Telematics — often considered to be a complicated term to understand — can be easily understood like this. The word telematics is made up of two words telecommunication and informatics. It combines the functions of these two phenomena, telecommunication — the communication carried out over a distance, and informatics — the science of processing data for storage and retrieval. This technology is used in telematics calculator used in vehicles.
Telematics technology is extensively used for fleets to improve business efficiency. It uses a GPS-tracking system to know the real-time information about the vehicle’s location, among other functions such as fuel consumption, maintenance, speed, idling time, harsh driving instances, usage of the vehicle, etc. This information is further used to create reports on drivers, measure their performance, look out for any errors, etc.
The main uses of telematics are as follows:
- Vehicle tracking
- Safety tracking of vehicles
- Asset tracking (on non-motorized assets)
- Maintenance tracking of vehicles
Telematics technology has come to greater use in the past few years; it has emerged as a successful technique for vehicle tracking in the fleet industry. This can be attributed to the benefits it provides, which are:
Improves efficiency
Real-time tracking of the vehicles helps in identifying routes that can lead a vehicle to its destination in lesser time. This will save time, increase efficiency, and on top of that, faster delivery of services will satisfy the customers.
Tracks driver behavior
A particular driver might be behaving inappropriately while at work. This behavior can be tracked by installing a camera on the vehicle that can live stream everything back to the head office. This will help in making the customer experience superior to everything.
Increases fuel efficiency
When the routes will get shorter, and the tasks are completed efficiently, it will also result in fuel-efficient operations. In times when the fuel prices are soaring high, this is an added — and a much-needed — advantage.
Keeps track of rash driving
Monitoring the speed and acceleration of the vehicle is one of the functions of telematics. In case a driver is overspeeding or not adhering to the driving rules in any manner, the owner will get to know through the system of telematics. Appropriate action can then be taken against the concerned person.
Helps a driver out of legal troubles
If a driver is falsely accused of overspeeding or rash driving, or any misappropriate behavior while driving, as a result of which any other person was harmed, the driver can use telematics data to testify their innocence.
Enables communication
Real-time tracking of vehicles enables the head office to communicate with the customers to ascertain their delivery, enabling the company to provide good customer services.
Conclusion
The telematics unit technology is a result of rapidly evolving technology, as a result of which there have been increased operational efficiencies for businesses in the fleet industry. Tools like a telematics calculator provide the best possible use of the combination of telecommunication and informatics. Two complex phenomena have come together to simplify the tasks for fleet businesses.
