Vehicle telematics technology is a relatively new technology, and it can help fleet managers track vehicles in their fleets. Telematics solutions are changing every day, and they are more robust than ever in the past. But this technology can be used for much more than just tracking where your vehicle is, and this is driving innovation in order to set up the business for long-term success.

Getting the Important Information Together

If you are thinking about implementing vehicle telematics technology, it’s important to have the right information to enter into your system. You'll want to include information like make, model, and maintenance history. It's also a good idea to include the vehicle identification numbers (VIN), which can help you track safety recalls, registries, and insurance. If you aren't familiar with the VIN number, take some time to research them. The numbers and letters in this unique number are not randomized. You can learn more about how to understand the numbers and letters, as well as how to locate the VIN.

Managing Speed

You can gain operation of the vehicle with the right optimization software. You can set the software to prevent too quick starts and to cap their speed. This can reduce maintenance and repair costs. The technology also allows you to review fuel metrics. Setting specific thresholds around the fleet can change the way the vehicle is driven, which ensures compliance, no matter who is in the vehicle.

Keeping Solo Drivers Safe

It's common for drivers to be on their own when on the road, and it can be hard to keep them safe. One option is to use video as a training tool. Once the driver has trained in the cab, they can use video to cement the training and give them more information. Plus, enabling video in the cab allows the driver to communicate with the fleet manager when they are on the road, and this encourages collaboration. Technology can also be implemented to send an alert if the driver has not checked in recently enough.

Keeping Track of Assets

You can pair Internet of Things devices with smart sensors to track valuable assets, like tools, vehicles, and equipment, no matter where it is in the job site. This eliminates the challenge of keeping track of equipment manually. It also cuts out the difficult recovery process if the items were to be stolen. Some tags can send real-time alerts to the fleet manager or driver if something is left behind. It will be easy to see where the asset is, so you will not need to spend valuable time searching for it. This also reduces unauthorized equipment use.

This can also be implemented with geofencing, which is a kind of virtual fence around a specific area. This could be around a job site, city, or area your business services. Setting up a geofence allows you to receive an alert if an asset or vehicle crosses this border. You could set them up around toll roads so you know instantly when the company needs to pay the toll.