Vehicle Telematics: The Future of Fleet Management

Technology is rapidly and relentlessly changing the way we work, connect, and, of course, drive. Most recently, vehicle telematics is revolutionizing how we approach navigation and safety on the road.

Vehicle telematics systems provide a convenient hub for all things communication, navigation, and safety on your dashboard. But what does this mean for your fleet?

Read on to learn all about vehicle telematics devices and how they can transform your fleet operations this year.

What is telematics on a vehicle?

In the trucking industry, vehicle telematics has been a game-changer. It has revolutionized the way fleet managers and drivers operate their vehicles, making it easier to monitor, track, and manage their assets. Telematics involves the use of edge computing devices, such as global positioning system (GPS), sensors, and onboard computers, to capture, analyze, and transmit key data from a vehicle to a central platform for decision making and reporting. 

Edge computing has revolutionized the way data is processed and transmitted. With advanced telematics platforms, like the My20 ELD, all data is gathered, processed, and analyzed within the cab and then the necessary results are transmitted to the platform. This increases accuracy, improves latency, and decreases operational costs. This technology has become a crucial tool in fleet management, improving safety, and increasing efficiency.

Vehicle telematics is used for a variety of purposes in the trucking industry, including location tracking and monitoring vehicles, improving safety, increasing efficiency, and reducing costs. Some specific uses of telematics include:

GPS tracking: Telematics technology can track the location of a vehicle in real-time, allowing fleet managers to monitor the location and movement of their vehicles and optimize routes.

Vehicle health monitoring: Telematics devices can collect data on vehicle performance, including fuel consumption, engine diagnostics, and maintenance alerts. This data can be used to optimize vehicle maintenance schedules, reducing downtime and repair costs.

Electronic logging: Telematics devices can automate driver logbooks, reducing the administrative burden on drivers and ensuring compliance with government regulations.

Driver behavior monitoring: Telematics technology can monitor driver behavior, including speeding, harsh acceleration, and hard braking. This data can be used to identify unsafe driving habits, assist in driver coaching, and provide targeted training to improve driver safety.

Live speed monitoring: Edge computing now supports second-by-second monitoring of speed vs posted limit with advanced algorithms to provide actionable coaching. 

Fuel management: Telematics devices can monitor fuel consumption and identify opportunities to reduce fuel waste, such as excessive idling and speeding over the posted speed limit or a set maximum speed.

Which vehicles can telematics devices be used in? 

Telematics can be used in a variety of vehicles, including trucks, cars, buses, and even heavy machinery. However, the type of telematics solution that is used may vary depending on the specific needs of the vehicle and the business that operates it.

In the trucking industry, telematics is commonly used to monitor and manage fleets of commercial trucks. Telematics solutions for trucks typically include features such as GPS tracking, electronic hours of service (HOS)  logging, vehicle health monitoring, and driver behavior analysis. These solutions are designed to provide fleet managers with real-time insights into vehicle performance and driver behavior, allowing them to optimize routes, reduce fuel consumption, and improve safety.

Telematics can also be used in passenger vehicles, providing features such as navigation, remote vehicle monitoring, and theft recovery. These solutions are often marketed to individual consumers and can be installed in cars, trucks, and SUVs.

What is the difference between GPS and telematics? 

While GPS is a component of telematics, the two are not interchangeable. GPS stands for Global Positioning System, which is a global satellite-based navigation system that provides location and time information in all weather conditions, anywhere on the planet. On the other hand, telematics combines GPS technology while collecting data from the vehicle’s engine and sensor systems  to provide comprehensive data insights on vehicle performance and driver behavior.

Telematics does not replace GPS. GPS (Global Positioning System) is a key foundational component of many telematics solutions, providing real-time location tracking for vehicles. However, telematics is more than vehicle tracking. It goes beyond simple GPS tracking to provide a more comprehensive set of features, including vehicle diagnostics, driver behavior analysis, and electronic logging.

Many apps for truckers use GPS to track the location of a vehicle in real-time, which is important for managing fleets and optimizing routes. However, telematics takes this a step further by collecting data on vehicle performance, driver behavior, and other important metrics. This data can be used to improve safety, reduce costs, and increase efficiency.

In other words, GPS is a component of telematics, but it is not the only component. Telematics solutions may use a range of other technologies, such as sensors, cameras, and data analytics tools, to provide a more comprehensive picture of vehicle and driver performance.

So, while GPS is an important part of telematics, it is not a replacement for telematics itself. Instead, GPS is just one of many tools that telematics solutions use to provide real-time data and insights for fleet management.

What are the benefits of telematics for fleets?

The benefits of telematics for fleets are numerous, and they range from improved safety to increased productivity. Some of the benefits of telematics include:

Enhanced Safety: Telematics helps fleet managers to monitor the behavior of drivers in real-time, which enables them to identify and correct any unsafe driving habits. Additionally, telematics devices can alert drivers of potential hazards, such as poor weather conditions, road closures, and traffic congestion, improving driver safety.

Reduced Fuel Consumption: Telematics can help reduce fuel consumption by monitoring driver behavior, such as idling, harsh acceleration, and speeding. By addressing these behaviors, fleet managers can reduce fuel consumption, saving money, and reducing their environmental footprint.

Improved Fleet Efficiency: Telematics can help fleet managers track their vehicles in real-time, enabling them to optimize routes and schedules to reduce delivery times, increase productivity, and improve customer satisfaction.

Cost Savings: By monitoring and managing vehicle maintenance, telematics can help reduce downtime and maintenance costs. Telematics devices can also provide insights into the health of a vehicle, allowing fleet managers to address issues before they become major problems, reducing repair costs.

How are telematics devices installed?

Telematics devices are typically installed in a vehicle’s onboard diagnostic (ECM) port, which is a standardized connection port that is available in all vehicles manufactured after 1996. The ECM port is located under the dashboard on the driver’s side of the vehicle, and the telematics device can be plugged into this port, providing access to the vehicle’s data.

In most cases, telematics cannot be turned off completely in a car or truck, as it is often integrated into the vehicle’s onboard computer system. However, some telematics systems may allow certain features to be disabled or turned off manually. It is important to note that disabling certain telematics features may result in reduced functionality or may even be illegal in some cases. For example, disabling an ELD may result in a violation of Hours of Service regulations, which can result in fines and other penalties.

Konexial My20 Telematics 

Konexial’s My20 ELD is a state-of-the-art telematics solution designed to help fleet managers monitor and manage their vehicles using Edge Computing and LIVE Supply Chain technology. My20 ELD provides a comprehensive suite of fleet management features, including GPS tracking, electronic logging, fuel management, vehicle health monitoring, and driver behavior analysis.

One of the key benefits of My20 ELD is its ease of use. The platform is easy to install, and the intuitive user interface makes it easy for fleet managers to access and analyze data instantaneously. The platform is also designed to be scalable, allowing fleet managers to add new vehicles and drivers as their business grows and integrated so the ELD, cameras, sensors, security devices and tracking devices are all connected on one easy to use dashboard.

In addition to its robust features and integrations, My20 ELD is also backed by exceptional U.S. based customer support. Konexial’s technology and compliance experts are available to provide support and guidance to ensure that fleet managers get the most Return on Investment (ROI) out of their telematics solution.

Telematics technology has transformed the trucking industry, providing fleet managers with live insights into vehicle performance and driver behavior. The benefits of telematics, including improved safety, reduced fuel consumption, increased efficiency, and cost savings. Let Konexial handle your vehicle telematics needs!