Capital Equipment News May 2018

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP – TELEMATICS

So how does telematics actually work?

Telematics is a word that has grown in popularity over time – but what exactly does telematics entail? Grant Fraser, Commercial Director at MiX Telematics (Africa), explains.

A ccording to Gartner’s IT Glossary1, the word “telematics” is a merger of tele and matics – short for “telecommunications” and “information”, and one of its core functions is to record information about vehicles and send, receive, process and store this data via telecommunications devices. The technology also allows for control of vehicles on the move. Today and into the future, telematics technology integrates with connected cars and smart home technologies, where users can control features within their homes from their vehicles’ dashboard. Users can control devices in the home from their car like turn the lights on, turn the thermostat up and switching on the coffee maker – demonstrating the significant role telematics and internet-connected devices can play in the modern lifestyle. This goes to show the incredible and endless possibilities that lie within telematics technology. But let’s take a step back and look at telematics currently within the consumer and fleet management space. From GPS tracking, monitoring how you drive to emergency warning systems and stolen vehicle recovery are all covered under the telematics umbrella. Practical applications where telematics can help improve the efficiency of a fleet include monitoring the location, movements, status and behaviour of the vehicle via an on-board computer and monitoring the driver through in-cab video systems. Understanding the tech The basic telematics system is enabled by a hardware device that gets installed into the vehicle or any asset for that matter. A SIM card and modem in the device enables communication on the cellular network. The data derived from the telematics device like the vehicle’s GPS position, the G-Force measured by the built-in accelerometer, and the speed that the vehicle is moving at is

sent in an encrypted packaged format to the data centre. Here, the message gets decoded in order for the data centre to obtain the condition and whereabouts of the vehicle. The data is turned into information by management reporting tools in conjunction with a visual display on computerised mapping software. This ultimately forms the cornerstone of vehicle tracking and stolen vehicle recovery. The information can also be accessed by the consumer directly, through the use of a mobile application or internet tracking software enabling the consumer to monitor their vehicle in real time and alerting them – through early warning and crash alerts – should there be any movement on their car or when their car has been in an accident. Generated data For fleet management the telematics data being derived from the on-board computer includes operating hours, location, fuel consumed, and odometer reading. Fleet management software includes functionality for monitoring and managing driver and asset performance, controlling communication costs, reporting on fleet operating costs, active (real-time) and passive (after- the-fact) tracking of assets and drivers, location management, communication and messaging, route planning and variance reporting, trailer management, asset maintenance reporting, service reminders and much more. Telematics solutions include various peripherals, for example, an in-cab display through which drivers are able to obtain their route information, as well as driving-related events such as over- speeding, over-revving, harsh braking, harsh acceleration and excessive idling. An advanced fleet management solution has numerous benefits: reducing fuel costs; better managing routes and delivery schedules; improving vehicle utilization; tracking vehicles

Grant Fraser, Commercial Director at MiX Telematics (Africa).

and drivers in real-time, and assigning jobs accordingly; identifying, monitoring and managing poor driver behaviour; managing servicing and licensing, resulting in reduced wear and tear and increased vehicle uptime; and lessening carbon emissions, helping to create a healthier, more sustainable environment. With data being the new currency for businesses, telematics and the real-time usage of data is quickly moving from being optional to a requirement and will soon become an invaluable part of a business’ operations in order to gain a competitive edge and remain one step ahead in tough economic times. While telematics was originally exclusively used by large enterprises, today nearly any type of business can utilise telematics and use the opportunities presented by the Internet of Things to elevate their business, reduce costs and simplify operations. So it’s safe to say that in 10 years from now, driving your vehicle or managing your fleet, your home and your business will be ruled by telematics. b

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