Simon Hill, MD at Total Motion, looks at the shift in the telematics and fleet market.

Over the last couple of years, telematics have become a prominent feature within the motoring industry. Through the use of smart devices, data can be recorded in relation to a drive and then be sent to a provider. This data can then be used as a way of managing certain aspects of a vehicle from tracking through to emergency warnings. However, the telematics industry has begun to rebrand themselves as a provider of fleet management. Here at Total Motion, we believe that this could not be further from reality.

Although we are not disputing the fact that telematics is integral to fleet management, we are suggesting that it does not just finish there. Telematics provide fleet management companies with huge amounts of data, which not only record miles travelled and more, but highlight key areas of safety that could be improved. This data is incredibly valuable, but it lacks in certain areas that a fleet management company can provide.

We should look at telematics as a component part of fleet management, a tool to be used to assess the bigger picture, increasing the efficiency we manage our vehicles. We believe that there is not a provider out there, both internal and external, that can deliver data to a company and then deliver end to end efficiencies based upon the findings.

Fleet management brings together every conceivable product, service, solution and resource tailored to a company producing outcomes and contributing to the ongoing structure. Telematics only factors into one area of fleet management and provides data towards the overall picture.

We believe that any fleet with 25 or more vehicles should have telematics implemented into their strategy. This will not only allow your fleet to be managed efficiently by providing key data, but also letting you plan how to keep your drivers safe.