A telematics system is a technology that combines telecommunications and informatics to enable the remote monitoring of vehicles. It typically involves using GPS and other sensors to collect and transmit telematics data on vehicle location, speed, and additional relevant information.

A telematics system typically consists of telematics devices installed in the vehicle, which collect data from various sensors and transmit it to a central server or cloud-based platform. The operator can then access and analyze this data to track the vehicle’s location, monitor its performance, and diagnose any issues.

Telematics technology is often used in fleet management, vehicle diagnostics, and insurance telematics. In fleet management software, telematics systems can track vehicles’ location and performance in real time, allowing managers to optimize routes, reduce fuel consumption, and improve safety. You can read more about telematics systems here.

Which features should you look for in a telematics system?

Useful features of telematics systems include GPS tracking, vehicle diagnostics, driver monitoring, and communication capabilities such as messaging. To provide a more comprehensive view of operations, fleet telematics can be integrated with other systems, such as fuel management, maintenance scheduling, and dispatch systems.

Telematics solutions can be incorporated with current applications and systems to enable an array of use cases for fleets of every size, including:

• Vehicle tracking: Fleet vehicles can be tracked using GPS technology and cloud computing. GPS receivers receive information from GPS satellites to provide navigation services for drivers. They can also transmit this data to web servers, which can be accessed by office staff to dispatch the nearest driver to a new task. 
• Equipment and asset allocation: GPS trackers can be used to track and monitor the location and usage of equipment and other assets in a fleet. By attaching trackers to these assets, businesses can ensure that they are preserved and used and optimize their usage. Additionally, it is possible to set up an alert system that sends notifications to a manager’s handheld device if an asset is moved without authorization. This can help businesses to safeguard their assets and prevent unauthorized access or misuse.
• Maintenance improvements: Vehicle telematics can improve vehicle maintenance and asset lifecycle management by tracking hours of use, preventative maintenance schedules, and warranty recovery. It can also help track engine hours and service records, allowing fleet managers to diagnose and address vehicle issues. Managers can use these tools to reduce expenses and keep their vehicles in safe and reliable working conditions.

Explore telematics solutions with Trackunit

Telematics is a rapidly evolving field that can provide significant competitive advantages for businesses. Using data and information, you can adapt your business to new opportunities and improve productivity. Trackunit Predict can help you harness the power of telematics to transform your business in a digital world. Telematics can also benefit OEMs by increasing productivity and reducing the total cost of ownership for their customers. If you’re interested in learning more about telematics, contact Trackunit for more information, where you can request a demo.