’ll outline four ways real-time telematics data helps fleet managers enhance performance, cut unnecessary expenditures, and generally maximize the value of their mobile assets and teams.
Improve Fleet Maintenance
With sensors on vehicles reporting ongoing diagnostics and performance indicators, fleet managers deploy predictive, condition-based maintenance to reduce repairs before problems escalate. Diagnostic trouble codes, oil levels, tire pressure, and other readings catch issues early. Managers extend service schedules based on actual vehicle usage vs. generic timelines.
Monitoring critical statuses also minimizes vehicle downtime. Diagnosing issues quickly lets managers schedule necessary repairs optimally. Well-maintained vehicles further contribute to fuel and operational savings long-term. Historical data additionally helps determine the optimal time for vehicle retirement/replacement based on true asset lifecycles.
Lower Insurance Premiums
Verified data from telematics solutions like Geotab provides insurers with documented proof of driver quality and policy compliance. Fleet safety improvements therefore enable negotiation with carriers for lower premiums.
Metrics signaling reduced risk levels include seat belt usage, speed limits obeyed, distracted driving elimination, etc. Insurers reward these positive behavioral changes and proactive management efforts. It also provides fleets with ways to refute unfair claims when necessary to avoid unfair hikes.
Enhance Workforce Productivity
With extensive in-vehicle monitoring options, fleet managers can identify gaps and opportunities related to workforce productivity. Tracking onsite arrival and departure times, break duration, and route efficiencies provides insights for coaching and performance improvement. Comparing vehicle teams for adherence to schedules also promotes healthy competition and accountability.
Excessive unauthorized detours, unscheduled stops, and late job departures can be pinpointed for correction action. Delays from traffic or other exceptions can be separated from intentional unauthorized extensions of work hours. Used positively, managers can coach drivers and resolve problems for better workforce output.
Lower Accident Risks
According to various estimates, 80-90% of vehicle accidents involve driver errors like speeding or distraction. Telematics provides visibility into these behaviors and intelligently diagnoses accident risks proactively.
Tools like real-time distraction detection, collision avoidance alerts, etc., take prevention to the next level. Speeding violation identification is one of the earliest telematics offerings, but more advanced driver assistance tools take this further. Machine learning algorithms applied to accumulated telematics data also determine high-risk drivers/routes to guide targeted coaching and retraining that continually enhance road safety.
Fleet efficiency metrics have traditionally not been precise or leveraged major technology aids. Telematics solutions are changing that status quo with data-driven insights that help minimize expenses and boost productivity like never before. The sheer breadth of measurements and customization possible with advanced systems today provides fleet managers with unprecedented visibility into enhancing the performance of their mobile assets and personnel.
While the upfront investment needed in implementing telematics can seem challenging initially, the sheer scale of operational and cost benefits makes the payback worthwhile in under a year for most fleets. And the more strategic advantage of data-driven, real evidence-based decision-making is difficult to overstate when guiding key initiatives like growth planning, asset allocation, and workforce training priorities.
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