4 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Telematics Solution

Choosing the right telematics solution for your fleet can be tricky. Each option has its own features. Every salesperson will tell you that their product is best.

When you have so many options to choose from, how can you even begin to narrow down your choices?

In this blog, we’ll show you how to find the telematics that will improve your safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

4 questions to ask when choosing a telematics solution

1. What kind of data do you want to gather?

All telematics software will offer some standard information, such as your vehicles’ locations through GPS tracking. Other types of data may only be offered by certain providers, such as:

• Engine diagnostics
• Idle time
• Geofence movements
• And more

Determine which kind of information your fleet relies on and any other data that you could use. You can then identify the software that offers the insights you need.

2. What features do you need?

Today, telematics does much more than GPS tracking. If you want a good ROI, you need devices that help you save time, money, and effort. Some possible features include:

• Maintenance scheduling and tracking
• Driver coaching
• Driver activity tracking
• Tracking idle and run times
• ELD & HoS use

Automating these tasks saves time while improving your understanding of your fleet. You can help your drivers operate more safely by pinpointing dangerous behaviors. You can also develop better strategies and implement them more effectively with your telematics solution.

3. What kind of assets are in my fleet?

A snowplow needs a different device than a company car. If you want a solution that will work for your entire fleet, you have to consider every need. Create a list of the factors that affect your vehicles and management. Do you need rugged devices or customizable solutions? Will every asset track the same data? Bring this list to each provider to see how well they can meet your needs.

4. What will we need in the future?

Adding telematics is a significant investment. You need to know that your solution will support your fleet today and for years to come. If it won’t scale, your money is going to waste.

Look for telematics software that will meet your projected growth and needs. Research the development of each product, measuring how well it has evolved to meet new technology and demands. You should also ask each provider about ongoing support to make sure your solution will remain the right fit in the future.

Once you have the right telematics solution, you need the right installers. Explore our GPS install services to see why Team TSI is your best choice.