The Benefits of Telematics for Drivers

What is telematics?

Okay, business telematics provides essential data about a vehicle and how it’s functioning, including its real-time location. Here’s how it works:

• Vehicle tracking: This is a device that monitors the vehicles in your fleet so you know where they are. At all times! And with real-time updates.
• Telematics systems: Here we have software transmitted from a GPS device on your vehicle. From it, you’ll get all sorts of useful data about your driver and the vehicle.

Those are the basics! But we’ll go into more detail about both of them further below.

What are the benefits of telematics for drivers?

In short, your fleet (and all your drivers in it) will benefit from:

• High-tech software and gadgets that let you work smarter.
• Cost-saving measures that’ll benefit any budget.
• Productivity boosting techniques.
• Theft prevention technology.
• Rapid recovery of stolen vehicles.
• Customer satisfaction techniques.

There are many more benefits of telematics for drivers, though, which we cover in detail below in this feature.

And the good news is telematics systems and vehicle trackers don’t break the bank! So, let’s take a look at what they are, followed by the benefits for your fleet.

Telematics systems increase productivity

Right, with business telematics systems across your fleet you can:

1. Save time.
2. Save money.

The software lets you optimise your daily operations so you can work smarter, get more productive and save in the long-term.

You can also keep track of vehicle locations, CAN bus data and tachograph data. What does that mean? Well, you get an overview of your fleet’s health. Such as with temperature alerts (all-important with sensitive cargo).

While tachograph data will help you keep track of drivers. You’ll know if they’re following your driving guidelines and representing your business well out on IOI’s roads.

If you want to save money and make the most of your fleet, putting yourself in total control, then this is the software for you. For any modern fleet, it’s essential.

The benefits of fleet telematics

With telematics in your fleet your business will become more productive, save money and help your drivers improve their craft.

You can read our guide to business telematics for all the details. We also cover the key benefits below in quickfire detail so you’re in the know.

Lower operational costs

Telematics can help with cost-savings in a number of ways. There are two main ways you can keep costs down. Here they are:

• Fuel savings: Vehicle tracking helps you lower fuel costs as you can understand how your vehicles operate day in, day out. You get reports on poor driving behaviour that decreases fuel efficiency. That way, you spot poor vehicle handling and stop it pronto.
• Vehicle maintenance: You can also cut costs on vehicle repair and maintenance. You get detailed reports on what your vehicles need. The best vehicle tracking systems connect to the vehicle CAN bus and send across diagnostics about your fleet. That way, you can keep on top of repairs before they become costly!

Want some more fuel saving tips for fleets? That guide will help you out!

Increase productivity and efficiency

Telematics systems make your business more efficient. No denying it.

One of the benefits of fleet telematics is you can keep track of all your drivers at the same time. And in real-time! You can see:

• How many miles they’ve travelled.
• How long they’re on site for.
• The length of time their journeys take.
• Many other things about their performance.

With all that data, you can take it and spot any problem areas in your operation. Got a driver need meeting your standards? You’ll soon find out. Got a problem with one of your vehicles? You’ll get the data on that.

You’ll also be able to work out the most efficient routes in your region, saving you time and money as you do the best job you can. It’s all about working smarter!

Give better customer service

With GPS vehicle tracking you always know where your vehicles are. That’s excellent for business! You can quickly contact your customers to tell them what the expected time of delivery is. Or when you’re going to pick them up.

Those live updates are vital for any modern business.

With GPS trackers, you can keep your customers in the know with live updates. And that avoids frustration if there’s a delay or anything like that. Plus, it just makes you look ultra-professional.

Vehicle trackers get real-time fleet tracking

Plain and simple, you can use vehicle tracking devices to keep track of all the vehicles in your fleet. There are many reasons you may want to do that, from theft prevention, to recovering stolen vehicles fast and getting useful vehicle data.

The main features of a vehicle tracker are:

• Monitoring your fleet in real-time.
• Getting driver alerts for any poor driving.
• Getting useful data on fuel consumption.
• Monitor vehicle health.

However, the main draw here is simple—with vehicle trackers, you always know where your drivers are at all times.

It helps stop criminals. But if you do face vehicle theft, you can track the asset, alert the police and get it back in no time.

Vehicle trackers protect your business interests. They’re affordable for any budget and, we must say, are essential for any modern fleet.

The benefits of vehicle tracking

Okay, with trackers fitted to your fleet… what benefits can you expect? Let’s take a look!

Improve your fleet’s security

The immediate security benefits of telematics are:

• Rapid theft recovery! With vehicle trackers, if your car or van is stolen you’ll know where it is. You can contact the police and get your asset back fast.
• Using geofencing to designate your usual working areas. If a driver leaves that zone, potentially if it’s stolen, you can work out why fast.
• Use your route data to pick the best times for drivers to travel, so they can avoid busy roads during rush hour. It’s a great way to keep your fleet safe.
• Your real-time tracking also lets know where your drivers are at all times. That means you won’t need to ring them to find out, which can be distracting.

Getting setup with telematics is the best way to take total control of your fleet and maximise security. It’s an opportunity you can’t afford to miss!

Protect your business from fraud

One of the many benefits of vehicle tracking is that you can link your GPS device to fuel cards and help protect your business against fraud.

Linking your GPS tracker to the fuel cards your company uses means you can check the:

• Stations your cards were used at.
• Time of purchase.
• Location of your vehicle.

The result? You can spot if the card was in use when your vehicle was somewhere else. If someone nicks your card, GPS tracking makes it easy to find out.

Should small businesses use telematics?

Yes! Large organisations will benefit as well, of course, but this technology is affordable and will help your small business to grow.

One of the benefits of telematics for drivers is the technology always works a treat for helping our small businesses with smaller budgets.

With a vehicle tracker or telematics system, you can:

• Improve productivity.
• Improve efficiency.
• Increase security.
• Reduce long-term costs.
• Meet customer expectations.

All we advise for small businesses (and SMEs) is you compare the market before making a decision. Every business has specific needs, so you can search for the right provider that matches your budget and needs.

Get your drivers setup with telematics

Well, the benefits of telematics for drivers should now be obvious! We think we’ve shown you just how useful telematics is for your business! Now you can go ahead and compare the market to bag yourself the right deal.

All you need to do is:

1. Enter your business deals.
2. Search the market.
3. Take your pick.

Simple as one-two-three. Once you’ve got your recommendations, you make your choice. It’s free to do and will save you a bunch of time and money.