We’re BIG fans of telematics at Driving Down. The value which can be created when you use it properly for any business can be immense! This RAC report highlights the some of the benefits of telematics solutions from fuel savings, productivity, increased driver safety and reduced maintenance costs
The real challenge to finding the right telematics or tracking solution is identifying the pain points within your business, how you expect a telematics system to help and the main outcomes you want to achieve. Only when that is clear is it time to consider the options.
So here’s our 10 steps to purchasing a telematics solution:
Before you buy
1. Prioritise
Ask yourself, what is your business really looking to achieve by having telematics installed? Is it purely looking to know where your drivers are at any one time, or are you wanting to embark on a total driver behaviour improvement scheme (or somewhere in between)? Make sure you’re clear on this because it makes the process so much easier and helps to identify the solutions most appropriate for your business.
2. Consider the future
Now you’ve got your priorities in order, start to have a think about where your business might be able to future proof the purchase. Will this solution still tick all the boxes in your 1 year, 5 year, 10 year business plan?
3. Get external input
Make sure you speak to other customers already using a solution that’s on your shortlist. Whilst all telematics suppliers will offer you case studies, always go one step further and speak to one of their customers. You should get a full rundown on costs, service, installation and software etc. If they’re not willing to assist you in this, you have to ask yourself why.
When Buying
4. Consider all the costs
Take into account the whole cost of the solution. Things to include in this cost calculation include; Installation; Hardware; Monthly Subscription; and Data. There’s also some other things to consider which may impact your costs such as early termination agreements and uninstall costs – both you should consider in your calculations!
5. Contract length or pay as your go?
Are you comfortable signing into a fixed term contract? Do you get a benefit by doing this? Use this to your advantage and negotiate hard. There are pay as you go options in the marketplace, so there are alternatives out there if you want them.
6. Installation
You’ll normally need to pick a date (or range of dates depending on the size of your fleet) to get your telematics equipment installed. A day off the road for your vehicles needs to be planned well in advance, to avoid disruption to your customers.
Once you’ve got your telematics solution installed
7. Establish KPIs
Remember your priorities? Good. These now come back into play. Turn those priorities into measurable indicators of your vehicle and driver performance and schedule regular reports so that you can understand trends and see if you’re achieving the targets that you set.
8. Train staff
Make sure everyone in the business knows the system, and more importantly why you are using it. Telematics solutions have the biggest positive impact when everyone is involved and well trained, and then proactively contribute to improving the performance of the business’ vehicles.
9. Don’t be a slave to the system
Telematics solutions should work for you, not the other way around. Setting up regular reports and then leaving the system to do the heavy work, should be what you are aiming for. Don’t waste time (however interesting it might be) to be constantly checking on things. If you feel the need to have a dig around, set yourself some time each week to play with the system, but don’t get drawn in!
And Ongoing
10. The financial argument for telematics
A return on investment is ultimately the aim for a telematics solution, whereby the solution is effectively free because of other savings that it helps you make. This could be from savings on fuel; improvement in driver behaviour; optimising routes and lots besides.
How can Driving Down Ltd help?
Driving Down helps guide you through this process to get to the crux of what the right solution looks like. Need a dot on the map to find your drivers, we can do it. Need advanced AI monitoring cameras to help improve your drivers, we can do it. Then there’s the contract with a supplier… Are you happy to commit for 3 years or more? Or would you prefer a pay as you go option? After we’re clear about your needs, then we will know which solution is best for your business.
Find out more about telematics here
