Vehicle Telematics Data: How to Take It to the Next Level

Like many fleet managers, you might be interested in learning more about the current vehicle and mobile telematics systems. This article will briefly introduce these technologies and cover some basics of how these systems collect and process telematics data. We’ll also compare the main features and benefits of leading telematics systems on the market before explaining how Tourmo can help you get the most value out of your current vehicle telematics data.  

Comparing Vehicle Telematics Vs. Mobile Telematics 

When comparing vehicle telematics (or OBD telematics) vs. mobile telematics systems, it’s essential to avoid taking a one versus-the-other standpoint. For example, mobile telematics systems that rely on smartphones or tablets to collect vehicle telematics data have several advantages that other methods do not. And, this is true vice versa. 

For instance, mobile telematics data can improve communications, gather valuable driver behavior data, and help improve fleet manager communication with drivers in real time. In contrast, vehicle telematics systems can provide vehicle telematics data, such as vehicle performance data and location information. 

In ideal situations, vehicle and mobile telematics systems can be used together to gather comprehensive data. Tourmo’s AI-powered platform can collect data from various sources, such as smartphones, aftermarket hardware, or OEM telematics solutions. We have off-the-shelf iOS and Android apps and an SDK to build our technology into a company’s existing telematics app.

Leading Telematics Systems on The Market

The collection and use of vehicle telematics data can enhance fleet operations efficiency and driver safety initiatives, save fuel costs, improve delivery routes, and do many other things.

The only thing limiting the value of vehicle telematics data is frequently the system a company utilizes.

While the capabilities offered by the top telematics systems vary, these systems can gather enormous amounts of vehicle telematics data and process this information in various ways. To help you compare their features and performance levels, we’ve listed and compared some of the leading telematics systems on the market today below. 

Geotab

Geotab is an end-to-end fleet management solution. Geotab offers the telematics and management functionality to gather, store, process, monitor, report, alter, and export fleet data from asset acquisition through end-of-life.

GeoTab’s benefits include:

• Tracks fleet performance and key metrics with reports and analytics
• Optimize fuel efficiency
• Data to drive a driver behavior program 
• Open platform that allows all-size companies to automate operations and integrate vehicle data

GeoTab’s reported limitations include:

• Provides large amounts of vehicle telematics data that can be difficult to monitor
• No Programmatic approach to driver behavior
• Added responsibility for manual oversight and management
• Due to the responsibilities of monitoring, it can be difficult to gain full benefits of data

Samsara

Samsara is a fleet management platform with features like GPS fleet tracking, ELD compliance, routing and dispatch, documents, reporting and alerts, and more. It is designed to assist various industries in streamlining their fleet operations, such as transportation, logistics, and construction. Samsara allows diverse managing fleets and mobile assets to be centralized on a single dashboard. It works with all vehicle types, including cars, buses, trucks, and specialist vehicles.

Samsara’s benefits include:

• Real-time vehicle location tracking via live GPS enables users to provide customers with accurate ETAs
• Reporting tools help users create more efficient routes while integrating dash cams, driver safety scores, and automatic alerts for risky driving behaviors
• Tools for detecting distracted driving, automatically uploading incidents, and in-cab voice coaching increase fleet safety, and two-way messaging streamlines fleet communication for users
• Samsara gives users the ability to capture documents in real-time by taking photos of items such as delivery and fuel receipts

Samsara’s reported limitations include:

• Users report a substantial learning curve with new and existing features
• Challenges with generating, reviewing, and pulling reports 
• Limitations of watching the full video of driver’s day and routing
• Technical issues due to updates and patches can affect business-critical functions
• Connectivity issues

Verizon Connect

Verizon Connect Reveal is a cloud-based electronic logging device (ELD) and fleet management platform that uses GPS fleet tracking to provide companies a comprehensive picture of all fleet management activities. In addition to other features, like GPS tracking, Verizon Connect provides high-definition maps, fuel consumption management, asset tracking, customizable dashboards, and performance analytics.

Verizon Connect’s benefits include:

• High-resolution maps with smart clustering help businesses manage fuel costs, provide precise ETAs, track valuable assets, and oversee a mobile workforce with vehicle tracking
• Fleet managers can view every driver on a map and instantly identify risky driving habits like harsh braking, quick starts, and additional vehicle misuse
• Platform sends push alerts to dispatchers and managers to inform them of risky driver behavior
• Allows drivers to compare their performance to other drivers by viewing their electronic log and scheduled stops

Verizon Connect’s reported limitations include:

• Challenges with generating, reviewing, and pulling reports 
• Large amounts of vehicle telematics data can easily overwhelm users 
• Video functionality requires manual review
• Limitations in available features may leave users with functional gaps

Tourmo AI — Taking Telematics To The Next Level

In the transportation industry, telematics systems have emerged as a crucial element of successful management. However, the collection and use of vehicle telematics data can be restricted to greater or lesser degrees, depending on the telematics system being used.

Even though telematics is credited with providing several advantages, the manual oversight needed to monitor and manage these systems and collect data continually can quickly become time-consuming and overwhelming. It takes more than simply having access to telematics data to act on data-rich information and improve fleet operations.

Vehicle telematics data and insights gained must be reintegrated into your operations to make the fast adjustments needed to gain a competitive advantage. Tourmo AI can help take your existing telematics system to the next level. Tourmo’s artificial intelligence and automated workflows can quickly identify and act on large amounts of telematics data, eliminating a company’s over-reliance on manual oversight and management, and get the full value from their existing telematics systems. 

Partner With Tourmo — Improved Vehicle Telematics Data

If your fleet utilizes any of the identified partners in this blog Tourmo can help you further benefit from their offerings and available data.  Fleet managers can enhance their operations by collecting and interpreting large amounts of data on fuel consumption, driver and vehicle performance, location, and more. However, the manual processes involved in managing telematics systems and large amounts of collected data can become a significant barrier to making fast corrective actions in real time.

Tourmo’s AI-powered platform can process mobility data from any smartphone, tablet, or current telematics device, regardless of the vehicle or the location, enabling users to monitor, control, and address fleet operations issues immediately.

If you are looking to enhance insights from your existing telematics provider (without replacement) OR if you do not have telematics on your fleet, Tourmo would be a great partner for you.