Is it time for telematics?

Telematics solutions have fast risen in popularity in recent years. But while many more businesses are already seeing the benefits of such solutions to monitor and manage remote workforces, many others are missing out.

The reasons for forgoing a telematics solution vary. Some business owners feel that they are managing just fine without one, while others may feel that their business does not warrant a comprehensive solution. In truth, there is rarely a fleet business that cannot be potentially improved by telematics technology.

If you are currently without a telematics solution but are experiencing any of the challenges below, then there’s a good chance that you could benefit from putting one in place – whatever the size and setup of your organisation.

Your business is growing

Success is not without its struggles. With new customers come new sets of demands, deadlines to meet and SLAs to uphold. Without a solution in place to manage an upscale in service, meeting this increased demand can be a challenge.

That’s why growth can be a precarious stage for some business. Mistakes now can potentially damage new relationships and overstretch limited resources.

As you add more remote workers, it’s vital that you can monitor their whereabouts and communicate updates and instructions with minimal interruption. With telematics in place, you can pinpoint the exact location of any driver in near real-time, updating routing and job instructions in just a few clicks.

You’re wasting money

Every business wants to eliminate waste. However, the reality is far harder than the aim. It’s one thing to know that you are spending £X per month on fuel, for example, but it is quite another to know how much of that fuel is wasted.

With a telematics solution in place, you can spot and work to reduce waste right across your fleet.

Data on driver behaviour such as idling and harsh drivers can be used to detect and deter wasteful practices while optimised routing helps to prevent your drivers from going out of their way.

You’re concerned about safety

Fleet safety is always a top priority. Owners of fleet-reliant business have a duty of care, not just to their staff but also to other road users. And this is only one area of concern.

As well as the potential risk of injury, road accidents can carry significant business and financial implications, including repair bills, vehicle or driver downtime and increased insurance premiums.

If you’re concerned about fleet safety, there are few better tools on the market than a telematics fleet management solution. A comprehensive system allows you to monitor unsafe behaviours such as speeding and harsh driving. This information can be used to coach and incentivise drivers into safe driving styles.

You’re struggling to track your staff

You may be confident that you know the rough whereabouts of your remote staff during the working day. But what happens between stops or when they clock off?

Unfortunately, unauthorised personal use of company vehicles and equipment is not uncommon and it has the potential to impact your bottom line significantly.

With the help of a telematics solution, you can monitor the location of your vehicles 24/7, setting alerts to trigger whenever they are operated outside of working hours or in an unauthorised area.

Your customers are unhappy

There are few greater obstacles to customer loyalty than poor service. And while one or two unhappy customers may be par for the course, if that number is increasing, your business could soon be in trouble.

With the total visibility afforded by a telematics solution, it’s easy to meet and exceed customer expectations – improving service levels, satisfaction and loyalty in the process.

By having near real-time location data at your fingertips, you can keep customers up to speed with accurate and timely ETAs. You can even share this information directly with customers, allowing them to track drivers to their door.

Are you struggling to scale? Are your customers unhappy? Feel like you’re working blind? If so, it could be time for telematics. To find out more, schedule a product demo with one of our specialists.