Telematics is fast becoming the ‘must have’ technology for the fleet industry, according to ALD Automotive.

Research from the leasing company shows that almost nine out of 10 fleets, with more than 500 employees, have introduced telematics.

But, with fleets of all sizes adopting the technology, Rhys Harrhy, telematics product manager at ALD Automotive, told visitors to Fleet Management Live: “It will become a fundamental part of our fleet management lives over the next few years.”

He explained that telematics can help tackle four of the biggest issues facing fleets: cost control; risk management; carbon reduction; and fleet productivity.

“We ought to know how are assets are being used, especially when they cost so much,” said Harrhy.

“Telematics isn’t the be all and end all, but I think it’s the one solution that stands out as being the single most cost effective answer to help deliver these goals.”

He was able to help visitors to the show understand the growing functionality of telematics and how to overcome some of the fundamental obstacles to adoption.

He also looked at how the smartphone was impacting the sector and the growing manufacturer involvement in the technology.